The Dell UP3221Q is the ultimate flagship monitor designed for discerning professionals who want superb image quality and HDR performance. It offers the best features such as mini LEDs and a built-in calibrator to keep it accurate 100% of the time. However, the Dell UP3221Q is very expensive, so let’s check out if it’s a worthy investment based on performance.
Dell UP3221Q Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 8ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1300:1
- Brightness: 1000 cd/m2 SDR (1200 cd/m² HDR Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watt)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C Thunderbolt 3 x 2, USB-C Thunderbolt 3 x 2 (In/Out), USB 3.2 Gen.2 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.6″ x 23.8″ x 9.5″
- Weight: 24.93 lbs
Display and Performance
The Dell UP3221Q looks every bit like a professional monitor from the brand if you consider its sleek physique and overall aesthetic. The monitor has a platinum silver shell and stand with matte black edges and borders. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but the bottom strip is noticeably thicker for a reason.
It’s that way because it conceals the built-in Calman-powered colorimeter which lets you calibrate the monitor even if it doesn’t have a PC. It can be utilized in numerous ways, but it also neatly tucks into the monitor when it is not needed. It also has a dedicated connector for an external colorimeter and a calibration hood so you can use an aftermarket colorimeter and shield it from glare.
This model is a 32-inch variant, so you have to consider its dimensions before pulling the trigger. It needs almost 30 inches of width and 10 inches of depth, so it can cover or push off some of your peripherals like bookshelf speakers. It’s also heavy at 24.93 pounds so take extra care when moving it around.
Its build quality is also quite excellent and what you could expect from a high-end model from a well-known brand. The plastics used felt thick and sturdy, and there were no signs of weakness or cosmetic defects. The stand is firm and stable so the screen won’t sag or shake while it’s self-calibrating or when you are working on your tasks.
The Dell UP3221Q has an OSD joystick at the back for easy navigation in its well-equipped menus and feature sets. You can also use Dell’s Display Manager if you want shortcuts and remote control, plus features like Easy Arrange which provides several templates. These control options are convenient, but we reckon that it wouldn’t hurt if Dell included a dedicated remote to make things easier and smoother for the user.
The stand included with the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort. It is easy to get an agreeable viewing angle, so you don’t have to spend more cash on a premium VESA mount or aftermarket stand. They are still compatible, but we feel that they will only be necessary if your desk is small or if space is limited.
It also has plenty of options for video inputs, starting with its DisplayPort 1.4 slot and two HDMI 2.0 ports. It also has a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connector which supports DP Alt Mode and provides up to 90 Watts of charging power for USB-C laptops. The second USB-C slot is meant for upstreaming, so you need it connected to your PC to make use of the USB slots.
The Dell UP3221Q doesn’t have built-in speakers even if it’s the top-of-the-line option from the brand’s portfolio. It instead has slots under the bottom bezel for the company’s slim soundbar which is sold separately. We think it should already be included in the package, but most won’t find this as a deal-breaker.
Display and Performance
The Dell UP3221Q boasts a 32-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an 8ms response time. The backlight has a 1000 cd/m2 output while the contrast ratio sits at 1300:1, unlike common IPS panels. This monitor has a 2000 mini-LED backlight and HDR 1000 certification for fantastic HDR performance and improved contrast.
4K is easier on the eyes at this size since the pixel density is a bit looser, but you don’t lose the extra space or crispness of the screen. images look sharp and detailed plus you have more room to maneuver for it. It is also a bit more demanding, so you need to make sure that you have a powerful GPU that supports true HDR at 4K.
The Dell UP3221Q renders more than 100% sRGB, 93% Adobe RGB, and 99.8% DCI-P3 as advertised. Its default accuracy is just as impressive since the deltaE average is only at 0.41. It is ready for editing work and color grading right away. The screen looks great and lively thanks to the panel’s premium nature and Dell’s expertise.
Calibrating the Dell UP3221Q reduced the dE average to 0.37 which is even better, although the improvements are barely noticeable to the naked eye. You can do with an external calibrator, but you can also use the built-in feature that makes this monitor extra special. Either way, superb results are guaranteed since the IPS panel is already tuned to near perfection.
Another thing we like about the built-in Calman calibrator is it can be automated, allowing you to schedule the calibration. You can do a short or long process and leave it to start at a designated time so that when you come back to work, the screen is already set. It’s a way to maintain the screen’s fidelity, although you must remember that results will vary in this regard as well.
The Dell UP3221Q’s backlight reached 1045 cd/m2 at peak while its contrast reached 1345:1 at 40% brightness. The latter expands exponentially when the mini-LEDs, giving the monitor black luminance depths that only OLEDs can beat. The monitor is capable of deep dark scenes and showing the details that SDR monitors won’t be able to show.
Its panel uniformity has very little variances, but there were some instances where the mini-LEDs produced slight clouding or haloing. This is expected since the individual LED zones only cover a specific amount of pixels, although only OLEDS again will be better in this regard. It is still a very impressive monitor in this regard since there were no backlight leaks, unlike many IPS monitors we’ve seen.
The Dell UP3221Q is prone to some blurring in fast-paced scenes, especially those that go from dark to lit. The display is limited to 60Hz, and it isn’t tuned for gaming, unlike the Asus PA32UCG which has a 120Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync. Using its overdrive’s Fast or Faster model helped a bit, but the latter added some minor overshoot in some instances.
As mentioned, the UP3221Q doesn’t support FreeSync, so naturally, G-Sync compatibility is out of the question. This is understandable since the monitor was meant for professionals, although it would still be a nice option for casual HDR gaming. Input lag is high at 22ms at 60Hz so it’s a bit more sluggish for playing compared to the PA32UCG.
Thoughts on the Dell UP3221Q
The Dell UP3221Q is a fantastic prosumer monitor that’s suited for editing, color grading, and HDR media consumption. It offers superb accuracy and is vibrant out of the box, but it’s also designed to be calibrated to maintain its imaging fidelity. The mini-LED backlight and its HDR 1000 capabilities perfectly complement that, allowing you to grade your work in HDR or simply enjoy media at its best.
However, the biggest hindrance for the device is its very high price which makes it the most expensive in its mainstream-brand category. It’s also not as fast as other high-end mini-LEDs, but that’s understandable this time around. It’s one of the best for professional use, but it’s quite an investment many will not simply jump on.
Pros:
- Superb Gamut Coverage and Accuracy
- Great HDR Performance
- Robust Design and Build Quality
- Built-in Calibrator Works Well
- 90-Watt Thunderbolt 3 Connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive
- Slower than Most HDR 1000 Monitors
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.
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