In a significant reversal of strategy, Dell has announced the triumphant return of its beloved XPS laptop line, admitting its discontinuation a year ago was a mistake. The tech giant confirmed the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models will hit shelves later in 2026, promising a ground-up rebuild designed to be "better than ever."
A Premium Redesign Built for Portability
Dell has completely overhauled the XPS aesthetic and construction. The new laptops feature a bold design with the XPS name prominently displayed on the lid, crafted from premium materials like aluminium and durable Gorilla Glass 3. This focus on quality aims to deliver a refined feel while ensuring longevity for users on the move.
The company has made substantial improvements to the user interface, introducing a redesigned keyboard for better stability and a seamless glass touchpad integrated into the palm rest. The most notable physical change is in portability: both new models are now Dell's thinnest laptops ever, measuring a mere 14.6mm. This sleek profile was achieved partly by engineering Dell's narrowest-ever 8MP webcam into the device.
Major Performance and Battery Life Boosts
Under the hood, the revived XPS series receives a formidable power upgrade. The laptops are powered by Intel's latest Ultra processors, which promise faster speeds, stronger graphics, and improved efficiency. A new thermal system manages heat effectively even during demanding tasks.
Graphics performance sees a particular leap forward with Intel Arc graphics, featuring 12 cores, which Dell claims offers a 50% boost over the previous generation. For users needing all-day power, the news is equally positive. The inclusion of high-density 900ED battery cells enables up to 27 hours of use on a single charge, supporting the vivid edge-to-edge touch displays throughout the workday and beyond.
Features and Official Announcement
Additional features designed to enhance the user experience include powerful Dolby Atmos speakers and a generous selection of ports for connecting accessories. The comprehensive package is aimed squarely at the premium market.
Announcing the launch at CES 2026, Dell stated: "Today, we unveiled the new Dell XPS 14 and Dell XPS 16. The iconic XPS laptops you know and love are here to stay. XPS has always been our benchmark for premium laptops, and these new models deliver striking design, powerful performance, stunning displays, and exceptional battery life—all in a compact device built to move with you." This return marks a clear response to customer and reviewer feedback, positioning the XPS line once again at the forefront of Dell's Windows 11 portfolio.
