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Dell XPS 15 (2024) vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)

Both Dell XPS models share identical processors and battery life, but diverge meaningfully in display technology and RAM configuration. Dell XPS 15's 3456x2160 OLED touch screen delivers superior color accuracy and contrast with 400 nits brightness, ideal for creative professionals, while consuming less power despite the higher resolution. XPS 16 compensates with a larger 16.3-inch IPS panel at 1920x1200 with 500 nits brightness, better suited for productivity tasks and outdoor visibility. Critical difference: XPS 15 includes 32GB RAM versus XPS 16's 16GB, giving the smaller model a significant multitasking advantage despite its $400 lower price. XPS 16 adds a third Thunderbolt port and hybrid materials, but lacks SD card support. For content creators prioritizing display quality and RAM, XPS 15 offers exceptional value. Those needing maximum screen real estate for spreadsheets and documents may prefer XPS 16, though the RAM limitation is concerning at this price point.

Dell XPS 15 (2024)
Dell
Dell XPS 15 (2024)
$1,499
8.6/10
Winner
VS
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Dell
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
$1,899
7.9/10

Full Specifications

SpecDell XPS 15 (2024)Dell XPS 16 (9640)
SoftwareWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight1.86 kg2.13 kg
MaterialCNC machined aluminumCNC aluminum and carbon fiber
Dimensions344.4 x 230.1 x 18.0 mm358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm
Ports
HDMI1
USB-A ports1
SD card
Thunderbolt ports23
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 13 hours mixed useUp to 13 hours mixed use
Capacity86 Wh99.5 Wh
Display
Size15.6 inches16.3 inches
TypeOLED touchInfinityEdge IPS non-touch
Resolution3456 x 21601920 x 1200
Refresh rate60Hz60Hz
Brightness (nits)400500
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe512 GB NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM32 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 15 (2024)
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Value
8.4
7.2
Battery
8.4
8.6
Display
9.2
8.1
Performance
8.5
8.5
portability
8.9
8.1

Pros & Cons

Dell XPS 15 (2024)

Pros

  • Gorgeous 3.5K OLED touchscreen with vivid colors
  • 32 GB RAM standard at this price tier
  • Premium CNC aluminum chassis
  • Includes USB-A and HDMI alongside Thunderbolt
  • Upgradeable SSD and memory

Cons

  • OLED display can exhibit burn-in over time
  • Base model ships with integrated Iris Xe graphics only
  • Battery drains faster with OLED on
  • Runs warm under sustained load
  • Fan noise noticeable during CPU-heavy tasks

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 15 (2024) or the Dell XPS 16 (9640).