Dell’s XPS 13 (2021) was already considered one of the best ultrabooks for Windows users — thin design, strong performance, and premium build quality. The new OLED variant takes things up a notch. With stunning display quality, rich colors, deep blacks, and a vibrant viewing experience, it stands out among Windows laptops. But like all upgrades, it comes with trade-offs. If you love screen quality and are okay sacrificing some battery life, this might be the laptop for you.
Key Features & Pros
- Stunning OLED Display
- The 13.4-inch 3.5K OLED panel (3456 × 2160) offers exceptional contrast and color accuracy. Windows Central+2Trusted Reviews+2
- Blacks are deep and true because OLED pixels can turn off individually. Great for watching movies, photo work, or simply enjoying a crisp screen. Trusted Reviews+2Windows Central+2
- Premium Design & Portability
- Very thin frame (around 14.8 mm) and lightweight (~1.27 kg), making it excellent for travel or carrying around campus. Trusted Reviews+1
- Solid build quality: quality materials, nice keyboard and trackpad, and fingerprint sensor built into the power button. Trusted Reviews+1
- Strong Performance for Everyday Use
- Equipped with 11th Gen Intel Core processors (i5 / i7) and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Good for productivity, light media editing, streaming, and multitasking. Windows Central+2Laptop Mag+2
- Fast SSD storage, speedy file transfers, and snappy system response. Laptop Mag+1
Trade-Offs / Cons
- Battery Life Takes a Hit
- Because of the high-res OLED screen, battery life is notably less than the non-OLED or FHD variants. In real-world testing, it often gives around 7 to 8 hours under light to moderate usage. Laptop Mag+2Trusted Reviews+2
- On bright content or heavy use, OLED panels drain battery more quickly. Dark mode helps a lot. WIRED+1
- Limited Ports
- Only two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a micro-SD card reader. No USB-A port. For many users, that means carrying adapters. Trusted Reviews+1
- Webcam & Miscellaneous Issues
- Webcam is still 720p, which is okay for video calls but not excellent by today’s standards. Trusted Reviews
- Price is premium. The OLED model is more expensive than the non-OLED equivalents; upgrades like more storage also add up. Windows Central+1
Who Should Buy It?
- Creative users: photo editors, video watchers, designers who care about color accuracy and screen quality.
- Students or professionals who carry their laptop around and prioritize display over maximum battery.
- Anyone tired of dull LCD screens and wants visuals that pop when watching movies or media content.
Who Might Be Better Off with a Different Variant
- Users who often work many hours away from power outlets — they might prefer the FHD or standard IPS non-OLED model.
- Those who need many ports without using dongles.
- Gamers who want high refresh rate or strong discrete graphics — this laptop is more targeted toward visuals & portability, not high-fps gaming.
Conclusion
The Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) is arguably the best Windows ultrabook if display quality matters most to you. Its OLED screen, premium build, and overall performance make it a standout. But every advantage has a trade-off — especially battery life and port options. If you can live with those compromises, this laptop delivers a visual experience few can match.
