The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is intended for professionals who want a premium and streamlined display solution for their modern workstations. It bundles its crisp and vibrant 4K IPS panel with must-have features like USB-C so it can be used as a docking display for powerhouse workstations like MacBooks. The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is quite expensive, but let’s see if its performance makes the extra cash worthwhile.
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS Black)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 8ms
- Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, DP 1.4 Out x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB-C Upstream x 1, USB-C PD15W x 1, USB 3.2 x 5, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.1” x 15.2” x 7.3″
- Weight: 14.64 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE uses the same clean and sophisticated aesthetic as its bigger sibling, so it won’t look out of place in high-end studios. The monitor has a matte black finish that’s clad with matte silver shells so it matches popular professional PCs like Macs and MacBooks. The display is bezel-free so there are fewer distractions and it gives you the notion that the image goes from edge to edge.
27-inch monitors aren’t compact, but this new model manages to trim some of its essential dimensions down. It only needs 7.3 inches of depth so most wouldn’t need to change their setups to accommodate its overall footprint. It’s also quite lightweight for a premium 27-inch monitor at 14.64 pounds so it should be fairly easy for you to move it around or bring it to out-of-town jobs.
You won’t be disappointed with its build quality just like with its predecessors from the UltraSharp line. Dell’s quality control did an excellent job so there are no cosmetic or structural defects on any of the monitor’s parts. The outer panels are durable and the included stand is firm and stable so the screen won’t wobble while you are finishing your tasks.
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE includes an easy-to-use joystick so you don’t have to stress out about its OSD. It’s also compatible with the Dell Display Manager App which gives you easy access to its features directly in your OS. IT managers can also manage multiple units via the monitor’s LAN ports, so there are numerous ways to optimize this product as necessary.
The stand included with the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. You can easily manipulate the screen’s angle to avoid neck and eye strain, plus the mechanism keeps the device reliably upright. You can use VESA mounts, but they only become necessary if your desk is small or if there are other monitors in your workstation.
The main attraction of the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is its connectivity layout which offers a whole lot more than your standard 4K monitor. You get Displayport 1.4 inputs and outputs for daisy-chaining, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a 90-Watt USB-C slot that supports DP Alt Mode. You also get a four-slot USB 3.2 hub, a second USB-C slot with 15 Watts, plus an RJ45 LAN port for networking.
It basically covers every connectivity requirement, whether if its for a studio or your personal workstation for remote jobs. However, we’re disappointed that it doesn’t include speakers in this price range. Dell intends to sell its mini soundbar that goes with its business monitors, hiding essential audio capabilities behind a paywall.
Display and Performance
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE sports a 27-inch IPS Black panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an 8ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 maximum while the contrast is listed at 2000:1 like its bigger brother. The IPS Black label describes a new type of IPS panel with drastically improved contrast for better overall imaging quality.
27-inch 4K monitors are popular because they are extra sharp due to the high pixel density. That’s great for images and videos, but it might not be the best option if you do a lot of reading, browsing, and document processing. Some users might need to use scaling to make letters and numbers legible, but that’s a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits.
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE renders more than 100% sRGB and around 96% DCI-P3 for stunning colors and eye-popping images. It’s also factory calibrated so the screen only has a deltaE average of 1.59 which means it already looks natural and balanced out of the box. Most users won’t need to calibrate this monitor apart from adjusting basic settings like its brightness.
Calibrating it reduced that dE average to 0.71 which makes it suitable for editing and content creation. A colorimeter can route out the already minor color errors on the monitor to help it reproduce natural tones and shades. However, you need a colorimeter to achieve an improvement like this, and those are only worth it if you need absolute accuracy for editing or color-grading work.
Its backlight reached 391 cd/m2 in SDR and 442 cd/m2 in HDR, so it can fight off a lot of glare when it is used in well-lit rooms. its contrast reached an impressive 1802:1 at 50% brightness, so it’s capable of better black luminance versus other IPS models. It is HDR mode is also better as a result, although it still needs a FALD backlight to be truly usable.
Panel uniformity for the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE sample had some issues due to backlight leaks on the top and bottom edges of the screen. They showed up as clouding when it’s putting out dark scenes or images, and it can get annoying if you unwantedly pay attention to them. Thankfully, this isn’t a permanent issue on the entire range, so it is possible to get a unit with better panel quality.
Pixel responsiveness is the U2723QE’s main weakness, although it is understandable since it is a 60Hz-limited business monitor. It is worth noting that you can’t boost its overdrive beyond the Normal level since overshoot will start to appear in fast transitions. It’s not ideal for high-speed games like competitive titles, but it will not be an issue if you only play casual titles.
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE, like its bigger version, doesn’t have Adaptive-Sync support since it’s a business-oriented variant. It’s understandable and Dell has specific monitors that support it anyway, but it’s an essential piece if you want to make your product more flexible. Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz so it’s still fast and responsive enough for casual gaming.
Thoughts on the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE
The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is one of the best picks you can get if you want a workable yet premium solution for your professional needs. The monitor’s IPS panel is truly one of a kind based on its contrast, and we hope more brands and variants start using something similar soon. It is well-designed and aesthetically pleasing, plus it has plenty of connectivity to satisfy most workstation requirements.
However, the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is pricey for a 4K business monitor even if you consider its features and new panel type. You can get a capable option below $500 nowadays, but those won’t have the high-contrast IPS black panel. It’s a great product, but its price and special features say that it’s not for everyone.
Pros:
- Excellent Default and Calibrated Accuracy
- Wide Gamut Coverage and High Contrast for IPS
- Plenty of Connectivity Features
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Expensive
- No Adaptive-Sync
- Speakers Sold Separately
About the Author: 
Paolo is 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 and he believes that it’s every citizen’s 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 to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.</span
Phillip says
Great monitor but frequently hangs in sleep mode and won’t recover without a power cycle. I have four and all do the same thing. Most fickle and unreliable monitor I have owned
Paolo Reva says
Hi Phillip! Have you contacted Dell about this issue? How are they connected to your PC?
Samir Sleiman says
Hi,
Thank you for your review. Which revision did you have for review, A00 or A01?
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Samir! It was the A01. Cheers!