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.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 15 (2024) | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.86 kg | 2.13 kg |
| Material | CNC machined aluminum | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 344.4 x 230.1 x 18.0 mm | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 86 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 16.3 inches |
| Type | OLED touch | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2160 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 32 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
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
Related Comparisons
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