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Dell XPS 16 Review: Well-Rounded, Big-Screen Laptop With Spiky, Big-Time Price

The 2026 Dell XPS 16 is a premium, thin-and-light laptop featuring a high-quality 16-inch OLED display and Intel Panther Lake processors, though it lacks a dedicated graphics card.

Key Points

  • The XPS 16 starts at $1,750, with the tested configuration featuring an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H and 32GB of RAM priced at $2,350.
  • It features a 16-inch 3.2K touch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 100% P3 color gamut coverage.
  • Integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics provide capable 1080p gaming performance, though the system lacks a discrete Nvidia RTX GPU.
  • The design includes a haptic touchpad and physical function keys, but the chassis lacks an SD card slot and user-upgradable RAM.
  • Battery life reached 14 hours during YouTube streaming tests, offering a balance between portability and longevity.

Why it Matters

The XPS 16 positions itself as a stylish, portable alternative to heavier content-creation laptops, though its high price point invites direct comparison to more powerful machines equipped with dedicated Nvidia graphics. For users prioritizing design and display quality over raw graphical power, it serves as a well-rounded, albeit expensive, productivity tool.
CNET Published by Matt Elliott
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