HP OmniBook X Flip 16 Review: A Gorgeous Display in a Curious Body

The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is the kind of laptop that turns heads:sleek, bright, and undeniably premium. It’s HP’s first Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip, promising breakthrough battery life and a new era of AI-driven performance.

Here’s the deep dive.

Design: Beautiful but a Bit Confused

There’s no denying the OmniBook X Flip 16 is visually captivating. The sandblasted aluminum chassis, available in Slate Blue, feels solid, cool, and professional. The edges are subtly curved, and the hinge is smooth, flipping effortlessly into tent or tablet mode.

At 16 inches, it’s on the larger side for a 2-in-1, yet HP managed to keep it surprisingly thin (0.6 inches) and reasonably light (around 1.7 kg). It’s the kind of laptop that looks right at home in a design studio or a boardroom.

But practicality? That’s where it gets tricky.

As a convertible, the large form factor makes tablet use awkward, it’s simply too big to hold comfortably. Tent mode works great for watching Netflix, but if you’re hoping to jot notes on your lap, prepare for some wrist gymnastics.

On the plus side, the build quality is impeccable. There’s zero flex in the lid or deck, and HP’s signature aesthetic restraint means no flashy logos or unnecessary vents. It’s a laptop that commands attention quietly.

Display: Absolutely Stunning

This is the showpiece. The 16-inch 2.5K OLED touchscreen is, frankly, jaw-dropping. It delivers deep blacks, impeccable contrast, and sharp detail. Colors pop with cinematic richness, making it perfect for photographers, video editors, and Netflix bingers alike.

HP claims 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and it shows. Whether you’re grading color or scrolling through HDR content, the visual clarity is immaculate. At up to 500 nits brightness, it holds its own under daylight and still manages to look rich in darker environments.

The touchscreen is responsive, with excellent palm rejection. Paired with HP’s stylus, it feels accurate, ideal for sketching or note-taking on a desk.

In short: the display is the star of the show. It’s not just good, it’s arguably one of the best panels in its category.

Performance: Snapdragon Steps Into the Spotlight

The OmniBook X Flip 16 is among the first laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor, Qualcomm’s bold entry into the AI PC race. With 12 Oryon CPU cores, integrated Adreno GPU, and a dedicated Hexagon NPU for AI workloads, it promises to balance power and efficiency like never before.

And in most cases, it delivers. Everyday productivity feels instant. Apps open in a blink. Multitasking across Chrome tabs, video calls, and Adobe Express runs buttery-smooth.

Battery life is where it truly shines: expect 15–18 hours of mixed use, sometimes stretching to 20 with light workloads. That’s MacBook Air territory, and then some.

However, there’s nuance. While performance in native ARM64 apps is excellent, compatibility can be hit-or-miss. Some x86 programs run flawlessly through Windows’ Prism emulation, but others: especially older or specialized software, may feel sluggish.

For professionals tied to Adobe Creative Cloud, the experience is improving, but not perfect. Photoshop runs natively; Premiere Pro, not yet.

The AI Copilot features, like natural language search, live captions, and Recall (coming soon), show potential but still feel like early software glimpses rather than must-have tools.

Still, the Snapdragon X Elite’s efficiency, quiet thermals, and cool operation make it a revelation for those tired of fan noise and heat spikes.

Keyboard and Trackpad: Almost Excellent

Typing on the OmniBook X Flip is a joy. The keyboard is backlit, with firm, quiet keys that feel comfortably spaced. HP’s keystroke travel is near-perfect, crisp enough for speed typists, soft enough for long sessions.

The trackpad, on the other hand, is oversized and smooth but sometimes over-sensitive. It occasionally registers false inputs, especially when swiping near the edges. HP’s driver updates are addressing this, but out of the box, it can feel inconsistent.

It’s a small quirk, and easily fixable, but noticeable given the laptop’s otherwise premium feel.

Audio: Rich, Spacious, and Surprisingly Loud

HP partnered with Bang & Olufsen for the speaker system, and the results impress. Four strategically placed drivers deliver sound that’s full and room-filling. Mids are clear, vocals crisp, and highs bright without distortion.

Bass isn’t earth-shaking, but it’s present, rare for an ultrathin convertible. Watching films or streaming playlists feels immersive, particularly with the expansive OLED screen.

It’s not a replacement for studio monitors, but as far as laptop audio goes, this one’s up there with the best.

Connectivity: Modern and Minimal

The port selection is solid, though not exceptional. You get:

• 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 equivalent)
• 1 x USB-A (Gen 3.2)
• 1 x HDMI 2.1
• 3.5mm headphone jack

There’s no SD card slot: disappointing for creators, and no Ethernet port. Wireless, though, is flawless thanks to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support.

It’s a setup that favors sleekness over versatility. For most users, that’s fine. For photographers or editors transferring gigabytes of footage daily, a dongle or dock is inevitable.

Battery Life: Elite Efficiency

Battery life is, hands down, one of this laptop’s strongest suits. Thanks to the Snapdragon X Elite chip and HP’s smart power management, the OmniBook X Flip easily lasts a full workday, and then some.

Video playback endurance tests hit nearly 20 hours, and productivity use averaged around 16. For hybrid workers and travelers, that’s transformative.

Charging is quick too: the 65W USB-C adapter tops up to 50% in under 40 minutes. And because it supports USB-C Power Delivery, you can juice it from most modern adapters or portable power banks.

Quiet, cool, efficient: this is the kind of performance Intel and AMD have been chasing.

Thermal Management: Silent Strength

One of the standout qualities here is how quiet it stays. The fan rarely spins up, and even under load, it’s whisper-soft. HP’s vapor chamber cooling design efficiently dissipates heat across the chassis without hotspots.

In long productivity sessions or streaming marathons, the aluminum body stays cool to the touch.

Gamers or heavy 3D modelers might push it harder, but this machine isn’t designed for that audience. For typical 9-to-5 workloads or creative editing, it’s practically silent.

Software Experience: Clean, But Slightly Underwhelming

HP’s software loadout is refreshingly minimal. You get HP Command Center, Audio Control, and Support Assistant, all of which are useful and lightweight.

Windows 11 on ARM feels fluid and optimized, with native support for Microsoft 365 apps, Edge, and Teams. But the ecosystem still needs time.

Some third-party software: especially niche productivity tools, lags behind in ARM optimization. That’s not HP’s fault, but it impacts the overall experience for professionals using specialized workflows.

That said, AI integration feels promising. The dedicated Copilot key offers quick access to Windows’ AI suite, and once features like Recall and Live Translations fully roll out, this hardware will be ready to shine.

What’s Missing: Minor Gaps in an Otherwise Strong Package

The OmniBook X Flip 16 is close to greatness, but a few decisions hold it back.

• Size for a convertible: At 16 inches, the flip functionality feels more gimmick than game-changer. A 14-inch model would be more versatile.
• Limited app compatibility: Windows on ARM is still growing. Performance is stellar in native apps, but spotty elsewhere.
• No SD card slot: For a device this clearly aimed at creators, that omission stings.

However, each drawback has a silver lining:

• The larger display offers an incredible canvas for creative work.
• Compatibility will improve rapidly as developers embrace ARM.
• USB-C hubs easily solve the port issue.
• And the overall battery and display quality justify the cost for many.

Who It’s For

The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is perfect for:

• Professionals and creatives who want a gorgeous display, all-day battery, and near-silent operation.
• Hybrid workers who value portability and endurance over raw power.
• Design-conscious tech lovers who want a premium convertible that looks as good as it performs.

It’s less suited for hardcore gamers, 3D designers, or anyone needing maximum legacy app support, but for productivity and creative workloads, it’s one of the most enjoyable laptops HP has ever made.

Verdict: Almost Brilliant, and Undeniably Beautiful

The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 feels like a bold first step into a new computing era. It marries stunning design, exceptional battery life, and next-gen AI hardware in a package that’s as practical as it is aspirational.

It’s not flawless: the large frame limits its “flip” appeal, and ARM compatibility still has gaps, but it’s one of the most forward-thinking laptops you can buy today.

HP took risks here, and most of them pay off.

If you want a machine that turns every coffee shop into a creative studio, lasts all day on a charge, and looks downright gorgeous doing it: the OmniBook X Flip 16 deserves a place on your shortlist.

Final Verdict: A sleek, high-performing convertible that signals where laptops are headed. Imperfect, yes, but powerfully impressive all the same.