Dell XPS 15 9520 review
The Dell Dell XPS 15 9520 ranks as the #168 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 78. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #33-ranked performance among 248 laptops. Consider the Dell XPS 15 9530 or Dell Inspiron 14 5440, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Dell XPS 15 9520 is a premium Windows laptop that offers an amazing experience with its excellent build quality, display, keyboard, and trackpad. The performance improvement over last generation is significant, making it suitable for productivity-focused users. However, it falls short in areas like the webcam quality, which is crucial for modern users who rely on video conferencing. Despite this, the laptop's battery life, overall performance, and sleek design make it a solid choice. Whether or not it's worth the investment depends on individual needs and priorities.
Build
The Dell XPS 15 9520 boasts exceptional build quality, with a premium feel and sturdy construction. The display is a highlight, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The keyboard and trackpad are also commendable, providing a comfortable typing experience. Overall, the XPS 15 9520's build quality is top-notch, making it a joy to use daily. However, some minor improvements could be made, such as upgrading the webcam or refining the design, to take this laptop to the next level. You might prefer Dell Latitude 15 5531, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The display on the Dell XPS 15 9520 is a standout feature. The screen boasts vibrant colors and excellent brightness, making it ideal for multimedia use. The 15.6-inch OLED panel delivers crisp text and deep blacks, while the 60Hz refresh rate may not be suitable for gaming enthusiasts. However, for general productivity work or entertainment, the display is more than sufficient. The color accuracy is impressive, with accurate representation of colors in various scenarios. Overall, the display is a strong point of the XPS 15, making it well-suited for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. For a superior display, Dell XPS 15 9500 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Dell XPS 15 9520's performance is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, thanks to the Intel Core i7-12700H processor. In real-world tests, it outperformed every laptop in its class, with results showing a substantial improvement in tasks such as video editing and photo processing. The laptop's ability to run faster for longer periods of time also allowed it to beat the more expensive Dell Blade 15's Intel Core i7-12800H processor in most cases. While gaming performance was not impressive due to the RTX 3050 Ti's limited power, the XPS 15 can still deliver playable frame rates with some detail adjustments. Overall, the laptop's performance is a major selling point, making it an excellent choice for productivity-focused users. A better alternative might be Dell Precision 15 3571, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The Dell XPS 15 9520 boasts impressive battery life, outperforming last year's model by a significant margin. Its large battery, combined with Intel's All-Purpose Lake processor, allows for extended usage while unplugged. In real-world tests, the laptop demonstrated a notable performance boost, beating competitors in various tasks. While gaming performance is decent, it's not ideal, likely due to the 60Hz screen and shared CPU/GPU power management. Overall, battery life is a standout feature of this laptop.
Connectivity
The Dell XPS 15 9520 features impressive connectivity options, including multiple USB ports, an SD card slot, and an HDMI output. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring seamless connections to peripherals and networks. Additionally, the device offers a built-in web camera, microphone, and speakers for video conferencing and entertainment purposes. Overall, the XPS 15 9520's connectivity features are robust and convenient. If you’re after a better connectivity, Dell G15 5535 could be the ideal option.
Features
The Dell XPS 15 9520 boasts an impressive feature set. The display is a highlight, with vibrant colors and crisp text. The keyboard and trackpad are also well-regarded, offering a premium typing experience. Performance is improved over the previous generation, thanks to Intel's latest Core i7 processor. The laptop also features a 60Hz screen, though it may not be ideal for gaming. A large battery ensures long battery life, with up to 12 hours of use. Dell Latitude 15 5531 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Dell XPS 15 9520's support and maintenance are excellent. The all-core lake processor offers significant performance improvements over the previous generation. Battery life is also impressive, beating last year's model and some gaming laptops. While it excels in productivity tasks, its webcam quality leaves room for improvement.
Pros
1. The battery life is a heck of a lot better than the 9210 from last year, even beating the zephrus.
2. The performance improvement over last generation is better in every way.
3. The 127h is actually leading the pack in a lot of cases and can beat the blade 15's 12h in most cases.
4. It has a great build quality, display, keyboard, and trackpad making for an amazing experience.
5. It won't have any problems getting perfectly playable frame rates in most games if you turn down the detail settings just a bit.
Cons
1. The screen is limited to 60Hz which will be a really bad experience for gaming.
2. The webcam quality could be improved, defeating the purpose of having a productivity-focused audience.
3. It's not suitable for gaming due to slow results and 60Hz screen.
4. The GPU power sharing on all the L base laptops is done differently affecting performance in some situations.
5. There are little things like a bad built-in deck and webcam that need improvement next year.
Compare with other laptops
See how this item stacks up against any other model
Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features