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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-resolution content and can invest more, the Sony M9 offers better image quality and is superior for HDR gaming and media consumption, with clearer images and higher peak brightness. Its stand supports USB power delivery, useful for charging devices. On the other hand, the Dell S2721DGF is a more budget-friendly choice with a good refresh rate and lower response time, making it suitable for casual and some competitive gaming while also offering decent color accuracy for digital photo editing. The Dell might struggle with color volume and HDR content compared to the Sony. If you need higher resolution and HDR performance and are willing to spend more, the Sony M9 is a solid option; if you're looking to save money and focus on gaming and general productivity, the Dell S2721DGF is a commendable pick. 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 Sony M9 (IPS FALD)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
- Good contrast
- Good brightness
- Good color volume
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
7.3
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
67.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.2
9.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
7.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$800
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.7
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
24 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Sony M9 (IPS FALD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $800 | ||
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 FALD | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | 96 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 432 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 695 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 24 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 163 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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