Dell Revamps Laptop Lineup: Reintroduces XPS Brand, Launches Budget XPS 13 and New Pro Series

Dell Reverses Course, Revives XPS Brand in Massive 2026 Laptop Overhaul

Dell has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its laptop lineup, including the reintroduction of the XPS brand, the launch of a budget-oriented XPS 13, and the introduction of new Pro and Precision series laptops. The announcements cover multiple product categories and release timelines spanning from early 2026 through the end of the year.

XPS Brand Reintroduction and New Models

Dell has reinstated the XPS branding for its premium consumer laptops, reversing a 2025 rebranding strategy that had replaced the XPS name with "Dell Premium." The company cited sustained customer interest in the XPS name as a factor in its decision to reverse the strategy.

The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models were unveiled at CES 2026. Select configurations became available for purchase on January 6, 2026, with additional variants scheduled for release in February.

• Pricing: XPS 14 starts at $2,049.99; XPS 16 starts at $2,199.99 (sources report varying starting prices of $1,650 and $1,850 from one source).
• Processors: Intel Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, up to Core Ultra X9 388H (available at a later date).
• Graphics: Intel Arc integrated graphics; no discrete graphics options.
• Memory: Up to 64GB of RAM.
• Storage: Up to 4TB of SSD storage.
• Displays:
  • Base: 1920 x 1200 IPS display with variable refresh rate (1-120Hz).
  • Upgrade: Tandem OLED touchscreen (2880 x 1800 for 14-inch, 3200 x 2000 for 16-inch).
• Design:
  • Unibody aluminum and Gorilla Glass construction.
  • Physical function row replaces capacitive touch buttons.
  • Touchpad features etched lines to define active area.
  • XPS logo on the lid.
• Dimensions and Weight:
  • XPS 14: 0.58 inches thick, weighs 3 pounds (1.36 kg).
  • XPS 16: 0.6 inches thick, weighs 3.65 pounds (1.65 kg).
• Ports: Three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, headphone jack.
• Camera: 8-megapixel camera.
• Battery: 70Whr cells; Dell claims up to 27 hours of Netflix streaming and over 40 hours of local video playback for LCD variants.
• Colors: Graphite (initial), "Shimmer" (later in 2026).
• Software: An XPS 14 model running Ubuntu 24.04 is planned for release later in 2026.

A physical function row replaces the controversial capacitive touch buttons found on prior models.

Upcoming XPS 13 Model

Dell has announced plans for a new XPS 13 model expected in late 2026. The company states this model will be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop produced, with a thickness under 13mm (0.51 inches). The device is projected to have the "most accessible XPS price yet." A starting price of $699.99 has been reported for a specific configuration, with a student discount of $100 available during the back-to-school season.

• Processor: Intel Core 5 320 "Wildcat Lake" at launch; Core Ultra 7 355 "Panther Lake" available later.
• Display: 13.4-inch, 2560x1600 touchscreen, 30-120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.
• Memory and Storage:
  • Intel Core version: 8GB or 16GB DDR5 (single-channel), 256GB or 512GB SSD.
  • Core Ultra version: 16GB or 32GB dual-channel memory, up to 1TB SSD.
• Design: All-aluminum frame, backlit keyboard, weighs 2.2 pounds. The design includes physical function row keys and a traditional chiclet-style keyboard.
• Connectivity: Two USB-C ports (DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery for Intel Core; Thunderbolt 4 for Core Ultra), Wi-Fi 7.
• Camera: 1080p webcam.
• Battery: Dell claims up to 17 hours of streaming battery life.
• Ports: No 3.5mm audio jack.
• Colors: "Sky" and "Storm."

Dell has positioned this model against the Apple MacBook Air, which the company refers to as "MacBook Neo." The XPS 13 is slightly smaller and lighter than the MacBook Air, with a larger display and touch capability; the MacBook Air does not have a backlit keyboard.

Dell Pro and Pro Precision Series

Dell has announced a new lineup of Pro and Pro Precision laptops, featuring updated designs and chip options. These models are scheduled for release in May 2026.

• Sizes: Pro 3 and Pro 5 available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes; Pro 7 available in 13-inch and 14-inch sizes (including 2-in-1 convertible options).
• Processors: Available with both AMD Ryzen AI 400 series "Gorgon Point" and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors.
• Design: Modular motherboard design enabling thinner chassis, larger fans, and denser, thinner batteries.
• Memory: Pro 5 models use LPCAMM2 RAM, which is user-replaceable.
• Operating Systems: Windows 11 or Ubuntu Linux.
• Pricing: Not announced.

• Positioning: Entry point to the Precision workstation line.
• Processors: Intel Panther Lake or AMD Gorgon Point chips; Intel versions can be configured with a Core Ultra X9 Panther Lake chip with Arc B390 graphics.
• Focus: Integrated graphics.

• Update: Receiving an upgrade to Intel Panther Lake processors.
• Design: New thinner design; weighs approximately 2.2 pounds (1kg).
• Availability: Expected launch on March 31, 2026.
• Pricing: Not announced.

Dell 14S and 16S Laptops

Dell has introduced the 14S and 16S laptops, positioned below the resurrected XPS line.

• Processors: Intel Core Ultra Series 3 up to Core Ultra 9 386H, or AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series processors.
• Features: Copilot+ PCs with a dedicated Copilot key for on-device AI processing.
• Display Options: FHD+ (400 nits), QHD+ (120Hz, 500 nits, Dolby Vision), or OLED.
• Memory and Storage: 16GB or 32GB RAM; 512GB to 2TB SSD.
• Battery Life:
  • Dell 14S: Up to 24 hours productivity / 18 hours streaming.
  • Dell 16S: Up to 26 hours streaming / 14 hours everyday tasks.
• Weight: Dell 14S 3.2 lbs, Dell 16S 3.9 lbs.
• Colors: Celestial Blue or Frost Blue.
• Pricing and Availability:
  • Dell 14S: Starts at $1,270, available now in the US.
  • Dell 16S: Starts at $1,320.
  • AMD Ryzen versions: Expected later in the month.

Regional Display and Pricing Differences for 16-Inch Model

Dell offers multiple display configurations for its new 16-inch laptop, with differences between North American and European markets.

• Europe:

  • Display: 1600p IPS panel, 500 nits peak brightness, 100% sRGB color space coverage, 48-120 Hz variable refresh rate.
  • Pricing: £1,199 (UK), €1,349 (Eurozone).

• North America:

  • Display Options:
    • 1200p IPS panel, 400 nits peak brightness, 45% NTSC color space coverage, 48-60 Hz refresh rate.
    • 1800p (2.8K) OLED panel, 400 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage, 48-120 Hz variable refresh rate.
  • Pricing:
    • Base configuration (Core Ultra 5 322, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB storage, 1200p IPS): $1,319.
    • Fully configured (32 GB RAM, Core Ultra 9 386H, 1800p OLED): $2,119.

Previously Reviewed XPS 16 (2026 Model)

A review of a 2026 XPS 16 model provided the following data:

• Starting Price: $2,039.99; reviewed model cost $3,029.99.
• Dimensions: 0.6 x 12.2 x 8.3 inches (HWD), weight 3.6 pounds.
• Processor and Graphics: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor with Arc B390 integrated graphics.
• Performance: The XPS 16 performed at a moderate level in benchmarks. Graphics performance was below that of laptops with discrete RTX 5070 GPUs. The previous Dell 16 Premium outperformed the XPS 16 in several tests.
• Display: 3,200-by-1,800-pixel OLED touch screen with peak brightness around 400 nits.
• Ports: Three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an audio jack.
• Camera: 8-megapixel 4K camera with HDR.
• Battery Life: Over 17 hours in video playback testing.

Competitors noted in the review include the Framework Laptop 16 and Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra with RTX 5070, which were mentioned as alternatives with more graphics power.