I tested Dell's new 4K QD-OLED monitor. It wins on price, ports, and more

Price When Reviewed

$849.99

Best Prices Today: Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor S3225QC

32-inch 4K QD-OLED displays are among the many most alluring laptop displays ever offered. They all present distinctive distinction and coloration alongside sharpness and an enormous, daring show measurement.

The catch? Often, it’s the value, as many fashions have an MSRP above $1,000. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED, nevertheless, undercuts opponents with a rock-bottom MSRP of $849.99. That makes it straightforward to look previous the monitor’s downsides.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC specs and options

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s primary specs are typical for a 32-inch QD-OLED monitor. It supplies 4K decision (3840×2160) and a 120Hz refresh price with Adaptive Sync.

• Display measurement: 32-inch 16:9 facet ratio
• Native decision: 3840×2160
• Panel kind: QD-OLED
• Refresh price: Up to 120Hz
• Adaptive Sync: Yes, Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Certified
• Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 with FRL/HDR/VRR, 1x USB-C upstream with DisplayPort 1.4 and 90 watts of Power Delivery, 2x USB-C 5Gbps downstream with 15 watts Power Delivery
• Audio: 3D Spatial Audio audio system included, complete 25 watts output
• Price: $849.99 MSRP

A more in-depth have a look at the small print, nevertheless, reveals many variations between different 32-inch 4K QD-OLED shows. The Dell helps each HDR10, which is frequent, and Dolby Vision, which is uncommon. It additionally has simply two video inputs, which is roughly half as many as the common competitor. But the monitor strikes again with a five-speaker spatial sound system with a complete energy of 25 watts. By comparability, most related displays have a pair of 2-watt stereo audio system, if they’ve any in any respect.

Dell’s pricing is low given the monitor’s options, because it carries an MSRP of simply $849.99. Most different 4K QD-OLED displays have an MSRP between $999.99 and $1,299.99, although sale pricing can deliver some fashions (just like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD) near the Dell 32 Plus 4K.

Read on to be taught extra, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparability.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC design

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor makes an excellent first impression. The firm opts for a white hue that’s enticing and distinctive. It’s a far starker, ultra-bright look than Dell’s photographs of the monitor let on, and moderately near the tone and coloration of the fabric used on some previous Alienware displays, like the Alienware AW3225QF.

I additionally like the material materials masking the speaker system on the backside of the monitor. Dell has used that design contact on previous displays with built-in audio system, however it nonetheless seems enticing.

The design is practical, too. It ships with an ergonomically adjustable stand that has a reasonably sized flat base and doesn’t intrude an excessive amount of in your desk. The stand adjusts 110mm in top, tilts 25 levels, and swivels 60 levels, which is a typical vary of changes for this class. The monitor doesn’t rotate into portrait orientation, nevertheless.

The monitor additionally has a built-in energy provide. Some QD-OLED displays use an exterior energy provide because of their greater peak energy necessities, however that’s not the case right here, so that you gained’t have an influence brick lurking below your desk.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC connectivity

I’ll have numerous constructive issues to say in regards to the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor by way of the remainder of this overview, however there’s one weak spot that can take it out of competition for some. The connectivity.

The monitor has simply two video inputs: one HDMI 2.1 enter and one USB-C enter with help for DisplayPort 1.4. Both can drive the monitor at its full 4K decision and 120Hz refresh price, however two video inputs are slim for a monitor on this class. Many opponents provide not less than three video inputs, and plenty of have 4.

The USB-C port not less than handles each DisplayPort and as much as 90 watts of USB-C energy supply, so it’s a strong choice for connecting a Windows or Mac laptop computer that helps USB-C.

Downstream connectivity is restricted, too. You’re taking a look at simply two USB-C ports, each supporting 15 watts of USB Power Delivery and 5Gbps of information. One port is on the again and the opposite is hidden in a pop-out hub on the entrance.

I can see what Dell goes for right here, because the Dell 32 Plus 4K’s value is affordable contemplating its different options. Dell clearly determined to maintain connectivity to the necessities and spend the monitor’s finances elsewhere.

Ultimately, you’ll must resolve for your self if that is smart for you. If you’ve gotten a desktop laptop and a laptop computer, that is sufficient. But in case you additionally wish to join recreation consoles (or different HDMI gadgets), you’ll want to purchase an HDMI hub.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC menus and options

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s settings could be adjusted with a joystick situated behind the monitor’s lower-right bezel or with Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager software program. Both choices work effectively, as Dell has clearly labeled menus which might be straightforward to know.

However, the monitor’s picture high quality settings are a bit restricted. The monitor has quite a lot of preset modes together with a creator mode, which helps the sRGB, BT.709, DCI-P3, and Display P3 coloration areas. There’s additionally a customized coloration mode for guide R/G/B adjustment. But that’s it.

There’s no exact coloration temperature or gamma changes. It’s advantageous for many conditions, however demanding content material creators who need a excessive diploma of management over picture high quality will likely be upset.

The monitor features a darkish stabilizer, a characteristic frequent for gaming displays. It can elevate the brightness of darkish areas of the show to make foes simpler to see. You gained’t discover different gaming options like an on-screen crosshair, nevertheless.

Other options embrace a 4:3 facet ratio mode and a number of picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC audio

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s audio efficiency deserves particular point out, because the monitor has 5 audio system, every with 5 watts of energy for a complete of 25 watts. It additionally has help for spatial audio, which suggests it could actually modify the audio throughout the audio system to offer a 3D impact.

To do that, the monitor features a digicam within the decrease bezel. Dell doesn’t intend it for video conferencing (and, in truth, Windows doesn’t detect it). Instead, the digicam retains observe of the person’s head place to regulate the spatial audio.

The spatial audio characteristic works fairly effectively, offering some sense of 3D encompass in check clips. The predominant difficulty will likely be discovering content material that helps it, as a result of it’s uncommon, particularly on a PC. Most individuals use a monitor for PC software program, video games, and streaming Spotify or YouTube by way of an online browser. Aside from some AAA video games, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, there’s not numerous spatial audio to take pleasure in. I’m additionally not satisfied the speaker system delivers a superb spatial expertise. Spatial Audio definitely sounds completely different, however I didn’t hear the identical pinpoint precision I’ve heard from headphones that help it.

Fortunately, the 25-watt speaker system has different benefits. The audio system are louder, clearer, and provide much better bass than the underpowered stereo audio system frequent to PC displays. The Dell’s speaker system can nonetheless sound muddy at very excessive quantity, however it’s clear at extra modest ranges. Also, as a result of the audio system are so loud—and a pair toes out of your face—you’ll doubtless need to maintain them at 25 to 50 p.c of their most.  

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s audio system are strong for video games, music, watching Netflix—you identify it. Audiophiles will nonetheless need a system with a subwoofer and higher separation between stereo channels, however for most individuals, it will utterly take away the necessity for exterior PC audio system.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC SDR picture high quality

As its identify implies, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED has a Samsung QD-OLED panel. This kind of panel is extremely widespread in 4K OLED displays, and it usually supplies excellent picture high quality.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

First up is SDR brightness. This is a conventional weak spot for QD-OLED displays, and the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED maintains that with a most sustained SDR brightness of 246 nits. That is correct according to different OLED displays. However, IPS displays just like the Dell U3225QE and BenQ PD2730S will usually exceed 400 nits.

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED additionally has a shiny show coat, so glare could be a difficulty. The monitor’s brightness is greater than ample for a room with blinds or shades, however you might have an uncomfortable viewing expertise in a room with vibrant, sunlit home windows.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Contrast is the place QD-OLED sometimes leaps forward of displays with an LCD panel. OLED displays can obtain an ideal minimal luminance of zero nits, which ends up in an immersive, contrast-rich picture. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED follows the pattern right here. It supplies an amazing sense of dimensionality that can attract your eye, and it’s clearly a reduce above LCD rivals.

With that mentioned, all trendy OLED displays can ship an identical expertise. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s distinction is unbelievable, however it’s not a bonus over its friends.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

QD-OLED additionally leads in coloration gamut, that means QD-OLED can show extra colours total. It leads the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED to offer a coloration gamut that spans 100 p.c of sRGB, 97 p.c of DCI-P3, and 94 p.c of AdobeRGB, which is analogous to different QD-OLED displays. Some LCD panel displays can rival QD-OLED, however most can’t. LG’s WOLED additionally tends to fall a bit behind QD-OLED on this space.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED delivered an extremely low coloration error that’s among the many greatest I’ve seen from any monitor. And this, thoughts you, is an uncalibrated end result straight out of the field. While some displays can obtain related values, most don’t.

It’s additionally excellent to see this degree of coloration accuracy from a monitor that’s not offered as a “professional” content material creation show. Though it definitely lacks picture high quality options that probably the most demanding professionals crave, the out-of-box picture is excellent, and makes this monitor a superb match for a lot of video, photograph, and digital artwork workflows.

Consider how the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED compares to the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM, for instance. The ProArtwork’s out-of-box coloration accuracy is a tad behind the Dell, and the 2 are equals in coloration gamut. However, the ProArtwork is priced at $1,899—over twice as a lot because the Dell!

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED reached combined ends in gamma and coloration temperature. It nailed the goal gamma curve of two.2, which suggests content material ought to look about as vibrant as supposed. But it missed the colour temperature goal of 6500Okay with a worth of 6100Okay, which suggests the picture is hotter than ideally suited.

Personally, I don’t thoughts a hotter show, however a worth close to 6500Okay could be extra impartial. The monitor additionally lacks coloration temperature controls that focus on exact values, so house owners could have bother calibrating the monitor to hit their most well-liked coloration temperature goal. This is an space the place the Asus ProArtwork PA32UCDM has an enormous benefit, because it hits higher coloration temperature outcomes and supplies customers much more management over the picture.

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s sharpness is strong. The monitor’s 31.5-inch QD-OLED panel supplies 3840×2160 decision, which works out to about 140 pixels per inch. That’s a bit lower than the 160 ppi of a typical 27-inch 4K monitor, however significantly better than the roughly 100 ppi of a 27-inch 1440p monitor. True sharpness freaks would possibly discover pixelation round small fonts, however it seems loads sharp when taking part in video games or watching Netflix. Of course, all 32-inch 4K QD-OLED displays look related on this regard.

Overall, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED delivers a vibrant, vibrant, correct, high-contrast picture. Its total SDR picture high quality is moderately much like different QD-OLED displays, and most customers gained’t see a lot distinction between the Dell and QD-OLED opponents from Samsung, Asus, and even LG. Still, the Dell does notch just a few wins, most notably in coloration accuracy and gamma outcomes, each of that are higher than common.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC HDR picture high quality

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black licensed, which is typical for a QD-OLED monitor. But it additionally helps Dolby Vision, which is uncommon and hints at above-average HDR efficiency. Unfortunately, the monitor didn’t stay as much as that expectation.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

A have a look at the graph tells a easy story. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is about as vibrant because the options when giant parts of the display are lit. However, it falls behind in HDR highlights. Small, vibrant, high-contrast objects don’t have the identical pop that’s discovered on some aggressive displays. This was true throughout quite a lot of HDR modes, and oddly, the Peak HDR 1000 mode was a bit of dimmer than the Movie HDR mode.

That’s to not say HDR seems dangerous, because the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED nonetheless delivers the distinction and coloration required to assist HDR look nice. But the shortage of brightness is a matter, so think about a special QD-OLED monitor if you need HDR highlights to sizzle.

Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC movement efficiency

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED has a refresh price of as much as 120Hz and may deal with Adaptive Sync with official AMD FreeSync Premium Pro help (Nvidia G-Sync additionally functioned in my testing, however help is unofficial).

While there’s definitely equally priced displays with excessive refresh charges and broader Adaptive Sync help, like Alienware’s AW3425DW, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s enhanced refresh price and Adaptive Sync help are notable, because it’s offered for normal use moderately than gaming.

Motion readability isn’t on the prime of the pack, however it’s good. The refresh price of 120Hz, paired with OLED’s low pixel response instances, supplies modest movement blur behind fast-moving objects, and quick digicam pans in 3D video games ship good readability. Scrolling textual content can also be a lot simpler to learn than on a 60Hz monitor.

Once once more, gaming displays have the sting right here: Most 4K QD-OLED displays can now deal with 240Hz. But the Dell 32 Plus 4K’s movement readability is nice for its class.

It’s additionally price pondering if a 240Hz refresh price may present a significant improve on your use. You’ll solely benefit from the full profit in video games that may hit body charges as much as 240 frames per second, which could be troublesome to attain at 4K decision. Gamers with beefy GPUs will see beneficial properties from a 240Hz gaming monitor, however 120Hz is a match for customers with extra modest {hardware}.

Should you purchase the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED?

The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is a simple suggestion for many customers. It has excellent picture high quality, good movement readability, helps Adaptive Sync, and consists of built-in audio system that beat the competitors. The monitor’s downsides embrace restricted connectivity, which supplies simply two video inputs (one HDMI 2.1, one USB-C with DisplayPort), and modest HDR efficiency regardless of Dolby Vision badging. If you’ll be able to take care of that, the 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is a good do-it-all monitor offered at an interesting $849.99 MSRP.