Dell S3225QC vs U3225QE

Which Monitor Is Better?

Products

Dell S3225QC
Dell U3225QE

Tested using Methodology v2.1.1

Updated Nov 07, 2025 02:37 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v2.1.1

Updated Nov 07, 2025 02:05 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 4 articles:
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  3. Xbox Series X
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Our Verdict

Dell S3225QC

Dell U3225QE

The Dell U3225QE and the Dell S3225QC are 32-inch, 4k, 120Hz monitors from different lineups. The U3225QE is part of the high-end UltraSharp lineup, and it's equipped with additional features, including a larger USB hub, Thunderbolt 4 support, and a KVM switch. This makes it the better choice if you need an all-in-one monitor for connecting different devices. Despite being a lower-end model, the S3225QC boasts better picture quality thanks to its QD-OLED panel, which displays deep blacks, bright colors, and vivid highlights. The S3225QC is also better suited for gaming, as it offers superior motion handling.

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Variants

  • S3225QC (32")
  • U3225QE (32")

Check Price

32"
S3225QC
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
U3225QE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
S3225QC
B&H
32"
U3225QE
SEE PRICE
B&H
32"
S3225QC
BestBuy.com
32"
U3225QE
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for
PC Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

PC Gaming 

8.8
6.4

Refresh Rate Compliance 
 

9.7
0.4

VRR Motion Performance 
 

9.9
5.6

CAD @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

9.9
5.2

CAD @ 120Hz 
 

9.9
5.2

Local Dimming 
 

10
1.5

CAD @ 60Hz 
 

9.9
5.1

Contrast 
 

10
7.1

Full Comparison

Design

Style 
 

Design Picture  

Curved 
 

No
No

Curve Radius 
 

Not Curved
Not Curved
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.0
8.0

Build Quality Picture  

Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

7.2
9.3

Ergonomics Picture  

Back Picture  

Height Adjustment 
 

4.3" (11.0 cm)
5.9" (15.0 cm)

Min Height To Top Of Panel 
 

19.3" (49.0 cm)
18.1" (45.9 cm)

Tilt Range 
 

-20° to 5°
-20° to 5°

Rotate Portrait/Landscape 
 

No
Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range 
 

-30° to 30°
-30° to 30°

Wall Mount 
 

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Stand 
 

Stand Picture  

Thickness Picture  

Base Width 
 

11.4" (29.0 cm)
11.2" (28.5 cm)

Base Depth 
 

8.3" (21.0 cm)
8.5" (21.6 cm)

Thickness (With Display) 
 

6.9" (17.5 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

Weight (With Display) 
 

21.0 lbs (9.5 kg)
19.7 lbs (8.9 kg)
Show Text 

Display 
 

Display Picture  

Size 
 

32"
32"

Housing Width 
 

28.3" (71.8 cm)
28.1" (71.3 cm)

Housing Height 
 

17.9" (45.5 cm)
16.2" (41.1 cm)

Thickness (Without Stand) 
 

2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)

Weight (Without Stand) 
 

15.1 lbs (6.8 kg)
14.2 lbs (6.4 kg)

Borders Size (Bezels)  
 

0.4" (1.1 cm)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Show Text 

Controls 
 

Controls Picture  

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

Power Supply 
 

Internal
Internal
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

10
7.1

Checkerboard Picture  

Native Contrast 
 

Inf : 1
2,252 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

Inf : 1
1,144 : 1
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

10
1.5

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
Yes

Backlight 
 

No Backlight
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Brightness 
 

6.5
8.4

Real Scene 
 

224 cd/m²
468 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

237 cd/m²
485 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

238 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

237 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

238 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

235 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

236 cd/m²
485 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

237 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

236 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

237 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

234 cd/m²
486 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

0.000
0.000

Minimum Brightness 
 

37 cd/m²
34 cd/m²
Show Text 

HDR Brightness 
 

6.9
7.7

EOTF  

VESA DisplayHDR Certification 
 

DisplayHDR TRUE BLACK 400
DisplayHDR 600

Real Scene 
 

428 cd/m²
570 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window 
 

945 cd/m²
507 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 
 

430 cd/m²
623 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 
 

431 cd/m²
629 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 
 

287 cd/m²
632 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 
 

241 cd/m²
631 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 
 

933 cd/m²
506 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 
 

428 cd/m²
622 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 
 

340 cd/m²
628 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 
 

286 cd/m²
630 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 
 

240 cd/m²
629 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL) 
 

0.078
0.013
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

9.3
7.8

50% Uniformity Picture  

50% Std. Dev. 
 

0.758%
3.355%

50% DSE 
 

0.089%
0.150%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

10
6.5

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

Native Std. Dev. 
 

0.187%
1.488%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
2.532%
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration) 
 

7.6
8.5

Pre Calibration Picture  

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

Pre Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

Creator (sRGB)
Color Space (sRGB)

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

110.1%
101.9%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

3.11
3.85

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,075 K
6,473 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.36
2.20

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

2.46
2.16

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Settings 
 

Default
Default

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Brightness Setting 
 

75
75

Measured Brightness 
 

171 cd/m²
169 cd/m²

Brightness Locked 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration) 
 

9.7
9.7

Post Calibration Picture  

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

Post Color Picture  

Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

sRGB Gamut Area xy 
 

101.2%
100.8%

White Balance dE (Avg.) 
 

0.70
0.77

Color Temperature (Avg.) 
 

6,524 K
6,479 K

Gamma (Avg.) 
 

2.19
2.18

Color dE (Avg.) 
 

0.38
0.41

Contrast Setting 
 

75
75

RGB Settings 
 

Gain (95-98-99), Offset (50-50-51)
Gain (100-98-99), Offset (50-50-50)

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Brightness Setting 
 

35
33

Measured Brightness 
 

99 cd/m²
100 cd/m²

ICC Profile 
 

Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

9.8
9.7

sRGB Color Gamut Picture  

sRGB Coverage xy 
 

100.0%
100.0%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture  

Adobe RGB Coverage xy 
 

94.8%
92.4%

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

9.4
9.5

Wide Color Gamut 
 

Yes
Yes

DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture  

DCI-P3 Coverage xy 
 

98.4%
98.8%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

HDR Peak 1000
DisplayHDR 600

Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture  

Rec. 2020 Coverage xy 
 

78.5%
76.6%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

HDR Peak 1000
DisplayHDR 600
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

8.8
8.1

DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp 
 

84.6%
70.7%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode 
 

HDR Peak 1000
DisplayHDR 600

Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp 
 

45.2%
36.4%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

HDR Peak 1000
DisplayHDR 600
Show Text 

Viewing Angle 
 

10
8.2

Viewing Angle Video  

Chroma Graph  

Color Washout From Left 
 

70°
43°

Color Washout From Right 
 

70°
42°

Hue Graph  

Color Shift From Left 
 

70°
54°

Color Shift From Right 
 

70°
56°

Lightness Graph  

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

70°
45°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

70°
45°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
70°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

70°
52°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

70°
53°
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

8.5
9.0

ClearType On  

ClearType Off  

Pixel Type 
 

QD-OLED
IPS

Pixels  

Subpixel Layout 
 

Triangular RGB
RGB
Show Text 

Direct Reflections 
 

7.3
6.5

Ring Light Picture  

Direct Reflections Graph  

See details
See details

Peak Direct Reflection Intensity 
 

21.8%
30.9%

Screen Finish 
 

Glossy
Matte
Show Text 

Ambient Black Level Raise 
 

4.7
8.7

Black Level Raise Picture  

Ambient Black Level Raise Graph  

See details
See details

Black Luminance @ 0 lx 
 

0.00 cd/m²
0.06 cd/m²

Black Luminance @ 1000 lx 
 

3.05 cd/m²
0.58 cd/m²
Show Text 

Total Reflected Light 
 

9.1
6.2

Bright Room Off Picture  

Total Reflection Ring Light Picture  

Total Reflected Light Intensity 
 

4,544% ⋅ pixel
29,524% ⋅ pixel

Diffraction Artifacts 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

9.8
9.8

Gradient Picture  

Color Depth 
 

10 Bit
10 Bit
Show Text 
Motion

Refresh Rate 
 

7.1
7.1

Native Refresh Rate 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit 
 

120 Hz
120 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
Show Text 

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) 
 

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
Yes

FreeSync 
 

Yes
Compatible (Tested)

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (Tested)

VRR Maximum 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors 
 

DisplayPort, HDMI
DisplayPort, HDMI
Show Text 

VRR Motion Performance 
 

9.9
5.6

Pursuit Photo VRR  

OD Mode CAD Comparison  

See details
See details

Recommended VRR OD Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal

Variable Overdrive Advertised 
 

No
No

Avg. CAD 
 

12
347

Best CAD 
 

12
336

Worst CAD 
 

12
373
Show Text 

Refresh Rate Compliance 
 

9.7
0.4

Fast GTG Sequence  

See details
See details

VRR Compliance  

See details
See details

Compliance @ Max Hz 
 

94%
29%

Compliance @ 120 FPS 
 

94%
29%

Compliance @ 60 FPS 
 

96%
40%
Show Text 

CAD @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

9.9
5.2

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-fast-0-31
OD fast
0 to 31

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

Avg. CAD 
 

12
313

Best 10% CAD 
 

7
140

Worst 10% CAD 
 

20
653
Show Text 

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

First Response Time 
 

0.3 ms
11.9 ms

Total Response Time 
 

0.3 ms
12.1 ms

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
0 RGB

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

2 RGB
3 RGB

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

0.8 ms
25.5 ms

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

1.0 ms
25.5 ms

Heatmap First Response  

Heatmap Total Response  

Heatmap RGB Overshoot  

Show Text 

CAD @ 120Hz 
 

9.9
5.2

Pursuit Photo 120Hz  

CAD Heatmap 120Hz  

OD Transition 120Hz 
 

od-transition-120-noodmode-0-31
OD noodmode
0 to 31
od-transition-120-fast-0-31
OD fast
0 to 31

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

Avg. CAD 
 

12
313

Best 10% CAD 
 

7
140

Worst 10% CAD 
 

20
653
Show Text 

Response Time @ 120Hz 
 

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

0.8 ms
25.5 ms

RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
0 RGB

Total Response Time 
 

0.3 ms
12.1 ms

First Response Time 
 

0.3 ms
11.9 ms

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

1.0 ms
25.5 ms

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

2 RGB
3 RGB

120Hz First Response Heatmap  

120Hz Total Response Heatmap  

120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot  

Show Text 

CAD @ 60Hz 
 

9.9
5.1

Pursuit Photo 60Hz  

CAD Heatmap 60Hz  

OD Transition 60Hz 
 

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

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

Avg. CAD 
 

14
341

Best 10% CAD 
 

7
133

Worst 10% CAD 
 

24
611
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

Recommended Overdrive Setting 
 

No OD Mode
Normal VRR Off

First Response Time 
 

0.4 ms
9.9 ms

Total Response Time 
 

0.4 ms
16.2 ms

RGB Overshoot 
 

0 RGB
6 RGB

Worst 10% Total Response Time 
 

1.4 ms
25.7 ms

Worst 10% First Response Time 
 

1.4 ms
17.6 ms

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot 
 

2 RGB
18 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 
 

7.8
9.2

VRR Flicker Video  

VRR Flicker Graph  

Dark Gray Flicker 
 

1.8 RGB
0.6 RGB

Middle Gray Flicker 
 

0.9 RGB
0.8 RGB

Light Gray Flicker 
 

1.4 RGB
1.0 RGB
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

Flicker-Free 
 

No
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

8.6
8.7

Native Resolution @ Max Hz 
 

5.9 ms
5.3 ms

Native Resolution @ 120Hz 
 

5.9 ms
5.3 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

11.4 ms
9.7 ms

Backlight Strobing (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Resolution 
 

8.5
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 
 

139 PPI
140 PPI
Show Text 

PS5 Compatibility 
 

10
10

PS5 Compatibility Photo  

PS5 Compatibility Table  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Xbox Series X|S Compatibility 
 

8.2
10

XSX Compatibility Photo  

XSX Compatibility Table  

4k @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
Yes

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
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 
 

1 (HDMI 2.1)
1 (HDMI 2.1)

HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth 
 

48Gbps (FRL 12x4)
48Gbps (FRL 12x4)

Daisy Chaining 
 

No
DisplayPort Out & Thunderbolt

3.5mm Audio Out 
 

No
Yes

Ethernet 
 

No
Yes

HDR10 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Vision 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

USB 
 

USB-A Ports 
 

0
5

USB-A Rated Speed 
 

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

USB-B Upstream Port 
 

No
No

USB-C Ports 
 

3
5

USB-C Upstream 
 

Yes
Yes

USB-C Rated Speed 
 

5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)

USB-C Power Delivery 
 

90W
140W

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Thunderbolt 
 

No
Thunderbolt 4
Show Text 

macOS Compatibility 
 

macOS Screenshot  

Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

Speakers 
 

Yes
No

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

PIP + PBP
PIP + PBP

KVM Switch 
 

No
Yes

Smart OS 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD) 
 

OSD Picture  

Show Text 

Check Price

32"
S3225QC
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
U3225QE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
32"
S3225QC
B&H
32"
U3225QE
SEE PRICE
B&H
32"
S3225QC
BestBuy.com
32"
U3225QE
BestBuy.com

Dell S3225QC

Dell U3225QE

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  1. Comparison

Dell S3225QC vs Dell U3225QE: Main Discussion

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