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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a monitor that is easier on your wallet and are mainly interested in everyday tasks like browsing the internet, working with documents, or watching standard definition videos, the Dell S2721DS is a good choice despite its lower resolution and brightness. However, if you need higher image clarity, better color accuracy for professional photo editing, enhanced productivity with a crisper and more detailed 4K display, and don't mind spending more, the Dell U2723QE would be the better option. The U2723QE also offers a more adjustable stand for ergonomic comfort. Neither of these monitors is particularly well-suited for high-end gaming or HDR content. 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 U2723QE (IPS Black).
Advantages of the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Productivity
5.9
8.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
162 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$309
$545
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) costs $545.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.3 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
4.9
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.7 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $545 | ||
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 Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 4 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | 1978:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 341 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 415 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 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 20.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | N/A | |
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 | 162 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
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 | 1 | |
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 | 0 | |
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."
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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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