Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs HP Envy 16 (2024)
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both laptops share the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and 16GB RAM, but diverge significantly in display and battery priorities. Dell's XPS 16 emphasizes build quality with premium CNC aluminum and carbon fiber construction, delivering a brighter 500-nit display optimized for professional work, though at 1920x1200 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. HP's Envy 16 counters with a sharper 2560x1600 IPS touchscreen at 120Hz, ideal for creators and multitaskers, plus double the storage (1TB vs 512GB) at $500 less. Battery life favors Dell with 13 hours versus HP's 10 hours, though HP includes legacy ports (HDMI, USB-A) many professionals still need. Performance is virtually identical across both platforms. For professionals prioritizing battery endurance and premium materials, the XPS 16 justifies its price. Content creators and budget-conscious buyers seeking better display specs and expandable storage should choose the HP Envy 16.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | HP Envy 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 2.34 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 358 x 252 x 19.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 83 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 1 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 16 cores |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
HP Envy 16 (2024)
Pros
- Optional NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU for creative and light gaming workloads
- Excellent 2.5K 120Hz touchscreen display
- Comprehensive port selection including SD card reader
- User-upgradeable RAM and storage
Cons
- Heavy and bulky for daily portability
- Battery life suffers under GPU load
- Fans get loud during intensive workloads
- Bezel design feels dated next to Spectre line
Related Comparisons
Explore more in laptops, see all Dell products or all HP products. View full details for the Dell XPS 16 (9640) or the HP Envy 16 (2024).