Dell XPS 13 Plus & Dell XPS 13 - SIX MONTHS LATER

Summary

In this six-month follow-up review of the Dell XPS 13 series, the differences between the XPS 13 Plus (9320) and XPS 13 (9315) are examined in depth. The review covers design, performance, battery life, display quality, and user experience. The Plus model stands out with its modern design, more powerful performance, and OLED display, while the 9315 excels in battery life and affordability. Both models feature premium build quality, solid audio, and limited upgradeability. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to the user's preference for power or battery life at a more budget-friendly price.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320) and standard XPS 13 (9315) offer different design philosophies, with the Plus featuring a modern haptic touchpad and capacitive function row, while the standard model maintains traditional design elements.
• 😀 Both models use Intel 12th Gen Core i5 processors, but the XPS 13 Plus offers higher performance with a 28-watt CPU and 12 cores compared to the 15-watt, 10-core processor on the standard model.
• 😀 The XPS 13 Plus provides better overall performance, especially for multitasking and demanding tasks, due to its additional performance cores and higher thermal capacity.
• 😀 Battery life on the XPS 13 Plus is shorter due to the power-hungry OLED display, whereas the standard model with an FHD+ display offers up to double the battery life.
• 😀 The XPS 13 Plus offers user-upgradable SSD storage, whereas the standard model has a soldered SSD and RAM, limiting upgradeability.
• 😀 The starting price for the XPS 13 (9315) is $799, making it more affordable than the $1,299 XPS 13 Plus (9320), but with fewer features and lower performance.
• 😀 The XPS 13 Plus features a beautiful color range, including umber, graphite, and sky, while also having a sleek and modern design with edge-to-edge keyboards and capacitive function rows.
• 😀 Both models lack a headphone jack, which could be a downside for users who rely on wired headphones. However, they come with a USB-C dongle to offset this limitation.
• 😀 The XPS 13 Plus boasts a premium OLED display with deep blacks and vibrant colors, whereas the standard model has a less power-intensive IPS display.
• 😀 The webcam on both models remains 720p, which is considered outdated compared to competitors like HP, who offer 1440p or higher-resolution webcams.

Q & A

What is the biggest design difference between the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 and the Dell XPS 13 9315?

The biggest design difference is that the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 features a haptic touchpad without a physical delineation, giving it a cleaner and more modern look. The 9315, on the other hand, has a traditional touchpad and a physical function row, making it more conventional in design.

How does the performance of the XPS 13 Plus 9320 compare to the XPS 13 9315?

The XPS 13 Plus 9320 outperforms the XPS 13 9315 in terms of multi-core performance because it uses a 28W CPU with 12 cores (8 efficiency and 4 performance cores). The 9315, with its 15W CPU and 10 cores (8 efficiency and 2 performance cores), has lower performance but still handles everyday tasks well.

What impact does the OLED display have on battery life in the Dell XPS 13 Plus?

The OLED display on the Dell XPS 13 Plus consumes more power compared to the Full HD+ display on the XPS 13 9315. As a result, the XPS 13 Plus has a shorter battery life than the 9315, especially when using the OLED model.

Can the RAM or SSD be upgraded on the Dell XPS 13 models?

The RAM is soldered in both models, meaning it cannot be upgraded. However, the **XPS 13 Plus 9320** allows for SSD upgrades, with a maximum capacity of 2TB, while the **XPS 13 9315** has a soldered SSD with a maximum capacity of 1TB.

What is the difference in battery life between the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 and the Dell XPS 13 9315?

The Dell XPS 13 9315, especially with the Full HD+ display, offers significantly better battery life compared to the XPS 13 Plus 9320, which uses a more power-hungry OLED display. The 9315 can last almost twice as long as the 9320, especially under lighter workloads.

What are the port options available on the Dell XPS 13 models?

Both the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 and XPS 13 9315 feature only two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. There are no USB-A, HDMI, or headphone jacks, so users will need adapters or dongles for traditional peripherals like headphones or external monitors.

How does the webcam quality compare to other laptops in the market?

Both the XPS 13 Plus 9320 and XPS 13 9315 use a 720p webcam, which is relatively outdated compared to competitors like HP, which offers 1080p or even higher quality webcams in some models. While the 720p webcam is acceptable for basic video conferencing, it falls short of current standards.

Is the keyboard experience different between the two models?

Yes, the keyboard experience differs slightly. The XPS 13 Plus 9320 has a more modern edge-to-edge design, which gives it a sleek look and good key travel. Despite its minimalistic design, the keyboard is comfortable to type on. The XPS 13 9315 has a more traditional layout but still offers great comfort and responsiveness.

What is the pricing difference between the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 and the XPS 13 9315?

The Dell XPS 13 9315 starts at $799, making it a more budget-friendly option, especially for those who prioritize battery life. The Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 starts at $1299, reflecting the premium features, higher performance, and design of the Plus model.

What type of users would benefit most from the Dell XPS 13 9315?

The Dell XPS 13 9315 is ideal for users who prioritize **battery life**, **affordability**, and a **traditional laptop design**. It's a great choice for everyday tasks, such as browsing, office work, and media consumption, and is especially appealing for users who need long-lasting battery performance on the go.