The HP Spectre x360 is one of the most well-known families of devices in the Windows space. These convertible laptops have stunning premium designs, great displays, and of course, the versatility of being convertible. All this makes them an easy recommendation, which is why you'll find Spectre laptops not only among HP's best laptops, but the best laptops in general. The Spectre lineup has changed a lot in the past couple of years, though, and today, it only includes two main models, the Spectre x360 13.5 (which used to be the Spectre x360 14) and the Spectre x360 16.

These two models have a few notable differences from each other, but also some very obvious similarities. They obviously have different displays, but also different processors, while the overall design language and the camera are the same. More importantly, they're both premium laptops that are bound to serve you very well. It's just a matter of choosing what's best for your specific needs, and to help with that, we're going to be comparing the HP Spectre x36 13.5 and Spectre x360 16 to help you choose the right one for you.

HP Spectre x360 13.5 vs Spectre x360 16: Specs

HP Spectre x360 13.5

HP Spectre x360 16

Processor

  • Intel Core i5-1235U (15W, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 12MB cache)
  • Intel Core i7-1255U (15W, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 12MB cache)
  • Intel Core i7-1260P (28W, 12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 18MB cache)
  • Intel Core i7-12700H (45W, 14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 24MB cache)

Graphics

  • Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated)
  • Intel Core i7-1260P:
    • Intel Arc A370M (discrete)
  • Intel Core i7-12700H:
    • Intel Iris Xe graphics (integrated)

RAM

  • 8GB
  • 16GB
  • 32GB
  • 16GB
  • 32GB

Storage

  • 512GB
  • 1TB
  • 2TB
  • 512GB
  • 1TB
  • 2TB

Display

  • 13.5-inch IPS, 3:2 aspect ratio, Full HD+ (1920 x 1280), 400 nits, touch
  • 13.5-inch IPS, 3:2 aspect ratio, Full HD+ (1920 x 1280), 1000 nits, HP Sure View Reflect, touch
  • 13.5-inch OLED, 3:2 aspect ratio, 3K2K (3000 x 2000), 500 nits (HDR), touch
  • 16-inch IPS, 16:10 aspect ratio, 3K+ (3072 x 1920), 400 nits, touch
    • Optional anti-reflection coating
  • 16-inch OLED, 16:10 aspect ratio, 4K (3840 x 2400), anti-reflection, touch

Audio

  • Dual stereo speakers, Audio by Bang & Olufsen
  • Dual-array microphones
  • Quad stereo speakers, Audio by Bang & Olufsen
  • Dual-array microphones

Webcam

  • 5MP webcam (1080p video) with temporal noise reduction
  • 5MP webcam (1080p video) with temporal noise reduction

Biometric security

  • Windows Hello IR camera
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Windows Hello IR camera
  • Fingerprint reader

Battery

  • 66Wh battery
  • 83Wh battery

Ports

  • 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
  • 1 USB Type-A port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • microSD card reader
  • 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
  • 1 USB Type-A port
  • HDMI 2.1
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • microSD card reader

Connectivity

  • Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.3
  • Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX411 (2x2), Bluetooth 5.3
  • Optional: Intel 5000 5G Solution
  • Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.3
  • Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX411 (2x2), Bluetooth 5.3

Colors

  • Nightfall Black
  • Nocturne Blue
  • Natural Silver
  • Nightfall Black
  • Nocturne Blue

Size (WxDxH)

11.73 x 8.68 x 0.67 in (297.94 x 220.47 x 17 mm)

14.09 x 9.66 x 0.78 in (357.89 x 245.26 x 19.81 mm)

Weight

Starting at 3.01 pounds

Starting at 4.45lbs

Starting price (MSRP)

$1,249.99

$1,649

HP Spectre x360 display and sound

The first big difference between the two HP SPectre x360 model is right in the name, so it should be fairly obvious. The display on these two laptops is different in more than the size, though.

The HP Spectre x360 13.5 naturally comes with a 13.5-inch display, and the aspect ratio is 3:2. This is still fairly uncommon for laptops outside of Microsoft's Surface lineup, and it's a noticeably taller aspect ratio than a 16:9 panel. Some may dislike that it's almost square-like, but the taller format makes for a great productivity machine, with more vertical space for text or UI elements in certain apps. The base resolution is 1920 x 1280, but you can upgrade to a stunning 3K2K (3000 x 2000) display that also uses an OLED panel for more vibrant colors and true blacks.

HP Spectre x360 13.5

The base model also has an option for a privacy screen, called HP Sure View Reflect, which is something the larger Spectre x360 doesn't have. This basically means that the screen has a protective layer that makes the content invisible to anyone looking at it from the sides, so you can't easily be spied on while you're working in public.

The Spectre x360 16 has a much better audio experience.

Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 16 comes with a much larger 16-inch screen, and it has a 16:10 aspect ratio. This is also taller than the 16:9 displays that used to be the most popular, but not as tall as 3:2, and it has similar benefits in terms of productivity while not having that square-ish look some might dislike. The base configuration is already super sharp, with a 3K+ (3072 x 1920) IPS panel, but if you want an even sharper image, you can upgrade to a 4K (3840 x 2400) OLED panel. It's sharper, and it has the usual benefits of OLED, like true blacks and a higher contrast ratio. Both of these laptops have fantastic displays, though, whether that's for media consumption or productivity.

HP-Spectre-x360-16-10
Spectre x360 16

To complete the media experience, you also have to consider sound, and while both laptops offer a good experience, the Spectre x360 16 is definitely better. The smaller model makes do with two stereo speakers, which is pretty common for most laptops, but the 16-inch version has four speakers, providing a louder and more immersive experience for media consumption. Those speakers fire up from the sides of the keyboard, too, so the sound is aimed more directly at you instead of your desk.

As for the webcam, there are no real differences here. HP has been using fantastic 5MP webcams on all of its premium laptops since 2022, and it's pretty much the same for most of the lineup. The cameras support 1080p video, but because the full resolution is higher, the camera can actually crop into the frame without losing quality. HP also has some great software features to enhance the camera quality that much more on both laptops.

CPU and GPU

HP-Spectre-x360-13.5-7-1024x683
Spectre x360

The other big difference between these laptops is in the performance department, particularly the CPU and GPU, which are significantly different. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a relatively small laptop, and so it's packing 15W Intel processors, which is fairly standard for a laptop of this size. You get 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz (on the Core i7 model), which gives you all the performance you really need for day-to-day tasks like browsing the web and writing up documents. There's also no dedicated GPU on this model, just the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics that can handle some light gaming, but not a lot more than that.

Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 has two very unique configurations. The base model prioritizes CPU performance, and it has a 45W processor, the Intel Core i7-12700H. That gives you 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz, making it ideal for more demanding CPU tasks. Whether you have a ton of apps open at once or you're doing things like photo and video editing, this is much better than the smaller model. However, it still has Intel Iris Xe graphics, so GPU performance won't be significantly better.

You can get the HP Spectre x360 16 with a discrete GPU.

If that's what you want to focus on, the Spectre x360 16 also comes in another configuration, this one featuring a 28W Intel Core i7-1260P processor. It has 12 cores and 16 threads, so it's not quite as fast on the CPU front. However, this model has a discrete GPU, the Intel Arc A370M. While this isn't a high-end GPU, it is a definite improvement over integrated graphics, and it's great for video editing and content creation in general. This is the configuration you want if you're mostly focused on content creation or you want to do some occasional gaming.

The other specs are mostly similar, with both laptops going up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. However, it's worth mentioning that the Spectre x360 16 starts with 16GB from the get-go, while the smaller model still has an 8GB configuration.

Design and connectivity

HP-Spectre-x360-13.5-5-1024x683
Spectre x360 ports

Finally, there's design, and the differences here mostly come down to the size. As you'd probably expect, the design language is mostly similar across the two laptops, and they even come in the same colors. The exception is that the Spectre x360 13.5 does come in a more classic Natural Silver option for those who don't like more colorful laptops. Otherwise, both laptops offer Nightfall Black and Nocturne Blue as an option, and they look identical.

So, in terms of size, the HP Spectre x360 is obviously bigger, thanks to the big display and the more powerful specs, which require beefier cooling. The Spectre x360 16 is significantly wider, taller, and thicker (at 19.81mm) compared to the Spectre x360 13.5, which is just 17mm thin. It's also heavier, starting at 4.45 pounds against the 3.01 pounds of the HP Spectre x360 13.5. That trade-off makes total sense, and you can't really have both powerful specs and a lightweight design, so you have to choose your priority.

The Spectre x360 13.5 has a 5G model.

Ports are mostly the same across the two laptops, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. The bigger size of the Spectre x360 16 does make room for an additional HDMI port, though, so it's a bit more versatile if you want to use an external monitor.

Side view of the HP Spectre x360 16 with the lid closed showing an HDMI port and a Thunderbolt 4 port.

On the other hand, there is a model of the HP Spectre x360 13.5 with 5G connectivity. HP doesn't list it on the same page and the specs are a bit more restrictive, but a 5G laptop makes a lot of sense with this smaller size, since you're likely to be taking it with you on trips. The larger model doesn't have this option.

HP Spectre x360 13.5 vs Spectre x360 16: Final thoughts

It's clear that the HP Spectre x360 tries to offer a premium experience, no matter which size you choose, and both of these laptops are fantastic. Which one you should get is entirely up to your personal needs, since both are designed for different audiences.

The smaller HP Spectre x360 13.5 makes more sense for users who are regularly on the move. The more portable design is better if you plan on working while you're on a train or a plane, and the optional 5G connectivity makes it so that you don't need to rely on slow hotel Wi-Fi or unsecured public networks.

On the other hand, the bigger display on the Spectre x360 16, combined with the more powerful specs, make it ideal for content creators. If you're editing video, designing objects in 3D, or even gaming, it's definitely a better choice, especially with the discrete GPU option.

No matter your choice, you can find both laptops using the links below.

  • Front view of the HP Spectre x360 13.5 laptop
    HP Spectre x360 13.5

    The HP Spectre x360 13.5 offers a premium experience in a more portable package, and it's perfect for mobile users who want to get work done on the go.

  • Front view of the HP Spectre x360 16 in stand mode
    HP Spectre x360 16 (2022)

    The larger HP SPectre x360 16 packs more powerful specs and a big display that's prime for content creation workloads. Video and photo editors will prefer this one for its raw power and bigger screen, but it's not as portable.