Dell Revives the XPS Lineup for CES 2026 with Slim Design and Enhanced Features
Nearly a year after discontinuing its iconic XPS brand in favor of the rebranded Premium, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max series, Dell has announced the return of the XPS lineup at CES 2026. The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops aim to recapture the "Extreme Performance System" enthusiasts with their ultra-slim profiles, upgraded hardware, and refined design elements.
Key Features and Launch Details
- Design and Build: The new XPS models boast Dell’s thinnest profiles to date, featuring an all-aluminum chassis and subtle glass-etched lines on the seamless haptic trackpad. Dell has also returned to placing the XPS branding on the lid for a more premium look.
- Display Options: Starting with 1920 x 1200 IPS screens, both models can be configured with higher-resolution OLED displays—2880 x 1800 for the 14-inch and 3200 x 2000 for the 16-inch—each thinner and lighter than previous versions.
- Performance: Powered by Intel’s new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 processors, including options up to the Core Ultra X9 388H, the XPS 14 and 16 are designed for demanding tasks. Memory options start at 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, with storage beginning at 512GB SSD.
- Battery and Power: Equipped with 70Wh batteries and adaptive refresh rates that range from 120Hz to as low as 1Hz—particularly beneficial for static tasks—these laptops promise impressive battery life.
- Connectivity: They feature three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, 10W speakers, and weigh as little as 3 pounds (14-inch) and 3.65 pounds (16-inch).
Availability and Pricing
- The XPS 14 and XPS 16 will debut in select configurations on January 6th, with more options arriving in February.
- Starting prices are $1,649.99 for the XPS 14 and $1,849.99 for the XPS 16.
- An upcoming variant with Ubuntu 24.04 will cater to Linux enthusiasts later this year.
- Color options include the sleek graphite shade launching first, followed by the shimmering champagne hue later in the year.
Design Highlights and Expectations
While the latticeless keyboard remains, the model includes new boundary lines on the touchpad, enhancing usability. Dell also teased a new XPS 13 for later 2026, promising it will be the thinnest and lightest XPS model yet, at under 13mm thick. This successor is expected to feature a traditional chiclet keyboard, making it more cost-effective and appealing to a broader audience.
Final Thoughts
Although Dell has not completely reversed the branding missteps of last year, the revamped XPS lineup signals a strong return to form—combining portability, power, and thoughtful design. Long-time fans of the series will appreciate the focus on function, reduced weight, and refined aesthetics, bringing the XPS line closer to the premium standards set by competitors like the MacBook Air.
Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
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