Dell XPS 13 Plus vs ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED: The Ultimate Ultrabook Showdown

In the realm of premium ultrabooks, two titans stand tall: the Dell XPS 13 Plus and the ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED. Both devices boast sleek designs, powerful hardware, and cutting-edge features. But which one reigns supreme? Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison to find out.

Design and Build Quality

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• Ultra-thin (11.5mm) and lightweight (2.9 pounds)
• CNC-machined aluminum unibody
• Frost White or Platinum Silver color options
• Minimalist design with hidden camera and capacitive touch function keys

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• Equally thin (11.9mm) and slightly lighter (2.45 pounds)
• Magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis
• Celestial Blue or Ponder Blue color options
• More traditional design with a separate webcam and physical function keys

Edge: ZenBook S13 OLED (slightly thinner and lighter)

Display

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• 13.4-inch OLED InfinityEdge display
• 3840 x 2400 resolution (3:2 aspect ratio)
• 500 nits brightness
• Dolby Vision HDR

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• 13.3-inch OLED NanoEdge display
• 2880 x 1800 resolution (16:10 aspect ratio)
• 550 nits brightness
• HDR support

Edge: ZenBook S13 OLED (higher brightness and HDR support)

Performance

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• Up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1280P processor
• Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
• 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• Up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P processor
• Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
• 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

Edge: XPS 13 Plus (more powerful processor)

Battery Life

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• 55Wh battery
• Up to 11 hours of battery life (estimated)

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• 67Wh battery
• Up to 19 hours of battery life (estimated)

Edge: ZenBook S13 OLED (significantly longer battery life)

Features

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• Windows 11 Home
• Thunderbolt 4 ports (2)
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Capacitive touch function keys

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• Windows 11 Home
• Thunderbolt 4 ports (2)
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Fingerprint sensor

Edge: ZenBook S13 OLED (better audio system and fingerprint sensor)

Price and Availability

Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• Starting at $1,299
• Available now

ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED:

• Starting at $1,299
• Available now

The Verdict: A Close Call

Both the Dell XPS 13 Plus and ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED are exceptional ultrabooks that offer a compelling combination of portability, performance, and style. The XPS 13 Plus boasts a more powerful processor and a minimalist design, while the ZenBook S13 OLED shines with its longer battery life, brighter display, and better audio system.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you value raw performance and a futuristic design, the XPS 13 Plus is the way to go. However, if you prioritize battery life, display quality, and a more traditional user experience, the ZenBook S13 OLED is the superior option.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: Which device has a larger display?
A: The XPS 13 Plus has a slightly larger 13.4-inch display compared to the ZenBook S13 OLED’s 13.3-inch display.

Q: Does the ZenBook S13 OLED have a webcam?
A: Yes, it has a 720p HD webcam located above the display.

Q: Which device has more Thunderbolt 4 ports?
A: Both devices have two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Q: Is the XPS 13 Plus’s capacitive touch function keys customizable?
A: No, the capacitive touch function keys are not customizable.

Q: Does the ZenBook S13 OLED have a backlit keyboard?
A: Yes, it has a backlit keyboard with three brightness levels.