Dell XPS 13 (9310) with 3.5K OLED review: Beauty is gained, but battery dips in this nearly perfect laptop
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Is OLED ameliorate?Dell XPS xiii (9310) with 3.5K OLED review: Beauty is gained, but battery dips in this nearly perfect laptop
Dell has given its flagship XPS 13 a new optional three.5K OLED display. While a stunner, you do lose on bombardment, but that's OK for some. 
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
Dell has been pushing boundaries for years now with the XPS 13, XPS fifteen, and XPS 17. These were the first laptops to utilise the InfinityEdge display with micro bezels, which started a trend amongst all high-terminate laptops. For 2022, Dell redesigned the XPS thirteen (9300), and it at present mirrors its convertible sibling, the XPS 13 2-in-one (7390), one of our highest-rated laptops to date.
Dell is notorious for not radically revising its laptops for years, but in mid-2021, the company did add a few more than options for the XPS 13 for new buyers. New is the slightly faster Intel Core i7-1185G7, in add-on to the earlier i7-1165G7 we reviewed in Oct 2022. But, more intriguingly, is the new 3.5K (3456 x 2160) Samsung OLED screen (total HD and IPS 3.5K are still available besides).
But with OLED comes tradeoffs, and that includes battery performance. Still, XPS 13 (9310) is easily the best xiii-inch laptop on the market correct now and a contender for the all-time Dell laptop coin tin can buy. With a jaw-dropping design, outstanding display options, improved keyboard, and notably superior performance, there is nothing incorrect with it. Indeed, the new 11th Gen Intel chips make it substantially improve than earlier.
Because of that, the XPS 13 (9310) has earned the rare five out of v stars for this review.
It's perfect
Dell XPS 13 (9310)
Bottom line: The Dell XPS 13 (9310) is close to perfection. With a taller sixteen:ten aspect, gorgeous redesign, much faster 11th-Gen Intel processor and Xe graphics, improved keyboard, and incredibly skilful battery life, this laptop has it all. Information technology'southward likewise the best-looking laptop on the marketplace. Plus, now in that location is OLED.
Pros:
- Significantly better performance and battery
- Intel Evo certified, Thunderbolt 4
- New 3.5K OLED display is gorgeous
- Magnificent look and pattern
- Excellent keyboard and audio
Cons:
- Poor webcam
- OLED takes a large hit on bombardment
Standard choices
Dell XPS 13 (9310) specs and features
New XPS 13 with 4K Samsung OLED 16:x brandish. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Dell lets you buy the XPS 13 (9310) direct, or you can customize your club with specific specs.
For the processor, there are four choices: Intel i3-1115G4 (4.10 GHz), i5-1135G7 (4.20 GHz), i7-1165G7 (iv.7 GHz), and fifty-fifty the i7-1185G7 (4.8GHz). Note, just the Core i5 and Core i7s have the powerful Intel Iris Xe for GPU, while the Core i3 version relies on slightly weaker Intel UHD Graphics.
RAM ranges from 8GB to 32GB of on-lath (soldered) LPDDR4x, now clocked at 4,267MHz instead of three,733MHz. Storage varies from 256GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD). The SSD is user upgradable.
Dell offers a set of display types depending on desire, need, and budget. While all are thirteen.4-inch 16:10, users tin can pick between full HD, non-touch with anti-glare, total Hard disk drive with touch on and anti-cogitating, 3.5K touch, anti-reflective. And at present for 2022, 3.5K OLED display, also with touch and an anti-cogitating coating.
The non-OLED screens support 500+ nits of brightness and Dolby Vision, while the 4K model is VESA certified for DisplayHDR 400. The affect versions too take Corning Gorilla Drinking glass 6 for scratch protection.
| Category | XPS thirteen (9300) |
|---|---|
| Os | Windows ten Home or Pro Ubuntu 18.04 |
| Display | thirteen.4-inches (16:10) Full Hard disk, non-touch, anti-glare (matte) Full Hard disk drive, touch on, anti-cogitating 4K, bear on, anti-reflective 4K OLED, touch, anti-reflective Dolby Vision, 500 nits |
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Cadre i3-1115G4 (4.ten GHz) i5-1135G7 (4.20 GHz) i7-1165G7 (iv.70 GHz) i7-1185G7 (4.80GHz) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD (i3) Intel Iris Xe (i5, i7) |
| Memory | 8, 16, or 32GB LPDDR4X (4267MHz) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Expandable storage | microSD |
| Front camera | Hd 720P (height bezel) |
| Security | Windows Hello IR camera (confront) Windows Hullo fingerprint (power push button) |
| Connectivity | Killer Wi-Fi half-dozen AX1650s Bluetooth 5.1 Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX500-DBS |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt four 1x 3.5mm headphone Type-C to Type-A converter included |
| Sound | 2x 2.5W (4W elevation) stereo |
| Battery | 52WHr |
| Dimensions | Tiptop: 14.8mm (0.58") x Width: 295.7mm (11.64") x Depth: 198.7mm (7.82") |
| Weight | 1.2kg (2.64lbs.) for non-bear upon 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs.) for touch |
| Colors | CNC machined aluminum (outer) Black carbon fiber (interior) Arctic white woven glass cobweb (interior) |
All models come up with Killer Wireless with Wi-Fi 6 applied science (Killer AX1650s) and Bluetooth 5.1.
Ports are minimal, with only 2 USB Blazon-C that support Thunderbolt four (DisplayPort and Power Delivery, at 4X), which is a alter from the XPS xiii (9300) with Thunderbolt 3.
At that place is still a microSD reader, as well as a combo headphone microphone jack.
Dell includes a Type-C to Type-A adapter in the box, along with a compact 45-watt wall travel charger with cable extension and folding prongs. Both accessories match the XPS 13'southward colorway, which is a nice touch on.
Pricing starts at $950 for the base Core i3 model with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and full Hd non-impact. You lot can max out the XPS xiii at an heart-watering $2,609 with 4K touch, 2TB storage, 32GB of RAM, and a Core i7 with Windows 10 Pro.
My first review unit (October 2022) was configured in arctic white with a Cadre i7-1165G7, 16GB, 512GB of storage, full Hard disk drive with touch, and an anti-cogitating display. The original cost was $1,700 but is at present down to $1,430. Yet, the 16GB of RAM option is now merely available for the higher-terminate Core i7 establish below.
For July 2022, our review unit featured revised specs. Information technology is configured with an arctic white colorway, a new Core i7-1185G7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and the new OLED three.5K touch on display. The total toll comes in at $ane,568.
Dell still charges an actress $50 for the frost exterior/arctic white interior option on lower-end models, but it doesn't seem to change the price on some models. Too, the regular 4K IPS display is an extra $200, whereas the newer 4K OLED option is an additional $250 over the full Hard disk drive with affect option.
Eye candy
Dell XPS 13 (9310) brandish and web photographic camera
One time you see an OLED screen in person, it is hard to ever go back to IPS. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
In 2022, it is prophylactic to say that all premium Ultrabooks have incredibly good displays, but Dell's Sharp IGZO partnership yet takes the crown. And perhaps the only affair better is Samsung'due south OLED engineering.
The Dell XPS 13, super-thin bezels, and 4K OLED is a beautiful philharmonic.
The 16:x display aspect is an excellent addition. For too long, the XPS thirteen was just also narrow of a laptop due to the tight xvi:9 InfinityEdge blueprint. Post-obit last year'due south 2-in-ane revamp, Dell is at present bringing 16:10 to all its XPS line, and Dell deserves adulation. This display is now taller, and it shows significantly more data while also looking better.
The full HD touch display here is terrific. Color accuracy is remarkably high with 100% sRGB, 79% AdobeRGB, and an impressive 79% DCI-P3.
Brightness ranges from 62 nits at zero percent (up from xxx nits) effulgence to a very satisfying 569 nights of acme brightness (downwards from 614), making it one of the best and brightest displays on a PC Ultrabook. At that place is an auto-brightness sensor that I found to exist perfectly tuned and non overly aggressive. Calibration is also mostly on point, though the XPS 13 9310 was blueish/cooler than the 9300.
Turning to the new OLED panel (fabricated by Samsung instead of Precipitous) and information technology is stunning. This display option is a much higher resolution at 3456 x 2160, which Dell calls 3.5K and is finer "4K." The colour gamut drops a bit from the full Hard disk IPS with 97% sRGB, 72% AdobeRGB, and 72% DCI-P3.
Peak effulgence for OLED is also lower at just 390 nits instead of 569 with full HD IPS, although it can bottom out at simply 5 nits instead of 62 making OLED ameliorate for night use.
I capeesh Dell's use of an anti-reflective coating. While users tin can opt for a truthful matte (non-impact) brandish, anti-reflective is not-matte while retaining color vibrancy and contrast without causing heart strain. Other companies are dabbling with this applied science, but Dell does it best correct now.
The XPS thirteen (9310) is the best-looking laptop available. Period.
With iv-sided edge-to-edge InfinityEdge glass, the XPS xiii (9310) is very even and symmetrical.
Dell has squeezed in Windows Hello IR to that 720P web camera. It works very well with dual IR lenses, merely users tin likewise use the power button's fingerprint reader. That fingerprint reader is not "single sign-on," meaning you must press it one time to ability on and a second fourth dimension to log into Windows 10. I'd prefer to accept the choice in BIOS to enable such a feature.
The 720P camera is terrible and years backside Microsoft'southward Surface web camera or those plant on a smartphone. Still, the acme bezel placement and IR cameras were the correct choices here.
The keyboard is so adept
Dell XPS xiii (9310) keyboard, trackpad, and audio
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
Dell's keyboard on the XPS xiii was getting stale with small chicklet keys and was not very satisfying to apply compared to options from Microsoft, HP, and Lenovo. Luckily, the XPS 13 (9300) and (9310) accept a new, redesigned keyboard, and information technology is superb. The cardinal caps are ix pct larger than the 2022 model, and you notice it. The keys are easy to hitting, accept adequate travel, and experience very even. Two-stage backlighting works well, too, even on the white keyboard (at least in a dark room; with lights on, the contrast is indiscernible).
Notably, Dell did non use its second-generation MagLev keyboard found in the two-in-1 XPS 13. While I savour MagLev, it is still a fleck divisive due to the shallow typing feel. The XPS thirteen's keys are normal scissor-switches with no adjustment curve to acquire.
The speakers on the XPS 13 (9310) are much better than expected. Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Key
This trackpad is also the best Dell has ever done. Information technology is 17 percent larger than the 2022 XPS 13, which is directly attributable to that new sixteen:10 display (since it lets Dell accept a more massive keyboard deck). The trackpad uses Microsoft Precision drivers, is glass, smooth, and had no false reading or scrolling errors.
The XPS 13 (9310) has dual ii.five-watt speakers (4-watt peak), a crash-land from the 2-watt speakers of the XPS 13 2-in-ane. While the speakers are on the laptop'southward lower border, the experience is very satisfying when combined with the Dell CinemaSound ii.0 and Waves MaxxAudio Pro software tweaks. The audio is loud, clear, and has functional resonance. But put, these are outstanding speakers.
Finally, dual far-field microphones are found on the top border of the display, which was satisfactory for VoIP calls on Skype and other teleconferencing software.
11th Gen is huge
Dell XPS 13 (9310) ability, benchmarks, and battery
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Permit'due south talk performance with that 11th Gen Intel Core i7, Iris Xe graphics, and Intel Evo bluecoat. The brusk version is it'southward much more powerful and information technology gets much better battery life.
The i7-1165G7 is a very impressive processor, partially because it is clocked higher, jumping from 3.9GHz to 4.7GHz. Information technology makes a massive departure as Geekbench scores went upwards by 200 points for single-core and more than than 600 points for multi-core. If you lot want more than ability, Dell even has the i7-1185G7 (4.8GHz), which nosotros have also benchmarked for comparing.
Ten hours of battery life is hands doable with 11th Gen Intel even with a Core i7.
On 3DMark Nighttime Raid, which likewise uses the GPU, the XPS 13 with i7-1165G7 garnered 15,207, which trounces the boilerplate score of ix,408 for a typical 2022-2021 office laptop — a 31 percent departure. The 15-inch Surface Volume 3 with an i7 and GTX 1660 Ti Max Q GPU could only eke out nine,448 for comparing on the aforementioned test. Throw in the faster i7-1185G7 and Nighttime Raid bumps from 15,207 to 15,348.
Perhaps the best function of this processor and graphics bump, however, is the fact that estrus and bombardment life are not severely impacted. Indeed, the XPS 13 (9310) felt quieter and cooler than e'er. That's likely owing to Intel's aggressive Evo certification. Intel Evo is the 2d iteration of Project Athena, just more formalized. To meet the criteria, the laptop needs to have a touch display, Wi-Fi 6, 11th Gen Core i5 or i7, Xe graphics, far-field microphones, Thunderbolt four, and a large focus on bombardment life.
Subsequently a fifteen-minute stress exam, peak temperatures were 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees C) on the top keyboard deck, while the lesser was typically cooler at approximately 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees C). These temperatures were run under Dell's extreme ultra-functioning setting, meaning "optimized" should yield lower temperatures. These results are within the normal range for an Ultrabook.
The dual-fan setup is incredibly quiet, with only a faint whirring noise under load.
Dell also lets you control performance with various power settings, including optimized, serenity, absurd, and ultra-performance using Dell Power Managing director. Under optimized (default), the laptop will thermally throttle later around ten minutes of sustained load. Notwithstanding, it never gets to a point where the computer begins to stutter or have severe limitations.
On 3DMark's Time Spy Stress Test, the XPS xiii earned a passing grade of 99 percent frames-per-second stability (run under ultra-performance). Because this laptop is meant for office and productivity work, not so much gaming or 4K video editing, the performance and thermal management are excellent.
Dell'due south Power Manager app lets y'all tune system performance based on preferences. Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Key
Dell tends to utilise whatever SSDs it can get from suppliers, and, in the by, they have ranged from Intel, Samsung, KIOXIA, and others. Which one you get is a draw, just you can e'er upgrade it yourself. My review unit uses a Micron 2300 (512GB), and it outperformed the XPS thirteen 9300'southward Intel Pro 7600p getting 3,200 MB/south for sequential read and a fabled two,971 MB/s for write, which more than doubled the 9300's SSD.
Curl whine fluctuates from minimal to non-existent, with higher ability and functioning modes affecting the issue. Information technology is undoubtedly better than the XPS thirteen 2-in-1 (9310), which has a more severe curlicue whine.
Using the Windows 10 battery report, the XPS 13 (9310) with full Hard disk drive brandish averaged over x hours of real-world usage from the 52WHr bombardment. That means, on some occasions, the XPS 13 would striking 14 hours; on other days, effectually seven.v hours, likely depending on workload and display effulgence. This change significantly improved over the Intel 10th Gen-based XPS thirteen (9300).
Source: Windows Primal
Turning to synthetic tests like PCMark 10's Modern Function, which loops betwixt Microsoft Office Win32 apps, spider web, and video calls, the XPS 13 yielded a staggering 13 hours and 45 minutes with 0 pct of the battery left and display brightness fixed at thirty per centum. That beats the XPS 13 (9300) with the same settings past over three hours, which is a massive change.
But that new 3.5K OLED brandish takes a large hit on the battery! Whereas the total Hd model (with the slightly slower i7-1165G7) ranks nearly the top with 13 hours and 45 minutes on the same test, the 4K OLED model (with slightly faster i7-1185G7) eeked out just 9 hours and xiv minutes. That's even so very good and, for many, "all-day," but between the resolution increase and OLED use, there is a articulate tradeoff with longevity.
Intel's 11th Gen Core processors and Evo certification is no joke. These are substantial and significant improvements over battery life and overall performance, unlike annihilation I have seen from Intel in years.
Looking at the competition
Dell XPS 13 (9310) Alternatives
HP'southward new Spectre x360 fourteen looks fantastic. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
HP's popular Spectre x360 13t is the almost logical alternative to the XPS 13. It starts at the same $999 for similar specs (including 11th Gen Intel now), only y'all're getting a proper 2-in-1 convertible laptop with an included pen. You lot go more color options (silverish, black, or blue), and you sometimes can configure it with 4G LTE. There's a reason why we called the Spectre x360 13t the best value for a premium Ultrabook. The only downside to the Spectre is the cramped 16:9 aspect ratio.
HP also has the new Spectre x360 14, which gets a highly-desirable taller 3:two aspect brandish and features specs very comparable to the Dell XPS 13. If y'all don't mind bumping up your screen size a fleck, this Spectre is a neat alternative.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is likewise a strong option (run into our comparison). Still, you don't get nearly equally many bells and whistles, including a fingerprint reader, microSD reader, Thunderbolt 4, or an anti-cogitating brandish. Regardless, the Surface Laptop four's staggering amount of configuration options across both its 13 and fifteen-inch models (including AMD 4000 Serial CPUs) brand it an bonny pick for folks who want to customize every spec. Indeed, in our testing the aforementioned i7-1185G7 processor can at times beat Intel's implementation.
Razer's Razer Book 13 is as well in play, and it takes a big swing at Dell'southward crown. Information technology competes with the XPS 13 in every way, including a similar 16:10 brandish, but it has more ports, including full HDMI and a full USB Type-A port. Information technology also has top firing amped THX speakers. Withal, the device is more expensive overall, and as well weighs a little more.
Finally, if everything about the XPS 13 appeals to you except the size (it's too small), the XPS 15 and XPS 17 take the aforementioned blueprint and put in much more processing power with larger displays. Both are excellent.
For even more ideas, exist sure to check out our All-time Ultrabooks 2022 guide to see what else we recommend and why.
A near-flawless device
Dell XPS 13 (9310) is the best thirteen-inch Ultrabook
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Who it'southward for
- If you want the best 13-inch Windows Ultrabook
- If yous're a student, business user, or anyone who wants a bang-up PC
- If y'all want the latest specs
- If you adopt thin bezels and a great role productivity device
- If y'all similar the MacBook Pro but wish it ran Windows and had a touch screen
Who it isn't for
- If y'all want to do serious gaming (without streaming)
- Yous want a two-in-1 convertible with inking
- You lot want 4G LTE or 5G
- You need a lot of ports, but hate dongles
While not much has changed from my earlier review (and conclusion) of the XPS 13 (9300), the new XPS thirteen (9310) benefits greatly from those new 11th Gen Cadre processors.
The bound from 10th Gen to 11th Gen has resulted in a very discernable performance improvement even on day-to-twenty-four hour period tasks like using Microsoft Edge, firing upwardly Microsoft Office, or using Adobe Photoshop. This laptop really does seem faster. Battery life is also significantly improved with a 26 pct bump, gaining multiple hours in battery longevity.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
If you desire the best, you need this XPS xiii (9310).
There are no significant blind spots with the XPS 13 (9310). Sure, we can ever ask for more ports or complaining losing Type-A, but it's been 4 years since Apple famously went all Type-C in its MacBook Pro line, and it's about fourth dimension the manufacture moves on already.
Unlike HP, Dell still hasn't added optional 4G LTE, which has been more than bullish on it. But even hither, this is a niche business organization that most people won't exist bothered with (though it'd still be peachy to have).
Brandish, audio, typing, trackpad, comfort, looks, and performance all earn strong marks across the board. On appearance alone, the XPS 13 is the most cute looking laptop available today.
Perhaps the weakest area is the webcam. While 720P is improve than nothing, camera quality has never mattered more with the shift to work/study-from-home. I'd like to run into Dell keep the same micro cam setup here simply put in some serious R&D to make information technology higher quality.
Dell Mobile Connect lets you pair up your iPhone or Android phone to your XPS thirteen. Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Key
Dell includes some excellent software with the XPS 13. While Microsoft'due south Your Phone is an outstanding option for using an Android phone with your PC, Dell's Mobile Connect software can do more things, and it now works with iPhone, likewise. While the screen-mirroring with an iPhone is hacky, the power to have calls and send SMS letters from your PC works flawlessly with Apple's hardware. No other PC maker can merits that.
Dell besides ships a trifecta of multimedia-tuned apps with CinemaSound (Waves MaxxAudio Pro tuning), CinemaColor (custom color profiles), and CinemaStream (prioritized video streaming). They all heighten picture show watching and add substantial value to the XPS 13.
Unless you're actually hooked on black and silver, for purchasing recommendations, go for the chill white ($50 more). Information technology not simply feels improve, but information technology won't smudge with mitt grease later a few weeks of usage. You'll be the envy of your coffee shop.
Intel 11th Gen and Evo make a huge impact on operation and battery.
While the Cadre i7 model is terrific, if y'all're buying this for productivity and everyday computing, relieve some coin and get for the quad-core Core i5 (and go slightly more bombardment life). Storage should be adequate at 256GB (y'all can always upgrade later), and the full Hard disk drive with touch is the brandish nearly all people should buy.
Most people will besides be OK with 8GB of RAM, but you lot can get 16GB for simply $100 more than. Such a configuration for the Dell XPS 13 runs a modest $1,200 for 8GB of RAM (and $i,300 for 16GB). That'south cheaper than this spring'southward (XPS 13 9300) by nearly $200 and is the sugariness spot for almost people.
What about that 4K OLED choice? It is simply amazing looking. The benefit of OLED is blacks are actually, truly blackness, and the colors but ooze with dynamic contrast, much more then than IPS. The college-resolution 3456 x 2160 also looks nicer than the full Hard disk for obvious reasons. But when yous become 4K OLED, you give upward the nearly record-breaking bombardment life of full Hard disk drive (plus some colour accuracy and peak brightness.
For a specific demographic, though, running 4K OLED is the way to get, and once you meet it in person, information technology is hard to get dorsum to IPS. Just the bottom line is full HD, 4K IPS, or 4K OLED all look terrific. There is no wrong option, merely personal preference and priorities.
Overall, the Dell XPS 13 (9310) is the acme of thirteen-inch, non-convertible Ultrabooks. HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft all take worthy competitor laptops, but Dell has the fewest compromises and bug correct now. There's no question it should be at the top of your list, too. If yous desire the all-time, you need this XPS xiii.
Flawless
Dell XPS 13 (9310)
The latest XPS thirteen features a taller 16:10 display, optional OLED, 11th-Gen Intel processor with all-twenty-four hour period battery life, and a design unmatched past any other PC on the market. It's flawless in features and functionality, making it the best xiii-inch non-convertible Ultrabook around, without question.
Review Changelog, July 2022
This commodity was originally published in October 2022. Information technology was updated in July 2022 with the following changes:
- Added info well-nigh the new iii.5K OLED brandish.
- Added new photos.
- Revised benchmarks with new Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor.
- Revised specs with Killer AX1650s module and Bluetooth five.1 (upwards from 5.0).
- Added more than benchmarks and laptop comparisons.
- Added color gamut and effulgence info about 3.5K OLED.
- Added new bombardment benchmarks with an OLED display and Core i7-1185G7 processor.
- Updated pricing and configuration options.
- Revised Surface Laptop 4 (13.5) every bit an alternative.
- Revised intro, performance, and conclusion sections based on new data.
We may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Cardinal. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Key). His interests include Windows, Surface, laptops, and modern computing. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/dell-xps-13-9300-review
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