Dell XPS 16 Review: Intel Core Ultra 9 + RTX 4060 Combo Worth the Price?

In today’s laptop market, premium devices are expected to not only deliver high performance but also provide exceptional design and luxury. The Dell XPS 16 attempts to combine all these elements into a sleek, creator-focused laptop aimed at productivity enthusiasts. Boasting an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, this device seems ready to compete with the best.

But does it live up to the hype? After spending three weeks with the Dell XPS 16, I’ve delved into every aspect of its performance, build quality, display, and more. In this review, I will break down whether this laptop justifies its premium price tag of ₹3.72 lakh.

Dell XPS 16 Design and Build Quality

Dell is known for crafting beautiful, sturdy laptops, and the XPS 16 is no exception. The 16-inch display is wrapped in a sleek, all-aluminum chassis, which feels as premium as it looks. Here’s a closer look at the standout design elements:

• Aluminum Build: The XPS 16 is incredibly sturdy with no noticeable flex, making it feel solid and durable.
• Hinge Mechanism: The lid can be lifted with just one hand, a sign of excellent design engineering.
• Keyboard: The typing experience is fantastic. With large, deep-travel keys, the keyboard feels satisfying to type on and makes older laptops feel immediately dated when placed side by side.

However, not all design choices are perfect. The function row, despite its futuristic look, is quite impractical:

• Lack of Feedback: There’s no tactile feedback, so it’s hard to tell whether you’ve pressed a key.
• Visibility Issues: The function keys become almost invisible in direct sunlight or when the lighting is off, making it hard to use them without closely inspecting the row.

Overall, the Dell XPS 16’s design impresses with its premium look and feel but could benefit from practical improvements, especially in terms of usability.

Dell XPS 16 Display: 4K+ OLED Brilliance

The Dell XPS 16 is equipped with a 16.3-inch 4K+ OLED touchscreen, and this is where the laptop truly shines. For content creators and productivity users, this display is nothing short of fantastic. Let’s break down its key features:

Pros of the Display:

• Vivid Colors: The OLED panel delivers punchy colors, making it ideal for photo and video editing.
• Clarity: With a 4K+ resolution, every detail appears razor-sharp, whether you’re watching high-definition videos or editing detailed images.
• Minimal Reflections: Although the display is glossy, it manages to minimize reflections, even in brightly lit environments.

Cons of the Display:

• Limited Refresh Rate: The display is capped at 90Hz, which might feel limiting for users accustomed to higher refresh rates on gaming laptops or high-end workstations.
• No Resolution Scaling: Unlike some gaming laptops, there’s no option to lower the resolution and increase the refresh rate at the same time, which could be a drawback for multitaskers who want smoother scrolling and performance.

Dell XPS 16 Performance: Intel Core Ultra 9 + RTX 4060

At the heart of the Dell XPS 16 is the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. On paper, this combination promises impressive performance. However, in real-world tests, it shows some significant weaknesses, especially when compared to competitors like the Asus Zephyrus G16 powered by AMD.

Benchmark Results:

The following table compares the Dell XPS 16 to the Asus Zephyrus G16 in terms of performance benchmarks:

As we can see from the Cinebench R23 scores, the XPS 16 falls behind its Ryzen counterpart in both single and multi-core performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 370HX not only beats Intel in raw power but also manages to stay cooler under heavy loads.

Performance Issues:

• Throttling: The Intel Core Ultra 9 runs hot, frequently hitting 100°C under load. This suggests that Dell may have throttled the CPU to limit fan noise, sacrificing performance in the process.
• GPU Performance: The RTX 4060 is capable, but not exceptional in this configuration. Competing laptops with similar GPUs, like the Zephyrus G16, consistently outperform the XPS 16 in GPU-intensive tasks like gaming and 3D rendering.

Battery Life: Solid for Productivity

Despite its performance shortcomings, the Dell XPS 16 excels in terms of battery life. In my tests, the laptop managed to deliver 9.5 hours of battery life, which is impressive given its powerful hardware. This long battery life is comparable to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Pro, making it a solid option for users who need a machine that can last through a full workday.

However, this is one of the few areas where the XPS 16 impresses without caveats. While it’s great for productivity and media consumption, performance drops in GPU-heavy tasks and gaming may push some users towards better-performing alternatives.

Connectivity: Disappointing I/O Options

For a laptop marketed toward creators and professionals, the Dell XPS 16 has a surprisingly limited array of I/O ports. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available:

• Thunderbolt Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports
• SD Card Slot
• 3.5mm Audio Jack

What’s Missing:

• No HDMI Port: For users who give presentations or use external monitors, the absence of an HDMI port is a glaring omission.
• No USB Type-A: Traditional USB Type-A ports are still widely used, and their exclusion forces users to rely on dongles.

For a laptop that costs ₹3.72 lakh, not including these essential ports feels like a major oversight. While dongles and adapters are an option, having to carry extra accessories diminishes the convenience of an otherwise premium device.

Comparison with Competitors: Is the Price Justified?

The Dell XPS 16 positions itself as a premium laptop, but when compared to its competition, particularly the Asus Zephyrus G16, the value becomes questionable.

Why the Asus Zephyrus G16 Outshines the XPS 16:

• Better Performance: The Ryzen-powered G16 delivers better performance in both CPU and GPU tasks, making it a more versatile machine for creators and gamers.
• More I/O Options: The G16 includes both HDMI and USB Type-A ports, catering to professionals who require versatility.
• Lower Price: Despite offering better performance, the Zephyrus G16 is significantly more affordable, making it a better value proposition.

Conclusion: Is the Dell XPS 16 Worth It?

The Dell XPS 16 is undoubtedly a beautiful machine with a stunning display and premium build quality. However, its high price tag combined with underwhelming performance makes it hard to recommend to power users.

For those focused on design and luxury, the 4K+ OLED display and aluminum chassis might be enough to justify the investment. But for users who need raw power, better connectivity, and more versatility, there are better options on the market, most notably the Asus Zephyrus G16.

Key Takeaways:

• Pros:
  • Excellent build quality and design
  • Stunning 4K+ OLED display with accurate colors
  • Long battery life (9.5 hours)
• Cons:
  • Underwhelming performance compared to competitors
  • Limited I/O options, lacking HDMI and USB Type-A ports
  • High price relative to the performance offered

In a market teeming with high-performance laptops, the Dell XPS 16 feels more like a luxury device than a productivity powerhouse. Dell should take notes from its G Series gaming laptops to improve the overall performance and value of the XPS 16 for its price range.