Dell nearly gave up its crown last year with the shocking announcement that it was discontinuing its legendary XPS brand. It was a move that baffled fans and critics alike. Thankfully, the company quickly course-corrected, admitting its misstep and recommitting to its flagship notebook line. The result is the completely redesigned 2026 XPS lineup, and after spending time with the XPS 16, it’s clear that the king of premium Windows laptops has returned.
While some keyboard quirks on early models are a minor blemish, the new XPS 16 is a stunning return to form, with a super-sleek build, impressive performance, and smart refinements that build on everything we loved about its predecessors.
An Impossibly Sleek Design
Dell has masterfully refined its classic aluminum and glass design, making the XPS 16 dramatically thinner and lighter. Tipping the scales at just 3.65 pounds, it’s nearly a full pound lighter than the previous model. This massive reduction puts it closer in weight to a 15-inch MacBook Air than its typical rival, the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The laptop is so impressively streamlined that it feels almost impossibly sleek every time you pick it up.
The optional 3.2K OLED display is, simply put, gorgeous. It produces incredibly vibrant colors and features a smooth 120Hz variable refresh rate. Though rated at 400 nits, the screen appears much brighter in person, providing an excellent viewing experience for both work and media consumption.
For connectivity, the XPS 16 includes three versatile USB-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.1, and power delivery. The excellent up-firing stereo speakers also make a welcome return. My one major gripe is the absence of an SD card reader. For a machine that is otherwise perfectly positioned for photo and video editors on the go, this omission is a puzzling inconvenience.
A Revamped Keyboard with Mixed Results
Perhaps the most significant changes are found in the keyboard and touchpad. Dell wisely brought back physical function keys, replacing the controversial capacitive touch row from the previous generation. The seamless glass touchpad also gets a subtle but helpful update with a faint perimeter line, so you always know where its boundaries are.
However, the typing experience has some issues. Early units, including our review model, suffer from a lack of anti-ghosting, which can cause input errors for fast typists. Dell has stated this issue is resolved in new retail units and that a software update will fix existing models sometime in March. Beyond that, while the zero-gap layout looks clean, I found myself wishing for the deeper, bouncier keys found on some of Dell’s older laptops.
Impressive Performance Without a GPU
To achieve its remarkable thin-and-light profile, Dell opted to forgo a discrete graphics card. The XPS 16 is powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra chips, which proved more than capable of handling any productivity task I threw at it.
While it won’t replace a dedicated gaming rig, its integrated graphics are surprisingly potent. The laptop managed a playable 62 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p using Intel’s XeSS upscaling. This is impressive performance for a machine this portable.
All-Day Battery Life
Thanks to its large 99.5Whr battery, the XPS 16 excels in longevity. On our battery benchmark test, it lasted just under 12 hours—more than an hour and a half longer than its smaller XPS 14 sibling. For most users, this means you can confidently leave the power adapter at home for a full day of work or travel.
Final Verdict
Dell’s decision to revive and reinvest in the XPS brand has paid off beautifully. The XPS 16 is a shining example of a premium Windows ultraportable done right, delivering a sleek design, strong performance, and excellent battery life. This machine is a true successor to the iconic, award-winning models that built the XPS legacy.
While the keyboard isn’t perfect, the overall package is incredibly compelling. The starting price is steep, but with discounts, it becomes an even more attractive proposition. The only major reason to hesitate would be if you require the power of a dedicated GPU. For that, it may be worth waiting, as I anticipate Dell will release a more powerful configuration later this year.
Despite a near-fatal fumble just months ago, Dell has stuck the landing. The XPS 16 has returned to rightfully reclaim its spot at the top.
