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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If affordability is a priority and you primarily engage in casual gaming, digital photo editing, or general productivity, the Dell S2721QS offers a very good balance at its price point, despite not being ideal for competitive gaming or high-end HDR content. However, if you're seeking a larger screen, better contrast, and more USB connectivity options, and are willing to invest more, the Dell U3223QE enhances productivity tasks and media consumption with improved image clarity. Keep in mind though, neither of these monitors are particularly suited for HDR gaming or competitive gaming where high refresh rates and low response times are crucial. 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 U3223QE (IPS Black)
- Good for media consumption
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9
3.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
24.3 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$230
$880
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) costs $880.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
7.9
7.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both good for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.7
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) 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 U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) 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 U3223QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $880 | ||
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 | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 2104:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 438 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 24.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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 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."
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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 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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