Dell Revives XPS Brand in Surprising Reversal
▼ Summary
– Dell has revived its XPS laptop brand at CES 2026 with new XPS 14 and XPS 16 models, featuring its thinnest designs, a physical function row, and new Intel Panther Lake processors.
– The XPS 14 and 16 launch in select configurations on January 6th, starting at $2,049 and $2,199.99 respectively, with an Ubuntu version of the XPS 14 promised for later in the year.
– Key specifications include three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, optional tandem OLED displays, and a focus on battery life with 70Whr cells and variable refresh rates down to 1Hz.
– Dell’s COO acknowledged the previous branding misstep, and the company is also teasing a future, thinner XPS 13 that will switch back to a traditional chiclet-style keyboard.
– The new XPS laptops represent a strategic shift for Dell, dialing back some design originality in favor of improved functionality and clearer, more MacBook-like branding.
Dell has made a surprising strategic pivot, reviving its iconic XPS brand for its latest premium laptops after a brief and unpopular rebranding attempt. The company is launching the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 at CES, aiming to win back loyal customers with a focus on performance, design, and user-friendly features. This move represents a clear acknowledgment from Dell that its previous decision to abandon the well-respected XPS name was a misstep.
The new models showcase Dell’s thinnest designs yet and reintroduce a row of physical function keys, addressing a common critique of earlier versions. Improved battery life is a major selling point, supported by 70Whr cells and displays with a variable refresh rate that can drop as low as 1Hz for static content. Powering the systems are Intel’s new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 processors. In a symbolic gesture, the XPS logo is prominently featured on the laptop lid, and the previously seamless haptic trackpad now includes subtle etched lines to define its edges.
Initial configurations for the XPS 14 and XPS 16 will be available starting January 6th, with more options arriving in February. Launch pricing begins at $2,049 for the XPS 14 and $2,199.99 for the XPS 16. For users interested in Linux, Dell has confirmed an XPS 14 model running Ubuntu 24.04 will be released later this year.
The laptops feature an all-aluminum construction, three USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 10W speakers. They are notably lightweight, with the 14-inch model starting at 3 pounds and the 16-inch at 3.65 pounds. Base models come with a 1920 x 1200 IPS display, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Higher-end configurations will offer tandem OLED displays with exceptional brightness and resolution, paired with more powerful Intel Core Ultra X-series chips. While discrete graphics are not an option, Dell is emphasizing the efficiency and longevity of the integrated solutions.
During a preview event, Dell’s COO, Jeff Clarke, openly addressed the company’s recent branding confusion, stating the PC business had been “a bit off-course” and promising a return to its roots. The new laptops feel sleek and premium, and the added trackpad boundaries and function row are practical improvements. However, the latticeless keyboard design, which has been divisive among users, remains on these new 14 and 16-inch models.
Looking ahead, Dell is already teasing a new XPS 13 slated for later in 2026. The company promises it will be the thinnest and lightest XPS ever, measuring under 13mm thick. A significant change for this model will be a return to a traditional chiclet-style keyboard, which Dell cites as more cost-effective, allowing for a more competitive price point. This model appeared to take clear design inspiration from the MacBook Air during a behind-glass viewing.
This revival of the XPS line seems to signal a refined strategy from Dell. By blending recognizable, premium design aesthetics with a renewed focus on functionality and clear branding, the company is positioning these laptops as compelling alternatives for users seeking high-performance Windows machines.
(Source: The Verge)
