Dell XPS 13 9345 review – The Perfect Ultraportable?

Snapdragon Copilot+ devices are appealing to users seeking powerful AI and 3D rendering capabilities. On top of that, the Dell XPS 13 9345 offers great portability and a very long battery life. We bought a bit more modest configuration with that base 1200p 120Hz IPS panel, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 512GB 2230 SSD. This one seems powerful enough for work. Light gaming may be possible but it depends on the title. Counter-Strike 2 runs fine on Low details.

In terms of display, there are two optional touchscreens, one 120Hz 1600p IPS model, and a 60Hz 2880 x 1800p OLED variant. Since this device has the same chassis as the Intel-based XPS 13 9340, you can expect a modern and yet pretty limited port selection. The connectivity is up to date – Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4. While the premium build is impressive, some users may find the hidden touchpad less desirable.

You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/dell-xps-13-9345/

Contents


Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box

Dell XPS 13 9345 - Specs

  • KJFGR-LQ134N1 (SHP1593)
  • Color accuracy  5.2  1.4
  • HDD/SSD
  • up to 2000GB SSD
  • M.2 Slot
  • 1x 2230 / 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4  See photo
  • RAM
  • up to 32GB
  • OS
  • Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro
  • Battery
  • 55Wh
  • Body material
  • Aluminum
  • Dimensions
  • 295.4 x 199.1 x 15.25 - 15.95 mm (11.63" x 7.84" x 0.60")
  • Weight
  • 1.23 kg (2.7 lbs)
  • Ports and connectivity
  • 2x USB Type-C
  • 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
  • Card reader
  • Ethernet LAN
  • Wi-Fi
  • 802.11be
  • Bluetooth
  • 5.4
  • Audio jack
  • Features
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Web camera
  • FHD
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Microphone
  • Dual Array Microphones
  • Speakers
  • 2x 2W Tweeters + 2x 2W Woofers, Qualcomm Aqstic Speaker Max technology
  • Optical drive
  • Security Lock slot

Drivers

All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/xps-13-9345-laptop/drivers

What’s in the box?

Inside the package, you get a bit of paperwork and a 60W Type-C charger with a detachable cable.


Design and construction

The Dell XPS 13 9345 is a carbon copy of the Team Blue 9340 model. When it comes to build quality that’s great news! This is the same solid aluminum built with a minimalistic and unintrusive design. Our one is in a Graphite color. A slight amount of fingerprints is visible on the lid and almost zero smudges can be seen on the glass-covered base.

You can open the lid effortlessly with one hand. The display is protected by a Gorilla Glass 3 layer. The devices with IPS panels are minimally heavier and thicker (1.24 kg / 15.95 mm) than the ones with the top-end OLED screen (1.23 kg / 15.25 mm).

We like how well the thin dark bezels around the screen contrast with the light color of the base. The 1080p IR Web camera for Windows Hello is normally placed above the display. The unit supports useful features such as Background Blur.

The lid’s max opening angle is restricted but it’s still comfortable for work.

The backlit keyboard has a capacitive touch row on top. It looks pretty cool in real life and of course, you can switch between media and function keys. The physical keycaps are large and comfortable for typing because the key travel is good (not the longest thought, the base is very thin) and the same applies to the feedback. The mandatory Copilot shortcut is positioned close to the Arrows. Yes, the “Up” and “Down” ones are half-sized which makes them hard to press.

Overall, the invisible touchpad is smooth and accurate. You’ll need some time to get used to it since you can’t see its borders. This time around, the pad feels too sensitive. Even the tiniest touch can trigger a click which is annoying. We didn’t experience the same issue with the Intel version of this device.

On the bottom of the laptop, we can see two sidely placed tall speaker cutouts and a pair of long rubber feet (which aren’t grippy). The heat is being exhausted via two vents on the back. The hinge cover fully covers them so the hot air can’t directly reach the screen during max CPU loads.

Ports

You get just one 40 Gbps USB4 port with DisplayPort 1.4a and Power Delivery on the left and the right side.


Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles

Dell XPS 13 9345KJFGR-LQ134N1 (SHP1593)
Diagonal13.4 inches (34.0 cm)
Panel TypeIPS
Resolution1920 x 1200 pixels
Max Refresh Rate120 Hz
Aspect Ratio16:10
Pixel Density169 PPI
‘Retina’ DistanceGreater than or equal to 52 cm

Viewing Angles

Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.

Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.

Color Coverage

The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.

Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Dell XPS 13 9345 can show:

Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content

Dell XPS 13 9345: the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.

In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 95% of the sRGB color gamut and 78% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

(Fig.1) Dell XPS 13 9345 covers 95% of the sRGB gamut

Brightness and Contrast

The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 470 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 448 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 9%.

The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6230K.

The contrast ratio is 2000:1.

Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation

The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 185 nits (Windows slider = 54%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.

DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.

Color Accuracy

Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Dell XPS 13 9345. We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.

Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.

For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.

Before our calibration of the Dell XPS 13 9345, the Average color accuracy was 5.2 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Gaming profile, it lowered to 1.4 dE (Fig. 3).

(Fig. 2) Dell XPS 13 9345 in its factory condition

(Fig. 3) Dell XPS 13 9345 with our display profile

Comparison in the sRGB color space (primaries and D65 white point specified in ITU-R BT.709, sRGB encoding curve).

Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Gaming profile aims to deliver:

Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Gaming Profile

Visibility in dark scenes

Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.

The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Design and Gaming profile activated.

On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.

You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.

Response time (Gaming capabilities)

We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.

We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 25.2 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.

After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.

Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)

Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.

In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.

The light from the backlight of the Dell XPS 13 9345 display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.

Health Impact: Blue light emissions

Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates harmful PWM when the laptop uses it to control brightness but also reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.

If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.

Health Impact: Screen Reflectance

Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.

The reflectance of the Dell XPS 13 9345’s screen is 53.8 GU.

High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU


Get our profiles

Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Dell XPS 13 9345 configurations with KJFGR-LQ134N1 (SHP1593), 1920 х 1200, IPS panel.

*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].

Read more about the profiles HERE.

In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.

Office Work

Office Work should be used mostly by users who spend most of the time looking at pieces of text, tables or just surfing. This profile aims to deliver better distinctness and clarity by keeping a flat gamma curve (2.20), native color temperature and perceptually accurate colors.

Design and Gaming

This profile is aimed at designers who work with colors professionally, and for games and movies as well. Design and Gaming takes display panels to their limits, making them as accurate as possible in the sRGB IEC61966-2-1 standard for Web and HDTV, at white point D65.

Health-Guard

Health-Guard eliminates the harmful Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and reduces the negative Blue Light which affects our eyes and body. Since it’s custom tailored for every panel, it manages to keep the colors perceptually accurate. Health-Guard simulates paper so the pressure on the eyes is greatly reduced.

Get all 3 profiles with 33% discount

Sound

In subjective listening, the sound from the Dell XPS 13 9345’s speakers had deviations in clarity.


Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage

All benchmarks and tests were conducted with the “Best performance” preset activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu. Also, the “Ultra Performance” mode is enabled in the MyDell app.

CPU options

This laptop is offered with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 or Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 Plus X1P-64-100.

Our device has an X1E-80-100 chip.

Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.

Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)

GPU options

Since the machine is powered by a Qualcomm SoC, you can rely on the Snapdragon X Elite Adreno GPU for graphics tasks.

Gaming tests


Counter-Strike 2HD 1080p, Low (Check settings)HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings)HD 1080p, Very High (Check settings)
Average FPS82 FPS

Gears 5Full HD, Low (Check settings)Full HD, Medium (Check settings)Full HD, High (Check settings)Full HD, Ultra (Check settings)
Average FPS46 FPS32 FPS24 FPS19 FPS

Storage performance

The NVMe of our device is the 512GB WD PC SN740. The speeds and temperatures during heavy loads seem okay for a 2230 unit.


[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop

You can make your laptop Faster. LaptopMedia has tested thousands of models in the last 15 years, and we have yet to see a notebook that couldn't be made more powerful through modifications.

That's why we decided to bundle everything we know about how to achieve this in an Easy-to-Follow, Step-by-Step, and Laboratory-Tested, all in one project.

Read more about it here:
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop

[eBook Guide] How to MAX OUT your Laptop

🛠️ GPU Modifications: vBIOS, Overclocking, Undervolting
⚙️ Building Fast/Reliable RAID configuration
💻 Hardware upgrade tips for best results
🖼 Display enhancing
💾 OS Optimization for best performance


Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life

Max CPU load

In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.

Average core frequency

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 (21W TDP)0:02 – 0:10 sec0:15 – 0:30 sec10:00 – 15:00 min
Dell XPS 13 93453.81 GHz3.81 GHz2.12 GHz
Dell Latitude 74553.81 GHz3.81 GHz1.90 GHz

Here, the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 CPU inside the XPS 13 9345 can sustain the same 3.81 GHz clock in short and medium loads, just like the Latitude 7455. In longer stress, the frequencies of the 9345 machine are a bit higher, reaching 2.12 GHz.

Comfort during full load

When the Qualcomm SoC is pushed to its limits in “Ultra Performance” mode, the fans are almost quiet.

During heavy stress, the hotspot on the keyboard reaches 46°C, and the one on the bottom bezel – 37°C. In short, the comfort under max system stress is good.

If you select the “Optimized” mode, the clocks will be reduced to ~1920 MHz in 100% CPU loads. Actually, the result isn’t bad at all since the fans become nearly silent.

Battery

Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows Best Power Efficiency setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 180 nits and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. The 55Wh battery lasts for 20 hours of video playback. The result is great! To achieve that, you have to apply the “Energy Saver” preset in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu and select the “Optimized” power plan in the My Dell app.


Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance

To open this small machine, you have to undo 6 Torx-head screws. The middle vent is attached to the bottom plate. Insert a thin plastic tool close to one of the top two edges to create a gap.

Then, pop the top corner, the side, the front, and the other side. Then, raise the front of the plate and tilt the panel. This should release the rear clips. If not, pry the sides around the central vent on the back.

Here’s how the bottom plate looks on the inside.

The machine has a 55Wh battery. A metal bracket is positioned on top of the connector. Don’t forget to grab your gloves before tackling any electrical work. Undo the single screw that secures the cap in place and slide the tiny shield to the left.

Keep in mind that its bottom foot is positioned underneath the motherboard. Now you have access to the connector. Hold its rubber handle and carefully unplug it by pulling it towards the bottom of the laptop.

Now, you can safely undo the 6 Phillips-head screws that hold the unit fixed to the chassis. The capacity is enough for around 20 hours of video playback.

You get up to 64GB of soldered LPDDR5x-8448MHz RAM in dual-channel mode which sounds like a future-proof amount. Still, the lack of SODIMMs could be a limitation factor for some users. In terms of storage, there is just one M.2 slot compatible with 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 NVMe drives. The SSD here has a metal shield on top that is fixed to the chassis with one Phillips-head screw. When you undo it slide the cover to the left and lift it away from the chassis.

The NVMe is additionally cooled by a thermal pad below the metal plate and one more pad underneath the SSD itself.

The Wi-Fi 7 card is also soldered and it’s placed close to the left fan.

The cooling seems good for such a thin and light machine. It has a pair of fans, one long thick heat pipe, two heat sinks, and a heat spreader.


Verdict

The Dell XPS 13 9345 is a solid-built, powerful, and light companion on the go. Its battery life is amazing despite the modest capacity of just 55Wh – 20 hours of videos. Still, keep in mind that this result is achieved with the default 1200p IPS panel. If you get a machine with one of the optional high-res touchscreens this could hinder more or less the autonomous work.

The upgradability is almost non-existent but that’s something normal for all other machines that are based on the Qualcomm SoC. The gadget supports Type-C charging which sounds great on paper. However, since this laptop has just two USB4 ports, when the power adapter is plugged in, only one of the ports is available. Perhaps you have to buy an external USB splitter to deal with this issue. For normal work, this fella feels super responsive. This is the right time to mention that the small 2230 SSD (WD PC SN740) is pretty snappy for a 512GB model.

The base 1200p 120Hz panel (KJFGR-LQ134N1 (SHP1593)) is good enough even for content creation. It has a 95% sRGB coverage and with the optimizations of our “Design and Gaming” profile, the color accuracy is enhanced from a mediocre 5.2 score to a respectably good average dE result of 1.4. The panel also offers 470 nits of max brightness and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. Not bad at all!

Interestingly, Gears 5 runs a bit better compared to the initial driver version of the iGPU. Strange halos and flickering appear during gameplay and the game crashed a few times during benchmarking. There are no visual artifacts in CS2 but as soon as we switch to Medium details the games “greats” us with a black screen.

The Dell XPS 13 9345 is a small but snappy machine with a long battery life, a PWM-free display, fantastic build quality, and great portability.

You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/dell-xps-13-9345/

Pros

  • The fans are almost quiet during max CPU loads in “Ultra Performance” mode
  • Aluminum chassis built like a tank
  • Light and thin (up to 1.24 kg / 15.95 mm)
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • PWM-free (SHP1593)
  • 95% sRGB coverage + accurate colors with our “Design and Gaming” profile (SHP1593)
  • 2000:1 contrast ratio + 470 nit max brightness (SHP1593)
  • 2x USB4 ports with PowerDelivery and DisplayPort capabilities
  • Very long battery life (20 hours of videos)
  • 1080p IR Web camera
  • Fingerprint reader
  • The CPU can sustain a 3.81 GHz clock in short and medium loads
  • Good comfort during max stress
  • Well-cooled and snappy NVMe (512GB WD PC SN740)
  • Good 3D rendering performnce
  • Up to 64GB of LPDDR5x memory
  • Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4


Cons

  • Soldered RAM + only one M.2 slot
  • Too limited port selection + no Type-A ports
  • Some apps and games don’t work at all
  • The touchpad feels too sensitive which leads to a lot of accidental clicks

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