Dell’s newest addition to the XPS line-up is the XPS 15 (9520) model. This device retains all of the great features that have made Dell’s XPS 15 (9510) so popular, while updating to Intel’s 12th-generation platform. The 9520 includes an updated processor with more power and faster speeds as well as a new ultra-low voltage Variant 3 graphics card which provides up to 30% better performance than previous models.
Additionally, Dell has included several other updates including improved cooling options for longer gaming sessions and better webcam resolution for video chatters. All of these additions make it easier than ever for users to get their work done or enjoy immersive entertainment experiences without feeling hampered by slow performance or poor visuals.
With prices starting at just $1449 USD, there really isn’t a bad option when it comes to choosing one of these amazing laptops! So, today in this article, let’s take a look at the Dell XPS 15 9520 review and see how it fares when compared to today’s laptops!
Dell XPS 15 9520 Review: A Comprehensive Guide
Design
Dell has been refining their design language for years, and the XPS 15 is a perfect example of this. The angles are just right, and the silver chassis with a black carbon fiber keyboard deck on my review unit is elegant without being ostentatious. In both cases, the keyboard deck is also warm and comfortable compared to bare metal – something that’s becoming increasingly important in today’s market.
The only laptop that comes close to providing such an attractive design is HP’s Spectre x360 16, which is also more extravagant. However, if you’re looking for the smallest display bezels you’ll find in a 15-inch laptop (92.9% screen-to-body ratio), then there really isn’t anything else out there that compares favorably.
The Dell XPS 15 offers up considerably smaller bezels than any other mainstream laptops currently available on the market – making it one of vogueiest options around at present! It’s design isn’t just aesthetically perfect, it’s also incredibly well-built. There is no bending, flexing, or twisting in the lid, keyboard deck, or chassis bottom. Overall attention to detail has been paid so that even small details like tiny bezels are taken care of.
Performance
To start, I wanted to commend Dell on the design of their new XPS 15. It’s a thin laptop that can only move so much air and consequently is chilly to the touch in certain parts—particularly around its screen area.
Still, it’s an impressively designed device with an amazing display and top-of-the-line performance for its size and price range. What really impressed me about this machine was how well it performed compared to other laptops we’ve tested recently which have been larger or thicker machines.
In particular, the 14 cores (6 Performance) and 20 threads offered by the Intel 12th Generation Core i7-12700H are perfect for power users who demand maximum performance from their devices; there wasn’t a single instance where I felt like this machine couldn’t handle whatever task I threw at it. Additionally, given its thinness factor alone, Dell has definitely delivered on value proposition here!
Benchmarks
We ran our usual suite of tests on both laptops (the 9520 and the 9510) to see how they compare, and overall the results are positive.
In single-core tests, like Geekbench 5 and Cinebench R23, the gap between the 9520 and 9510 machines was very modest – in fact only around 2%. However where it matters most – in multi-core performance – we found that switching from Intel’s integrated graphics (Onboard) to AMD Radeon RX Vega M made a significant difference for this particular laptop design.
The Onboard GPU simply couldn’t keep up with what an external card could deliver, so turning off Graphics Boost capped at Maximum resulted in about 45% better single core scores across all benchmarks than running without any virtualization or optimization enabled!
So even though you might not need as much power or grunt when using Microsoft Office/ internet browsing; if gaming or encoding video is your thing then definitely consider getting one of these new Core i7 models with 8GB RAM/ 256gb PCIe SSD combination instead!
Display and Ports
There are three displays available for the Dell XPS 15 9520: a FHD IPS display with 300 nits brightness and 72% contrast, an UHD OLED panel with 400 nit brightness and 100% contrast, and finally a WQHD resolution display that has 330 nits of brightness and 80% contrast.
One of the most important features when selecting a laptop is the quality of its display. Unfortunately, not all displays in this category are created equal – some provide more accurate colors and brighter content than others. The Dell XPS 15 9520 falls into that latter category – it offers great color accuracy, brightness levels, and contrast across different types of content (HDR support included).
The only issue I have with this screen is that it doesn’t offer 4K+ resolution like the competition does – but for 1080p or lower resolutions such as Netflix streaming video playback or other standard desktop applications, it performs admirably.
Battery life
The next portion of our Dell XPS 15 9520 review includes the battery. The Dell XPS 15 9520 is an impressive laptop. It packs a large 86 watt-hour battery, giving it plenty of juice to power high end components and a high resolution OLED display.
The XPS 15 9520 has an improved efficiency over the XPS 15 9510, particularly in PCMark 10 Applications battery test! It’s 11.25 hours was above average across our entire database which speaks volumes about its long lasting performance under heavy use conditions (multi tasking & gaming).
Battery life was strong enough for a laptop with a large powerful OLED display and fast components – definitely something to consider if you’re looking for one of the most powerful & efficient laptops available!
Dell XPS 15 9520 Review- The Bottom Line
So, what is the final verdict of this Dell XPS 15 9520 review? Overall, the Dell XPS 15 9520 is a great laptop. It has amazing build quality and looks AMAZING! The display is truly stunning, with vibrant colors that pop on screen.
I also loved how thin it was compared to other laptops of its size- even though it’s heavier than some competitors (which makes sense due to all the features included).
However, despite those minor critiques, I absolutely LOVED this laptop and would recommend it without hesitation if you’re in the market for a powerful yet sleek 15″ notebook!
