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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sharp text and image clarity for productivity and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS with IPS panel offers very good quality and might save you money. However, if you prefer a larger screen with deeper blacks and higher contrast for media consumption and HDR content, despite not being true HDR capable, the Dell S3221QS with a VA panel is better, although it’s often significantly more expensive. Neither monitor is ideal for serious gaming due to their limited refresh rates and response times, but casual gaming will be acceptable on both, with slight differences in ghosting and refresh capabilities. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
3.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
8.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good.
Cost
$230
$280
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $280.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.7
7.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S3221QS (VA) to be good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $280 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 1 | 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."
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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Why trust us
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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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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