Dell admits it made a mistake, brings back XPS laptop brand with new XPS 14 and XPS 15

Dell

• Dell relaunches XPS series with new XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops
• Both models feature Intel Core Ultra chips and physical function keys
• XPS 14 starts at $1,649.99, XPS 16 at $1,849.99, available now

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Dell is bringing back its beloved XPS laptop series just a year after it seemed to disappear. The company quietly dropped the XPS name last year, surprising many fans and tech reviewers. But now Dell says it realized that dropping the brand was a mistake, and it is relaunching the XPS line with two new models: the Dell XPS 14 and the Dell XPS 16.

As per XDA report, Dell officials admitted in a pre-briefing ahead of the CES 2026 tech show that they had heard from customers and the tech community. People missed the XPS name because it was one of the most well-known Windows laptop lines in the world. Dell also confirmed that another respected brand, Precision, will return as Dell Pro Precision for business users. However, Latitude and Inspiron, two other older Dell brands, will stay as they are and not get revived.

The two new laptops keep much of what made XPS popular, but with fresh updates. Both the XPS 14 and the XPS 16 are powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors, which promise faster performance and better battery life. They both still run Windows 11 and include plenty of memory and storage options, so users can choose what fits their needs.

One welcome change many users will be happy to see is that Dell has dropped the controversial touch-sensitive function keys. On some past models, these keys were met with mixed reviews, and many people said they preferred real, physical keys. The new XPS models bring those real keys back, making typing easier and more comfortable for many users.

Design-wise, the new XPS models continue Dell’s tradition of making sleek, premium laptops. They are built from lightweight aluminum and look modern and clean. The XPS 14 weighs around 3 pounds, while the larger XPS 16 weighs around 3.6 pounds. Both laptops have thin bezels around the screen, though the top bezel is slightly larger than before to make room for a new 8MP webcam. This is the first time we’ve seen such a high-quality webcam on an XPS laptop, which should make video calls look better and clearer.

The displays are also impressive. The XPS 14 offers up to a 2.8K OLED screen, and the XPS 16 can go up to 3.2K OLED. These screens are designed to show rich colors and deep contrast, which is great for watching movies, editing photos, or just browsing the web.

One notable difference from past XPS models is that neither laptop offers a dedicated graphics card. Instead, Dell is relying on the power of Intel’s new integrated graphics, which the company says are strong enough for most everyday tasks, light video editing, and casual gaming. Whether this will satisfy power users remains to be seen, but Dell is confident in the new processors.

Another small but meaningful detail is the keyboard and touchpad design. The laptops keep a nearly borderless touchpad that works smoothly, and the keyboard still feels solid and comfortable for long typing sessions.

Dell says both new XPS laptops are available starting now. Prices begin at $1,649.99 for the XPS 14 and $1,849.99 for the XPS 16. With this return of the XPS brand, Dell seems to be listening more carefully to what its customers want, and it hopes these new laptops will win back longtime fans of the series.