Following a brief hiatus, Dell’s premium XPS 14 is back for 2026 with a fresh look and even more power thanks to new Intel Panther Lake chips. It’s a slim, durable PC packed with useful features for all types of users, and it’s better than it’s ever been thanks to several new additions.
Dell didn’t want to simply reintroduce the XPS 14 as the PC we all know and love – instead, it worked on delivering several industry firsts in the display, camera, and battery categories. Let’s take a look at these four areas where Dell is breaking new ground with its redesigned XPS 14.
How good is the Dell XPS 14 display?
Dell’s updated XPS 14 display boasts a number of industry firsts, making it the ideal screen for practically any purpose. The more affordable LCD screen with a 2K resolution is the first to offer a 1-120Hz eDP1.5 variable refresh rate (VRR), while the higher-res OLED option is the first to have a 20-120Hz eDP1.5 VRR.
Both screens support embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.5, the latest standard that improves power efficiency while also reducing stuttering and, for the OLED panel, flickering that can cause eye strain over time.
Dell’s OLED isn’t just a run-of-the-mill implementation, either. It’s actually tandem OLED, which layers two panels over top of each other to boost color, contrast, and brightness beyond what you’d normally expect.
To top it all off, the displays in the new XPS 14 are up to 30% more power efficient than previous models, further improving runtimes.
How long does the Dell XPS 14 battery last on average?
With up to 27 hours of battery life, the Dell XPS 14 is the world’s longest-lasting 14-inch laptop. Dell arrived at this estimate by looping video streaming on the 2K LCD screen, so the real-world average will come down a bit. Still, you can expect true all-day life from the XPS 14.
Dell achieved this feat through a combination of updated Intel CPUs with improved efficiency, less power-hungry displays, and the use of the revolutionary new 900ED battery cells.
Indeed, this is the first 14-inch PC to offer the new battery tech, which nearly doubles the energy density of the batteries you currently find in laptops. This allows Dell to keep its XPS 14 slim and light while also significantly boosting battery life.
How secure is the Dell XPS 14?
Dell’s XPS 14 has advanced security measures that protect your data and keep your laptop where you left it. These measures include a TPM 2.0 chip (common in modern PCs), biometrics via Windows Hello and IR camera, chassis intrusion alert capabilities (far less common), and a new Type-C lock slot from Kensington.
This is a feature that’s exclusive to the Dell XPS 14. Whereas in the past, laptop lock slots were standalone (and usually proprietary) additions to a chassis, this new approach blends the lock slot and USB-C port, saving space and making it a whole lot more convenient in the process.
Altogether, the additional security measures found in the XPS 14 make it great for professional business and more casual users.
Is the Dell XPS 14 a good laptop for video conferencing?
Dell’s XPS 14 has improved camera and speaker hardware that together make it one of the best 14-inch laptops for video conferencing and meetings. Anyone who has experience with XPS knows just how razor-thin its display bezels are, but this cutting-edge aesthetic doesn’t provide much space above the screen for camera hardware.
Rather than expanding the bezels, Dell created a crisp new 8MP webcam with IR capabilities for Windows Hello facial recognition. It measures just 940nm — one nanometer is equivalent to one billionth of a meter — allowing it to squeeze in easily without affecting picture quality.
Pair the new camera with a 10W hidden speaker system, larger fans that are up to 36% quieter than before, and onboard AI that can drastically improve your picture quality, and you have the ultimate 14-inch laptop for video conferencing and meetings.
If you think a Dell XPS 14 is for you, find out more on the Dell website: US readers click here and UK readers here.
And there’s one more thing to know before you buy: Dell offers a price match guarantee. To learn more about the Dell price match and price guarantee, including the terms, exclusions and restrictions, US readers can click here and UK readers here.
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
