At CES 2025, Dell unveiled a significant overhaul of its PC lineup, phasing out well-known names such as XPS, Precision, Latitude, among others. Although some of the old models, like the XPS 14 (9440), are still on sale, an array of Dell’s fresh laptop models are also now accessible.
In June 2025, the bigger models of Dell XPS, now rebranded as “Dell 14/16 Premium,” hit the market. Equipped with the most recent Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors and offering optional RTX 40- and 50-series Laptop GPUs for enhanced graphics performance.
Or,
Introduced in June 2025 are the larger versions of Dell XPS systems, now known as “Dell 14/16 Premium.” These come equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPUs and have the option to include RTX 40- and 50-series Laptop GPUs for superior graphics capabilities.
In simpler terms, both the XPS 14 and the new Dell 14 Premium are quite similar, but the latter has an older CPU. By opting for this model, you can get one of the top Windows laptops of late without breaking the bank.
Dell 14 Premium vs. XPS 14: Specs and pricing
Let’s compare the key features of the latest Dell 14 Premium (DA14250) and its predecessor, the Dell XPS 14 (9440), to help you decide which one suits your needs better.
| Dell 14 Premium (DA14250) | Dell XPS 14 (9440) | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM | 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x-6400 (soldered) | 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x-7467 (soldered) |
| GPU | Intel Arc 140T (integrated), NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop (discrete) | Intel Arc (integrated), NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop (discrete) |
| NPU | Intel AI Boost (13 TOPS) | Intel AI Boost (11 TOPS) |
| Storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Speakers | 2x 2W main (dual channels), 2x 2W tweeters (dual channels), 8W total | 2x 2W main (dual channels), 2x 2W tweeters (dual channels), 8W total |
| Camera | 1080p FHD RGB-IR, human presence detection | 1080p FHD RGB-IR, human presence detection |
| Display | 14.5-inch 2K (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge non-touch display, 500-nits typical brightness, 100% sRGB minimum, Eyesafe technology, anti-glare, Dolby Vision14.5-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED InfinityEdge touch display, 400-nits typical brightness, 100% DCI-P3, Dolby Vision, Eyesafe technology, anti-reflective, anti-smudge | 14.5-inch 2K (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge non-touch display, 500-nits typical brightness, 100% sRGB minimum, Eyesafe technology, anti-glare, Dolby Vision14.5-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED InfinityEdge touch display, 400-nits typical brightness, 100% DCI-P3, Dolby Vision, Eyesafe technology, anti-reflective, anti-smudge |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, UHS-II microSD v7.1 card reader, 3.5mm audio | 3x Thunderbolt 4, UHS-II microSD v6.0 card reader, 3.5mm audio |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery | 69.5Wh | 69.5Wh |
| Dimensions | 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.71 inches (320mm x 215.97mm x 18mm) | 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.71 inches (320mm x 216mm x 18mm) |
| Weight | From 3.66 pounds (1.66kg) | From 3.7 pounds (1.68kg) |
| Price | From $1,649.99 | From $1,499.99 |
The base model for the Dell 14 Premium is priced at $1,649.99 from Dell. This initial version features a Core Ultra 7 255H processor, built-in Intel Arc Graphics, 16GB of memory (RAM), a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD), and a 14.5-inch Full High Definition Plus (FHD+) display.
Using custom configuration options, you can effortlessly boost the price to approximately $2,649.99 for a laptop featuring an RTX 4050 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), 32GB of RAM, a 2TB Solid State Drive (SSD), and a stunning 3.2K OLED screen.
Initially priced at $1,699.99, the XPS 14 (9440) was $50 more expensive than the Dell 14 Premium. But as it’s being phased out for a newer model, Dell appears to have permanently reduced its price by $500 across all versions.
The Dell XPS 14 model, equipped with Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and FHD+ IPS display, is now available at Dell for just $1,499.99.
An almost identical XPS 14 model boasting 32GB of RAM and a stunning 3.2K OLED screen is available for approximately $1,899.99 on Dell’s site, undeniably offering superior value compared to other options.
The supply of XPS 14 devices is finite and will eventually run out, paving the way for the Dell 14 Premium to become the sole option.
How much has actually changed with Dell’s new 14 Premium?
Compare the new Dell 14 Premium with an old XPS 14 (9440), and it would be challenging to distinguish between the two at first glance.
In contrast to Dell’s ambitious plan to revamp its entire brand identity, the newly introduced Dell 14 Premium shares an identical design and size with its previous XPS 14 model.
It doesn’t automatically mean it’s a negative point, as Daniel Rubino, the Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central, notes in his Dell XPS 14 (9440) review.
Upon first glance at the XPS 14, it appears more like a future prototype or concept design for a laptop, rather than one ready to ship today. Dell has taken some daring steps with their latest XPS models.
The identical features – such as a zero-lattice keyboard featuring big keys and 1mm key travel, a functional row for touch input, and a smooth glass haptic touchpad integrated without seams – can be found in both of the laptops.
If you appreciate a modern, forward-looking aesthetic, that’s fantastic. But if that’s not your preference, you might prefer to avoid Dell’s premium PCs entirely.
Before diving deep into performance analysis, it’s important to point out a few minor adjustments made under the surface first.
The latest Dell 14 Premium model now features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, while the XPS 14 Plus comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. In simpler terms, the new Dell laptop has been updated to use Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, whereas the XPS 14 Plus uses Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Most users won’t see much change due to this update, but those exceptional cases using Wi-Fi 7 routers might experience faster speeds and better efficiency.
The SD card reader on the Dell 14 Premium model adheres to the more recent version 7.1 standard, while the one found in the XPS 14 model sticks with the older version 6.0.
In this revised sentence, I tried to maintain the original meaning while making it simpler and clearer for readers.
In other words, version 7.1 of our software will now accommodate microSD cards with storage capacity of up to 128 terabytes and slightly enhanced data transfer rates, which may not be perceptible to most users.
The ports on both computers stay consistent. Regrettably, the Dell 14 Premium doesn’t support Thunderbolt 5 at this time, but it may do so in the upcoming generation.
On both the laptops, the three Thunderbolt 4 ports should function effectively for most tasks. However, to handle more demanding workloads, a contemporary Thunderbolt docking station would be necessary.
In these Dell laptops, both models feature identical 14.5-inch screens. Your choice between them boils down to preferring an FHD+ IPS screen or a 3.2K OLED display.
This less expensive choice features a resolution of 1920×1200, a non-touch screen, a 120Hz adjustable refresh rate, a maximum brightness of 500 nits, 100% sRGB color coverage, an anti-glare coating, and Dolby Vision technology.
Additionally, you may choose a touch screen display with OLED technology, offering a resolution of 3200×2000, adjustable refresh rate up to 120Hz, a maximum brightness of 400 nits, full coverage of DCI-P3 color gamut, Dolby Vision compatibility, and an anti-reflective coating for improved visuals.
Again, quoting our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino from his XPS 14 review:
As an analyst, I find that the standout feature of a laptop with a 3.2K OLED touch screen is its exceptional visual quality. However, it comes at a higher cost, more weight, and shorter battery life compared to Dell’s full HD option. If you prioritize longer battery life over high-resolution display, I would recommend the full HD version. But if you’re a content creator who demands the best visual experience, the 3.2K OLED screen is your ideal choice. You won’t be left wanting more.
The biggest changes are in the performance hardware
The newly-arrived Dell 14 Premium features an upgraded Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU compared to the older Core Ultra 7 155H chip found in the previous XPS 14 model.
The updated Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor boasts a faster base clock speed of 2.0GHz (versus 1.4GHz in the previous version). Additionally, it offers a Turbo boost clock speed of 5.1GHz, which is quicker than the 4.8GHz Turbo speed of its predecessor. Apart from these enhancements, both processors share comparable specifications, such as a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 28W.
In simpler terms, for practical use, Intel’s newer processors in the Dell 14 Premium are both more energy-efficient and stronger, which should translate to approximately a 15% to 30% improvement in overall performance, depending on whether you’re using it for single-core or multi-core tasks.
In simpler terms, the graphics processing unit (GPU) within the Core Ultra 7 255H, which is the Intel Arc 140T, performs better than the GPU in the Core Ultra 7 155H. To provide context, I played Forza Horizon 5 on the Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10) with the same Arc 140T GPU (located in a Core Ultra 9 285H CPU), and it managed to run the game at approximately 48 frames per second (FPS) using the High graphics setting and ray tracing activated.
Indeed, Dell provides a laptop GPU equipped with an RTX 4050 graphics card in their computer lineup. If you’re aiming to game or tackle more challenging tasks, consider this upgrade for optimal performance.
In terms of battery life, you won’t notice much variation between the Dell laptops since they share the same capacity. However, Intel’s newer processors are more energy-efficient, but the real difference will be observed based on your screen selection and whether or not your model incorporates a discrete NVIDIA graphics card.
Although both computers are recognized as advanced AI laptops, neither of them possesses a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that is potent enough to operate the Copilot+ tools integrated within Windows 11.
My recommendation — buy the discounted XPS 14 while it lasts
As someone who’s had a close look at it, I’d say if you’re in the market for a laptop, you might want to consider the revised XPS 14 (9440). Though its overall layout remains unchanged, there have been some enhancements in the CPU performance within this generation. Plus, it’s currently available at a reduced price. Keep in mind that the display and discrete GPUs are identical to previous versions.
Right now, a system boasting an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and a stunning 3.2K OLED display is available for just $1,939.99 at Dell. This price drop represents a significant saving of $500!
Compare those specs with a Dell 14 Premium model, and you’re looking at paying about 2,449.99.
Notably, the entry-level XPS 14 versions begin at $1,499.99 following a $500 reduction, boasting an NVIDIA RTX 4050 dedicated GPU. Compared to a Dell 14 Premium model with built-in Arc graphics, this offers approximately $250 savings, while providing only half the storage capacity.
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2025-07-07 12:40