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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and primarily focused on document work or day-to-day use, the Dell S2721DS, being less expensive, is a sensible pick. Its smaller screen and lower resolution won't matter much for basic tasks. However, if you're interested in a larger screen with higher resolution that's better for media consumption and more immersive casual gaming, albeit at a higher price, the Dell S3221QS might be worth the extra investment. Bear in mind that the Dell S3221QS also boasts a better color range for photo editing and clearer images due to its larger screen size. 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 S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S3221QS (VA).
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
3.8
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.9
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Cost
$309
$320
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 75Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 98.6 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 140 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 | 1 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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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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