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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize saving money and your tasks are mainly productivity and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS is a solid choice. However, if you're willing to invest more for enhanced experiences in HDR gaming and media consumption, and want better overall picture quality and higher brightness levels, the Sony M9 may be worth the extra cost. Keep in mind, the Sony M9 also has a wider variety of connectivity options, including more USB ports and HDMI 2.1, which could be beneficial depending on your setup needs. 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)
- The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Sony M9 (IPS FALD).
Advantages of the Sony M9 (IPS FALD)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
- Good brightness
- Good color volume
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
7.3
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
67.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.7
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
24 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
9.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
164 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 S2721QS (IPS) is good.
Media Consumption
6.7
7.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$230
$800
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (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
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Sony M9 (IPS FALD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS FALD | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 96 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 432 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 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 | 100 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 24 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 163 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 | 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 | 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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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