The XPS 16’s redesign proves Dell realized from its errors

Final yr, Dell did us grimy by means of converting the XPS title to the Dell 16 Top rate, and whilst the {hardware} was once nonetheless excellent, the title sucked. To their everlasting credit score, the corporate listened to its enthusiasts, and the XPS title is again for 2026.

What is additionally here’s a redesigned chassis. The zero-lattice keyboard stays, as does the (close to) invisible touchpad, which now has a few ridges at the edges so you recognize the place it’s. However as a substitute of opening from the again, the keyboard lifts out if you wish to improve garage, and so on., which is kinda neat because it offers a tiny ridge across the keyboard deck.

In contrast to previous XPS fashions, this can be a Copilot+ PC, since all Panther Lake CPUs have a sufficiently robust NPU. That suggests additional webcam tweaks and a couple of different at hand issues. And one last item, the tandem OLED is improbable. It is not somewhat as vivid because it might be in response to different fashions we have now examined, but it surely has shocking colour copy and is a pleasure to sit down in entrance of.

About this overview: Dell despatched us the Dell XPS 16, and had no enter into the contents of this text.

8.5/10

Working Gadget

Home windows 11

CPU

As much as Intel® Core Extremely X9 Processor 388H (16- Core, 18MB Cache, as much as 5.1 GHz)

GPU

Intel graphics (publish release) Intel® Arc graphics

RAM

16GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 7467 MT/s 32GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 9600 MT/s 64GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 9600 MT/s

The XPS 16 is again for 2026, again to the outdated branding however with a newly tweaked chassis that opens from the keyboard facet for simply upgrading garage. It is powered by means of Intel’s Panther Lake chips, and feels each and every bit as top class as the associated fee tag would counsel.

Professionals & Cons

• Tandem OLED display is beautiful
• Feels futuristic
• Excellent to have the XPS title again

• Battery existence might be larger
• No fingerprint reader
• Keyboard takes some being used to

Dell XPS 16 (2026): Pricing, availability, and specifications

Dell introduced the XPS 16 (2026) at CES this yr, and the best choice on the time had a $2,200 price ticket. Now that extra variations are out, the bottom MSRP is $1,750. As reviewed with the Intel Core Extremely X7 358H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and touchscreen OLED, it rounds out at $2,350, which is not a nasty value in this day and age. It is usually nearly a complete pound lighter than closing yr’s Dell Top rate 16, which is spectacular.

If you do not want the bigger display, the XPS 14 begins from $1,350. It is the similar chassis exchange, the similar upgraded 8MP webcam, simply with a smaller body. Pricing is all the time variable, direct from the OEM, so take a look at each and every so continuously, and chances are you’ll discover a larger deal.

The XPS vary has all the time been futuristic

The brand new chassis is very good

Two chassis and title adjustments in two years carry us to what is my favourite XPS but. From the outdoor, it is understated, without a sharp angles, corners, or different design parts that this value bracket normally has. The one factor you understand is the easy line paintings of the XPS brand, again at the lid the place it belongs.

With all that actual property, chances are you’ll surprise why there are most effective 3 ports in this device, however they are all Thunderbolt 4 ports. That suggests not more guessing which port is in point of fact USB-C in conceal, or which one will rate your pc correctly, or which one will beef up output to an exterior show. All of them do, and it is one thing you do not notice except you’ve got used the standard hodgepodge of ports that many laptops include.

Then you definitely open it, and it is unmistakably an XPS, with the zero-lattice keyboard that now has bodily F-keys once more, and the large, just about invisible touchpad that is nearly as excellent because the MacBook’s. Virtually.

Dell has in some way controlled to trim nearly a complete pound this yr, so it is now simply over 3.6 lbs, which makes it a lot more uncomplicated to tote round within the 16-inch dimension.

Similar

Dell listened and the XPS 14 is again, child, yeah

Some of the storied names within the recreation is again

Larger is healthier (most commonly)

The XPS 16 outperforms its smaller sibling

Panther Lake is in point of fact, in point of fact excellent, guys, and I have been inspired with all of the stack from access stage to flagship. The Intel Core Extremely X7-358H within the overview unit is a midrange providing, but it surely has a number of energy for on a regular basis duties and may not drain the battery as temporarily. I realized that it is moderately better-performing than the similar CPU within the XPS 14, most likely because of a bigger cooling device.

The only sadness for some is the loss of discrete graphics card choices this yr. Dell continuously places Nvidia GPU choices into the XPS vary, however is banking at the efficiency of Intel’s new iGPU to hold the day. I have used sufficient Panther Lake CPUs to understand the iGPU is first rate, and I will be able to’t say I ignored the annoyances of a dGPU both.

Battery existence is all-day for paintings duties, despite the fact that it examined moderately less than the XPS 14 in our looping video check. I am not positive if that is on account of the moderately upper brightness of 230 nits vs 200 nits, mixed with the bigger display, but it surely was once repeatable. The XPS 16 nonetheless manages just about 13 hours of looped video, despite the fact that, which is a number of juice, and the charger is small, so you’ll lift it with you.

Similar

Samsung’s new laptops are as just about a MacBook operating Home windows as you’ll get

That is the nearest any Home windows pc comes

Tandem OLED is magnificent

It is usually a little brighter despite the fact that

Like at the smaller sibling, the tandem OLED touchscreen is beautiful. It covers 100% of sRGB, 97% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3 on an LG panel. Gamma was once spot-on at 2.2, and with a height SDR brightness of 444 nits, it will do effective outdoor. It has got an excessively constant panel for each luminance and colour accuracy, and is most likely the simpler possibility over IPS on this case.

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Very best laptops in 2026

In search of a brand new pc for paintings, college, or the rest? Listed below are the easiest laptops in the marketplace at the moment.

Will have to you purchase the Dell XPS 16 (2026)?

You will have to purchase the Dell XPS 16 if:

• You wish to have a lovely 16-inch pc
• You wish to have a solidly-built pc
• You dig the flat keyboard and invisible touchpad

You will have to NOT purchase the Dell XPS 16 if:

• You wish to have a numpad to your keyboard
• You wish to have the ability of a discrete GPU
• You wish to have a fingerprint reader

Dell’s XPS line has all the time been a exhibit for the most productive show applied sciences and future-forward design, and the XPS 16 (2026) carries that torch ahead. The three.2K tandem OLED display is a pleasure to have a look at, the touchpad is there when you wish to have it and no longer when you do not, and the keyboard may not be everybody’s cup of tea, however that is k.

We continuously name the XPS 14 “the most productive 14-inch pc,” and that’s the reason simply carried over to the 16-inch fashion. It is the most productive pc for Home windows customers at that dimension, with a MacBook Professional really feel, however by means of forging its personal trail to get there. And it is now a Copilot+ pc, because of this you’ll be able to get Microsoft’s newest AI options, whether or not you need them or no longer.

The Dell XPS 16 is as excellent as you’ll get, and I do know we are saying this once a year, however it is probably the most few product levels that constantly make stronger. Simply purchase one. If you wish to have a brand new pc, this is.

8.5/10

CPU

As much as Intel® Core Extremely X9 Processor 388H (16- Core, 18MB Cache, as much as 5.1 GHz)

GPU

Intel graphics (publish release) Intel® Arc graphics

Show kind

16-inch 2K (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge nontouch show, 500-nits standard brightness, 100% sRGB colour gamut, 2000:1 distinction ratio, 176° extensive viewing attitude +/- 88° / 88° / 88° / 88°, 1-120Hz, Dolby Imaginative and prescient , Eyesafe® era, anti-glare 16-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED InfinityEdge contact 400-nits standard brightness, 100% DCIP3 colour gamut, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500, a million:1 distinction ratio, 178° extensive viewing attitude +/- 88° / 88° / 88° / 88°, 20- 120Hz, Dolby Imaginative and prescient , Eyesafe® era, anti-reflective, anti-smudge

RAM

16GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 7467 MT/s 32GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 9600 MT/s 64GB LPDDR5x Twin Channel at 9600 MT/s