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Products
Dell S3221QS
Dell S3225QS
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Aug 07, 2025 01:19 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v2.1
Updated Aug 06, 2025 07:45 PM
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Max Refresh Rate60 Hz
Size32"
Pixel TypeVA
Native Resolution3840 x 2160
Variable Refresh RateYes
HDR10Yes
Max Refresh Rate120 Hz
Size32"
Pixel TypeVA
Native Resolution3840 x 2160
Variable Refresh RateYes
HDR10Yes
Our Verdict
Dell S3221QS
Dell S3225QS
The Dell S3225QS is a newer version of the Dell S3221QS. Although the newer model also has a 32-inch, 4k screen with a VA panel, there are a few differences between them. The new one is flat instead of curved, like the old one. The S3225QS also has a higher 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take advantage of modern gaming consoles. On the other hand, the S3221QS has a few extra features, like an audio port and a USB hub.
Variants
- S3221QS (32")
- S3225QS (32")
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32"
S3221QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
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Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
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Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
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Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
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Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
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Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.com32"
S3225QS
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BestBuy.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
Yes
No
Curve Radius
1800R
Not Curved
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Longevity Graph
Build Quality
7.5
6.5
Build Quality Picture
Ergonomics
5.0
6.5
Ergonomics Picture
Back Picture
Height Adjustment
2.8" (7.0 cm)
3.9" (10.0 cm)
Min Height To Top Of Panel
17.1" (43.5 cm)
Tilt Range
-20° to 5°
-20° to 5°
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
No
No
Swivel Range
No swivel
No swivel
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Stand
Stand Picture
Thickness Picture
Base Width
11.8" (30.0 cm)
10.2" (26.0 cm)
Base Depth
8.2" (20.8 cm)
8.7" (22.2 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
6.7" (16.9 cm)
6.4" (16.2 cm)
Weight (With Display)
23.4 lbs (10.6 kg)
18.8 lbs (8.5 kg)
Display
Display Picture
Size
32"
32"
Housing Width
28.0" (71.0 cm)
28.0" (71.2 cm)
Housing Height
16.6" (42.2 cm)
16.2" (41.2 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
16.8 lbs (7.6 kg)
13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Power Supply
Internal
Internal
Picture Quality
Contrast
8.0
8.2
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
3,194 : 1
3,701 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A
N/A
Local Dimming
0.0
0.0
Local Dimming Video
Local Dimming
No
No
Backlight
Edge
Edge
SDR Brightness
7.5
8.0
Real Scene
304 cd/m²
348 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
299 cd/m²
361 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
300 cd/m²
360 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
300 cd/m²
359 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
300 cd/m²
358 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
300 cd/m²
358 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
299 cd/m²
360 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
300 cd/m²
359 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
300 cd/m²
359 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
300 cd/m²
358 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
300 cd/m²
357 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
0.001
Minimum Brightness
24 cd/m²
35 cd/m²
HDR Brightness
6.4
6.5
EOTF
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
No Certification
No Certification
Real Scene
335 cd/m²
374 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
372 cd/m²
377 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
373 cd/m²
377 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
373 cd/m²
377 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
371 cd/m²
375 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
372 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
0.000
Horizontal Viewing Angle
6.3
5.3
Horizontal Viewing Angle Video
Horizontal Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Left
43°
27°
Color Washout From Right
45°
29°
Horizontal Hue Graph
Color Shift From Left
70°
30°
Color Shift From Right
70°
36°
Horizontal Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Left
36°
29°
Brightness Loss From Right
34°
31°
Black Level Raise From Left
17°
12°
Black Level Raise From Right
20°
12°
Gamma Shift From Left
9°
15°
Gamma Shift From Right
12°
14°
Vertical Viewing Angle
5.8
5.1
Vertical Viewing Angle Video
Vertical Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Below
30°
32°
Color Washout From Above
31°
27°
Vertical Hue Graph
Color Shift From Below
70°
29°
Color Shift From Above
70°
31°
Vertical Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Below
30°
32°
Brightness Loss From Above
32°
30°
Black Level Raise From Below
11°
10°
Black Level Raise From Above
14°
10°
Gamma Shift From Below
10°
9°
Gamma Shift From Above
13°
13°
Gray Uniformity
7.8
8.0
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
3.069%
3.476%
50% DSE
0.156%
0.137%
Black Uniformity
6.4
6.8
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
1.696%
1.476%
Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
N/A
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
7.5
8.3
Pre Calibration Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
Picture Mode
Color Space (sRGB)
sRGB
sRGB Gamut Area xy
104.0%
101.4%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
5.26
4.17
Color Temperature (Avg.)
7,747 K
7,196 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.28
2.25
Color dE (Avg.)
3.64
2.46
Contrast Setting
75
75
RGB Settings
Default
Default
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
75
75
Measured Brightness
205 cd/m²
181 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No
No
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
9.7
9.3
Post Calibration Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
sRGB Gamut Area xy
100.4%
96.1%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.64
0.47
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,472 K
6,545 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.19
2.20
Color dE (Avg.)
0.58
1.04
Contrast Setting
70
75
RGB Settings
97-97-100
Gain (100-97-88), Offset (47-46-48)
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
34
31
Measured Brightness
100 cd/m²
102 cd/m²
SDR Color Gamut
9.4
8.9
sRGB Color Gamut Picture
sRGB Coverage xy
99.7%
96.5%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
80.3%
80.6%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
HDR Color Gamut
8.1
7.0
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
Yes
DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
90.6%
83.2%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game HDR
Desktop
Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
65.0%
61.8%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game HDR
Desktop
HDR Color Volume
7.9
7.0
DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp
81.1%
46.3%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game HDR
Desktop
Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp
63.1%
26.4%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game HDR
Desktop
Text Clarity
9.0
9.0
ClearType On
ClearType Off
Pixel Type
VA
VA
Pixels
Subpixel Layout
RGB
RGB
Direct Reflections
6.4
Ring Light Picture
Direct Reflections Graph
Peak Direct Reflection Intensity
32.2%
Screen Finish
Matte
Matte
Ambient Black Level Raise
8.8
Black Level Raise Picture
Ambient Black Level Raise Graph
Black Luminance @ 0 lx
0.08 cd/m²
Black Luminance @ 1000 lx
0.52 cd/m²
Total Reflected Light
5.4
Bright Room Off Picture
Total Reflection Ring Light Picture
Total Reflected Light Intensity
38,247% ⋅ pixel
Diffraction Artifacts
No
Gradient
9.8
9.8
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
10 Bit
10 Bit
SDR Color Volume
9.7
sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
sRGB In ICtCp
99.0%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
87.6%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Reflections
7.7
Average Room
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Matte
Matte
Total Reflections
5.0%
Indirect Reflections
3.0%
Calculated Direct Reflections
2.0%
Motion
Refresh Rate
6.0
7.1
Native Refresh Rate
60 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
60 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
60 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
60 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
60 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
30 Hz
120 Hz
DSC Toggle
No
DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over DP
N/A
DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
N/A
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Yes
FreeSync
Yes
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (Tested)
VRR Maximum
60 Hz
120 Hz
VRR Minimum
40 Hz
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
DisplayPort, HDMI
DisplayPort, HDMI
VRR Motion Performance
5.6
Pursuit Photo VRR
OD Mode CAD Comparison
Recommended VRR OD Setting
Extreme
Variable Overdrive Advertised
No
Avg. CAD
347
Best CAD
336
Worst CAD
367
Refresh Rate Compliance
5.4
Fast GTG Sequence
VRR Compliance
Compliance @ Max Hz
42%
Compliance @ 120 FPS
42%
Compliance @ 60 FPS
61%
Response Time @ 60Hz
5.7
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Fast VRR Off
Rise / Fall Time
5.8 ms
11.5 ms
Total Response Time
20.9 ms
14.6 ms
Overshoot Error
7.1%
2 RGB
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
15.2 ms
22.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
38.9 ms
23.2 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
27.4%
7 RGB
CAD @ Max Refresh Rate
6.5
Pursuit Photo At Max Refresh
CAD Heatmap At Max Refresh
OD Transition Max Refresh Rate
OD extreme
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Extreme VRR Off
Avg. CAD
256
Best 10% CAD
129
Worst 10% CAD
388
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
First Response Time
5.8 ms
7.7 ms
Total Response Time
20.9 ms
12.8 ms
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Extreme VRR Off
Motion Blur Picture
RGB Overshoot
7.1%
5 RGB
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
27.4%
17 RGB
Worst 10% First Response Time
15.2 ms
18.9 ms
Worst 10% Total Response Time
38.9 ms
25.6 ms
Heatmap First Response
Heatmap Total Response
Heatmap RGB Overshoot
Response Time Table
CAD @ 120Hz
6.5
Pursuit Photo 120Hz
CAD Heatmap 120Hz
OD Transition 120Hz
OD extreme
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Extreme VRR Off
Avg. CAD
256
Best 10% CAD
129
Worst 10% CAD
388
Response Time @ 120Hz
Worst 10% First Response Time
N/A
18.9 ms
RGB Overshoot
N/A
5 RGB
Total Response Time
N/A
12.8 ms
First Response Time
N/A
7.7 ms
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No 120Hz Refresh Rate
Extreme VRR Off
Worst 10% Total Response Time
N/A
25.6 ms
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
N/A
17 RGB
120Hz First Response Heatmap
120Hz Total Response Heatmap
120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
CAD @ 60Hz
5.0
Pursuit Photo 60Hz
CAD Heatmap 60Hz
OD Transition 60Hz
OD extreme
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Fast VRR Off
Avg. CAD
353
Best 10% CAD
109
Worst 10% CAD
622
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Fast VRR Off
First Response Time
5.8 ms
11.5 ms
Total Response Time
20.9 ms
14.6 ms
RGB Overshoot
7.1%
2 RGB
Worst 10% Total Response Time
38.9 ms
23.2 ms
Worst 10% First Response Time
15.2 ms
22.4 ms
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
27.4%
7 RGB
60Hz First Response Heatmap
60Hz Total Response Heatmap
60Hz RGB Overshoot Heatmap
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
VRR Flicker
9.3
VRR Flicker Video
VRR Flicker Graph
Dark Gray Flicker
0.5 RGB
Middle Gray Flicker
0.6 RGB
Light Gray Flicker
1.0 RGB
Image Flicker
10
10
Backlight Picture
Flicker-Free
Yes
Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
0 Hz
Inputs
Input Lag
8.1
8.6
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
9.6 ms
5.8 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
N/A
5.8 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.6 ms
10.2 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
N/A
N/A
Resolution
9.0
8.5
Native Resolution
3840 x 2160
3840 x 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
Megapixels
8.3 MP
8.3 MP
Pixel Density
140 PPI
140 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
31.5"
Screen Area
424 in²
PS5 Compatibility
6.0
10
PS5 Compatibility Photo
PS5 Compatibility Table
4k @ 120Hz
No
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
No
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
No
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
7.5
8.5
XSX Compatibility Photo
XSX Compatibility Table
4k @ 120Hz
No
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes
Inputs Photos
Inputs 1
Inputs 2
Inputs
Inputs 1
Inputs 2
DisplayPort
1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)
DisplayPort Transmission Bandwidth
No DisplayPort 2.1
Mini DisplayPort
No
No
DVI
No
HDMI
2 (HDMI 2.0)
2 (HDMI 2.1)
VGA
No
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth
No HDMI 2.1
48Gbps (FRL 12x4)
Daisy Chaining
No
No
3.5mm Audio Out
1
No
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No
Ethernet
No
HDR10
Yes
Yes
Dolby Vision
No
USB
USB-A Ports
2
0
USB-A Rated Speed
5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
No USB-A Ports
USB-B Upstream Port
Yes
No
USB-C Ports
0
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
No
macOS Compatibility
macOS Screenshot
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
Yes
Yes
RGB Illumination
No
No
Multiple Input Display
PIP + PBP
No
KVM Switch
No
No
Smart OS
No
On-Screen Display (OSD)
OSD Picture
Check Price
32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3221QS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com32"
S3225QS
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Dell S3221QS
Dell S3225QS
Comments
Dell S3221QS vs Dell S3225QS: Main Discussion
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