The Dell S2725DS is a very special monitor with a fantastic price point and an excellent mix of capability and flexibility. It’s designed like most of Dell’s business models, but it has an extended refresh rate and VRR functionality. Based on our previous reviews, let’s take a closer look to see if Dell is continuing its streak of brilliant display products.
Dell S2725DS Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 100Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.1 x 2, x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.07” x 20.42” x 7.89”
- Weight: 14.42 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell S2725DS is designed like the brand’s previous business models, but it’s noticeably sleeker and cleaner this time. The monitor has a matte white chassis, so it looks like it belongs in a studio like other high-end variants. The display has a bezel-free design, so the screen almost looks like it’s edge to edge at a glance.
Unboxing the minimized clamshell package wasn’t exciting, but it was very straightforward and easy to go through. All the necessary accessories are on the upper layer, while the cabinet and panel itself are below. Assembly is easy as peas because of how it is laid out and the tool-free design. ‘
The package includes the three parts of the stand, a panel cover for the I/O, plus a cable for power and HDMI connectivity. There isn’t much in it, but that’s expected since the monitor is priced low for what it offers. We’d love to have a DP cable at least, but we also understand that it’s unnecessary since the HDMI connection can do 100Hz and VRR.
It is easy to lift, assemble, and move the Dell S2725DS around because of its reduced dimensions and lightweight materials. It’s not too big overall, and the base is flat and smaller than previous designs. We actually prefer this since it’s easier to set up, especially if you have a lot of peripherals or accessories on the deck.
The included stand needs some assembly since the mounting plate, arm, and base are separated to help make the packaging more compact. Assembly is easy and tool-free, and it simply snaps into place on the main chassis. You get tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments with it, unlike older models which only offer one or two adjustments.
VESA mounting is still there, but its completely unnecessary in our opinion. The stand’s hinges offer plenty of range, while the base only takes up a modest amount of space. The only real reasons to buy a VESA arm is if your desk space is limited or if there are other monitors for the setup.
The Dell S2725DS includes a joystick at the back for easy access to its peripherals. The OSD itself is laid out for convenience, so it’s very easy to maneuver in there. You can also use Dell’s Display Manager app to use some of its features and adjust settings directly in your OS.
Its connectivity layout is a bit perplexing because of how Dell separated some of it. HDMI 1 and the DisplayPort 1.2 slot are under the bulge, but HDMI 2 is directly inside the indent designed for cable management. We wish all of the inputs were in there so routing multiple connections would be easier.
Note that both HDMI connectors are version 2.1, so they are capable of 100Hz operation and VRR. DisplayPort is still ideal, but at least gaming features are not locked behind it. It’s sorely lacking a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode for more flexibility, but it’s understandable not to see them on a low-priced budget.
The monitor is rounded up by a pair of 5-watt speakers with enough volume to fill a small area. They don’t produce meaningful bass depth or response but are good enough to be used for videos or basic entertainment purposes. Headsets will be better overall, especially if you want to focus or be immersed.
Display and Performance
The Dell S2725DS boasts an IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms minimum response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contras are listed at 1500:1, unlike most IPS monitors. This model doesn’t have HDR features, but its higher contrast means it’s a newer type of IPS panel.
1440p is considered vanilla now since enthusiasts eyes are looking towards 4K and the higher ultrawide resolutions. However, its still a considerable upgrade from 1080p, whether if its for productivity or visuals. Games look better and clearer, plus you will get more room to work with, improving your overall productivity.
The Dell S2725DS ran smoothly when we plugged it in via HDMI, thanks to its more capable version 2.1 inputs. G-Sync was active automatically, proving that both HDMI ports are indeed capable of VRR, unlike other products that only have pseudo-HDMI 2.1 slots. The monitor runs relatively cool at max output, unlike some OLED and mini-LED models we have.
The Dell S2725DS’s IPS panel covers 100% of sRGB and 79% of DCI-P3, so it’s not the most vibrant IPS monitor out there. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.1, so it’s already balanced and accurate out of the box. It’s suitable for all types of use, including media creation from the get-go, but there is still room for improvement, according to our calibration.
Using the Calibrite Display Plus on this monitor improved its dE average to 0.5, making it comparable with some prosumer models out there. The downside is that you will have to buy a calibrator which often costs more than this monitor. Its only worth it for those who are into color-critical work, but its unnecessary otherwise.
The backlight produced 343 cd/m2 at 100%, so it has plenty to fight off glare in well-lit or windowed rooms. Its contrast was very surprising since it reached 1550:1 at 50% brightness, helping the monitor to produce deeper blacks and better gradients than other IPS models. It is not comparable with OLEDs like the AW2725DF, but it’s a massive improvement over its direct counterparts.
Panel uniformity for the test unit was decent since there were no major backlight leaks or clouding issues. Some edges had as much as 5% variance, but it is not noticeable unless the screen has an all-black image or background. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The monitor isn’t perfectly fast like the true gaming variants, but that 100Hz output helps when it comes to motion clarity. Setting its overdrive to its Fast Mode reduced the persistence, but it can still happen from time to time. We think this is an excellent result for what the monitor is, so we can’t treat it as a bad deal.
The Dell S2725DS is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync on all of its video connectors. VRR is always essential for high-resolution gaming, so it’s nice to finally have them on a faster mixed-use or business model. Its input lag sits at 6ms at 100Hz, so it is still very responsive compared to gaming and prosumer displays.
Thoughts on the Dell S2725DS
The Dell S2725DS is one of the best monitors the brand has produced, even if it’s not the most high-end variant. Its IPS panel offers fantastic results in color quality, contrast, and motion clarity, so it’s clearly the monitor that beats in its category. It’s also priced like a true value champion, so we can’t complain about the limitations mentioned above.
Our most major grievance for it is the weird I/O layout at the back. It could use a USB-C port, and we wish Dell had put all of the connectors inside the cable management slot for easier arrangement. However, there is no fault beyond that, so it’s a must-buy if you want an affordable general-purpose display.
Pros:
- Excellent Price and Performance
- 100Hz Screen
- Fantastic Colors and Contrast
- Attractive and Functional Build
- HDMI 2.1 VRR
Cons:
- No USB-C
- Separated Layout
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply