The new Dell XPS 15's battery is rated for 300 cycles, and apparently that's ok

Dell's 2020 XPS 15 packs a lot of advantages (on paper, at least), which include Comet Lake-H series processors, the option of UHD+ displays and a valuable re-think of where its webcam should go. However, its battery is smaller compared to that of its predecessor. Furthermore, the Redditor u/treydilla has pointed out that its life-span may also be markedly low.

The 9500 has 2 choices of battery: a 3-cell 56 watt-hour (Wh) and a 6-cell 86Wh pack. Digging into their fields on the PC's spec list reveals that they are both rated for 300 charge/discharge cycles. By contrast, Apple incorporates batteries in its MacBooks - its 2019 16-inch and 2020 13-inch variants included - with 1000 such cycles.

Therefore, this may be a cause for dissatisfaction among potential 15 9500 buyers. On the other hand, this count does not, of course, necessarily define the number of charges the battery will withstand in total; rather, it is the amount of cycles before it will exhibit a drop in its capacity to about 80% of its out-of-the-box condition.

Some regard this lifespan as an "industry standard". However, it is still a slight shame, especially when choosing a machine that may have to run on end for a number of years. Then again, there is a lot that can be done to conserve battery health, including the practice of charging from about 20% to 80% only. In addition, it happens to dovetail nicely with Dell's tendency to offer warranties of 1 year in some markets.