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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for high-resolution text clarity and image clarity for productivity tasks, and are willing to invest in a premium product, the Apple Studio Display could be better suited for you. However, the Dell S3221QS offers a larger screen, better contrast, and is more affordable, which makes it a good option for media consumption and casual gaming. Keep in mind though, the Apple monitor is better for tasks that require color accuracy, such as digital photo editing, while the Dell's higher contrast could be better for watching movies with darker scenes. Neither monitor is ideal for competitive gaming, as they both have lower refresh rates and response times. 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 Studio Display (IPS)
- Best in class for productivity
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.6
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell S3221QS (VA) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
3.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
20.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Apple Studio Display (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
9.5
8.5
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good.
Cost
$1,599
$320
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple Studio Display (IPS) has a price of $1,599 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
7.0
7.2
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1052:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
584 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Apple Studio Display (IPS) are both good for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Studio Display (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Studio Display (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 2880 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1052:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 584 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.1 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.4 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 218 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Dell S3221QS (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Anj Bryant | May 2021
"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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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