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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you're on a budget and mainly use your monitor for productivity tasks and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS offers good text clarity and image quality at a budget price, making it a strong choice. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest in premium features for a better experience in media consumption and high-quality print photo editing, the ViewSonic XG321UG, with its better contrast and color depth, would be a better option, though it comes at a typically much higher price. Keep in mind, neither of these monitors is ideally suited for HDR gaming. 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 ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED)
- Good brightness
- Very good response time
Key differences
Cost
$230
$2,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) costs $2,300.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.4
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
4.6
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.6 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
7.9
7.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
137 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both good for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.7
6.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $2,300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3440 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 1152 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 1400 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | ||
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 3.6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48,144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 137 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
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 | 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 | 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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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