98
Tom's GuideT2Apr 12, 2026
“it’s still an overall phenomenal Windows laptop and a welcome return of the iconic brand.”
By Tony Polanco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Laptop
Dell XPS 16 (2026)
Dell · From $1,749
Release date Jan 6, 2026
84
Recommended
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
11 with a published score, 0 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jul 16, 2026
6 Rave3 Positive1 Favorable1 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics treat the 2026 XPS 16 as a strong return for the XPS name after Dell's 2025 rebrand. Reviewers praise the thin, light aluminum body, the tandem OLED display, Panther Lake performance and battery life. The shallow keyboard, the USB-C-only ports with no SD reader, integrated graphics only and a price that climbs quickly with OLED are the common complaints.
What critics loved
- Thin, light design at about 3.65 lb
- Tandem OLED display option
- Strong Panther Lake performance and long battery life
- Physical function row and good speakers
Common gripes
- Shallow, cramped keyboard
- Only three Thunderbolt 4 ports and no SD or microSD slot
- No discrete graphics option
- Expensive once configured with OLED
- Soldered memory
Critic Scorecard
11 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
97
TechRadarT2May 22, 2026
“With outstanding battery life, a beautiful, crisp OLED display, an internal spec sheet that ticks nearly every box, and a design that takes your breath away, it's almost perfect.”
By Zak Storey · Rated 4.5/5Full review
97
HotHardwareT3May 12, 2026
“Dell’s XPS 16 (DA16260) for 2026 delivers the same impressive Panther Lake performance, class-leading efficiency, and clean, premium design as the 14" model we previously reviewed.”
By Zak Killian · Rated 4.75/5Full review
97
TechaerisT4Apr 26, 2026
“The 2026 Dell XPS 16 is absolutely the best Windows ultrabook with svelte looks and big muscles to go head-to-head with the MacBook Pro.”
By Alex Hernandez · Rated 9.6/10Full review
90
XDAT3Apr 11, 2026
“The 3.2K tandem OLED screen is a joy to look at, the touchpad is there when you need it and not when you don't, and the keyboard might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's okay.”
By Joe Rice-Jones · Rated 8.5/10Full review
87
EngadgetT1Mar 17, 2026
“The XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it's a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 86/100Full review
Show 5 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
84
MakeUseOfT3Jul 16, 2026
“Dell's premium 16-inch laptop still looks futuristic, but it's finally in a good way.”
By Brady Snyder · Rated 8/10Full review
84
NotebookcheckT3Mar 20, 2026
“The 2026 XPS 16 sacrifices discrete GPU options for a leaner, lighter, quieter, longer-lasting and more efficient design.”
Tested the base Core Ultra 5 325 configuration with the 2K IPS display.
By Allen Ngo · Rated 84%Full review
83
Tom's HardwareT2May 6, 2026
“If you can afford the asking price, this iconic laptop is a rewarding experience.”
By Charles Jefferies · Rated 4/5Full review
74
GizmodoT2May 13, 2026
“Don’t get me wrong, the XPS 16 offers some great features, from its design and display to its performance and battery life.”
By Rami Tabari · Rated 4/5Full review
53
PCWorldT2Apr 13, 2026
“It’s a great-looking machine with some solid hardware, but other devices are much more practical, pleasant to use, and (often) more affordable.”
By Mark Knapp · Rated 3/5Full review
84
MakeUseOfT3Jul 16, 2026
“Dell's premium 16-inch laptop still looks futuristic, but it's finally in a good way.”
By Brady Snyder · Rated 8/10Full review
97
TechRadarT2May 22, 2026
“With outstanding battery life, a beautiful, crisp OLED display, an internal spec sheet that ticks nearly every box, and a design that takes your breath away, it's almost perfect.”
By Zak Storey · Rated 4.5/5Full review
74
GizmodoT2May 13, 2026
“Don’t get me wrong, the XPS 16 offers some great features, from its design and display to its performance and battery life.”
By Rami Tabari · Rated 4/5Full review
97
HotHardwareT3May 12, 2026
“Dell’s XPS 16 (DA16260) for 2026 delivers the same impressive Panther Lake performance, class-leading efficiency, and clean, premium design as the 14" model we previously reviewed.”
By Zak Killian · Rated 4.75/5Full review
83
Tom's HardwareT2May 6, 2026
“If you can afford the asking price, this iconic laptop is a rewarding experience.”
By Charles Jefferies · Rated 4/5Full review
97
TechaerisT4Apr 26, 2026
“The 2026 Dell XPS 16 is absolutely the best Windows ultrabook with svelte looks and big muscles to go head-to-head with the MacBook Pro.”
By Alex Hernandez · Rated 9.6/10Full review
Show 5 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
53
PCWorldT2Apr 13, 2026
“It’s a great-looking machine with some solid hardware, but other devices are much more practical, pleasant to use, and (often) more affordable.”
By Mark Knapp · Rated 3/5Full review
98
Tom's GuideT2Apr 12, 2026
“it’s still an overall phenomenal Windows laptop and a welcome return of the iconic brand.”
By Tony Polanco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
90
XDAT3Apr 11, 2026
“The 3.2K tandem OLED screen is a joy to look at, the touchpad is there when you need it and not when you don't, and the keyboard might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's okay.”
By Joe Rice-Jones · Rated 8.5/10Full review
84
NotebookcheckT3Mar 20, 2026
“The 2026 XPS 16 sacrifices discrete GPU options for a leaner, lighter, quieter, longer-lasting and more efficient design.”
Tested the base Core Ultra 5 325 configuration with the 2K IPS display.
By Allen Ngo · Rated 84%Full review
87
EngadgetT1Mar 17, 2026
“The XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it's a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 86/100Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 16-inch; 3.2K (3200x2000) tandem OLED touch, 20-120Hz, or 2K (1920x1200) IPS non-touch, 120Hz
- Chip
- Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake): Core Ultra 5 325 up to Core Ultra X7 358H
- Graphics
- Intel Arc B390 integrated on X7 models; no discrete GPU option
- Memory
- 16GB or more LPDDR5x, soldered
- Storage
- 512GB or more M.2 SSD (replaceable)
- Battery
- 70Whr; Engadget measured 11 hours 53 minutes in PCMark 10 Modern Office
- Weight
- 3.65 lb (1.66 kg) OLED, 3.85 lb LCD
- Ports
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), headphone jack; no SD card reader
- Price
- From $1,749.99; $2,349.99 as reviewed with OLED, X7 358H, 32GB, 1TB