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Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra

Updated Apr 2026laptops
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Dell
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
$1,899
8.4/10
Winner
VS
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
$2,399
8.1/10

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.

Value16 (9640)
Battery16 (9640)
DisplayBook3 Ultra
Performance16 (9640)
portability16 (9640)

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

Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Value
8.7
7.2
Battery
9.1
6.5
Display
8.0
9.2
Performance
8.5
7.8
portability
8.9
8.2

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

SpecDell XPS 16 (9640)Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
SoftwareWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight2.13 kg3.95 lbs (1.79 kg)
MaterialCNC aluminum and carbon fiberAluminum
Dimensions358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches
Ports
SD card
Thunderbolt ports32
HDMI
USB-A ports1
USB-C ports2
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 13 hours mixed useUp to 8 hours
Capacity99.5 Wh76 Wh
Display
Size16.3 inches16 inches
TypeInfinityEdge IPS non-touchAMOLED
Resolution1920 x 12002880 x 1800
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)500400
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Processor
RAM16 GB LPDDR5x32 GB LPDDR5
Cores16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)14 cores (6P + 8E)
ChipsetIntel Core Ultra 7 155HIntel 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.

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