Dell 15 (DC15250) vs Dell Pro 16 (PC16250)
The Dell Pro 16 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, lasts longer on a charge and has Thunderbolt or USB4, USB-A and Ethernet. Pick the Dell 15 only if it matters to you that it is lighter and has an SD card reader.
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Key differences
- Memory Dell Pro 16 wins
The Dell Pro 16 has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Battery life Dell Pro 16 wins
The Dell Pro 16 should last longer on a charge: it has a 55 Wh battery against 41 Wh.
- Weight Dell 15 wins
The Dell 15 is 0.3 kg lighter: 1.62 kg against 1.92 kg.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Dell 15 has an SD card reader, while only the Dell Pro 16 has Thunderbolt or USB4, USB-A and Ethernet.
- Smoothness Dell 15 wins
The Dell 15's 120 Hz screen is smoother than the Dell Pro 16's 60 Hz one.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell 15 if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You like smooth scrolling: its 120 Hz screen feels slicker.
Choose the Dell Pro 16 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives), USB-A (for older USB accessories) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Dell Pro 16 leads on performance and battery and weight; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Dell Pro 16 is ahead on performance.
It has more memory, and the Dell 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1334U | Intel Core 5 120U |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5200 |
| Maximum memory | — | 64 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe NVMe M.2 | PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2230 |
| Storage slots | — | 1 |
Screen
The Dell 15 is ahead on the screen.
The Dell Pro 16 has a slightly bigger screen: 16" against 15.6". The Dell 15 has a smoother screen, while the Dell Pro 16 has a slightly bigger screen.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.6" | 16" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | No |
| Brightness | 250 nits | — |
| Colour range | 45% NTSC | 45% NTSC (typical) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Dell 15 is lighter, while the Dell Pro 16 lasts longer on a charge and charges over USB-C.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 41 Wh | 55 Wh |
| Charger | — | 65 W |
| Charges via | barrel | 4.5 mm barrel DC-in (USB-C PD also charges) |
| Fast charging | ExpressCharge: 80% in 60 minutes | 80% in 60 min (ExpressCharge 1.0) |
| Weight | 1.62 kg | 1.92 kg |
| Dimensions | 358.5 x 235.56 x 16.96-18.99 mm | 358.00 x 251.82 x 18.89-20.77 mm |
| Materials | plastic cover and base | PC+ABS |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | MIL-STD-810H |
| Colour | Carbon Black | Black |
| Colours available | Carbon Black, Platinum Silver | Magnetite, Platinum Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Dell Pro 16 is ahead on ports and wireless.
The Dell 15 has an SD card reader, while the Dell Pro 16 has Thunderbolt or USB4, USB-A and Ethernet and has Wi-Fi 6E.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (data only, does not charge or output video), 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4 (max 1920x1080 @ 60 Hz), 1x headset jack (3.5 mm), 1x SD card slot | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40 Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort; charges), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort; charges), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps, one with PowerShare), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 (1 GbE), 1x 3.5 mm global headset jack, 1x DC-in power port (4.5 mm barrel) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | Thunderbolt 4 |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | SD | None |
| Ethernet | None | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Realtek RTL8852BE | — |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | — |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | — |
| Keyboard | full-size UK keyboard with numeric keypad; non-backlit | spill-resistant, Copilot key, numeric keypad, 18.05 mm key pitch |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | precision touchpad | Precision clickpad, 115 x 80 mm |
| Speakers | stereo speakers | 2x 2 W (2.5 W peak), Waves MaxxAudio |
| Microphones | single microphone | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, wedge-shaped lock slot | TPM 2.0 (discrete, FIPS 140-2 certified), Wedge-shaped lock slot, Camera privacy shutter, Chassis intrusion detection |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Dell 15 (DC15250) | Dell Pro 16 (PC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Model number | 3095H | HT0V6 |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |