The Apple Pro Display XDR offers exceptional image clarity and is ideal for tasks requiring high color accuracy, such as HDR video editing and print photo editing. It's suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption, but it may not be the best choice for gaming due to its poorer refresh rate and lack of variable refresh rate support. On the other hand, the Dell S3221QS is much less expensive and still delivers sharp images and good color accuracy for digital photo editing, making it a solid choice for productivity and casual media consumption. However, its gaming performance is limited, and it's not suitable for HDR gaming and tasks demanding the highest color accuracy. If budget is not a concern and color-critical work is your priority, the Apple Pro Display XDR will serve you better, but for a balance between cost and performance for everyday tasks, the Dell monitor is a sensible pick. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD)
Good for casual gaming
Best in class for productivity
Very good for media consumption
Excellent text clarity
Excellent image clarity
Best in class brightness
Good color volume
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has no clear advantages over the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.8/10
6.6/10
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
98.7 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Productivity
9.8/10
8.5/10
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
216 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good.
Media Consumption
8.1/10
7.2/10
6016 x 3384
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
1600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$4,999
$320
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) has a price of $4,999 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
3.9/10
3.8/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
20.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
1600 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Give feedback
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How the Apple Pro Display XDR (IPS FALD) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
"Apple's Pro Display XDR provides exceptional color accuracy and build quality at a price that's quite competitive with those of reference-grade pro monitors. It's exquisite enough that swallowing the wildly extravagant cost of its Pro Stand is worth it."
"The Dell S3221QS offers a 4K, 32-inch panel that’s great for streaming videos and casual gaming, with an effective, gentle curve. But color accuracy and HDR performance leave much room for improvement."
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.