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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high performance in gaming, excellent contrast, and vivid colors are important to you, then investing in the Dell Alienware AW3225QF with its advanced OLED technology could be worth the higher cost. It's superb for HDR gaming and media consumption, offering deep blacks and a broad color spectrum. However, reflectivity can be an issue due to the glossy screen, and text clarity is just fair. On the other hand, if you're looking for a monitor for productivity and casual media consumption without spending as much, the Dell S2721QS offers very good text clarity and image sharpness with its matte IPS screen, but it may not be the best choice for competitive gaming or color-critical work like HDR video editing due to lower contrast and brightness levels. 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 AW3225QF (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721QS (IPS)
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
5.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
98.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
6.0
4.9
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
0.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
7.0
7.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) are both good for productivity, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
9.7
6.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,200
$230
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) has a price of $1,200 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (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 AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (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 AW3225QF (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 AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 244 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 448 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 | 0.4 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 2 | 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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