Dell XPS 16 (2026) review: Premium Windows done right

The XPS is back after a bit of a hiatus. Back in 2025, Dell decided to phase out iconic names like XPS and Inspiron as part of its larger AI-focused rebranding strategy. For many Windows fans, it was a disappointment. After all, the XPS lineup has long been one of the few Windows powered laptop families that could genuinely go toe-to-toe with Apple's MacBooks. Read Full Story Cut to 2026, Dell changed its mind. In January, the company reintroduced the XPS lineup unveiling the redesigned XPS 14 and XPS 16. And after spending time with the new XPS 16, I am very glad it did. The XPS 16 comes with power, design and refinement that very few Windows laptops have managed to achieve. In fact from the very moment you unbox it, this machine impresses. Of course, that experience comes at a cost. In some configurations, the XPS 16 can even end up costing more than a MacBook. The starting price of XPS 16 is Rs 2,78,550. This naturally raises the question: Is it worth it? In this review I will try to answer that question. We will take a closer look at the XPS 16 which comes loaded with Intel's Core Ultra X7 358H processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, Intel Arc graphics, a 1TB SSD and a gorgeous 16-inch 3.2K OLED touchscreen display. Now let's take a closer look. The design instantly makes a positive impression The moment you open the box, something clicks. The laptop looks minimal, clean and super-premium. The XPS 16 is built from CNC-machined aluminum and Gorilla Glass. The graphite finish looks deep and classy. There is almost no flex anywhere on the chassis, while the hinge feels sturdy and reassuring every time you open or close the lid. And then there is the XPS logo. Prominently placed on the lid, it gives the machine an identity. It does not scream for attention the way gaming laptops do with RGB lighting and aggressive design elements. Instead, it quietly adds a subtle premium touch without overdoing it. In many ways, the design of the XPS series reminded me of Apple's MacBook approach: simple, elegant and confident. Yet the XPS still manages to carve out its own identity. This is a 16-inch laptop and, yes, it is large. But at just 1.65kg, it is lighter than many 15-inch Windows laptops and not far off some models in Apple's MacBook Air lineup. I had no issue carrying it between work and home every day. The Dell XPS 16 features a CNC-machined aluminium chassis and Gorilla Glass palm rest. That said, there are a few quirks. Port selection is extremely limited. You only get three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. That's it. No USB-A, no HDMI and no SD card slot. If you regularly connect accessories, external displays or cameras, you will almost certainly need a dongle. Now removing additional ports has become a deliberate approach of all the brands to keep things ‘slim and minimal’. But this adds to the hassle of carrying adapters everywhere. Then there is the touchpad area. Dell has integrated it so neatly into the glass palm rest that it almost blends into it. But to give a distinction, there are two parallel etched lines that subtly define the touchpad area. While the design looks sleek and premium, the touchpad tends to pick up smudges over time. During my use, the surface gradually developed a slightly oily sheen which was difficult to clean completely, even with a damp cloth or a regular microfibre cloth. OLED display is absolutely stunning The display is probably one of my favourite things about the XPS 16. Dell has equipped this machine with a 16-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED touchscreen panel with Dolby Vision support, and it is gorgeous. Colours look deep, vibrant and incredibly rich without becoming oversaturated. Blacks are properly black, contrast is excellent, and brightness is well balanced — bright enough when you need it, yet comfortable on the eyes in a dark room. Whether I was binge-watching Netflix, scrolling through YouTube, editing photos or simply working on documents, CMS and the regular work drill, everything looked fantastic on this display. Now, OLED panels are notoriously difficult when it comes to glare management. Most glossy OLED screens tend to reflect everything around you, especially near windows or under bright indoor lighting. But the XPS 16 handles this surprisingly well. Dell seems to have done an excellent job with the anti-reflective coating because reflections rarely became distracting during my use. The laptop comes with a 16-inch 3.2K OLED touchscreen display with Dolby Vision support. In fact, there were moments when I genuinely preferred looking at this display over the one on my daily work machine, the MacBook Air M3. There is also touchscreen support. But the hinge does not fold flat. It opens to around 135 degrees, so this is not the kind of laptop you will use for sketching or tablet-style workflows. But for everyday interactions such as scrolling through articles, zooming into photos, scrubbing through videos or quickly tapping on-screen controls during a pres