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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Dell S3221QS offers better value for money with a high resolution ideal for productivity and media consumption. Its larger color gamut and higher static contrast ratio suit digital photo editing, but it's not optimal for HDR gaming or competitive gaming due to a lower refresh rate and response time. In contrast, the LG 32GQ850 shines for competitive gaming with its higher refresh rate and fast response time, although its lower resolution may not be as crisp for productivity tasks. The LG's peak brightness supports HDR content, but its color accuracy makes it more suitable for print photo editing rather than HDR video editing. If you prioritize gaming performance and are willing to invest more, the LG might suit you better; however, for a mix of media consumption, casual gaming, and productivity at a more affordable price, the Dell could be the better option. 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 for media consumption
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good contrast
Advantages of the LG 32GQ850 (IPS)
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
5.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
260Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
150 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
600 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
5.2
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
260Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 260 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
150 nits
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
5.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
93 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.2
5.3
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
150 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
600 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$360
$718
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $360 and the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) costs $718.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 32GQ850 (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 32GQ850 (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 32GQ850 (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | LG 32GQ850 (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $718 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 16 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 150 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 600 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 % | 135 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 260 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 93 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
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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