Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
The Verdict
Dell's XPS 16 delivers exceptional value at $1899, combining solid performance with superior battery longevity. Its 16-core Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor matches most workloads efficiently, while the 500-nit IPS display offers reliable color accuracy across a crisp 1920 x 1200 resolution. At just 2.13 kg, portability is genuinely excellent for this size class. Battery life reaches 13 hours under mixed use, making it a reliable all-day machine. Samsung's Galaxy Book3 Ultra costs $500 more but justifies it through specific strengths: the 120Hz AMOLED display at 2880 x 1800 is visually stunning with deeper blacks and superior refresh responsiveness, ideal for creative professionals. Its 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage double the Dell's base specs. However, the older Intel Core i9-13900H feels dated against the newer Core Ultra architecture, and critically, battery life drops to 8 hours, forcing regular charging. The heavier 1.79 kg body also impacts mobility. For general productivity, multitasking, and users prioritizing battery endurance and affordability, the XPS 16 is the smarter pick. If you're a creative professional who values cutting-edge display technology and can tolerate frequent charging, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra justifies its premium. Otherwise, Dell's offering provides superior practicality and real-world value.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell XPS 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra if…
- →Gorgeous 16-inch 2.8K AMOLED 120Hz display with vivid colors
- →NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles creative and gaming workloads
- →Under 4 lbs — lightweight for a 16-inch laptop with discrete GPU
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
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Pros
- Gorgeous 16-inch 2.8K AMOLED 120Hz display with vivid colors
- NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles creative and gaming workloads
- Under 4 lbs — lightweight for a 16-inch laptop with discrete GPU
- Seamless Samsung ecosystem integration with Galaxy phones and tablets
- Excellent keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel and good feedback
Cons
- $2,399 is steep and competes directly with MacBook Pro 16
- 76 Wh battery drains faster on AMOLED — expect 6-7 hours in practice
- Soldered RAM and SSD limit upgradeability
- Samsung software bloatware is annoying to clean up
- No OLED brightness matching Apple's XDR 1600-nit HDR peak
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 3.95 lbs (1.79 kg) |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 76 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 32 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core i9-13900H (13th Gen) |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Dell products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Dell XPS 16 (9640) or the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra.

