Review Dell XPS 16 9640
Dell XPS 16 9640 Core Ultra X7 358H
Intel Core Ultra X7 358H · Intel Arc B390 12 Xe3 iGPU · 32GB LPDDR5x-9600 · 1TB SSD · 16.0″ 3.2K OLED 120Hz Touch · 1.718 kg
Premium 16‑inch multimedia ultrabook with Intel Panther Lake X7 — up to 70% faster CPU and 150% faster GPU than base Core Ultra 5/7 SKUs. Features 32 GB LPDDR5x-9600, 3.2K OLED 120Hz touch, 8 MP webcam, and great audio. However, Turbo Boost sustainability is limited (CPU throttles after short bursts), OLED PWM at 240 Hz may affect sensitive users, battery life is shorter than IPS SKU, and performance lags behind the older Dell 16 Premium with RTX 4070. Priced around $2,350 for the tested configuration.
Display Panel – 3.2K OLED 120Hz Touch (PWM at 240 Hz)
Panel model: LG Philips 160WV1 – 16.0″ 3200×2000 120 Hz OLED (glossy, 10‑point touch, DisplayHDR 500, Adaptive Sync).
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SDR Brightness | ~395 cd/m² (avg), peak 401 cd/m² |
| HDR Brightness | ~518 nits peak – good HDR |
| Colour Coverage | 100% sRGB, 99.5% DCI‑P3, 96.5% AdobeRGB – excellent |
| Accuracy (uncalibrated) | ΔE 3.69 avg, ΔE max 7.94 – decent out‑of‑box |
| Accuracy (calibrated) | ΔE 0.68 – reference‑grade |
| Response Time (B‑W) | 0.87 ms – blazing fast |
| Response Time (GtG) | 0.65 ms – blazing fast |
| PWM Frequency | 240.2 Hz – low frequency, sensitive users will notice |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz – smooth |
| Touch | ✅ 10‑point capacitive |
| Resolution | 3.2K (3200×2000) – not 4K like the older XPS 16 |
- Excellent colour coverage – 100% P3, great for content creation
- Fast 120 Hz refresh and OLED response – very smooth
- Low PWM frequency (240 Hz) – may cause eyestrain for sensitive users
- SDR brightness is lower than IPS option – IPS is actually brighter for SDR content
- 3.2K instead of 4K – a downgrade from the previous XPS 16 OLED
- Touchscreen and HDR500 support
The OLED panel uses a low 240 Hz PWM frequency – sensitive users are likely to experience eyestrain. The IPS option is actually brighter for SDR content and has no PWM issues.
Keyboard & Touchpad
- Keyboard: 1.3 mm travel – shallow but crisp
- Backlit (standard)
- Full‑size layout with no numpad – centred design
- Large glass touchpad – smooth, responsive
- Supports Windows Precision gestures
The keyboard is comfortable with crisp feedback, though travel is shallower than some competitors. The glass touchpad is large and accurate.
Ports & Connectivity – Limited to USB‑C
- Left: 2× USB‑C Thunderbolt 4 (DP 2.1 + PD)
- Right: 1× USB‑C Thunderbolt 4 (DP 2.1 + PD), 3.5mm audio
- No USB‑A, no HDMI, no SD card reader – USB‑C only
- 3× Thunderbolt 4 – excellent for docks
- Wi‑Fi 7 (Intel BE211) – ~1,619 Mbit/s transmit on 6GHz
- 8 MP webcam with IR – above‑average quality
Port selection is very limited – no USB‑A, HDMI, or SD card reader. You'll need a USB‑C hub or dock for most peripherals.
Serviceability & Upgradeability – Very Limited
Bottom cover: Standard Torx screws – relatively easy to remove.
| Component | Replaceable? | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | Low | M.2 2280 PCIe4 – replaceable |
| RAM | ❌ No | – | Soldered LPDDR5x-9600 – choose 32 GB at purchase |
| Wi‑Fi module | ❌ No | – | Soldered – not replaceable |
| Battery | ⚠️ Limited | Medium | 70 Wh – internal, replaceable with care |
| Display | ❌ No | High | Integrated into lid |
| CPU / GPU | ❌ No | – | Soldered BGA |
Only the SSD is user‑replaceable – RAM and Wi‑Fi are soldered. Choose 32 GB RAM at purchase – no upgrades possible.
Storage (SSD) – Single M.2 2280, Fast PCIe4
- Tested Drive: Kioxia BG7 (model not fully specified) – 1 TB, M.2 2280 PCIe4
- Sequential read: ~7,017 MB/s · write: ~6,120 MB/s – excellent
- Stable performance – no throttling in DiskSpd loop
- Single M.2 slot – no expansion
- No PCIe5 support – PCIe4 only
The SSD is fast and stable, but the single M.2 slot limits expansion – you must replace the drive to upgrade capacity.
Memory (RAM) – Soldered
- Configuration: 32 GB LPDDR5x‑9600 (soldered)
- No SO‑DIMM slots – completely non‑upgradeable
- Fast 9600 MT/s – benefits overall performance
- Choose 32 GB at order – no aftermarket changes possible
RAM is soldered – always recommend the 32 GB SKU. No upgrades possible. The Core Ultra X7 configuration comes with 32 GB, while base SKUs have 16 GB.
Processor (CPU) – Up to 70% Faster (Throttles Under Load)
- Model: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H (Panther Lake)
- Cores: 16c/16t (4× P‑core @ 4.8 GHz, 8× E‑core @ 3.7 GHz, 4× LP E‑core @ 3.3 GHz)
- TDP: 70 W PL2, 35 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~17,884 pts – solid
- 60‑70% faster than Core Ultra 5/7 configurations
- Turbo Boost sustainability is limited – performance drops ~15% after first few loops
- CPU throttles to 2.2 GHz under sustained Prime95 load
- Cooler than Core Ultra 5 SKU under load – 78°C vs 86°C
The Core Ultra X7 358H is fast but throttles under sustained load – performance drops after short bursts. The competing Asus ExpertBook Ultra sustains higher clock rates with the same CPU.
Graphics (GPU) – Arc B390: 150% Faster
- Model: Intel Arc B390 12 Xe3 Panther Lake iGPU
- Max clock: 2,150 MHz
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~7,436 pts – excellent for integrated graphics
- 150% faster than base Graphics 4 Xe3 option
- 30% slower than older XPS 16 with RTX 4070
- Runs modern titles at 1080p Medium – Black Myth: Wukong playable
- Balanced mode has minimal performance loss – only ~1% slower than Performance
Fire Strike Performance – Power Profiles
| Mode | Graphics Score | Physics Score | Combined Score | vs. Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 17,018 | 22,086 | 4,859 | 100% |
| Balanced | 16,785 | 22,887 | 4,467 | −1% |
| Battery | 15,685 | 20,760 | 4,269 | −8% |
The Arc B390 delivers excellent integrated graphics performance – a major upgrade over base SKUs. Balanced mode offers near‑peak performance with quieter fans – the sweet spot for most users.
Battery – Shorter than IPS SKU
- Capacity: 70 Wh – decent
- WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~10.3 hours – good
- Over 50% shorter than Core Ultra 5 IPS SKU (26.6 hours)
- Internal battery – replaceable with moderate effort
- OLED panel and faster CPU significantly reduce runtime
Battery life is significantly shorter than the IPS SKU – the OLED display and Core Ultra X7 are more power‑hungry. 10.3 hours is still respectable for a 3.2K OLED.
Chassis & Build – Premium, Slimmer than IPS
- Materials: Aluminium (25‑75% recycled) – premium, sturdy
- Weight: 1.718 kg (3.79 lbs) – lighter than IPS SKU
- Dimensions: 352.58 × 237.47 × 14.62 mm – slimmer than IPS version
- High recycled content – 25‑75% recycled aluminium, 10% recycled glass, 50% recycled cobalt
- 100% recycled packaging
- Premium fit and finish – typical XPS quality
The chassis is premium and well‑built – typical Dell XPS quality. The OLED configuration is slightly thinner and lighter than the IPS version.
Disassembly & Upgradeability Summary
| Component | Replaceable? | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | Low | M.2 2280 – replaceable |
| RAM | ❌ No | – | Soldered – choose at purchase |
| Wi‑Fi | ❌ No | – | Soldered – not replaceable |
| Battery | ⚠️ Yes | Medium | 70 Wh – replaceable with care |
| Display | ❌ No | High | Integrated into lid |
| CPU / GPU | ❌ No | – | Soldered BGA |
Very limited upgradeability – only the SSD is replaceable. RAM and Wi‑Fi are soldered – choose carefully at purchase.
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
Display
The 3.2K OLED is vibrant and fast – low PWM (240 Hz) may affect sensitive users. The IPS option is brighter for SDR and PWM‑free.
CPU
Core Ultra X7 is 60‑70% faster than base SKUs – excellent for content creation. Turbo Boost sustainability is limited.
GPU
Arc B390 is 150% faster than base iGPU – can handle 1080p gaming. 30% slower than older XPS 16 with RTX 4070.
RAM
Soldered – always recommend the 32 GB SKU. No upgrades possible.
SSD
Single M.2 2280 slot – upgrades require replacement. Fast PCIe4 speeds.
Value
At ~$2,350, the Core Ultra X7 configuration is good value for the performance uplift and 32 GB RAM – but the older Dell 16 Premium offers 20% faster CPU and 60% faster GPU. Sell to content creators who need CPU/GPU performance in a thin chassis.
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- Core Ultra X7 is 60‑70% faster than base SKUs
- Arc B390 iGPU is 150% faster than base iGPU
- 3.2K OLED 120Hz touch – vibrant, fast, colour‑accurate
- Thinner and lighter than IPS SKU – 14.62 mm, 1.72 kg
- 32 GB LPDDR5x-9600 – fast memory
- 8 MP webcam and great audio – excellent for conferencing
- Wi‑Fi 7 and 3× Thunderbolt 4 – modern connectivity
- Cooler than Core Ultra 5 SKU under load
Weaknesses
- Low PWM frequency on OLED (240 Hz) – may cause eyestrain
- Limited Turbo Boost sustainability – throttles under sustained load
- Shorter battery life than IPS SKU – ~10.3 hours vs 26.6 hours
- Slower than older Dell 16 Premium – 20% CPU, 60% GPU deficit
- Soldered RAM and Wi‑Fi – no upgrades
- No USB‑A, HDMI, or SD card reader – dongle life
- Single M.2 SSD slot – no expansion
Pro tip for resellers: The Dell XPS 16 Core Ultra X7 358H is a performance‑per‑watt champion with a PWM and throttling compromise.
• Sell to content creators and power users – the CPU and GPU performance uplift over base SKUs is significant.
• Warn customers about the OLED PWM – sensitive users may prefer the IPS option.
• Balanced mode is the sweet spot – near‑peak performance with quieter fans.
• The older Dell 16 Premium is faster – recommend that for users who need maximum performance.
• RAM is soldered – always upsell the 32 GB SKU.
• The IPS SKU has better battery life and no PWM issues – recommend it for users who don't need the extra performance.
• Sell to content creators and power users – the CPU and GPU performance uplift over base SKUs is significant.
• Warn customers about the OLED PWM – sensitive users may prefer the IPS option.
• Balanced mode is the sweet spot – near‑peak performance with quieter fans.
• The older Dell 16 Premium is faster – recommend that for users who need maximum performance.
• RAM is soldered – always upsell the 32 GB SKU.
• The IPS SKU has better battery life and no PWM issues – recommend it for users who don't need the extra performance.