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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If affordability is a priority and you're focused on productivity with a larger screen, the Dell monitor offers a bigger display at a lower cost, suitable for tasks like office work and general media consumption. However, if you're willing to invest in superior image quality and more vibrant colors for HDR gaming, photo editing, and consuming media, the Sony provides higher brightness and a broader color range, albeit at a higher price. For competitive gaming, neither is ideal, but the Sony's faster response time and variable refresh rate are better suited for casual gaming experiences. Keep in mind that the Dell's VA panel has higher contrast but may not provide the same level of color consistency as the Sony's IPS panel. 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)
- The Dell S3221QS (VA) 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
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
- Good brightness
- Good color volume
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
7.3
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
67.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
5.7
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
24 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
9.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 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 S3221QS (VA) is very good.
Cost
$320
$800
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) 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
Media Consumption
7.2
7.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both good for media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | Sony M9 (IPS FALD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS FALD | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 96 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 432 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 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 | 99.7 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | 163 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 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 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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