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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If your budget allows for a premium monitor and you're an avid gamer looking for the best experience with vibrant colors and deep blacks, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is an excellent choice with its superior refresh rate and quick response time. It also stands out in media consumption with high HDR peak brightness and a wide color gamut. However, it may not be the best option for productivity due to its lower screen resolution compared to the Dell S2721QS (IPS). On the other hand, if you're looking for a monitor with a crisper text and image clarity for productivity tasks and casual gaming or media consumption at a midrange price, the Dell S2721QS (IPS) with higher screen resolution may be more suited to your needs, but be aware it has a lower refresh rate and response time, making it less ideal for competitive gaming. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.7
4.9
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
0.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$900
$230
$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 S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 235 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 445 nits | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.6 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.8/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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 S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
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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.
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