Dell XPS 14 2026 and XPS 16 2026
Date:
Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000
Description:
The Dell XPS 14 and Dell XPS 16 return in 2026 with a new look and some major improvements over their predecessors
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As CES 2026 kicks off, right out of the gate, we have one of the biggest surprises of the show as far as laptops go, and that is the return of the
Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16.
Last year, Dell underwent a major overhaul of its laptop lines, consolidating them under a kind of grid scheme of Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max laptops, each with a base model, a Plus model, and a Premium version for different sizes.
It was controversial, for sure, and whether that controversy prompted Dell to change course or there was something in the sales performance of the
rebranded laptops that gave Dell pause, whatever it was has given us back the iconic Dell XPS laptops, and its more than just a return to the old name.
The new Dell XPS lineup has had a solid redesign that at first sight goes a long way towards fixing the complaints I had with the last few generations of XPS laptops. Its also powered by the new Intel Core Ultra 300 series processors, and by powered by Intel, I mean entirely.
With the new redesign, the XPS laptop is losing a discrete graphics option
for the foreseeable future, which is putting a lot of trust in Intels new chips to deliver the mix of creative and productivity performance users
expect from the XPS brand.
Whether the new Dell XPS 14 and Dell XPS 16 achieve that balance remains to
be seen, but for right now, these two laptops are a fantastic return for the beloved laptop line. Dell XPS 14 & Dell XPS 16: Price & availability (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) When is it out? The XPS 14 and XPS 16 go on sale January 6, 2026 How much is it? Starting at $1,649.99 for the XPS 14 and $1,849.99 for the XPS 16 Where can you get it? Only available in the US at launch, with global availability to follow
The Dell XPS 14 and Dell XPS 16 will go on sale in the US on January 6, 2026, with a limited number of configurations, starting at $1,649.99 for the XPS 14 and $1,849.99 for the XPS 16. Lower-priced configurations will be launching soon, as will wider availability in the UK and Australia, though no dates or pricing for those regions have been given yet.
Without knowing what the specific specs of the initial configurations are,
its hard to tell how much the price of the new XPS laptops will vary from earlier models. With RAM prices being what they are, I would not be surprised if they come in somewhat higher, but Dell is also better able to absorb those price hikes or negotiate volume pricing down, thanks to its size, so well
just have to keep an eye on it over the next few weeks and months before I
can give it a proper value assessment. Dell XPS 14 & Dell XPS 16: Specs Powered by Intel Core Ultra 300 series No discrete graphics option Dell XPS
14 2026 & Dell XPS 16 2026 specs
Dell XPS 14
Dell XPS 16
Processor
Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
Graphics
Intel Arc Graphics, Intel Graphics
Intel Arc Graphics, Intel Graphics
NPU
Up to 50 TOPS
Up to 50 TOPS
Memory
Up to 64GB LPDDR5x-9600
Up to 64GB LPDDR5x-9600
Storage
Up to 4TB PCIe 5.0
Up to 4TB PCIe 5.0
Display
Up to 14-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED InfinityEdge touch display, 400-nits typical, 500-nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500
Up to 16-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED InfinityEdge touch, 400-nits typical, 500-nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0
Ports
3x Thunderbolt 4, 1x 3.5mm Universal Audio jack
3x Thunderbolt 4, 1x 3.5mm Universal Audio jack
Battery
70WHr
70WHr
Webcam
8MP / 4K HDR w/ Windows Hello
8MP / 4K HDR w/ Windows Hello
Dimensions (W x D x H)
12.19 x 8.26 x 0.58 ins | 309.5 x 209.7 x 14.6mm
13.88 x 9.35 x 0.58 ins | 352.6 x 237.47 x 14.6mm
Weight
3.0 lbs | 1.36kg
3.65 lbs | 1.65kg Dell XPS 14 & Dell XPS 16: Design (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) New, thinner, and more modern design Fixes most of the accessibility issues with previous gen XPS models
The biggest change here for the Dell XPS 14and XPS 16 is the design of the
two laptops, which significantly improves things over earlier generations.
First, the laptop feels lighter and sturdier than its predecessors, and it definitely looks more modern. The move from the Dell logo to the XPS logo on the lid also makes the laptop feel less like an office product and more like
a proper ultrabook. (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
From my limited time with the two laptops, the keys had good travel and felt comfortable enough in my testing, but having not typed on them extensively, I cant say how theyll feel after a few hours of work.
The three Thunderbolt ports along the sides and the headphone/mic jack are sufficient for most people, and while the lack of USB-A ports might annoy some, at this point, I cant fault Dell for sticking with the faster, more intuitive USB-C interface. (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The webcam is an 8MP 4K HDR webcam, which is what I would expect for a laptop in this class, and the 10W audio is spread out between a number of hidden speakers along both sides of the laptop. Given the noise in the testing area, the audio was audible , but it was also really loud. Ill reserve judgment on that until I can do more extensive testing with it.
The OLED displays looked great on the two laptops, with the XPS 16-inch feeling much more roomy as youd expect, but the 14-inch display is also more than enough for most. The lighting in the testing space wasnt the greatest,
so I wouldnt trust my eyes to judge the color accuracy without a longer look in better conditions, but I honestly cant think of anything Id fault them
for.
The biggest changes, for me at least, are the return of physical Function
keys and a more visible border for the trackpads. The old virtual Function
key bar along the previous gen devices and the complete lack of a visibly defined trackpad on a smooth, glassy surface were accessibility headaches
that simply werent necessary. The trackpad could be better defined, Ill say, but Im just happy that you can at least see it more clearly. Dell XPS 14 & Dell XPS 16: Performance (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
I didnt have a chance to benchmark either the XPS 14 or XPS 16, so I cant
tell you how either will perform versus their predecessors. I will say that the lack of discrete graphics will not work in the new XPS models' favor if you are comparing them to a Dell Premium with an Nvidia RTX 4050, like the Dell 14 Premium I tested last year.
That said, I havent fully tested the new Intel Panther Lake chips yet, so the new XPSs performance might end up surprising me. Well know soon enough. Dell XPS 14 & Dell XPS 16: Final thoughts (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
I personally didnt lose much sleep over the XPS rebranding last year, the way many of my colleagues did, but Im sure the XPSs triumphant return from exile will make plenty of people happy.
What I care far more about, though, is the redesign of these two laptops, particularly the Function keys and the trackpad. Those fixes alone make this the one laptop Im most excited to test out in the next few weeks, and if
Intel Panther Lake can live up to its hype, these two models just might be
the laptops to buy in 2026.
TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES , and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2026 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home
gadgets, and the latest in AI.
And dont forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows-laptops/dell-xps-14-2026-and-xps-1 6-2026
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