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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize high-end gaming with fast response times and a wide variable refresh rate range, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF with its QD-OLED panel excels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, suitable for both gaming and media consumption. However, if budget is a concern and you want a monitor for more casual gaming and productivity with a larger screen and higher resolution, the Dell S3221QS is less expensive and has a sharper image due to its 4K resolution, though it won't match the Alienware's performance in fast-paced games or color intensity. 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
9.7
3.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
0.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$900
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) has a price of $900 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $360.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S3221QS (VA) 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 S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $360 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 235 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 445 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.6 ms | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
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 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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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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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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