Apple Studio Display vs BenQ PD3225U

Which Monitor Is Better?

Products

Apple Studio Display
BenQ PD3225U

Tested using Methodology v2.1.1

Updated Nov 27, 2025 08:39 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v2.1.1

Updated Nov 07, 2025 02:37 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 4 articles:
  2. Mac Mini
  3. MacBook Pro
  4. 5k
  5. 1

Our Verdict

Apple Studio Display

BenQ PD3225U

The Apple Studio Display and the BenQ PD3225U are both productivity and editing monitors. The Apple Studio Display isn't well-suited to Windows PCs. However, if you have a macOS device, the Studio Display is a better choice for bright rooms, as it gets much brighter and has better reflection handling. It's also a better choice if you don't plan to calibrate the display, as it's more accurate before calibration. However, the BenQ is a better choice for PCs, and for those in dark rooms, as it displays deeper blacks.

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Variants

  • Studio Display (Nano-Texture Glass and Tilt Adjustable)
  • Studio Display (Nano-texture Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable)
  • Studio Display (Nano-texture Glass and VESA Mount Adapter)
  • Studio Display (Standard Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable)
  • Studio Display (Standard Glass and Tilt Adjustable)
  • Studio Display (Standard Glass and VESA Mount Adapter)
  • PD3225U (32")

Check Price

Nano-Texture Glass and Tilt Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Nano-texture Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Nano-texture Glass and VESA Mount Adapter
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard Glass and Tilt Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard Glass and VESA Mount Adapter
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Main Differences for
PC Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

PC Gaming 

5.1
6.0

10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp 
 

N/A
30.5%

1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp 
 

N/A
54.2%

Full Comparison

Design

Style 
 

Design Picture  

Curved 
 

No
No

Curve Radius 
 

Not Curved
Not Curved
Show Text 

Accelerated Longevity Test 
 

Uniformity Pictures  

Longevity Graph  

Build Quality 
 

9.0
8.0

Build Quality Picture  

Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

4.9
8.5

Ergonomics Picture  

Back Picture  

Height Adjustment 
 

0.0" (0.0 cm)
5.7" (14.4 cm)

Min Height To Top Of Panel 
 

18.3" (46.6 cm)
18.6" (47.2 cm)

Tilt Range 
 

-25° to 5°
-17.5° to 2.5°

Rotate Portrait/Landscape 
 

No
Yes, Clockwise

Swivel Range 
 

No swivel
-30° to 30°

Wall Mount 
 

No Mount
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Stand 
 

Stand Picture  

Thickness Picture  

Base Width 
 

6.0" (15.3 cm)
13.5" (34.3 cm)

Base Depth 
 

6.6" (16.8 cm)
10.0" (25.5 cm)

Thickness (With Display) 
 

4.3" (11.0 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

Weight (With Display) 
 

14.0 lbs (6.4 kg)
21.3 lbs (9.7 kg)
Show Text 

Display 
 

Display Picture  

Size 
 

27"
32"

Housing Width 
 

24.5" (62.3 cm)
28.2" (71.6 cm)

Housing Height 
 

14.3" (36.3 cm)
16.3" (41.3 cm)

Thickness (Without Stand) 
 

0.8" (2.0 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Weight (Without Stand) 
 

N/A
14.2 lbs (6.4 kg)

Borders Size (Bezels)  
 

0.5" (1.4 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)
Show Text 

Controls 
 

Controls Picture  

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

Power Supply 
 

Internal
Internal
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.1
7.2

Checkerboard Picture  

Native Contrast 
 

1,052 : 1
2,072 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Brightness 
 

8.7
7.9

Real Scene 
 

618 cd/m²
334 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

576 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

584 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

585 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

585 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

585 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

574 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

582 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

584 cd/m²
346 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

584 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

584 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

0.002
0.000

Minimum Brightness 
 

4 cd/m²
24 cd/m²
Show Text 

HDR Brightness 
 

0.0
6.9

EOTF  

VESA DisplayHDR Certification 
 

No Certification
DisplayHDR 400 - 1.0/1.1

Real Scene 
 

N/A
422 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

N/A
433 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

N/A
433 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

N/A
433 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

N/A
433 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

N/A
432 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

N/A
0.000
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

8.2
7.7

50% Uniformity Picture  

50% Std. Dev. 
 

1.899%
2.531%

50% DSE 
 

0.150%
0.168%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

6.5
7.0

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

Native Std. Dev. 
 

1.636%
1.288%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration) 
 

9.7
8.1

Pre Calibration Picture  

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

Pre Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

sRGB
Color Mode (sRGB)

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

100.2%
100.6%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

0.80
4.84

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,534 K
7,618 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.17
2.15

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

0.44
3.18

Contrast Setting 
 

N/A
50

RGB Settings 
 

Default
Default

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
Default

Brightness Setting 
 

N/A
43

Measured Brightness 
 

81 cd/m²
208 cd/m²

Brightness Locked 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration) 
 

9.8
9.8

Post Calibration Picture  

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

Post Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

Apple Display
Color Mode (User)

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

99.2%
98.7%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

0.50
0.43

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,482 K
6,524 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.18
2.19

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

0.31
0.32

Contrast Setting 
 

N/A
50

RGB Settings 
 

No Color Settings
100-93-89

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
2.2

Brightness Setting 
 

N/A
18

Measured Brightness 
 

100 cd/m²
101 cd/m²

ICC Profile 
 

Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

9.6
9.4

sRGB Color Gamut Picture  

sRGB Coverage xy 
 

99.8%
98.3%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Apple Display
Color Mode (User)

Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture  

Adobe RGB Coverage xy 
 

88.4%
89.7%

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Apple Display
Color Mode (User)
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

0.0
9.1

Wide Color Gamut 
 

N/A
Yes

DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture  

DCI-P3 Coverage xy 
 

N/A
97.2%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
HDR

Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture  

Rec. 2020 Coverage xy 
 

N/A
71.8%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
HDR
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

0.0
7.4

DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp 
 

N/A
54.2%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
HDR

Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp 
 

N/A
30.5%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
HDR
Show Text 

Viewing Angle 
 

7.9
8.5

Viewing Angle Video  

Chroma Graph  

Color Washout From Left 
 

43°
45°

Color Washout From Right 
 

41°
45°

Hue Graph  

Color Shift From Left 
 

49°
67°

Color Shift From Right 
 

52°
70°

Lightness Graph  

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

47°
46°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

46°
46°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
70°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

42°
52°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

39°
52°
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

9.5
9.0

ClearType On  

ClearType Off  

Pixel Type 
 

IPS
IPS

Pixels  

Subpixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 

Direct Reflections 
 

5.5
5.4

Ring Light Picture  

Direct Reflections Graph  

See details
See details

Peak Direct Reflection Intensity 
 

45.7%
47.3%

Screen Finish 
 

Glossy
Matte
Show Text 

Ambient Black Level Raise 
 

8.4
8.3

Black Level Raise Picture  

Ambient Black Level Raise Graph  

See details
See details

Black Luminance @ 0 lx 
 

0.49 cd/m²
0.16 cd/m²

Black Luminance @ 1000 lx 
 

0.74 cd/m²
0.77 cd/m²
Show Text 

Total Reflected Light 
 

8.9
3.1

Bright Room Off Picture  

Total Reflection Ring Light Picture  

Total Reflected Light Intensity 
 

7,010% ⋅ pixel
50,379% ⋅ pixel

Diffraction Artifacts 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

9.5
9.8

Gradient Picture  

Color Depth 
 

10 Bit
10 Bit
Show Text 
Motion

Refresh Rate 
 

6.0
6.0

Native Refresh Rate 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI 
 

N/A
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit 
 

N/A
30 Hz

DSC Toggle 
 

No
No

DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over DP 
 

N/A
N/A

DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI 
 

N/A
N/A

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) 
 

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

No
No

FreeSync 
 

No
No

G-SYNC 
 

No
No

VRR Maximum 
 

N/A
N/A

VRR Minimum 
 

No VRR
No VRR

VRR Supported Connectors 
 

No VRR
No VRR
Show Text 

VRR Motion Performance 
 

4.8
5.2

Pursuit Photo VRR  

OD Mode CAD Comparison  

See details
See details

Recommended VRR OD Setting 
 

No OD Mode
No VRR

Variable Overdrive Advertised 
 

No
No

Avg. CAD 
 

414
381

Best CAD 
 

414
381

Worst CAD 
 

414
381
Show Text 

Refresh Rate Compliance 
 

4.4
4.1

Fast GTG Sequence  

See details
See details

VRR Compliance  

See details
See details

Compliance @ Max Hz 
 

63%
61%

Compliance @ 120 FPS 
 

N/A
N/A

Compliance @ 60 FPS 
 

63%
61%
Show Text 

CAD @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

4.3
4.6

Pursuit Photo At Max Refresh  

CAD Heatmap At Max Refresh  

OD Transition Max Refresh Rate 
 

od-transition-max-refresh-rate-noodmode-0-31
OD noodmode
0 to 31
od-transition-max-refresh-rate-high-0-31
OD high
0 to 31

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
High

Avg. CAD 
 

414
381

Best 10% CAD 
 

225
227

Worst 10% CAD 
 

627
638
Show Text 

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

First Response Time 
 

18.4 ms
12.4 ms

Total Response Time 
 

18.4 ms
16.8 ms

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
High

RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
3 RGB

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
16 RGB

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

27.7 ms
23.1 ms

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

27.7 ms
28.2 ms

Heatmap First Response  

Heatmap Total Response  

Heatmap RGB Overshoot  

Show Text 

CAD @ 120Hz 
 

0.0
0.0

Pursuit Photo 120Hz  

CAD Heatmap 120Hz  

OD Transition 120Hz 
 

od-transition-120--0-31
-
0 to 31

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No 120Hz Refresh Rate
No 120Hz Refresh Rate

Avg. CAD 
 

N/A
N/A

Best 10% CAD 
 

N/A
N/A

Worst 10% CAD 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Response Time @ 120Hz 
 

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

N/A
N/A

RGB Overshoot 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Response Time 
 

N/A
N/A

First Response Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No 120Hz Refresh Rate
No 120Hz Refresh Rate

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

N/A
N/A

120Hz First Response Heatmap  

120Hz Total Response Heatmap  

120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot  

Show Text 

CAD @ 60Hz 
 

4.3
4.6

Pursuit Photo 60Hz  

CAD Heatmap 60Hz  

OD Transition 60Hz 
 

od-transition-60-noodmode-0-31
OD noodmode
0 to 31
od-transition-60-high-0-31
OD high
0 to 31

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
High

Avg. CAD 
 

414
381

Best 10% CAD 
 

225
227

Worst 10% CAD 
 

627
638
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
High

First Response Time 
 

18.4 ms
12.4 ms

Total Response Time 
 

18.4 ms
16.8 ms

RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
3 RGB

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

27.7 ms
28.2 ms

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

27.7 ms
23.1 ms

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
16 RGB

60Hz First Response Heatmap  

60Hz Total Response Heatmap  

60Hz RGB Overshoot Heatmap  

Show Text 

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

Backlight Strobing Picture  

Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture  

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Maximum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Minimum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Longest Pulse Width Brightness 
 

N/A
N/A

Shortest Pulse Width Brightness 
 

N/A
N/A

Pulse Width Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Pulse Phase Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

Pulse Amplitude Control 
 

No BFI
No BFI

VRR At The Same Time 
 

No BFI
No BFI
Show Text 

VRR Flicker 
 

0.0
0.0

VRR Flicker Video  

VRR Flicker Graph  

Dark Gray Flicker 
 

N/A
N/A

Middle Gray Flicker 
 

N/A
N/A

Light Gray Flicker 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

Flicker-Free 
 

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

8.1
8.1

Native Resolution @ Max Hz 
 

9.6 ms
9.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 120Hz 
 

N/A
N/A

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

9.6 ms
9.7 ms

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Resolution 
 

9.5
8.5

Native Resolution 
 

5120 x 2880
3840 x 2160

Aspect Ratio 
 

16:9
16:9

Megapixels 
 

14.7 MP
8.3 MP

Pixel Density 
 

218 PPI
140 PPI

PS5 Compatibility 
 

N/A
2.9

PS5 Compatibility Photo  

PS5 Compatibility Table  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

4k @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

Xbox Series X|S Compatibility 
 

N/A
2.9

XSX Compatibility Photo  

XSX Compatibility Table  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

4k @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Inputs 
 

Inputs 1  

Inputs 2  

DisplayPort 
 

No
1 (DP 1.4)

DisplayPort Transmission Bandwidth 
 

No DisplayPort 2.1
No DisplayPort 2.1

Mini DisplayPort 
 

No
No

HDMI 
 

No
2 (HDMI 2.0)

HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth 
 

No HDMI 2.1
No HDMI 2.1

Daisy Chaining 
 

No
Thunderbolt

3.5mm Audio Out 
 

No
Yes

Ethernet 
 

No
No

HDR10 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Vision 
 

No
No
Show Text 

USB 
 

USB-A Ports 
 

0
3

USB-A Rated Speed 
 

No USB-A Ports
10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)

USB-B Upstream Port 
 

No
Yes

USB-C Ports 
 

4
3

USB-C Upstream 
 

Yes
Yes

USB-C Rated Speed 
 

10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)

USB-C Power Delivery 
 

96W
85W

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Thunderbolt 
 

Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3
Show Text 

macOS Compatibility 
 

macOS Screenshot  

Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

Speakers 
 

Yes
Yes

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
PIP + PBP

KVM Switch 
 

No
Yes

Smart OS 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD) 
 

OSD Picture  

Show Text 

Check Price

Nano-Texture Glass and Tilt Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Nano-texture Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Nano-texture Glass and VESA Mount Adapter
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard Glass Tilt and Height-Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
PD3225U
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard Glass and Tilt Adjustable
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard Glass and VESA Mount Adapter
Studio Display
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Apple Studio Display

BenQ PD3225U

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  1. Comparison

Apple Studio Display vs BenQ PD3225U: Main Discussion

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