Dell's XPS 16 logged 27 hours of continuous web browsing in independent testing, powered by a variable refresh display that drops to 1 Hz during static content. The laptop consumed between 1.5 and 4.6 watts from its 70 Wh battery, roughly half the draw of previous Dell models.
The XPS 16 and its smaller XPS 14 sibling are the first laptops on the market with variable refresh displays ranging from 1 to 120 Hz, extending all-day battery life by cutting the display's power consumption. Display draws typically account for 40% of total power consumption. When reading documents or editing code, the screen refreshes once per second instead of 60 or 120 times, conserving energy that would otherwise update pixels unnecessarily. Users who work remotely or travel frequently gain hours of untethered productivity.
In battery-life testing since 2014, the XPS 16 proved the most energy-efficient laptop, outlasting comparable models by significant margins. Previous-generation Dell laptops never dipped below 6.5 to 7.7 watts of power draw during similar tasks. The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 QOY with Snapdragon X Plus and an 84 Wh battery, and the Durabook S14I with dual batteries totaling 149 Wh, posted the only superior battery-life results in the same testing methodology.
LG Display supplies the exclusive 1 to 120 Hz panel to Dell and plans to scale up mass production for other manufacturers. By refreshing at the minimum rate needed for each task, the display reduces heat output and enables thinner cooling solutions. Broader adoption could lower power draw across the laptop market, extending battery endurance for consumers who prioritize mobility over peak performance.
Dell unveiled the XPS 14 and XPS 16 at CES 2025, marking a significant efficiency shift for premium laptops. The variable refresh rate technology represents the main reason for the dramatic power savings. As LG Display expands production capacity, will variable refresh displays become the standard for premium laptops, or will they remain a niche efficiency feature?
