If your primary focus is on competitive gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor's higher refresh rate and faster response time will provide a smoother experience. However, for the best color quality in HDR video editing, digital photo editing, or enjoying HDR media, the Phillips monitor, with its superior color gamut and infinite contrast ratio thanks to its OLED panel, is the better choice. Note that while the Dell performs well for various tasks aside from gaming, the Phillips might be less suitable for fast-paced games due to its lower refresh rate and potential ghosting issues. So, if you are willing to spend more and gaming performance is a priority, go for the Dell, but if color accuracy and HDR quality are more critical for you, and you want to spend somewhat less, the Phillips is the way to go. 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 Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
Very good for competitive gaming
Very good refresh rate
Good text clarity
Advantages of the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED)
Best in class for casual gaming
Best in class for media consumption
Very good image clarity
Best in class contrast
Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5/10
9.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
540 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.7 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0/10
5.9/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
540 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2/10
9.5/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
540 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5/10
6.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Phillips 27E1N8900 (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
"If cost isn't an issue and you want a gaming monitor that will give your content all-new life for years to come, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor defines the upper echelon of what gaming monitors do best today. This display does everything the HP Omen X 27 tried to do, but does it a whole lot better for just a slight bump in price. If you're choosing between the two, the Alienware is the clear winner, and that story repeats itself again and again no matter which 1440p contender we put the Alienware 27 up against."
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.