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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you're budget-conscious and mainly interested in casual gaming, productivity, and consuming media, the Dell S3221QS with its VA panel offers a high contrast ratio for deeper blacks, which is great for movies and general use, though its response time isn't suited for competitive gaming. However, if you can invest more and need a monitor for digital photo editing or HDR video editing, the Dell U3223QE with its IPS Black panel is the better choice, with better color accuracy and wider color gamuts, though you won't benefit much in HDR gaming or competitive gaming scenarios. Both have the same screen size and resolution, allowing for sharp images and ample workspace. 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good contrast
Advantages of the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black)
- Good brightness
Key differences
Productivity
8.5
7.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good.
Cost
$320
$825
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) costs $825.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
3.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
24.3 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
7.2
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both good for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) 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 S3221QS (VA) and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $825 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 2104:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 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 | 99.7 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 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 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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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