Dell has brought back its XPS branding at CES 2026, reversing a decision made last year when the company reshuffled and renamed its consumer PC range. While the earlier changes caused some confusion and marked the apparent end of the long-running XPS name, Dell has now confirmed its return with a redesigned premium laptop range that signals a new design direction for the brand.

The refreshed XPS range launches initially in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with Dell describing them as the thinnest and lightest laptops it has ever produced. The familiar wedge-shaped profile of earlier XPS models has been abandoned in favour of a more uniform, sculpted chassis with clean lines and gently curved edges. Dell says the footprint of the 14-inch model is particularly compact, even occupying less desk space than Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air.

Several design elements have also been reworked following feedback from previous generations. The invisible trackpad has been replaced with a clearly defined touch surface, marked by subtle lines that outline its usable area. Dell has also removed the capacitive function key strip and returned to physical function keys, a change likely to appeal to users who prefer tactile controls.

Portability and endurance are central to Dell’s messaging. The 14-inch XPS weighs approximately 1.36 kilograms and is rated for up to 40 hours of battery life, which Dell claims puts it at the top of its class. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models are powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 3 processors, targeting users who want strong performance in a thin-and-light form factor.

Display quality is another highlight, with Dell equipping the new XPS laptops with Tandem OLED panels. This technology, also seen in recent high-end tablets, is designed to deliver higher brightness, improved efficiency and more consistent colour performance compared with traditional OLED screens.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is pricing. Despite the premium materials and updated internals, Dell has positioned the new XPS range competitively. In Australian dollar terms, the XPS 14 is expected to start at approximately $A3,075, while the larger XPS 16 will begin at approximately $A3,300 when it goes on sale. Dell has indicated that additional configurations at lower price points will follow in the weeks after launch.

Dell has also confirmed that a 13-inch XPS model will arrive later in the year. The company says this version will be its slimmest, lightest and most affordable XPS laptop to date, further expanding the range and reinforcing the return of XPS as Dell’s flagship design-led notebook line.