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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming, especially competitive gaming, the Dell S2721DGF with its higher refresh rate and quicker response time will give you a smoother experience. Alternatively, if your focus is on productivity and high-resolution media consumption, the Dell S2721QS offers a sharper image with its higher screen resolution, which is ideal for detailed work and watching 4K content. Both monitors have similar sizes and IPS panels known for good color accuracy, but the tradeoff comes down to whether you value gaming performance or image detail more for your daily use. Remember that the S2721QS might not be as suitable for frequent gaming due to its lower refresh rate and response time compared to the S2721DGF. 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8
4.9
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$280
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $280.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $280 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
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."
Give feedback
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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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