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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're serious about competitive gaming or want the best experience for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF with QD-OLED is an excellent choice thanks to its superior color quality and response times. However, for everyday productivity tasks, the Dell S2721DS with IPS might be sufficient and more budget-friendly. The Alienware's high refresh rate is ideal for fast-paced games, but if your main activities include casual gaming and office work, the additional cost might not translate to noticeable benefits. The S2721DS offers a more than adequate image quality for most users, at a price that won't break the bank. 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 AW2725DF (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.7
5.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
0.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$900
$309
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) has a price of $900 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
5.8
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) are both poor for productivity.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $309 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 75Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 235 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 445 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.6 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.8/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
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 S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
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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.
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