The Dell XPS 13 has long been one of our favorite Windows laptops, and a recent redesign that added the "Plus" moniker has shaken up a design that was already nearly flawless. New speakers, new keyboard, new touchpad, new camera, and new performance hardware are all on board, giving even those who have a recent XPS 13 model a bit of envy. I can attest. We're here to answer a bunch of questions surrounding the new XPS 13 Plus 9320.
Dell's new XPS 13 Plus sets a fresh standard for Windows 11 laptops thanks to a clean and minimalist look with tons of performance inside.
What's new in the Dell XPS 13 Plus?
The XPS series is Dell's flagship lineup of laptops, reserved for those who want the best of the best. Compared to other Dell brands like Inspiron, Latitude, and Precision, XPS laptops have that extra attention to design and ease of use that often puts them at the forefront of Dell's marketing.
The Dell XPS 13 has seen many revisions over the years, with each new model inching toward a new level of perfection. The last major redesign came with the XPS 13 9300 model (which I still use as a daily driver), ushering in a taller 16:10 display, larger keyboard and touchpad, and better performance. This carried over to the Dell XPS 13 9310, which was reviewed by our Executive Editor Daniel Rubino.
The XPS 13 Plus 9320 received another significant redesign. The keyboard is wider, with larger keycaps reaching to the edges of the laptop. There's almost no space between the keys, but the gaps are wide enough to allow sound to pass through from the new upward-firing speakers installed underneath the deck. These complement the usual dual down-firing speakers on the bottom of the laptop. Above the keyboard are new capacitive function buttons with LEDs instead of depressibles.
The touchpad is no longer a visible portion of the laptop. It resides below a seamless glass palmrest that blends into the rest of the internal deck. The touchpad takes up the middle portion, but there are no visible markers to show where it ends. And instead of a physical click, there are multiple haptic feedback sensors that simulate the feel.
Dell kept the same 720p resolution for the webcam, but it separated the RGB and IR portions to deliver a better quality picture. You still get facial recognition through Windows Hello, and there are about 20% more pixels for the RGB portion.
The inside of the laptop is another area that received a big upgrade. Intel's 12th Gen Core mobile CPUs are on board, with i5 and i7 28W P-series chips available to configure. This is the most powerful XPS 13 Dell has ever released, with performance gains nearly doubling the XPS 13 9310 in some benchmarks. Memory has been bumped up to faster LPDDR5-5200MHz, and the M.2 SSDs now use PCIe 4.0 for blistering transfer speeds. Be sure to check out our comparison of the XPS 13 Plus and the XPS 13 9310 for more information.
What kind of specs are available in the XPS 13 Plus?
The XPS 13 Plus 9320 is packing some impressive hardware options, and Dell has quite a few customizable configurations available. Here's a breakdown of the XPS 13 Plus 9320's specifications.
| Category | Dell XPS 13 Plus |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Ubuntu (Dev Edition) |
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel 28W Core i5-1240P Core i7-1260P Core i7-1280P |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5-5200MHz Dual-channel Soldered |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD Upgradeable |
| Display | 13.4 inches 16:10 aspect ratio Dolby Vision 1920x1200 (FHD+) Non-touch, 60Hz, 500 nits, anti-glare 1920x1200 (FHD+) Touch, 60Hz, 500 nits, anti-glare 3456x2160 (3.5K) OLED, touch, 60Hz, anti-reflective, 400 nits 3840x2400 (UHD+) Touch, 60Hz, anti-reflective, 500 nits |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 4 |
| Wireless | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX211 Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Camera | Front-facing 720p RGB IR camera |
| Security | Fingerprint reader IR camera |
| Battery | 55Wh 60W AC adapter |
| Dimensions | 11.63 x 7.84 x 0.60 inches (295mm x 199mm x 15mm) |
| Weight | From 2.71 pounds (1.23kg) |
| Color | Platinum Graphite |
How does the XPS 13 Plus compare to other XPS models?
The XPS 13 Plus is the smallest XPS available. Dell also offers the 15-inch XPS 15 and the 17-inch XPS 17 for those who need the extra screen real estate, H-series Intel Core processors, and discrete graphics. The XPS 13 sits at the top of the best Dell laptops thanks to its broad appeal, but the XPS 15 and XPS 17 are monster laptops in their own right.
While the XPS 13 Plus is best suited for professional or casual users who like to remain as mobile as possible, the XPS 15 is a better choice if you want more power for creative apps or even some gaming. And the XPS 17 is the ultimate creator's laptop thanks to more powerful hardware and a huge screen.
Our comparison of the Dell XPS 13 vs. XPS 15 vs. XPS 17 goes into a lot more detail about the differences and similarities between these laptops.
Can you upgrade RAM and SSD in the XPS 13 Plus?
Memory in the XPS 13 Plus is dual-channel, but it's integrated into the motherboard. That means you cannot upgrade after purchase; choosing enough at checkout to handle your workload is highly recommended.
As for the SSD, it's still accessible for upgrades after purchase. The m.2 PCIe 4.0 slot is visible as soon as you remove the laptop's bottom cover. In this case, you might want to save some money at checkout and upgrade later to something with more capacity or faster transfer speeds.
Does the Dell XPS 13 Plus have a headphone jack?
No, the XPS 13 Plus does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Ports are limited to just two Thunderbolt 4. This is no doubt a sticky point for many users, though Bluetooth 5.2 handles wireless audio. If you do need more ports, the XPS 13 Plus is compatible with the best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations.
Does the Dell XPS 13 Plus have 4G LTE or 5G?
No, the XPS 13 Plus does not have 4G LTE or 5G capabilities. It does offer Wi-Fi 6 for fast and reliable wireless internet.
When is the XPS 13 Plus release date?
Dell's XPS 13 Plus was officially released on April 28, 2022. This was months after the initial unveiling at CES 2022. You can reliably find the XPS 13 Plus for sale at Dell's website, alongside older XPS 13 9310 models.
What kind of support does Dell offer?
Buying an XPS 13 Plus from Dell's official website lands you by default one year of included Premium Support. This encompasses hardware, repairs, international travel support, and live chat help. This coverage can be bumped up to four years if you're willing to pay the extra cost. You can also add accidental damage coverage (drops, spills, surges, etc.), but it costs more.
Dell also offers Premium Support Plus, which ties in the accidental damage coverage as well as parental controls, virus removal, and more. This coverage is available for up to four years.
How much does the XPS 13 Plus cost?
The XPS 13 Plus currently starts at around $1,273 for a model with Core i5-1240P CPU, 8GB of RAM, 512GB M.2 SSD, and FHD+ non-touch display. Jumping up to a Core i7-1260P CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and the same non-touch display costs about $1,518.
Bumping performance with the Core i7-1280P CPU adds about $100 to the overall cost. For 32GB of RAM you're looking at about a $150 premium over 16GB, and it looks like a 1TB SSD costs an extra $100 compared to 512GB. The 2TB SSD is another $200 on top of that.
Adding an FHD+ touch display costs about $100, while the 3.5K OLED or UHD+ screen is about another $200 on top of that. These prices will no doubt fluctuate as the PC ages; they're currently about as high as they'll go due to the recent launch.
Where is the best place to buy an XPS 13 Plus?
Dell's official website is currently the best place to buy an XPS 13 Plus. Third-party retailers will eventually jump on board, but the recent release date means Dell offers the best mix of configurations and support.
Dell's new XPS 13 Plus sets a fresh standard for Windows 11 laptops thanks to a clean and minimalist look with tons of performance inside.
