The Dell XPS 13 (9345) attempts to revitalize the XPS 13 lineup with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, promising enhanced AI capabilities. However, this Snapdragon-powered iteration falls short of expectations, failing to deliver significant improvements while compromising on performance in several key areas. This review explores the XPS 13 (9345)’s design, performance, battery life, and features, ultimately revealing a disappointing experience compared to its Intel-based counterpart and competitors.
The sleek and lightweight design, vibrant display, and convenient biometric logins initially impress, but the drawbacks quickly become apparent. The limited port selection, subpar performance relative to competitors, and a frustrating keyboard experience overshadow the positive aspects. Ultimately, the Dell XPS 13 (9345) proves to be a premium-priced laptop that struggles to justify its cost.
Design and Build: A Familiar, Sleek Exterior
Dell XPS 13 design
The XPS 13 (9345) retains the familiar, sleek aesthetic of its predecessors. The metal enclosure, smooth curves, and sharp edges create a premium feel, although the compact design thankfully prevents these edges from digging into the wrists. The glass trackpad, spanning the width of the laptop, offers a smooth gliding experience but suffers from limited size. The impressively slim bezels surrounding the 13.4-inch display further enhance the laptop’s modern look, seamlessly integrating a Windows Hello-compatible camera. At just 2.7 pounds, the XPS 13 (9345) remains incredibly portable and easy to carry.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Style Over Substance
Dell XPS 13 Snapdragon keyboard
While the keyboard boasts aesthetically pleasing keycaps, their design hinders functionality. The large, closely spaced keys lead to frequent typing errors, particularly when reaching for keys outside the home row. The capacitive touch function row, while visually appealing, lacks tactile feedback and proves cumbersome for keyboard shortcuts. The trackpad’s undefined boundaries further contribute to the frustrating user experience, making it prone to accidental clicks and cursor drift.
Display and Audio: A Mixed Bag
Dell XPS 13 Snapdragon hero
The 13.4-inch display impresses with its brightness, reaching 551 nits, and accurate color reproduction, covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The high contrast ratio further enhances visuals. However, the display’s quality diminishes significantly when viewed from off-angles. Similarly, the audio performance is inconsistent. While the speakers offer surprisingly full sound with decent bass, the treble and mids can become harsh at higher volumes.
Performance: Snapdragon Falls Short
Dell XPS 13 ports
The Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 processor, while not Qualcomm’s flagship offering, struggles to compete with its Intel and AMD counterparts. Benchmark results show the XPS 13 (9345) lagging behind the Intel-powered XPS 13 and significantly trailing the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED with its Ryzen 7 processor. Graphics performance is similarly underwhelming, with the integrated Adreno graphics failing to keep pace with competitors.
Battery Life: Outlasted by the Competition
While the XPS 13 (9345) delivers respectable battery life, exceeding 16 hours in video playback tests, it’s outperformed by competitors. The HP Omnibook X and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge both offer significantly longer runtimes.
Conclusion: A Disappointing Iteration
The Dell XPS 13 (9345), despite its sleek design and promising AI capabilities, ultimately disappoints. The underperforming Snapdragon processor, combined with a frustrating keyboard and limited port selection, make it difficult to recommend, especially given its premium price. While the bright display and long battery life are positive aspects, they are overshadowed by the laptop’s shortcomings. The XPS 13 (9345) represents a missed opportunity for Dell to truly innovate in the ultraportable laptop space.
