Dell's XPS 14 (2026) is more affordable, but is the new XPS 16 a better overall choice? This comparison can help you make the right decision.

Dell announced the return of its XPS 14 and XPS 16 flagship laptops at CES 2026 following an ill-fated rebrand. Not only did Dell resurrect the XPS name, but it also completely redesigned the laptops to be used as the anchor in Dell's consumer portfolio.

They're thinner and lighter than ever, and they're equipped with the latest Intel "Panther Lake" mobile chips and new battery tech that makes them last way longer. They're certainly both enticing, but you only want one; this XPS 14 vs. XPS 16 comparison will help you make the right decision.

How do the new XPS 14 and 16's specifications compare?

Before jumping into a more detailed comparison between these two 2026 XPS laptops, here's a look at the specifications that make up the two PCs.

Can I buy the 2026 XPS 14 and XPS 16 models now?

Dell's new XPS 14 and XPS 16, announced at CES 2026, are now available to buy directly from Dell.

The XPS 14 is the more affordable option, at least to start, and you can pick up a model with an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 CPU, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 14-inch non-touch 1920x1200 (2K) display for $1,599 at Dell.

Dell offers plenty of configuration options, and you can go as high as $3,299 for a model with the faster Core Ultra X7 358H CPU, 64GB RAM, 4TB SSD, and 2.8K tandem OLED display. Plenty of options are available between those two extremes.

The XPS 16 starts at $1,749 at Dell for a model with the same exact setup as the introductory XPS 14 model, save for the larger 16-inch display. Going all out with the Core Ultra X7 CPU, 64GB RAM, 4TB SSD, and 3.2K tandem OLED display jumps the price to $3,449 at Dell.

For a lot of people, the approximate $150-200 price difference for the larger model will be negligible, making it easier to get the PC you want.

Are there any major differences between the XPS 14 and XPS 16 designs?

Dell made some major changes to the 2026 XPS design, which is good news for anyone who wasn't a fan of the haptic function row that appeared late in a former XPS life (and continued in the ill-fated Dell Premium PCs).

Both the XPS 14 and XPS 16 have returned to a physical function row above the keyboard, which remains lattice-free in both models. The haptic keyboard, which was seamlessly integrated in the palm rests in the older models, is now more defined to give users a better idea of where the pointer boundaries end.

Looking at the larger XPS 16, there's a fair amount of space on either side of the keyboard. The XPS 14 keeps it cropped a lot closer, thanks to its width measuring nearly two inches less than the XPS 16.

Both PCs are more slab-like than ever, and they're certainly reminiscent of Apple's MacBook hardware. That's not a bad thing; we've seen these PCs in person, and they're absolutely gorgeous.

The refreshed design language with CNC-machined aluminum and Gorilla Glass is apparent across both models, and there really aren't any major design or feature differences aside from sizing.

Both laptops offer the same 8MP webcam with 4K HDR support and Windows Hello for facial recognition. Both feature Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. Both have a quad-speaker setup with 10W total output and Dolby Atmos tuning. And both feature three Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.

Your choice will ultimately come down to how compact you'd like your laptop to be, as well as what size display you're most comfortable using when you aren't hooked up to an external monitor.

How do the XPS 14 and XPS 16 displays compare?

Dell is offering two display options each for the XPS 14 and XPS 16, and there are some notable differences aside from sizing.

The XPS 14's screen measures 14 inches (big surprise) and can be had in touch or non-touch configurations. The non-touch model is more affordable, but its IPS panel isn't as dazzling as the tandem OLED option and it has a lower 2K resolution.

It does, however, offer a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate. This allows the display to be incredibly smooth when it needs to be, and when it doesn't, it can drop the refresh rate to a standstill to help with battery life. The IPS screen jumps up to 500 nits of brightness.

The XPS 14's tandem OLED screen has a sharper 2.8K resolution, but it doesn't get quite as bright, and its variable refresh rate isn't quite as wide. It ranges from 20-120Hz.

On the XPS 16's side, the 16-inch display is also available in touch and non-touch options. The same 2K resolution, 1-120Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits brightness are available for the IPS option.

The tandem OLED XPS 16 display hikes the resolution to 3.2K, providing more pixels than the tandem OLED option in the XPS 14. It has a touch panel, a 20-120Hz refresh rate, and 400 nits brightness.

The upgrade from IPS non-touch to tandem OLED touch roughly costs the same across the XPS 14 and XPS 16. The tandem OLED screen upgrade itself is about $150, but because it's only available with certain performance hardware, it's more like a $600 jump compared to the introductory models.

Is the XPS 14 as powerful and efficient as the XPS 16?

Dell decided to offer the exact same performance hardware options across the XPS 14 and XPS 16. Configurations start with 16GB of LPDDR5x-7467MT/s RAM but can be upgraded to 32GB or 64GB of LPDDR5x-9600MT/s memory. RAM is soldered, so be sure to get what you foresee needing at checkout.

Similarly, both laptops start at a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, but there are options for 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB straight from the factory.

The biggest change comes down to what's running graphics in these laptops. Dell is no longer offering a discrete NVIDIA GPU in either PC, a departure from the usual setup we've seen in previous generations. This change hinges on the update to Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) mobile chips and their redesigned Arc integrated GPUs.

The Core Ultra 5 325 continues to rely on non-Arc integrated graphics, which is fine for anyone who doesn't get into specialized work or light gaming. However, the Core Ultra X7 385H features the new 12-core integrated Arc GPU that can deliver performance similar to the discrete NVIDIA RTX 4050 mobile chip. It even supports ray tracing and multi frame generation.

Because the XPS 14 and XPS 16 are available with the same performance options, the only difference might come down to thermal abilities. There's more space inside the XPS 16, and a less-cramped interior usually means less heat. I'll have more to share once we've tested both laptops side-by-side.

Similarly, I don't expect there to be a massive difference in battery life. Both XPS models feature a 70Wh battery. They're the first to use 900ED battery cells, which are significantly smaller and lighter than the usual fare. Dell says this new tech can help deliver more than 40 hours of local video playback on either PC; again, I'll have more to share once we've tested both.

Dell XPS 14 (2026) vs. XPS 16 (2026): Which should I buy?

Dell's flagship XPS 14 and XPS 16 models for 2026 have never been more comparable, and there's only a $150 price difference between the two introductory model sizes.

Sure, the XPS 16's tandem OLED display has a slightly higher resolution, and that might be a key in your decision. But with performance hardware options so similar between the two models, I suspect the final choice will come down to what size of PC you're more comfortable using.

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