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ZDNET Highlights
- Dell is bringing back the XPS brand name.
- The company has launched a new dell xps 14 And xps 16 equipment.
- The laptop features form-factor tuning and the latest Intel processors.
When Dell announced it was ditching its popular laptop line for a consolidated “Pro/Plus/Premium” naming convention last year, consumers were a little confused. The XPS was a well-respected product line with a distinct identity – wouldn’t dropping it weaken the brand (especially for something that looks like it came from Cupertino)?
Well, Dell may have found the answer. Exactly one year later, the company is bringing back the XPS brand name with the new dell xps 14 And xps 16As well as a 13-inch model that will be released later this year.
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During a press conference in New York, Dell Technologies COO Jeff Clark admitted that the company made a mistake by removing the XPS name and that the flagship lineup will make a triumphant return in 2026.
“This complex brand that we launched last year didn’t do what we said it would,” Clark explained. While discussing Dell’s financial performance following the brand restructuring, Clark confirmed that the numbers were not what they wanted, leading to the decision to bring back the XPS in the third quarter of 2025.
Clark also indicated that Microsoft’s overall shift toward “AI PCs” was not as successful among consumers as expected. This, combined with the elimination of trusted brand names, means fewer people are shopping.
Now at CES 2026, the XPS is back, refined, and, Dell has confirmed, here to stay. In fact, the 2026 model even features the “XPS” logo on the laptop cover for the first time, a nod to the user base that has been requesting it for years.
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In the same vein, the Physical Function row is back, ditching the LED lights for physical keys, a more practical, professional option that prioritizes everyday functionality over gimmicks that look good in the showroom but complicate long-term repairability.
Dell has also included modular USB-C ports and an easy-to-remove keyboard design that is in line with broader innovations in repairability across the industry this year, with more modular, easy-to-fix parts that extend product lifespan as consumers become aware of planned obsolescence upgrade cycles.
The new XPS: what’s under the hood?
The 2026 XPS lineup is being refreshed with Intel’s latest Series 3 “Panther Lake” processors: Core Ultra 5, 7, X7, or X9. Instead of discrete GPUs, the XPS devices feature Intel Arc Graphics with 12 Xe cores, delivering 57% and 78% faster AI performance in the 14 and 16 models, respectively. Both the 14 and 16 will be available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB RAM configurations with up to 4TB of storage.
With all this hardware, the XPS line isn’t known for being the heaviest of laptops on the block, but this year’s 16-inch model in particular is the thinnest physical clamshell yet: 14.6 mm (0.57 in) thick. This approach implements the thinnest (but largest) fans in the XPS, which Dell said significantly improves thermals.
Also: Dell’s XPS 13 is one of the best laptops I’ve tested this year — here’s why
The displays are as you’d expect from a flagship lineup. On the XPS 14, you’ve got a 2K non-touch or 2.8K touch screen tandem OLED. At 16, the high-end 3.2K tandem OLED scales up to 500 nits peak brightness, with both screens offering a 120Hz refresh. Gorilla Glass 3 and ultra-thin bezels maintain the premium, power-forward look the XPS is known for.
In terms of battery, both models have a 70Whr battery which Dell says will provide up to 27 hours of streaming battery life on a 2K display.
The result is a premium laptop that looks a lot like the XPS devices users love. Dell didn’t reinvent the wheel here, and that’s exactly the point. Instead, there are thoughtful changes that reflect the way people actually use their devices, including repairability, form-factor tuning, and refreshing improvements with the latest Intel processors.
I’m not going to say “I told you so,” but there’s something to be said about manufacturers taking brand identity seriously. Reputations aren’t built overnight, and marketing executives should know better than anyone that you can’t change years of consumer attitudes with one idea.
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The new XPS laptops will be available in the US and Canada starting January 6, with the 13-inch model available later in 2026. As expected, there are multiple configurations for both models. Dell has listed its starting price xps 14 At $1,649, while xps 16 Will start at $1,849.
