Pros
- Uniquely reasonably priced USB-C monitor
- 4K decision with HDR possibility
- High brightness and good coloration accuracy
- Integrated audio system
Cons
- Low distinction ratio saps SDR vibrance
- Mediocre coloration gamut
Our Verdict
The Dell S2722QC gives 4K, USB-C, HDR, and built-in audio system for a uniquely reasonably priced worth, however makes some picture high quality sacrifices to hit its low value. It’s on a regular basis productiveness monitor that you should purchase for its options, not its efficiency.
Price When Reviewed
$380
Best Prices Today
$358.45
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Want a USB-C monitor with 4K decision? If so, it’s possible you’ll be recovering from sticker shock. Monitors with this mixture are hardly ever reasonably priced.
Prices have come down up to now 12 months, nonetheless, because of shows just like the Dell S2722QC, which generally retails for $380. That’s solely barely dearer than many mid-range 4K displays.
That’s tempting if you’d like a handy monitor that may connect with an ultraportable laptop over USB-C, however be warned: Dell’s obtainable monitor suffers a number of setbacks to realize its oh-so-compelling worth.
Dell 27″ 4K USB-C monitor S2722QC specs and options
On paper, the Dell S2722QC delivers all of the options I search for in a contemporary monitor. It has USB-C, as talked about, and in addition packs loads of ergonomic changes, a VESA mount, and built-in audio system. This provides versatility.
- Display measurement: 27-inch
- Native decision: 3,840 x 2,160
- Panel sort: IPS
- Refresh charge: 60Hz
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync
- Ports: HDMI 2.0 (x2), USB-C (with DisplayPort and 65 watts Power Delivery), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- Stand adjustment: 110mm peak adjustment, 25 levels tilt, 60 levels swivel, 90 diploma pivot
- VESA mount: Yes, 100mm x 100mm
- Speakers: Yes, two 3-watt audio system
- Price: $619.99 MSRP / $379.99 typical
Pricing units the Dell S2722QC aside. It’s obtainable for $379.99 on Dell.com and Amazon, undercutting typical pricing for displays just like the Samsung S80A, HP U28, and Asus ProArt line. These promote between $400 and $500.
Dell S2722QC design: Attractive, but delicate
The Dell S2722QC has skinny show bezels on three sides that are additional obscured by an edge-to-edge display floor that extends past the LCD panel and into the bezels. A small chin alongside the underside supplies house for the Dell brand and the monitor’s 4 menu buttons.
Around again you’ll discover a matte grey textured plastic not not like the fake carbon-fiber weave discovered on most Dell XPS laptops. It’s a beautiful but delicate design that units the monitor other than Acer, Asus, and HP. Odds are you don’t care a lot what your monitor seems to be like – however, should you do, the Dell is a favourite.
Matt Smith/IDG
The monitor ships with a flexible ergonomic stand that adjusts for peak, tilt, swivel, and may pivot 90 levels into portrait orientation. It attaches to a 100mm VESA mount, so third-party monitor arms are an possibility.
Dell S2722QC options: USB-C wins once more
USB-C is the Dell S2722QC’s headline function and the monitor’s core improve from its predecessor, the S2721QS. The new mannequin provides a USB-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery as much as 65 watts. This makes it potential to attach and cost a laptop computer with a single USB-C cable. It’s a handy solution, and the S2722QC is among the many least costly 4K displays with this function.
You’ll discover two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports for connecting wired USB-A peripherals. Many aggressive displays supply this perk. Still, it’s good to see the S2722QC supplies 3.2 Gen 1 speeds throughout each ports.
The USB-C port is joined by two HDMI 2.0 ports for a complete of three enter choices. A regular DisplayPort enter is lacking, which can disappoint desktop house owners used to connecting with that customary. You can nonetheless use customary DisplayPort, however solely with a DisplayPort to USB-C adapter.
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Image quality control are minimal. There’s brightness, distinction, and sharpness, plus restricted RGB coloration calibration obtainable within the Custom Color show mode. Limited picture high quality management isn’t uncommon on this worth vary however some rivals, just like the Viewsonic VP-2K and Asus ProArt line, supply extra choices.
A pair of three-watt audio system spherical out the S2722QC’s options. They can deal with fundamental working system sounds, video conferences, and podcasts with out subject. Music, films, and video games will push them past their limits and result in muddy, disagreeable sound at larger volumes.
Dell S2722QC SDR show efficiency testing: Everything’s tremendous
The Dell S2722QC is engaging and has helpful USB-C connectivity, however all that’s for nothing if the monitor’s show high quality is subpar. Let’s dig into it.
Matt Smith/IDG
I’ll begin with SDR brightness, the place the Dell S2722QC posts a good rating of 296 nits. This could appear low subsequent to the upper brightness of premium laptops and smartphones, nevertheless it’s greater than ample for a monitor (which is usually in a room with some mild management) and according to the competitors.
Matt Smith/IDG
SDR distinction, alternatively, wallops the S2722QC with a lackluster distinction ratio of 270:1. I’ll dig into this extra with the HDR outcomes, that are completely different and dramatically higher. Still, this reveals Dell’s manufacturing facility tuning of the S2722QC leaves lots to be desired. The monitor seems to be flat and lifeless in SDR mode.
Matt Smith/IDG
The S2722QC can deal with the total sRGB coloration gamut, which is typical for a monitor in its worth vary. It isn’t a large coloration gamut monitor, nonetheless, as it may solely assist 88 p.c of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut. Put merely, the S2722QC can show a comparatively slim vary of coloration. Samsung’s S80A takes a transparent lead right here.
Matt Smith/IDG
Color accuracy is a power for Dell. The S2722QC reached a mean coloration error under two, which is greater than ample for day-to-day productiveness, streaming, and gaming. Samsung’s dearer S80A has a lead right here, nevertheless it’s small, and I doubt most individuals would discover the distinction.
The S2722QC posted a gamma results of 2 (off a goal of two.2) and a default coloration temperature of 6700Okay (off a goal of 6500Okay). These are within the typical vary for the class, although gamma is on the outer fringe of what’s typical. A decrease gamma worth usually boosts element in brilliant areas however lessens it in darkish areas. This could contribute to the monitor’s unlucky distinction ratio in SDR mode.
Dell S2722QC HDR show efficiency testing: An actual brilliant spot
HDR is supported, although turned off by default. You should flip it on within the monitor’s on-screen settings to make HDR available in Windows 11.
Flipping to HDR boosts most brightness to 417 nits and, extra importantly, sends the distinction ratio hovering to 1190:1. That is a good results of a mid-range IPS monitor and an enormous boon to picture high quality. I observed a satisfying sense of depth that isn’t obtainable within the monitor’s SDR mode. Gamma additionally moved in direction of the popular goal of two.2. Content has a steadiness of element in darkish and brilliant areas of the picture.
Matt Smith/IDG
I really prefered to make use of the monitor in HDR with Windows 11’s HDR brightness slider set to about 30 p.c of most throughout regular use. I’ll ramp that as much as 75 p.c when gaming for additional visible punch. That’s a uncommon praise. Most price range and mid-range displays that provide an HDR mode have severe points with presentation that make HDR arduous to make use of.
The engaging HDR mode provides vibrance in video video games and streaming apps that assist it. This monitor doesn’t have dynamic backlight dimming, nonetheless, so the HDR function is lackluster in scenes that pair massive, darkish areas with brilliant highlights, equivalent to a starlit sky.
Dell S2722QC movement efficiency: AMD FreeSync at 60Hz
Sorry, players. The Dell S2722QC helps FreeSync, nevertheless it isn’t an ideal decide for gaming. The monitor has a most refresh charge of simply 60Hz and a promised response time no higher than 4 milliseconds.
That’s dangerous information for movement readability. Compared to a 144Hz gaming monitor, the Dell S2722QC reveals vital blur behind quick objects and when panning throughout a scene. It’s not likely a difficulty in case your favourite sport is Civilization VI, nevertheless it’s annoying should you desire Valorant.
Dell S2722QC show efficiency abstract
The Dell S2722QC is bought as an on a regular basis productiveness monitor and it feels tuned for that goal. A pointy 4K picture, excessive most brightness, and good coloration accuracy make for a nice expertise when browsing the online or modifying a spreadsheet.
Entertainment is the place this monitor falls behind as a result of its low distinction ratio in SDR mode and modest coloration gamut. Games and flicks that don’t assist HDR can look relatively uninteresting. This will probably be an issue should you earn a living from home and need one monitor for each every day productiveness and after hours enjoyable.
Conclusion
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Matt Smith/IDG
The Dell S2722QC is a monitor you should purchase for its options, not its show efficiency. It delivers 4K, USB-C connectivity, and audio system for lower than $400, offering a worth benefit over the Samsung S80A and Asus ProArt PA289CV. Those options have a extra engaging image however are often at the very least $100 dearer.
Image high quality is the place the S2722QC falters. The monitor has a pointy, brilliant presentation that’s superb for productiveness, however the monitor’s disappointing SDR distinction ratio saps vibrance. The mediocre coloration gamut makes it a no-go for photographers and videographers, as nicely.
The key query is that this: Do you want glorious picture high quality? Or would you be completely happy to sacrifice some picture high quality to have USB-C at a low worth? Those who lean in direction of the latter ought to contemplate the Dell S2722QC.