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Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)

Both laptops share identical processors (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) and 16GB RAM, but diverge significantly in form factor and use cases. Dell XPS 13 Plus prioritizes portability at 1.24kg with a compact 13.4-inch display, making it ideal for frequent travelers who value mobility over screen real estate. XPS 16 delivers substantially more workspace with its 16.3-inch display and expandable storage, though it weighs 0.89kg more. Battery performance slightly favors the larger model (13 hours vs 12 hours) thanks to its 99.5Wh capacity versus 55Wh. Both feature 500-nit brightness and identical 1920x1200 resolution—neither excels for creative professionals. Port selection differs meaningfully: XPS 13 Plus has two Thunderbolt ports with zero USB-C, while XPS 16 offers three Thunderbolt ports providing superior connectivity. At $600 more, XPS 16 justifies its cost through expandable storage and larger display. Choose XPS 13 Plus for ultraportability; select XPS 16 for productivity and screen space.

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Dell
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
$1,299
8.1/10
VS
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Dell
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
$1,899
8.4/10
Winner

Full Specifications

SpecDell XPS 13 Plus (2024)Dell XPS 16 (9640)
SoftwareWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight1.24 kg2.13 kg
MaterialCNC aluminumCNC aluminum and carbon fiber
Dimensions295.3 x 199.0 x 15.3 mm358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm
Ports
HDMI0
USB-C ports0
SD card
Thunderbolt ports23
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 12 hours mixed useUp to 13 hours mixed use
Capacity55 Wh99.5 Wh
Display
Size13.4 inches16.3 inches
TypeInfinityEdge IPS non-touchInfinityEdge IPS non-touch
Resolution1920 x 12001920 x 1200
Refresh rate60Hz60Hz
Brightness (nits)500500
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe512 GB NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM16 GB LPDDR5x16 GB LPDDR5x
Cores16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)
ChipsetIntel Core Ultra 7 155HIntel Core Ultra 7 155H

Category Scores

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Value
8.0
8.2
Battery
7.9
8.5
Display
7.8
8.3
Performance
8.2
8.2
portability
9.1
7.2

Pros & Cons

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)

Pros

  • Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
  • Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
  • Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
  • Excellent build quality with premium aluminum finish
  • Optional 4K OLED upgrade available

Cons

  • Only two Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A, HDMI, or SD card
  • Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
  • Soldered RAM and SSD cannot be upgraded
  • Battery life is merely average for an ultrabook
  • Haptic touchpad has invisible borders

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

Explore more in laptops, see all Dell products or all Dell products. View full details for the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) or the Dell XPS 16 (9640).