CES 2026: 'We didn't listen', Dell Brings Back Its XPS Lineup With Intel Core X9 Processor

Dell has revived its XPS lineup exactly one year after replacing it with a more simple naming structure. The new product lineup was announced at the ongoing Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2026 where the company launched the new XPS 14 and XPS 16 — both powered by Intel's Core X9 Ultra processor and powered by Intel Arc Graphics. What's more surprising is the fact that Dell actually admitted that going away from this naming strategy was a wrong move. “We’ve been a bit off course. I owe you an apology. We didn’t listen," Dell Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke said, while unveiling the new lineup. For those unversed, the company had in 2025, retired XPS, Inspiron and Precision lineups, replacing them with Dell, Dell Plus, Dell Premium,

and Dell Pro in order to make the entire lineup more systematic. But this led to even more confusion among buyers. Since them Dell has faced consistent criticism and ask to bring back the origimn nomenclature. The brand has finally listened to its customers.

Going forward, Dell will now operate with three clear laptop categories for consumers. Entry-level and everyday laptops will continue under the Dell name. As for premium consumer devices will once again be branded XPS, and as for gaming side of things, it’ll all be under the Alienware umbrella. The labels such as Dell Pro Max, Dell Plus, and Dell Premium have been dropped entirely, while the Dell Pro branding will remain intact for enterprise customers.Thin and Light laptopsThe new XPS 14 and XPS 16 have slimmer profiles, lighter builds, and improved performance. The XPS 14 is just 0.58 inches thick and weighs around 1.3KG, while the XPS 16 weighs around 1.6KG.Both models feature CNC-machined aluminium unibody designs with Gorilla Glass, ultra-thin bezels, and an 8-megapixel 4K HDR webcam. Display options include 2K LCD panels for maximum battery life and Dell’s tandem OLED technology, which offers higher brightness, improved efficiency, and variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz. They are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with integrated Intel Arc graphics.Dell has also restored a traditional function key row, improving keyboard feel, and adding modular components to make repairs easier.The XPS 14 will start at $1,649.99, while the XPS 16 begins at $1,849.99, available from January 6 in the US and Canada. The company has also confirmed that more models from the XPS series, including a new XPS 13, will also arrive in 2026.