Dell is bringing back its popular XPS laptop line just one year after its controversial discontinuation, which turned out to be a marketing misstep. At CES 2026, the company revealed redesigned XPS 14 and XPS 16 models, addressing many complaints from customers and reviewers alike.
In January 2025, Dell made the decision to scrap its long-standing XPS, Inspiron, Precision, and Latitude branding in favor of a tiered system that included Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max. The aim was to simplify the product line for consumers, but the move left many confused and ultimately harmed Dell’s market share throughout 2025. According to Dell executives, people continued searching for XPS laptops even months after the brand was removed, which prompted a rethink.
“I hope it demonstrates our ability to course-correct, to be humble,” said Jeff Clarke, Dell’s COO, reflecting on the brand’s return.
Key Improvements in the XPS 14 and XPS 16
The redesigned XPS laptops include several improvements based on user feedback. Notably, the controversial capacitive touch function row, which had been a point of criticism from 2022 to 2024, is now gone. The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature proper physical function keys, offering a more traditional and user-friendly typing experience. Additionally, the keyboard has deeper keys and can now be removed for easier repairs.
Dell also tackled the issue with the previous touchpad, which was flush with the wrist rest, making it difficult to locate. The new models have subtle etched lines along the touchpad’s edges, allowing users to easily identify the active area.
Perhaps the most notable change is the return of the XPS logo on the laptop lid, rather than just the Dell branding. This small but meaningful update reflects Dell’s commitment to bringing the XPS brand back to its roots.
Hardware and Performance Upgrades
The XPS 14 and XPS 16 are now Dell’s thinnest laptops in their respective sizes, with the XPS 14 measuring just 0.58 inches thick and weighing as little as 1.3kg. The XPS 16 is slightly heavier at 1.6kg, but it’s nearly half a kilogram lighter than its predecessor. To achieve these reductions, Dell redesigned the thermal system with larger, thinner fans to maintain performance while improving portability.
Both models feature aluminum and Gorilla Glass construction, three modular Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, an 8MP camera, and a headphone jack. They are powered by Intel’s latest Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 processors, configurable up to the Core Ultra X7 at launch, with Core Ultra X9 options expected later. These laptops can also be equipped with up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage.
Display and Battery Life Enhancements
The XPS 14 and XPS 16 offer two display options: a base 2K LCD screen and an optional 2.8K OLED touchscreen. The LCD display includes a variable refresh rate that ranges from 120Hz down to 1Hz when displaying static content like emails or PDFs. Dell claims that this is the first laptop to feature such a power-saving technology, contributing to the laptops’ exceptional battery life, thanks to 70Whr battery cells.
Pricing and Availability
The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models are available for purchase starting today, with the XPS 14 priced at $2,050 (~KES 264,000) and the XPS 16 starting at $2,200 (~KES 283,000). More affordable variants under $2,000 will be released in February. Additionally, Dell plans to release an Ubuntu version of the XPS 14 later this year.
Dell also teased the upcoming XPS 13, which will be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop yet, coming in at under 13mm thick. This model will feature a more traditional chiclet-style keyboard and is expected to be the most affordable XPS variant.
