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Dell XPS 14 (9440) vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)

Both Dell XPS models deliver premium build quality with identical processors and RAM, making them compelling mid-range ultrabooks. Display brightness matches at 500 nits with identical 1920x1200 resolution, though the 16-inch panel provides 37% more screen real estate compared to the 14.5-inch. Performance will be virtually identical given their shared Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chipset and 16GB LPDDR5x memory. Battery capacity differs significantly: the 16 offers 99.5Wh versus 69.5Wh, translating to roughly one additional hour of mixed-use runtime. Portability favors the 14-inch at 1.74kg versus 2.13kg, while the 16 loses SD card support. Storage remains equivalent at 512GB NVMe. At $200 more, the XPS 16 justifies its price through superior battery longevity and workspace, ideal for professionals prioritizing screen real estate. The 14-inch excels for mobile workers valuing lightweight design and SD card connectivity. Choose the 16 for desktop replacement duties; select the 14 for frequent travel.

Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Dell
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
$1,699
8.3/10
VS
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Dell
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
$1,899
8.5/10

Full Specifications

SpecDell XPS 14 (9440)Dell XPS 16 (9640)
SoftwareWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight1.74 kg2.13 kg
MaterialCNC aluminum and carbon fiberCNC aluminum and carbon fiber
Dimensions320.0 x 215.5 x 18.0 mm358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm
Ports
SD card
Thunderbolt ports33
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 12 hours mixed useUp to 13 hours mixed use
Capacity69.5 Wh99.5 Wh
Display
Size14.5 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
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 14 (9440)
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Value
8.2
8.1
Battery
7.8
8.6
Display
8.0
8.5
Performance
8.5
8.5
portability
8.8
7.5

Pros & Cons

Dell XPS 14 (9440)

Pros

  • Striking minimalist CNC aluminum design
  • Optional 3.2K OLED touch display
  • Optional discrete RTX 4050 GPU
  • Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus microSD
  • Excellent quad speaker setup

Cons

  • No USB-A or HDMI ports
  • Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
  • Seamless haptic touchpad has no visible borders
  • Battery life below class-leading ultrabooks
  • Premium price for the base configuration

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

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