Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72, 2024) vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
The Verdict
Acer's Predator Helios Neo 16 and Dell's XPS 16 target different user priorities. Acer delivers superior gaming performance with its Intel Core i7-14700HX (20 cores), 240Hz 2560x1600 display, and 1TB storage at $1,499,ideal for competitive gamers and creators demanding high refresh rates. Dell prioritizes productivity and portability with its lighter 2.13kg chassis, premium aluminum/carbon fiber build, exceptional 13-hour battery life, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports at $1,899. Dell's Core Ultra 7 155H is efficient but less powerful for demanding workloads. Battery longevity heavily favors Dell (13 hours vs. 7 hours). Acer excels in gaming-specific features and storage capacity, while Dell wins on build quality, portability, and everyday usability. For gaming and content creation, choose the Acer; for business travel and balanced performance, the Dell is superior.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72, 2024) if…
- →Strong performance from 14th-gen HX-class CPU
- →240Hz QHD+ display ideal for esports
- →User-upgradeable RAM and storage
Buy the Dell XPS 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72, 2024)
Pros
- Strong performance from 14th-gen HX-class CPU
- 240Hz QHD+ display ideal for esports
- User-upgradeable RAM and storage
- Per-key RGB backlit keyboard
- Robust thermal design with vapor chamber options
Cons
- Heavy at 2.7 kg
- Battery life poor under load
- Plastic chassis feels less premium than rivals
- Fans get loud under gaming workloads
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72, 2024) | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 kg | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic chassis | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 358 x 281 x 28.9 mm | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 7 hours | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 16.3 inches |
| Type | IPS, 16:10 | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 240Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 20 cores (8P+12E) | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i7-14700HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all Dell products. View full details for the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72, 2024) or the Dell XPS 16 (9640).