Two laptops display mountain lake scenes, with a hand touching the screen of the silver laptop.
Dell has put a second ₹79,990 laptop on sale in India, and it competes with the XPS 13 at the same price. The new 14S (model DS14270) went on sale on November 3, 2026. Dell launched it in India at ₹79,990, taxes included. The XPS 13 launched in India in July at that same starting price, so Dell now has two entry-level Windows laptops at one price. They differ on memory, screen, weight, ports and finish.

Two laptops display mountain lake scenes, with a hand touching the screen of the silver laptop. Dell 14S prices and configurations in India​

Smartprix lists three configurations:

PriceProcessorRAM / storageDisplay
₹79,990Intel Core 5 3208GB / 512GB14-inch IPS, 1920×1200, 60Hz, 300 nits
₹1,09,990Intel Core 5 32016GB / 512GB14-inch IPS, 1920×1200, 60Hz, 300 nits
₹1,39,990Intel Core 7 35016GB / 512GB14-inch IPS, 2880×1800, 120Hz, 450 nits

One caution on the top model. 91mobiles' processor table calls it a "Core 7 320". The same article's body text, and Smartprix, say Core 7 350. This piece uses Core 7 350.

The finishes are Linen, Dusty Rose, Washed Denim and Velvet Green. Smartprix says all four are on Dell's online store now. Linen is also in Dell Exclusive Stores and large retail. The other three should reach those channels by the end of November.

Reported launch offers include zero down payment, no-cost EMI through select banks and NBFCs, and instant card discounts of up to ₹10,000. One year of Accidental Damage Protection costs ₹499. Treat these as launch terms. They may not last.

The 16GB Core 5 model also appears on Amazon India. A listing summary from TechStories India shows it at ₹1,09,990 against a ₹1,58,990 MRP. That fits the Smartprix pricing, but the MRP is only a list price. It isn't a street-price comparison.

The XPS 13 comparison​

The XPS 13 launched in India in late July. It started at Rs 79,990 and was sold through Dell's online store, Dell Exclusive Stores and Reliance Digital. Coverage of the July launch puts the XPS at about 1kg and 12.7mm thick. It has a 13-inch 2.5K touchscreen with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, Wi-Fi 7 and up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory.

The 14S starts at 1.15kg and 13.5mm. It has a bigger 14-inch screen, and the entry panel is not touch. Smartprix says it also lacks Thunderbolt and USB-A. It has two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports and HDMI 1.4. Smartprix says the XPS 13 has Thunderbolt 4.

Smartprix's verdict is that the XPS is the better buy for most people, as long as it is still near ₹79,990 and has more RAM. That is a conditional editorial opinion. It is not an established fact. XpertPick makes a similar argument. It says the XPS 13 with 16GB can be had for under ₹1 lakh with eligible cashback. It also says the 16GB, 120Hz 14S is listed at ₹1,39,990. Both views depend on live prices and offers, which change.

The XPS 13 is not one fixed product, either. Its specs and prices vary by source and date. Some listings show Core 5 320 at launch, with Core Ultra 7 355 variants arriving later. In October, 91mobiles reported Core Ultra 7 XPS 13 configurations starting at Rs 1,80,990. Check which XPS configuration you are comparing against before deciding.

Hardware details​

Chips. The Core 5 320 and Core 7 350 are six-core Series 3 parts with integrated graphics. Smartprix lists boost clocks of 4.6GHz and 4.8GHz. It rates the NPUs at 16 and 17 TOPS. That points to a browser, documents and video-call machine. Smartprix's "not Premiere Pro" line is its own judgment. It isn't a benchmark.

Copilot+. Microsoft's Copilot+ PC bar is 40 TOPS, and these NPUs fall short. The 14S in this launch is not a Copilot+ PC. The 14S sold in India since July is a different product. That July 14S and 16S line used Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen AI processors and carried Copilot+ PC capabilities. The July 14S started at ₹1,19,990, so do not mix the two up.

Memory. The RAM is LPDDR5X and soldered, so you cannot upgrade it later. The move from 8GB to 16GB costs ₹30,000. The processor, display and storage stay the same. Smartprix says 8GB will feel tight on Windows 11 with a modern browser and recommends 16GB for multi-year use. That is advice, not a test result. It is sensible advice given that the memory can't be changed.

Display. The Core 5 models use a 1920×1200 panel, which Dell markets as "2K." That is roughly Full HD with extra vertical space. The Core 7 model has a 2880×1800 panel at 120Hz and 450 nits. It costs ₹30,000 more than the 16GB Core 5 model and ₹60,000 more than the base model.

Ports. Smartprix notes HDMI 1.4 tops out at 4K at 30Hz. For a 4K monitor, use the USB-C ports with DisplayPort 1.4. Buyers who use fast external SSDs or docks should note the missing Thunderbolt. Wireless is Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4. The 14S has a 1080p webcam and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.

The 21-hour battery claim​

The battery is 61.2Wh. Dell claims up to 21 hours, and Smartprix and 91mobiles both report that as Netflix streaming. Smartprix says Dell's test used a Core 5 320, 8GB RAM, a 256GB SSD and a 150-nit screen. The test did not use the 16GB, 512GB configurations or the brighter Core 7 panel. Smartprix says to expect less in everyday use.

One caveat on the test wording. I could not retrieve Dell's own September announcement. Dell's own method may describe local video playback rather than Netflix streaming. Treat the 21 hours as a lab-condition ceiling, not a streaming guarantee. Brightness, workload, configuration and battery age will all change the result.

Who should buy which​

  • Choose the 14S if: you want a 14-inch screen, a choice of four colors, and a laptop for browsing and documents. Buy the 16GB model if you can.
  • Choose the XPS 13 if: you want a lighter chassis, a touchscreen, Thunderbolt 4, or more RAM options. Check its live price first.
  • Skip the base 14S if: you keep laptops for years. The soldered 8GB is the weak point.
  • Look elsewhere if: you need Copilot+ features. Neither Core Series 3 chip in the 14S meets the 40 TOPS threshold.

Bottom line​

The 14S is a sensible color-first everyday laptop with real trade-offs. The base model's 8GB is the weak spot, and the 120Hz screen costs a lot. Dell's own XPS 13 may be the better deal for some buyers, but only if the live price and configuration hold up. Check Dell's India store for current prices and offers before you buy.

 

References

  1. Dell 14S vs XPS 13: Dell’s new ₹79,990 laptop has a rival in its own lineup - Smartprix Smartprix 2026-11-03T18:07:26+00:00
  2. Dell 14S launched in India with Intel Core Series 3 processsors and four lively colours | 91mobiles.com 91mobiles.com
  3. Dell XPS 13 (2026), Dell 14S, Dell 16S, Alienware 15 Laptops Launched in India themobileindian.com