Dell S3225QC vs S2725QC: Which Monitor Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v2.1.1

Updated Nov 07, 2025 02:19 PM

Max Refresh Rate 120 Hz

Size 32"

Panel Type QD-OLED

Native Resolution 3840 x 2160

Max Refresh Rate 120 Hz

Size 27"

Panel Type IPS

Native Resolution 3840 x 2160

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Our Verdict

Dell S3225QC

Dell S2725QC

The Dell S3225QC is a higher-end model than the Dell S2725QC. While they're each 4k, 120Hz monitors, they have different panel types. The QD-OLED panel of the S3225QC offers significantly improved picture quality, featuring deeper blacks and enhanced motion, making it the better choice for HDR gaming. However, the IPS panel of the S2725QC doesn't risk burn-in like the S3225QC, and it offers better text clarity, as it doesn't exhibit fringing around letters. They have similar productivity features, but the S3225QC delivers more power over USB-C.

Variants

S3225QC (32")

S2725QC (27")

Review

See Dell S3225QC Review

See Dell S2725QC Review

Check Price

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

Main Differences for

PC Gaming

Threshold

0.10

PC Gaming

8.8

6.1

Refresh Rate Compliance

9.7

1.2

VRR Motion Performance

9.9

5.1

CAD @ Max Refresh Rate

9.9

5.5

Local Dimming

0.0

CAD @ 120Hz

9.9

5.5

CAD @ 60Hz

9.9

4.6

Contrast

6.6

Full Comparison

PC Gaming

8.8

6.1

Console Gaming

9.0

7.3

Office

7.6

8.4

Editing

9.0

7.8

Brightness

6.7

7.0

Response Time

9.9

4.2

HDR Picture

9.3

4.8

SDR Picture

7.5

Color Accuracy

8.4

8.8

Design

Style

Design Picture

Compare High-Res

Curved

Curve Radius

Not Curved

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Build Quality

7.0

6.5

Build Quality Picture

Compare High-Res

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Ergonomics

7.2

9.2

Ergonomics Picture

Compare High-Res

Back Picture

Compare High-Res

Height Adjustment

4.3" (11.0 cm)

5.0" (12.7 cm)

Min Height To Top Of Panel

19.3" (49.0 cm)

15.1" (38.3 cm)

Tilt Range

-20° to 5°

Rotate Portrait/Landscape

Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range

-30° to 30°

Wall Mount

VESA 100x100

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Stand

Stand Picture

Compare High-Res

Thickness Picture

Compare High-Res

Base Width

11.4" (29.0 cm)

9.8" (24.8 cm)

Base Depth

8.3" (21.0 cm)

7.1" (18.0 cm)

Thickness (With Display)

6.9" (17.5 cm)

5.8" (14.8 cm)

Weight (With Display)

21.0 lbs (9.5 kg)

14.3 lbs (6.5 kg)

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Display

Display Picture

Compare High-Res

Size

32"

27"

Housing Width

28.3" (71.8 cm)

24.1" (61.2 cm)

Housing Height

17.9" (45.5 cm)

14.1" (35.7 cm)

Thickness (Without Stand)

2.6" (6.7 cm)

2.1" (5.4 cm)

Weight (Without Stand)

15.1 lbs (6.8 kg)

10.7 lbs (4.8 kg)

Borders Size (Bezels)

0.4" (1.1 cm)

0.3" (0.8 cm)

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Controls

Controls Picture

Compare High-Res

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box Picture

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Power Supply

Internal

Show Text

Picture Quality

Contrast

6.6

Checkerboard Picture

Compare High-Res

Native Contrast

Inf : 1

1,445 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming

Inf : 1

N/A

Show Text

Local Dimming

0.0

Local Dimming Video

Local Dimming

Backlight

No Backlight

Edge

Show Text

SDR Brightness

6.5

7.8

Real Scene

224 cd/m²

325 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window

237 cd/m²

342 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window

238 cd/m²

342 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window

237 cd/m²

341 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window

238 cd/m²

340 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window

235 cd/m²

340 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window

236 cd/m²

342 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window

237 cd/m²

341 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window

236 cd/m²

340 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window

237 cd/m²

340 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window

234 cd/m²

339 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)

0.000

Minimum Brightness

37 cd/m²

32 cd/m²

Show Text

HDR Brightness

6.9

6.4

EOTF

Compare High-Res

VESA DisplayHDR Certification

DisplayHDR TRUE BLACK 400

No Certification

Real Scene

428 cd/m²

349 cd/m²

Peak 2% Window

945 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window

430 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window

431 cd/m²

360 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window

287 cd/m²

360 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window

241 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window

933 cd/m²

358 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window

428 cd/m²

358 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window

340 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window

286 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window

240 cd/m²

359 cd/m²

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)

0.078

0.000

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Gray Uniformity

9.3

8.0

50% Uniformity Picture

Compare High-Res

50% Std. Dev.

0.758%

3.341%

50% DSE

0.089%

0.137%

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Black Uniformity

7.6

Native Black Uniformity Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev.

0.187%

0.962%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D.

N/A

Show Text

Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)

7.6

8.7

Pre Calibration Picture

Compare High-Res

Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Compare High-Res

Pre Color Picture

Compare High-Res

Picture Mode

Creator (sRGB)

sRGB

sRGB Gamut Area xy

110.1%

100.2%

White Balance dE (Avg.)

3.11

2.76

Color Temperature (Avg.)

6,075 K

6,754 K

Gamma (Avg.)

2.36

2.30

Color dE (Avg.)

2.46

2.17

Contrast Setting

RGB Settings

Default

Gamma Setting

No Gamma Setting

Brightness Setting

Measured Brightness

171 cd/m²

287 cd/m²

Brightness Locked

Show Text

Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)

9.7

9.6

Post Calibration Picture

Compare High-Res

Post Gamma Curve Picture

Compare High-Res

Post Color Picture

Compare High-Res

Picture Mode

Custom Color

sRGB Gamut Area xy

101.2%

97.3%

White Balance dE (Avg.)

0.70

0.51

Color Temperature (Avg.)

6,524 K

6,479 K

Gamma (Avg.)

2.19

Color dE (Avg.)

0.38

0.53

Contrast Setting

RGB Settings

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

Gain (99-97-97), Offset (50-50-49)

Gamma Setting

No Gamma Setting

Brightness Setting

Measured Brightness

99 cd/m²

101 cd/m²

ICC Profile

Download

Show Text

SDR Color Gamut

9.8

9.2

sRGB Color Gamut Picture

Compare High-Res

sRGB Coverage xy

100.0%

98.6%

sRGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture

Adobe RGB Coverage xy

94.8%

79.0%

Adobe RGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

Show Text

HDR Color Gamut

9.4

6.8

Wide Color Gamut

Yes

DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture

Compare High-Res

DCI-P3 Coverage xy

98.4%

82.3%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode

HDR Peak 1000

HDR Movie

Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture

Rec. 2020 Coverage xy

78.5%

59.2%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode

HDR Peak 1000

HDR Movie

Show Text

HDR Color Volume

8.8

6.6

DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp

84.6%

49.4%

DCI-P3 Picture Mode

HDR Peak 1000

HDR Movie

Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp

45.2%

23.5%

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode

HDR Peak 1000

HDR Movie

Show Text

Viewing Angle

8.2

Viewing Angle Video

Chroma Graph

Compare High-Res

Color Washout From Left

70°

45°

Color Washout From Right

70°

43°

Hue Graph

Compare High-Res

Color Shift From Left

70°

48°

Color Shift From Right

70°

52°

Lightness Graph

Compare High-Res

Brightness Loss From Left

70°

47°

Brightness Loss From Right

70°

46°

Black Level Raise From Left

70°

Black Level Raise From Right

70°

Gamma Shift From Left

70°

52°

Gamma Shift From Right

70°

58°

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Text Clarity

8.5

9.0

ClearType On

Compare High-Res

ClearType Off

Compare High-Res

Panel Type

QD-OLED

IPS

Pixels

Compare High-Res

Subpixel Layout

Triangular RGB

RGB

Show Text

Direct Reflections

7.3

6.5

Ring Light Picture

Compare High-Res

Direct Reflections Graph

Peak Direct Reflection Intensity

21.8%

31.8%

Screen Finish

Glossy

Matte

Show Text

Ambient Black Level Raise

4.7

8.6

Black Level Raise Picture

Compare High-Res

Ambient Black Level Raise Graph

Black Luminance @ 0 lx

0.00 cd/m²

0.25 cd/m²

Black Luminance @ 1000 lx

3.05 cd/m²

0.63 cd/m²

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Total Reflected Light

9.1

5.7

Bright Room Off Picture

Compare High-Res

Total Reflection Ring Light Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Total Reflection Ring Light Picture

Total Reflected Light Intensity

4,544% ⋅ pixel

35,736% ⋅ pixel

Diffraction Artifacts

Show Text

Gradient

9.8

Gradient Picture

Compare High-Res

Color Depth

10 Bit

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Motion

Refresh Rate

7.1

Native Refresh Rate

120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate

120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP

120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI

120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit

120 Hz

Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit

120 Hz

DSC Toggle

DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over DP

N/A

DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI

N/A

Show Text

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

Variable Refresh Rate

Yes

FreeSync

Yes

G-SYNC

Compatible (Tested)

VRR Maximum

120 Hz

VRR Minimum

< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors

DisplayPort, HDMI

USB-C (DP Alt-Mode), HDMI

Show Text

VRR Motion Performance

9.9

5.1

Pursuit Photo VRR

Compare High-Res

OD Mode CAD Comparison

Recommended VRR OD Setting

No OD Mode

Normal

Variable Overdrive Advertised

Avg. CAD

387

Best CAD

373

Worst CAD

404

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Refresh Rate Compliance

9.7

1.2

Fast GTG Sequence

VRR Compliance

Compliance @ Max Hz

94%

28%

Compliance @ 120 FPS

94%

28%

Compliance @ 60 FPS

96%

55%

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CAD @ Max Refresh Rate

9.9

5.5

Pursuit Photo At Max Refresh

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Pursuit Photo At Max Refresh

CAD Heatmap At Max Refresh

Compare High-Res

OD Transition Max Refresh Rate

OD noodmode

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

od-transition-max-refresh-rate-extreme-0-31

OD extreme

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Fast

Avg. CAD

292

Best 10% CAD

160

Worst 10% CAD

595

Show Text

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate

First Response Time

0.3 ms

9.0 ms

Total Response Time

0.3 ms

13.9 ms

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Fast

RGB Overshoot

0 RGB

5 RGB

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot

2 RGB

14 RGB

Worst 10% First Response Time

0.8 ms

24.8 ms

Worst 10% Total Response Time

1.0 ms

24.8 ms

Heatmap First Response

Compare High-Res

Heatmap Total Response

Compare High-Res

Heatmap RGB Overshoot

Compare High-Res

Show Text

CAD @ 120Hz

9.9

5.5

Pursuit Photo 120Hz

Compare High-Res

CAD Heatmap 120Hz

Compare High-Res

OD Transition 120Hz

OD noodmode

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

OD extreme

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Fast

Avg. CAD

292

Best 10% CAD

160

Worst 10% CAD

595

Show Text

Response Time @ 120Hz

Worst 10% First Response Time

0.8 ms

24.8 ms

RGB Overshoot

0 RGB

5 RGB

Total Response Time

0.3 ms

13.9 ms

First Response Time

0.3 ms

9.0 ms

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Fast

Worst 10% Total Response Time

1.0 ms

24.8 ms

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot

2 RGB

14 RGB

120Hz First Response Heatmap

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC 120Hz First Response Heatmap

120Hz Total Response Heatmap

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC 120Hz Total Response Heatmap

120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC 120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot

Show Text

CAD @ 60Hz

9.9

4.6

Pursuit Photo 60Hz

Compare High-Res

CAD Heatmap 60Hz

Compare High-Res

OD Transition 60Hz

OD noodmode

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

OD extreme

0 to 31

Cycle through frames

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Normal

Avg. CAD

386

Best 10% CAD

231

Worst 10% CAD

616

Show Text

Response Time @ 60Hz

Recommended Overdrive Setting

No OD Mode

Normal

First Response Time

0.4 ms

12.0 ms

Total Response Time

0.4 ms

18.0 ms

RGB Overshoot

0 RGB

4 RGB

Worst 10% Total Response Time

1.4 ms

30.1 ms

Worst 10% First Response Time

1.4 ms

20.9 ms

Worst 10% RGB Overshoot

2 RGB

17 RGB

60Hz First Response Heatmap

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC 60Hz First Response Heatmap

60Hz Total Response Heatmap

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC 60Hz Total Response Heatmap

60Hz RGB Overshoot Heatmap

Compare High-Res

Show Text

Backlight Strobing (BFI)

Backlight Strobing Picture

Compare High-Res

Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture

Compare High-Res

Dell S2725QC Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture

Backlight Strobing (BFI)

No BFI

Maximum Frequency

N/A

Minimum Frequency

N/A

Longest Pulse Width Brightness

N/A

Shortest Pulse Width Brightness

N/A

Pulse Width Control

No BFI

Pulse Phase Control

No BFI

Pulse Amplitude Control

No BFI

VRR At The Same Time

No BFI

Show Text

VRR Flicker

7.8

9.0

VRR Flicker Video

VRR Flicker Graph

Compare High-Res

Dark Gray Flicker

1.8 RGB

0.7 RGB

Middle Gray Flicker

0.9 RGB

0.8 RGB

Light Gray Flicker

1.4 RGB

0.8 RGB

Show Text

Image Flicker

Backlight Picture

Compare High-Res

Flicker-Free

Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency

0 Hz

Show Text

Inputs

Input Lag

8.6

8.8

Native Resolution @ Max Hz

5.9 ms

4.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 120Hz

5.9 ms

4.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz

11.4 ms

8.8 ms

Backlight Strobing (BFI)

N/A

Show Text

Resolution

8.5

8.8

Native Resolution

3840 x 2160

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Megapixels

8.3 MP

Pixel Density

139 PPI

163 PPI

PS5 Compatibility

PS5 Compatibility Photo

Compare High-Res

PS5 Compatibility Table

Compare High-Res

4k @ 120Hz

Yes

4k @ 60Hz

Yes

1440p @ 120Hz

Yes

1440p @ 60Hz

Yes

1080p @ 120Hz

Yes

1080p @ 60Hz

Yes

Show Text

Xbox Series X|S Compatibility

8.2

8.5

XSX Compatibility Photo

Compare High-Res

XSX Compatibility Table

Compare High-Res

4k @ 120Hz

Yes

4k @ 60Hz

Yes

1440p @ 120Hz

1440p @ 60Hz

Yes

1080p @ 120Hz

Yes

1080p @ 60Hz

Yes

Show Text

Inputs

Inputs 1

Compare High-Res

Inputs 2

Compare High-Res

DisplayPort

DisplayPort Transmission Bandwidth

No DisplayPort 2.1

Mini DisplayPort

HDMI

1 (HDMI 2.1)

2 (HDMI 2.1)

HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth

48Gbps (FRL 12x4)

Daisy Chaining

3.5mm Audio Out

Ethernet

HDR10

Yes

Dolby Vision

Yes

Show Text

USB

USB-A Ports

USB-A Rated Speed

No USB-A Ports

5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

USB-B Upstream Port

USB-C Ports

USB-C Upstream

Yes

USB-C Rated Speed

5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

USB-C Power Delivery

90W

65W

USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode

Yes

Thunderbolt

Show Text

macOS Compatibility

macOS Screenshot

Compare High-Res

Show Text

Features

Additional Features

Speakers

Yes

RGB Illumination

Multiple Input Display

PIP + PBP

KVM Switch

Smart OS

Show Text

On-Screen Display (OSD)

OSD Picture

Compare High-Res

Show Text

Check Price

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC

32"

S3225QC

27"

S2725QC