The Dell S3225QC is probably your best bet for a daily driver or mixed-use computer monitor due to its specifications. It has a 120Hz 4K OLED screen that works great for both work and play, along with some nifty features that are typically found on flagship variants. However, it’s not affordable like a typical monitor, so let’s take a deeper look to see if it’s worth it.
Dell S3225QC Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (1000 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: (5 Speaker bar with 25W Total)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB-C PD15W x 2
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 28.39” x 24.17” x 8.81”
- Weight: 22.05 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell S3225QC has a modern aesthetic like its siblings in the 2025 lineup. However, it has a matte white finish with a powdery-like texture as opposed to the smooth matte white of similar models from the brand. The screen is bezel-free, but its soundbar protrudes from the bottom, so it’s not completely clean up front.
Unboxing the product is easy, but note that it needs assembly before you can use it. Don’t fret since it’s toolless, so even the most novice users can put it together. There isn’t a whole lot in the box, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
We only found a power cable and a Type-C cable inside the package, and we’re not used to seeing so few in a Dell package. However, that’s understandable since this monitor only has a slot for each at the back. They did include a nicer cleaning cloth with the package, so the user’s convenience is still at the center stage.
The Dell S3225QC is a massive monitor, so you might have to reconsider your desk setup before pulling the trigger. It’s wide and quite tall, especially with the large soundbar at the bottom of the display. It needs almost nine inches of depth from your desk, but the base is square and flat, so it won’t be too intrusive.
Assembly and setup will be a breeze for most, even if they are relatively new to building computers. Simply slide the stand into the chassis while it’s still in the box, screw on the stand, and connect the cables to start using it. One hassle here is that you might need a USB-C to DP cable if your graphics card doesn’t have Type-C ports.
That’s minor, though, since HDMI 2.1 can support the monitor’s full output plus Adaptive Sync or VRR. Everything else feels good since the product’s overall build quality is great. There are no defects of any kind, and the stand didn’t wobble too much, even though it felt like it had thinner materials than the others.
The control layout for this model has a joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. It’s located at the back for easy access, so calibrating the display doesn’t have to be a struggle.
The stand’s ergonomics include height, tilt, and swivel adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included since the soundbar basically makes the monitor unsuited for portrait viewing. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s unnecessary in our eyes unless your desk is very tiny.
The most disappointing aspect of the Dell S3225QC is that it only has HDMI 2.1 and a 90-Watt USB-C port for video inputs. It does have a few nice creature comforts like the pop-out USB-C hub at the bottom bezel and the panel cover for the I/O. The hooks for the cable are a bit flimsy, so be careful when you pull the thicker wires through them.
The 5-speaker soundbar on this model is arguably its biggest physical feature. It has a position sensor in the middle that works with the AI-powered spatial audio feature of the monitor. It indeed sounds way better and more accurate than your average built-in, but we feel that it would have benefited from a basic woofer.
Display and Performance
The Dell S3225QC boasts a 32-inch OLED panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. Its brightness is rated at 250 cd/m2 typical and 1000 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is HDR 400 True Black certified, thanks its true-HDR-capable specifications.
High-refresh OLED monitors are all the rage now, but this monitor dials back to 120Hz instead. That’s still decent for a 4K monitor, since not a lot of systems can take advantage of more. It also helps with image quality since there is less focus on making the display output faster.
The monitor worked flawlessly after plugging it in, but it didn’t go straight to 120Hz. G-Sync fired up right away when we connected it to an Nvidia-based system. We like that it didn’t need any fuss at all to become usable.
The Dell S3225QC covered 100% sRGB, 96% of Adobe RGB, and 94% of DCI-P3 for great color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of only 0.72, so it’s already dead-accurate out of the box. Most users, including those who are into editing, don’t have to do much to this out of the box.
Calibrating it with our Calibrite DisplayPlus reduced the dE average to 0.5, making it even more suitable for professional use. However, the improvement is so minimal compared to the default that the naked eye probably won’t notice it. The factory calibration is already good enough, so we only recommend getting a colorimeter if you plan to maintain its accuracy throughout its life.
The OLED panel in the Dell S3225QC reached 247 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 944 cd/m2 in HDR. Its contrast is incalculable, indicating that it produces deep and true blacks, unlike IPS panels. This aspect is the main advantage of OLEDs in our eyes since it adds a host of benefits for the user.
One such benefit is the lack of a backlight, which often produces light bleeding or clouding issues. The screen looks even all throughout, although there still is a chance of burn-in if you are not careful. Permanent burn-in marks can ruin the screen, but as long as you frequently refresh your screen, they won’t happen.
Its pixel response time is also near-instantaneous since the panel doesn’t have to wait for the backlight in transitions. This makes it fantastic for E-Sports titles, but unfortunately, the technology is still quite pricey. However, you have to “pay to play” if you want the best of both worlds on your desktop.
The Dell S3225QC is a FreeSync Premium Pro monitor, but it’s also G-Sync compatible. Dual compatibility is essential now, so you don’t have to get another monitor if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 120Hz, so it’s still fast and responsive despite being slower than the AW3225QF.
Thoughts on the Dell S3225QC
The Dell S3225QC is a fantastic choice for users who want a top-level monitor for daily or mixed use. The OLED panel coupled with the soundbar makes it fantastic for work and background music, entertainment, and gaming. Its design looks sleek, and it’s built quite well, so you are getting your money’s worth.
Our most glaring complaint about this monitor would be its very limited connectivity layout. It is USB-C and HDMI work well for 4K 120Hz HDR operation, but it’s also nice to have DisplayPort for PC users. But it’s an excellent buy overall, and we wholeheartedly recommend it for work and play or as an alternative to the more expensive Alienware AW3225QF.
Pros:
- Vibrant and Accurate OLED Monitor
- Upgraded Sound with Spatial and AI Tech
- Excellent Build Quality
- USB-C PD90W and HDMI 2.1
Cons:
- Limited Connectivity
- Expensive
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Overall
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