# The Return of Dell's King - Dell XPS 16 & 14 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvP7or3PPNM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/rvP7or3PPNM Generated: 2026-01-05T23:33:46.574+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 (2024) are highly impressive, premium thin-and-light laptops that significantly improve upon the previous generation, particularly with the adoption of dual OLED displays and powerful Intel Core Ultra X9 processors, although the XPS 16's larger form factor makes it slightly less nimble than the XPS 14. **Key Points:** - The new Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature dual OLED InfinityEdge touch displays, offering a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 400 nits typical brightness with a 20-120Hz variable refresh rate. - The XPS 14 starts at 3.00 lbs (1.36kg) and measures 0.58 x 8.26 x 12.19 in, while the XPS 16 weighs 3.65 lbs (1.65kg) and measures 0.58 x 9.35 x 13.88 in. - Both models feature the top-tier Intel Core Ultra X9 Processor 388H (16-Core, 18MB Cache, up to 5.1 GHz) and integrated Intel Arc graphics, eschewing discrete GPUs in these specific samples. - The keyboards feature capacitive function rows instead of physical buttons, which the reviewer notes lack tactile feedback but are otherwise sturdy, though the trackpads are glass (Corning Gorilla Glass 3). - Both laptops include two Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB-C port, with no USB-A ports present, which is noted as a slight drawback. - Battery life claims are aggressive: 27 hours General Use and 40 hours Local Video Playback, which is better than the claimed battery life for the M2 MacBook Air 13. - The XPS 16 OLED speakers feature a quad-speaker design with 10W total peak output (3W Main x 2, 2W Tweeter x 2), delivering decently loud audio. ![Screenshot at 00:11: The presenter introduces the two new laptops, the Dell XPS 14 \(DA14260\) and the Dell XPS 16 \(DA16260\), as a CES preview, setting up the direct comparison between the two models.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-00-11.jpg) **Context:** The video presents an unboxing and initial impressions review of Dell's updated XPS laptop lineup, specifically the XPS 14 OLED and the larger XPS 16 OLED models, sponsored by Dell. The reviewer compares these new models, which feature significant design and internal hardware updates, against each other and references competitors like the MacBook Air 13 to highlight improvements in portability, display technology, and processing power. ## Detailed Analysis The video provides an initial look at the new Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops, noting Dell's strong recent performance with the XPS line. The unboxing reveals that both units come in identical packaging, including a cloth bag. The reviewer highlights the aggressive portability, noting the XPS 14 (3.00 lbs) is nearly the same size as a 13-inch MacBook Air, despite having a larger screen. Both utilize the Intel Core Ultra X9 Processor 388H with integrated Intel Arc graphics (non-X CPUs have 4 Xe cores). The displays are a major feature: both are OLED InfinityEdge touch panels with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 400 nits typical brightness, and a variable refresh rate of 20-120Hz, with the XPS 14 at 2.8K (2880x1800) and the XPS 16 at 3.2K (3200x2000). The displays use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and color testing shows excellent coverage of P3 (100% on XPS 14) and good HDR performance (HDR 500 certified). A notable change is the capacitive function row on the keyboard, which lacks tactile click feedback but is otherwise well-liked, along with a large glass trackpad. Port selection is limited to two Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB-C port on one side, and one USB-C port and a combo audio jack on the other. The audio system in the XPS 16 features a quad-speaker design with 10W peak output, which sounds good, though microphone quality on the early XPS 16 sample was noted as potentially driver-limited compared to the XPS 14. Battery life claims are extraordinary at 27 hours general use and 40 hours local video playback. Overall, the reviewer is highly impressed with the premium build and feature set of both new XPS models. ### Unboxing and Design - Both XPS 14 and XPS 16 arrive in similar packaging, including a cloth sleeve; both feature CNC aluminum unibody construction and thin bezels; the XPS 14 is noted for being surprisingly compact compared to a 13-inch MacBook Air. ### Display Comparison (OLED Models) - Both feature OLED InfinityEdge touch displays with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 400 nits typical brightness; XPS 14 is 14-inch 2.8K (2880x1800) 20-120Hz; XPS 16 is 16-inch 3.2K (3200x2000) 20-120Hz; both use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. ### Performance Hardware - Both units feature the Intel Core Ultra X9 Processor 388H (16-Core, up to 5.1 GHz) and integrated Intel Arc graphics (with 8 Xe Cores on the X series); the reviewer notes the potential for upscaling via XESS. ### Keyboard and Input - Keyboards feature capacitive function rows instead of physical buttons, which the reviewer finds acceptable but lacking tactile feedback; trackpads are large and made of glass (Gorilla Glass 3). ### Ports and Connectivity - Port selection is minimal, consisting of Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery) and USB-C ports on both sides, plus a combo audio jack; no USB-A ports are present. ### Battery Life Claims - Dell claims 27 hours for general use and 40 hours for local video playback, significantly exceeding competitor claims like the MacBook Air. ### Audio Quality - The XPS 16 features a quad-speaker design (3W Main x 2, 2W Tweeter x 2) for 10W total peak output, which is loud, though microphone quality on the early XPS 16 sample was noted as potentially inferior to the XPS 14. ![Screenshot at 00:05: The presenter places two identical-looking Dell boxes on the table, beginning the unboxing of the XPS 14 and XPS 16 models.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-00-05.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:08: A comparison slide shows the dimensions and weight, noting the XPS 14 is 3.00 lbs and the XPS 16 is 3.65 lbs, despite the XPS 14 having a larger display than the compared 13-inch MacBook Air.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-01-08.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:57: A close-up view of the right edge of the laptop showing one USB-C port and the Combo Audio Jack.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-01-57.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:12: A comparison slide detailing the display specifications, confirming both are OLED InfinityEdge touch screens with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 20-120Hz refresh rate, but differing in resolution \(2.8K vs 3.2K\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-04-12.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:35: A split screen comparing the 8MP 1080p HDR webcam feeds from the XPS 14 \(left\) and XPS 16 \(right\), showing similar quality but noting the XPS 16 microphone audio quality is potentially affected by an early sample or driver limitation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rvP7or3PPNM/00-06-35.jpg)