In today’s competitive laptop market, premium devices are expected to deliver exceptional performance, design, and luxury. The Dell XPS 16 aims to combine all these elements into a creator-focused powerhouse for productivity enthusiasts. With its Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, the XPS 16 looks impressive on paper, but how well does it deliver in practice?

After spending three weeks testing the Dell XPS 16, this comprehensive review explores its design, display, performance, battery life, connectivity, and how it stacks up against competitors—all while answering the big question: Is it worth the premium price of ₹3.72 lakh?

Design and Build Quality: Sleek but Not Perfect

Dell has a reputation for crafting premium laptops, and the XPS 16 reinforces this legacy. Its 16-inch display is encased in a sleek, all-aluminum chassis that feels robust and luxurious. Key highlights include:

Pros of the Design:

• Aluminum Build: The XPS 16’s sturdy aluminum chassis ensures durability and a premium feel.
• Hinge Mechanism: The lid can be opened with one hand, reflecting excellent engineering.
• Keyboard: The large, deep-travel keys provide an exceptional typing experience, making older keyboards feel dated in comparison.
• Minimal Branding: Dell opts for understated logos and clean lines, adding to its premium aesthetics.

Design Drawbacks:

• Function Row Issues: While futuristic-looking, the touch-sensitive function row lacks tactile feedback and is hard to see in direct sunlight or low light.
• Portability Concerns: Despite its sleek design, the device weighs nearly 2kg, which might feel hefty for users frequently on the go.

Verdict: The design impresses with its aesthetics and build quality but could benefit from practical usability improvements. The touch-sensitive function row, in particular, is a divisive feature that may not appeal to everyone.

Display: A Visual Feast for Creators

The 16.3-inch 4K+ OLED touchscreen is arguably the crown jewel of the Dell XPS 16, offering exceptional clarity and color accuracy. Let’s dive into its specifications:

Pros of the Display:

• Vivid Colors: Perfect for creators, the OLED panel delivers punchy and accurate colors.
• Sharp Resolution: The 4K+ resolution ensures razor-sharp visuals, ideal for video editing and watching high-definition content.
• Minimal Reflections: The glossy screen does a commendable job of reducing glare in brightly lit environments.
• HDR Support: Exceptional HDR performance enhances the viewing experience for movies and games.

Cons of the Display:

• Limited Refresh Rate: While 90Hz is smooth for productivity, gamers may miss higher refresh rates available in competing devices.
• Scaling Limitations: There’s no option to lower the resolution to boost refresh rates, which could hinder multitasking for certain users.
• Battery Impact: The high resolution and OLED panel take a toll on battery life during intensive tasks.

Verdict: The XPS 16’s display is a creator’s dream, offering vibrant visuals and excellent clarity, albeit with some limitations for gamers. It’s a strong choice for photo and video editors who prioritize color accuracy.

Performance: Underwhelming for the Price

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, the XPS 16 promises high performance. However, real-world tests reveal some significant shortcomings.

Benchmark Comparison:

Performance Insights:

Cooling System: The dual-fan cooling system struggles under heavy workloads, causing the laptop to get noticeably warm.

Thermal Throttling: The Intel Core Ultra 9 often hits 100°C under load, leading to throttling and reduced performance.

GPU Capability: While the RTX 4060 is decent, competing laptops like the Asus Zephyrus G16 extract better performance from the same GPU.

Multitasking: Despite its premium components, the XPS 16 struggles to keep up with AMD-powered alternatives in multitasking scenarios.

Benchmark Results:

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

Verdict: For a laptop priced at ₹3.72 lakh, the performance is disappointing, especially when competitors outperform it at lower price points. This makes it a less appealing choice for power users and gamers.

Battery Life: A Productivity Workhorse

One area where the XPS 16 excels is battery life. In real-world usage, it delivers up to 9.5 hours of productivity, making it suitable for long workdays.

Key Takeaways:

• Longevity: Outperforms many high-end laptops in battery life tests, especially during video playback and web browsing.
• Use Cases: Ideal for office tasks and media consumption but less so for gaming or GPU-heavy workloads.
• Rapid Charging: The included 130W charger quickly replenishes the battery, making it convenient for users on the move.

Verdict: The battery life is one of the XPS 16’s strongest features, offering reliable endurance for professionals. However, battery performance may dip during 4K video editing or gaming sessions.

Connectivity: Falling Short of Expectations

For a laptop aimed at creators and professionals, the XPS 16’s I/O options are surprisingly limited:

Available Ports:

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

What’s Missing:

• No HDMI Port: A major drawback for users who frequently connect to external displays.
• No USB Type-A Ports: Forces reliance on dongles for legacy peripherals.
• Ethernet Port: The absence of a dedicated Ethernet port could be inconvenient for users needing stable wired connections.

Verdict: The lack of essential ports undermines the XPS 16’s appeal as a professional workstation. Users may find themselves frequently relying on adapters, which adds to the overall cost and inconvenience.

Comparison with Competitors: Is the Price Justified?

When compared to alternatives like the Asus Zephyrus G16, the Dell XPS 16 struggles to justify its premium pricing:

Verdict: The Zephyrus G16 outshines the XPS 16 in almost every aspect, from performance to value for money. Unless aesthetics and display quality are your top priorities, the XPS 16 is difficult to recommend over its competitors.

Final Verdict: Is the Dell XPS 16 Worth It?

The Dell XPS 16 excels in design, display quality, and battery life, making it a luxurious choice for professionals focused on aesthetics and media consumption. However, its underwhelming performance, limited connectivity, and high price tag make it a tough sell for power users.

Pros:

• Stunning 4K+ OLED display
• Premium build quality
• Impressive battery life
• Excellent for media consumption and creative tasks

Cons:

• Lacks raw performance for the price
• Limited I/O options
• Significantly overpriced compared to competitors
• Thermal issues under heavy workloads

Recommendation: If you value design and display quality above all else, the Dell XPS 16 might be worth considering. For everyone else, laptops like the Asus Zephyrus G16 offer better performance and value.