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Rated 4 out of 5 stars
A good 4K monitor for Windows systems only.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Unpacking and Build Quality
Unpacking was very simple. The box contained just one monitor unit, a stand, and a base plate. It also included a high-speed HDMI cable and a power cord — that's all. The build quality is decent for the price. The stand is sturdy, and the panel has a sharp display with a matte finish, which helps reduce eye strain.
Assembly
Assembly is where I encountered the first issue. Normally, it should be easy to attach the stand to the monitor, but in this case, the stand wasn't locking into place. It remained loose and could move up and down freely. I believe this issue was specific to the unit I received. I contacted Best Buy, who directed me to Dell. Dell confirmed that this issue is not uncommon, but their only solution was to ship a replacement monitor, which I declined.
Instead, I purchased a screw from Home Depot and used it to lock the stand into the display. Once the screw was in place, everything worked as expected.
Testing on Different Computers
I tested the monitor on three computers — one Windows laptop and two MacBook Pros. Below is a summary of performance and resolution on each system.
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System 1: Intel MacBook Pro 13-inch (2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Connection 1: DisplayPort cable to Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro → Thunderbolt 3 cable to Mac
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 60Hz at all resolutions
Connection 2: HDMI to USB-C cable
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 60Hz at all resolutions
120Hz not available
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager installed on mac does Not support this monitor on macOS
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System 2: MacBook Pro 14-inch (Apple Silicon M2 Pro)
Connection 1: DisplayPort cable to Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro → Thunderbolt 3 cable to Mac
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
120Hz option appears, but selecting it causes the screen to go black
Connection 2: HDMI to USB-C cable
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
120Hz not supported
Connection 3: High-speed HDMI cable (included) to MacBook Pro's HDMI port
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 120Hz at all resolutions
Supports variable refresh rate, 24Hz, and 72Hz
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager installed on mac does Not support this monitor on macOS
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System 3: Dell Laptop (Intel EVO Certified, Core i9, 16GB RAM, Windows 11)
Connection 1: DisplayPort cable to Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro → Thunderbolt 3 cable to laptop
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 120Hz at all resolutions
Connection 2: HDMI to USB-C cable
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 120Hz at all resolutions
Connection 3: High-speed HDMI cable (included) to HDMI port
Max resolution: 4K
Max refresh rate: 120Hz at all resolutions
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager: Supported on Windows only
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Color and Sound
Color reproduction is accurate for general use, though not ideal for photo editing. The display is crisp and sharp. The built-in speakers are surprisingly decent — comparable to those in typical monitors that include audio. Overall, sound quality is good for a monitor.
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Summary
Pros:
Good budget-friendly 4K monitor for general and office use
Decent built-in speakers
Two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager software (Windows only)
Cons:
Limited support for macOS
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager not supported on Mac
Stand locking issue — requires better quality control
No USB downstream hub included
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Conclusion
This is a solid 4K monitor offering premium features at a budget price. It's a great choice if you're using a Windows system — everything works as expected. However, for Mac users, especially those without a full HDMI port, I wouldn't recommend it. macOS compatibility is limited, and the full refresh rate isn't always supported depending on the connection. Oddly, even though Dell provides a macOS version of their Display Manager software, this monitor isn’t supported on Mac.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love, Love, Love
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell S3225QS 32” monitor is a very impressive monitor.
Easy to set up. I love the sleek bezels and the solid build with a sturdy stand that offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, ensuring ergonomic comfort. The monitor also features a VESA-compatible mount, allowing users to opt for wall mounting or alternative stands to suit their workspace preferences.
Display Performance-
Love the 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). This monitor has stunning clarity and detail, making it ideal for tasks that require precision, such as graphic design, video editing, and data analysis.
Color accuracy is another highlight of this monitor. It supports 99% sRGB color gamut, which delivers vibrant and true-to-life colors, essential for creative professionals. The monitor's contrast ratio of 3000:1 ensures deep blacks and bright whites, providing a rich visual experience. Viewing angles are also commendable, with minimal color shift when viewed from different positions.
Performance in Gaming and Multimedia-
For gaming enthusiasts, the Dell S3225QS offers a range of features that enhance gameplay. The monitor has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and supports AMD FreeSync technology, which minimizes screen tearing and stuttering during fast-paced gaming sessions.
The response time of 4ms ensures that motion blur is kept to a minimum, providing smooth visuals during action-packed scenes.
For multimedia consumption, the monitor's HDR capability enhances the viewing experience by providing greater dynamic range and richer colors.
Connectivity and Additional Features-
The Dell S3225QS includes two HDMI off the bottom and one off the side.
There is a nice cord organizer clip that holds on to the back arm magnetically.
The monitor also includes pretty impressive built-in speakers. The best I have experienced for a monitor. This is more like a TV experience.
Usability and Ergonomics-
Dell has paid attention to usability and ergonomics in the S3225QS monitor. The intuitive on-screen display menu is easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly adjust settings to their preference. Features such as ComfortView reduce blue light emission, helping to minimize eye strain during prolonged use.
Dell also offers a software package called ‘Dell Display and Peripheral Manager. It allows you to pre-set partitions, similar to what windows 11 offers, but with more options. It also allows you to automate your brightness and contrast based on your schedule and more. I personally haven’t used this yet, but nice to feature to have.
Pros
• 4K UHD resolution provides exceptional clarity and detail
• 99% sRGB color gamut ensures vibrant and accurate colors.
• Adjustable stand for ergonomic comfort.
• 120hz refresh rate
• AMD FreeSync technology for smoother gameplay.
• Built-in speakers for convenient audio.
Cons
• None that I found
Conclusion-
Overall, I am super happy with this monitor for its excellent display quality, ergonomic design and audio experience. It is a worthwhile investment for those seeking a reliable and visually stunning monitor for various applications.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
It does it all
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I needed a monitor for work and recreation essentially a do it all kind of monitor, I happened to come across the Dell 32 Plus and it checked off all the boxes.
:::General Thoughts:::
I use a Dell laptop for work and wanted to use the same brand monitor for work and I am glad that I did. I was excited when I received my monitor it has everything you need to get up and running. The box was lightweight and included the monitor, stand, HDMI cable and the power adapter.
Setup was easy and no tools were needed, Attach the arm, screw in the stand mount, attach the HDMI cable plug in the power and it really was that simple. I attached my work laptop and there were no issues.
There is a lot to like with this monitor, it is color accurate out of the box, it has built in speakers, it is a 120HZ refresh rate, it has a VA panel and it can be vesa mounted. The speakers are surprisingly loud and clear; I tested them out via a teams meeting and I was surprised with just how loud it can get. Although it states the speakers are 5 watts don’t let that fool you into thinking it is bad, it was anything but in my experience.
All this was just with usage for work. Now for recreational purposes I attached a Roku Streambar. It is essentially a sound bar with a built in Roku, it too was plug and play. I powered it on and immediately recognized it and plays back in 4K 120hz, I watch Disney +, Netflix and Youtube on my down time. I do not have space in my bedroom for a television so my work monitor doubles as a television as well.
:::Pros & Cons:::
Pros:
- Excellent built in speakers
- VA Panel I prefer this over OLED for work
- VESA mountable
- Lightweight
- Multiple ports (2 HDMI & 1 Display Port)
- Easy to setup & use
Cons:
- None
::: Conclusion:::
This monitor checks off all the boxes for me and is pretty much perfect. It is a great size for my work space, I have owned many monitors in my time and none have been as good as this. I eventually will use for my Switch 2 in June once I get it.
:::TL;DR:::
I needed a monitor for work and this doubles as a television with a Roku hooked up to it. It does it all and for a good price. If you are like me then stop and pick one up for yourself, you will be glad that you did.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Extremely Impressive Display
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell S3225QS 31.5" VA LED 4K UHD 120Hz FreeSync Monitor has left a strong impression. Overall, I'm very happy with it; the detail and clarity are outstanding.
The physical design of this monitor is really pleasing—it's sleek and sturdy at the same time. The physical adjustments, like tilt and swivel, have a wide range and operate smoothly, which is a nice touch.
This is my first 4K monitor, and I'm completely won over by the technology. I wasn't sure if I'd truly grasp the value, but now I want to replace all the monitors in my home office.
Gaming is incredible on this display. It legitimately improved my performance (which wasn't difficult, as I barely hold my own) in the extraction shooters I play with friends. It also breathed new life into some tried-and-true favorites by highlighting just how well the graphics and designs of those games are executed.
As a hobbyist designer, I also didn't realize how much I'd benefit from the truer colors and precision in resolution. I mostly create graphics for casual digital use, like social media posts, so I thought I didn't need to worry much about color accuracy. However, the nuances this monitor reveals give me a better sense of how colors work together and make me more satisfied with the results of my designs.
I don't particularly find a lot of value in the software that rides along with the monitor. While there are some interesting features—including adjusting brightness and color temperature on a schedule to save your eyeballs—I haven't found these compelling enough to set everything up.
If you're on the fence about upgrading your displays, I recommend both the endeavor and this monitor in particular.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Versatile 4K Monitor
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell S3225QS is a very nice monitor aesthetically and from a usability standpoint. It’s also larger with respect to the 27” monitors I use here at home and as well as work. It is very easy to assemble and use, and it has a sturdy base to keep the monitor grounded. The 32-inch 4K monitor is versatile enough for productivity and gaming. 120Hz refresh rate is smooth, and is AMD FreeSync compatible. Color @ 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3, 3000:1 contrast ratio.
Inputs:
2 HDMI ports (HDCP 1.4 and 2.2) (Supports up to UHD 3840 x 2160, 120 Hz, FRL, HDR, VRR as per specified in HDMI 2.1)
1 DisplayPort 1.4 (HDCP 1.4 and 2.2) (Supports up to UHD 3840 x 2160, 120 Hz, HDR, VRR)
No USB-C.
These inputs are a bit unique in that 2 out of the 3 inputs (HDMI, DP) are actually exposed, with the exception of one (HDMI) that is covered by a removal panel. It leads me to think that this monitor is catered for a console gamer setup. I wouldn’t be mad at that at all.
The monitor itself has a very attractive price point, but at that price point comes the obvious use of a more affordable panel, VA. It is the jack-of-all trades panel that does well at all things, not does not master a single one. With the S3225QS, you’ll get great colors and great contrast ratio, but you have to be looking at the monitor dead-on. Anyone looking from the left or right flank will see the colors, brightness and contrast diminish. The same phenomenon will happen if you’re talking about vertical viewing. If you’re a dedicated gamer, a VA panel can have 120Hz refresh rate like the S3225QS, but the latency can lead to ghosting, and FreeSync cannot solve this problem.
Don’t get me completely wrong though. There is a lot to love about this monitor with the 4K display and the fast refresh rates. Again, when looking at the monitor head-on, it actually looks very nice. It has been a great monitor thus far, and I’ve been using it for my daily activities, including a little bit of gaming here and there. So as an everyday monitor for a productivity/gamer who doesn’t care so much about color accuracy or extreme response times: it isn’t a bad buy at all. I’d even say that this would be perfect for the console gamer looking for a “TV” that satisfies the refresh rate needs @ 4K, something that I mentioned earlier due to the port setups in the rear. It’s actually a great buy, considering its competitors and their offerings.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great for Work & Play
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Back in 2020 when my employer sent us to work from home, I purchased a 34-inch monitor so that I would have plenty of screen space to be productive in my home office. The screen real estate was excellent for getting work done, but when I later purchased a gaming laptop (excited to play on my new anamorphic wide screen) I discovered the monitor absolutely could not handle any level of gaming - which was extremely disappointing.
Here we are 5 years later...and I swapped out the 34-inch wide screen for this awesome Dell 4K LED monitor. To be honest, I'm very impressed with just how balanced and versatile it is. Not only does the refresh rate allow for smoother gameplay, but the 4k screen looks impressively vivid (even though I'm told that my eyes should not be able to tell the difference of 4K at this size). There is still plenty of real estate for getting work done as the screen has almost no bezel at all. And, I appreciate that the monitor has built in speakers which is huge in versatility - as I can now use the monitor anywhere in the house for work, gaming, movies, etc. The two 10-watt speakers aren't as loud as a full-sized TV would be, but they are perfectly adequate (especially for use on a desk). I also appreciate that the menu interface is incredibly easy to use. Not only are the controls easy to find (on the lower back corner), but they are very easy to manipulate and control via the little joystick style button. Very well thought out.
My only minor frustrations are that there are no USB inputs (meaning that the lights & webcam I use for conference calls must be plugged into a different source. Also, the screen cannot pivot left or right (only tilt forwards/backwards). I did make the mistake of initially attaching my OLED laptop to the screen - which just pointed out that even 4K LED doesn't hold a candle to the phenomenal deep blacks OLED can produce (shown in the attached pictures). It's not a fair comparison, as OLED costs a great deal more, but just be aware that if you have OLED screens in your house, you will notice that this monitor cannot produce such rich black levels.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this monitor. Nobody should be using smaller screens with how affordable and feature rich this Dell monitor is. It's time to step up your game and upgrade.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
DELL 32" 4K Computer Display with Built in Sound
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor is bright, vivid, 4K-Quality computer display which includes built in sound. The extremely high-resolution display looks beautiful (my desktop background image and screen saver alone look significantly better than my prior WQHD display). I tested it with several full screen video games, streaming video (YouTube, Netflix, etc), video conferencing (with a USB webcam), and general desktop applications like E-Mail and Microsoft Word, even software development tools. No matter how I used it, I was thrilled with how everything looked. For me, the best part about this is I can replace two monitors with this one and free up a lot of desk space. I tried having two development tool editor windows open side by side on this display, and for me this worked much better than two separate screens – everything fit and was read-able.
Depending on your particular use, you may want to adjust the magnification settings in your operating system to decide whether for what you’re doing you’d rather fit more on the screen or have a display that is easier on the eyes. I personally prefer the larger magnification (HiDPI on some systems), but I also sometimes have a need to fit more active windows on the screen so I may go between display zooms.
For gaming, though I had to tinker with in game video settings, I found the display to be beautifully bright and colorful (detailed/sharp too!). The contrast looked great once I set my preferences, and I enjoyed what I was playing more. Note that I am not an intense gamer, I am currently playing more turn-based strategy games, it is possible on a faster motion game this monitor may behave differently, and I did not test that.
It included an easy to assemble stand, no tools needed. Also, it used a standard power cord that you typically see on a Desktop PC power supply (included in box, but I already had a longer one at the desk that I installed it on available).
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Really nice 4K monitor with built-in speakers
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell S3225QS is a really nice 31.5 inch 4K monitor, with some unexpected extras. It is big enough that I no longer need dual monitors!
The monitor arrived well packaged. The box was surprisingly heavy. A bonus is there is NO Styrofoam! Set up was simple, just follow the instructions to assemble the stand and snap it into place on the monitor. I did have a bit of trouble getting the stand to lock in at all the points. But it seems secure. The stand is height adjustable and will pivot some as well as tilt.
The monitor has both DiplayPort and HDMI ports. The onboard monitor controls are accessed via a little joystick type button on the monitor back, just above the power switch. From there you can customize things. Even though I didn’t change the defaults, the monitor is very clear and works well for work and for gaming.
One pleasant surprise is that there are built in stereo speakers that are quite functional. I did have some trouble getting them to work initially, but I believe it was my laptop and not the monitor itself. My laptop recognized the speakers, but I could not get any sound, even though the volume was turned up. Not sure how this fixed it, but I used Control Panel on my laptop and ran the speaker/sound test. It worked during the test and has continued to work ever since.
In summary, this monitor has all of the basics covered as well as decent speakers as a bonus. The display is bright and crisp. The response is great for gaming, and it works just as well for work. If you are looking for a large size quality monitor that is still reasonably priced, check this one out.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
It's fine. It's a 4k monitor that's...Fine.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve been using this Dell 32-inch monitor for work on my Windows setup and it's been... fine.
A little background. I’ve never been a fan of dual monitors. That gap right in the middle? Yeah, no thanks.. I’d rather have one big screen right in front of me, and this one does the trick. I’ve bounced back and forth between 27" and 32" monitors over the years, and every time I go back to 27", I end up regretting it. It’s just a little too small when you’ve got a bunch of windows open or you're deep into a presentation. This 32" feels like the right size—not so big that I’m turning my head constantly, but just big enough to get stuff done comfortably.
The display itself is super sharp, and the HDR actually impressed me. I wasn’t expecting to notice much coming from another 4k monitor, but even working in PowerPoint, I could see gradients and color details I’d usually miss. It just looks really clean and professional.
As far as ports go I’ve been using HDMI and it’s been....fine. At this price, I expected a USB-C port. It’s just kind of a no-brainer nowadays, especially if you want to plug in a laptop and get video and charging through one cable. Would’ve been a nice touch. That said, switching inputs and adjusting settings is easy thanks to the little control toggle on the back. That part feels well thought out.
Build-wise, it’s pretty sleek. The white stand and thin bezels give it a clean look on the desk. It doesn’t scream “gamer” or anything flashy—it’s just a good-looking, professional monitor. Only downside is the height adjustment. Mine feels a little stiff when I try to move it up or down, like something might snap if I push too hard. Could be just mine, but worth keeping in mind.
All in all, I’ve been happy with it. If you’re like me and want a single, solid monitor that’s big enough to work comfortably without taking over your whole desk, this Dell is a great option. Just don’t expect USB-C, and maybe be content with the monitor at one height once you get it set where you want it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Sleek 4K screen that is gaming capable
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
After recently updating my GPU I was looking to get a screen that can take advantage of the additional power, but also working from home on occasion I wanted something that I could also plug in to and be productive.
The Dell S3225QS looks like a standard office, monitor, minimal bezels, no flashy lights but has well rounded specs to allow it to be gamed on! In the box you have the Monitor, Stand, an Ultra High Speed HDMI, Power, back panel cover and some informational material. The little back cover hides the 2nd HDMI port, there is a channel to feed the cable out of. Be nice if a DisplayPort cable was included, since the HDMIs are not 2.1. Luckily I had a cable on hand to take full advantage of the displays output.
Working on the screen is quite enjoyable, I can easily complete a days work without feeling strained. The image is quite sharp, even with the smaller lettering at 4K (Compared to my usual 1440p work monitor) Sitting back down after dinner and getting in some gaming. I am pretty happy with the RTS preset for both situations and don't feel the need to adjust. The built in speakers work great for Teams call and listening to other audio, but I don't use them for gaming.
Overall the Dell S3225QS is a clean looking display, great quality image, built in speakers plus a refresh rate and response time that you can game on!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
31.5" monitor Review and customer service quality.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The monitor was great! Currently having alot of un with it. When i bought it it originally was around 400 but then best buy reduced it. The price match was seamless. Fastest ive had in a while actually. Overall the monitor is perfect. Large enough for my liking and the picture quality is better than most ive had.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great monitor for price
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Good budget 4K with 120Hz monitor. The built-in speakers a re a nice touch. Easy to tilt/adjust screen height. Wish there was an audio out option, but can be solved with an HDMI or Display port audio extractor. For the price it has the best of everything
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Win! Win!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was looking for a cheap but still nice 4k monitor and I found it. It also has 120 refresh rate and speakers.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Dell Monitor
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great monitor. Clear picture works great. Swapped out a apple monitor and wanted something with more space
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best budget 4k monitor with good refresh rate
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very good for price, practically unbeatable, would buy again
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Heavy duty and thoughtful 4K display
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
From the moment I received the Dell S3225QS display, I was amazed at details, large and small, that went into this product. The first thing you notice before even unboxing the monitor is the weight of it, at nearly 20 pounds, it’s quite confidence inspiring. All of the important parts (base, neck, and connection between display and the neck) are heavy duty metal. The base screws into the neck with a thick bolt, this monitor is not going to tip over in any direction unless you really mean to.
Unboxing the monitor, you have the first pleasant surprise, no Styrofoam! The monitor is protected by cardboard all the way around and kept it plenty safe during shipping. I appreciate the environmentally friendly packaging and not having the need to break apart messy Styrofoam to get it to fit in my garbage bin. The other nice surprise, not even mentioned in the Specifications section (at least at the time I am writing this) is that a good quality/thickness HDMI cable is included. Finally, even the power cord is a nice touch, it’s not a custom power adapter and plug, but a simple cord often used for powering desktop computers.
Setting up the display couldn’t have been easier, no instructions required. It’s obvious how the base connects and screws into the neck, and the monitor quickly glides and snaps into the neck. There are 2 HDMI ports and one DisplayPort connection, I used the side mounted HDMI port, and then the power connection. That’s it!
I connected the display to my ASUS ProArt PX13 laptop, which has an NVIDIA Geforce RTX graphics card built in, which can drive the Dell S3225QS at is maximum resolution of 3480x2160, and WOW! What a picture! I experimented with the 8 preset picture modes on the monitor and found that for me, the RPG setting was the most pleasing, but all of them were easy on the eyes, I don’t think eye-strain is even possible on this monitor.
There are only 2 controls on the back panel, one to power it on, and then a 4 way toggle switch that is quite intuitive; push in to activate the menu, scroll left and right to select the function you want to change (Input source, preset modes, brightness/contrast, volume, and audio profiles), click the middle of the button to select the setting you wish to change, then use the controller to move up/down/left/right to adjust it. Easy peasy)
While I am not a heavy PC gamer, I do enjoy the Steam game Trackmania, so I loaded that up to test out the display first. What an immersive experience playing the game on such a huge screen less than 2 feet from my nose! On top of the crisp, flicker free game play, the built-in speakers cranked to max volume sound great and are much appreciated in a driving game. The refresh rate of 120Hz and response time of 8 milliseconds is perfectly fine for my needs, although you’ll find monitors out there with better specs.
The final big test was watching the highest quality videos I could find, so I watched some shot in 8K, a sea life video and one of different cityscapes, and once again I was blown away at the color palate and fine resolution.
In closing, I couldn’t be happier with the Dell S3225QS monitor. Dell really executed well here, all the way down to the packaging. It’s a great value for the money, with a solid build quality, and a 3 year parts and labor warranty. 5 stars all the way!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Rich, Vibrant, Colors and Great Contrast Ratio!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Dell 32" VA LED monitor is an excellent, high quality display with higher contrast ratio than many LCD displays!
Design
There's a thin bezel around the outside of the display. The border around the display is black. The stand is white. I like the look of it. There's a very minimal, but I think sufficient and easy to work with clip that attaches to the stand to assist with cable management. The bottom of the monitor has the port for the power cord on the right, and HDMI and DisplayPort ports on the left. In addition to those two, there's a second HDMI port facing the side, bun in a hidden compartment with a cover that snaps over it. The cable routing still directs the cable downward. The cover is very easy to work with. There's no power brick for it, just one PC style power cord going to the back/bottom of the monitor. It came with one, high quality, HDMI cable.
Image Quality
The image quality is excellent! Colors are vibrant and, to my eyes, all look very accurate. This is my first display, that I'm aware of, that has a Vertically Aligned LCD display. They say "LED" but that's marketing. LED displays are LCD display. LED is just a reference to the type of backlight. Anyway, I had to look it up and a VA LCD should provide an improved contrast ratio, which would be helpful for HDR support. While I don't have a objective way to check this, I can say the colors look great and dark areas in images and video have distinguishable parts, instead of looking like all one dark color or black. A downside of this sort of display is they tend to be slower. This has a 8 ms response time. I did a little gaming to see if I noticed anything. In one game where I can go into slow motion, I did notice how it normally was a bit blurred, but I didn't even notice until I did that. Maybe a pro gamer wouldn't want it, but man, I think it still looks excellent. Action scenes still look great in movies too.
Ports
There are two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 port. I've used them with a streaming device, a Chromebook, and a Windows PCs with no issue.
Dell Display and Peripheral Manager
You can use the with it. This has a number of features, like using it to arrange application layouts on your desktops. There are preset grids for up to 7 windows. There's a KVM features I didn't get to mess with much. My favorite feature so far is the "Hotkeys" under "Input Source". You can set a hotkey to go to the next input, your favorite input, or toggle between two inputs. I set a hotkey to toggle between two. That makes it very easy to switch between my streaming device and my PC. I also set one to go to the next input. I use <CTRL>+<ALT>+<D> to toggle the Display input between two and I use <CTRL>+<ALT>+<N> to go to the Next input.
Sound
Most monitors don't have very good sound, if they have speakers at all. I was impressed by this. I'm pretty sure it better than any Laptop I've ever heard and it's easily better than most monitors I've heard too. The speakers are down-firing, but they sound very good! You can even hear some bass, not that it's great, but there's more bass there than I was expecting. The sound overall was a very pleasent surprise. There are Audio Profiles too. You can pick from Standard, Movie, Game, Music, Voice, or customize your own.
- Ok, bass, nothing great but you can hear it's there
Other Features
I wanted to at least mention some of the features.
- 120 Hz (tested on DisplayPort and HDMI) refresh rate with FreeSync Premium
- The monitor slides up and down on the base almost to the bottom
- It tilts up and down on either side as well as forward and backward on the top and bottom
Summary
I love the image quality and features. The design is easy to put together and practical for setup and use. The colors and contrast ratio do really stand out to me. It's probably an especially great choice for art and design work.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Real Solid Upgrade to My Office
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
For the last couple of years I had been using a 31.5”, FHD monitor in both my work and home office. Both of the desktop PCs I was connected to as well as my laptop I sometimes connect through a dock are capable of 4k resolution output. I didn’t think it would make a big difference with the way that I use the computers more for work than for content consumption or gaming. I have a 4k monitor for leisure, and just never hooked it up to do work. I have been using this monitor as my “work office” monitor for the last week and boy was I wrong about making the jump from FHD to 4k for productivity. Immediately upon booting the computer up for the first time I was struck with just how crisp and clean the image was compared to what I have been used to. Without tweaking a single setting, it was a very noticeable upgrade from FHD. After playing around with settings I settled on a 200% scale for the display as the default 150% was a little tough for my old eyes reading email text. I also went with the Warm color profile.
This monitor boasts a better than average refresh rate of 120hz. For basic productivity tasks this didn’t really maker a difference when scrolling or toggling through things. I didn’t run any games through it, but I would imagine that’s where this would be more noticeable. I ran some live TV through a streaming service, but that didn’t seem to look any different either. In my past experience with screen refresh rates I really only have noticed an improvement when watching live sporting through an un-compressed antenna feed, which is something I would never be doing with this monitor. While this should be an improvement for gaming, I don’t feel like this device is going to appeal to anyone as a gaming monitor, except for very casual gaming use. There are 3 settings for response time: Normal, Fast and Extreme. As I didn’t run anything extreme through this monitor it didn’t make much if any difference to me, so I put it back to Normal.
Out of the box I was impressed with how “tough” everything felt. The monitor and stand just seem heavy duty and weighty. The plastic pieces don’t flex or deform. The base was extremely simple to assemble and attach with no need for tools. The monitor was also exceptionally well packed and protected, no small consideration when it is being shipped.
The base as a simple but extremely useful height adjustment, allows for tilt adjustment, but does not swivel. There is a simple loop for basic cable management, and it might have been nice to have an slightly more elegant system. The ports on the back are in an interesting configuration with the HDMI 1 and Displayport inputs in a shallow recess just to one side of center facing down and a second HDMI under a removable cover perpendicular to the other ports and higher up on the back of the monitor. I had thought perhaps this compartment was for a streaming device if using the monitor as a display for remote content, but it was too small to fit a Fire Stick that I use for digital signage. The power button is located on the back, to the bottom right when facing the screen. The button is a dimple design and easy to find with a finger. Just above the power button is a joystick that is used to navigate the on-screen menus of the monitor. I’ve never used this system on a monitor before but moving through settings is extremely intuitive. A straight in push of the joystick is the select button, and with the fluid navigation of the stick this is lightyears better than arrow keys and similar methods used on other monitors I am familiar with.
The settings seem to imply that there is some thought about using this a content consumption or play time monitor. The display presets are Standard, Movie, FPS, RTS, RPG, Warm, Cool, sRGB and Custom Color. Likewise, there are Audio profile presets to match, with Standard, Movie, Game, Music, Voice, and Custom Audio. Because of the way I am using the monitor Warm and Voice were my choices and seem to be pretty good so far. I fired up a streaming device with 4k content and played around with audio and video profiles. Like with my televisions, I found that the defaults weren’t generally what I like to look at, but there were some variations to fit the tastes of many viewers. This monitor also supports HDR, but I found that this wasn't useful to me outside of streaming content.
Replacing a very thin monitor I was a little concerned as this one is a bit thick by the standards I am used to. However, I had nothing to be really concerned about as on the desktop the footprint was basically the same as the slim one it replaced. This is because it sits a bit more over the base than the one I had before, so I was able to push it just as far back in my setup. The face has very thin bezels, but it is not truly edge to edge. Not a problem unless the look is more important than the function.
Other than the clarity of the monitor the other standout feature that frankly surprised me even more than the display is the quality of the integrated speakers. I am used to tinny, weak and generally terrible integral speakers when they are present in desktop monitors. The speakers in this monitor will not make you forget your living room setup, but in an office monitor they are outstanding. They are stereo, plenty loud enough and have a decent low end. Again, they are no audiophile setup, but they are good enough that I was able to get rid of the separate desktop speakers which decluttered the desktop, the area behind the monitor and under the desk. They would never replace the sound system on my fun and games computer, but they are great for training videos, Teams calls and the occasional how-to tutorial.
I think this is overall an excellent choice as a productivity monitor. My desk doesn’t have the space for dual monitors. Running just one larger monitor works best for my setup. Adding the very usable speakers, and some advanced capabilities (that I have admittedly not taken full advantage of as I am using it) make this a very solid package. I think that for the price point I would have like to have seen an integral USB port, enough space to hide a streaming stick under the rear port access cover, improved cable management, and probably a swiveling base. Little things that would have made this a perfect monitor to me.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful functionality have met for games or work
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am loving this new Dell monitor. Very solid, well-built product. Extra-large 31.5" screen size and sporting top notch 3840 x 2160 4K UHD resolution. I really appreciate the 4k resolution, it stays sharp on this larger screen size even when sitting up close but isn’t overdoing it like some smaller sized 4k monitors where you can’t really tell the difference from 1080p. 120Hz refresh rate keeps you in the game with incorporated FreeSync Premium (AMD Adaptive Sync) technology. This reduces screen tearing and stuttering in order to provide a smoother gaming experience vs lower refresh rate screens when paired with compatible GPUs. This coupled with 8 millisecond response time really makes every movement sharp and crisp. Broad connectivity options for any setup with 1 DisplayPort 1.4 and 2 HDMIs to make sure you’ve got the connection you need. Connections are in optimal locations as well to ensure functionality, and it has some nice cable management features to keep everything looking clean. I have my computer connected to the display port, my PS5 on one HDMI and then a firestick on the other HDMI. The fact that this monitor has built in speakers makes it perfect to use as more than just a computer monitor. The speakers are quite nice as well, with excellent sound quality and frequency response – very impressive for build-ins – making it suitable for watching movies, shows or gaming without the need for external speakers or headphones. The 31.5” panel offers plenty of real estate for a vast viewing experience and the 4k resolution is really appreciated on this size screen, especially while working. The higher resolution amounts to greater viewing area to utilize multiple open windows while maintaining high resolution visuals – it’s essential four 1080p screens in one! The vertical alignment LED panel offers brilliant contrast ratios and vibrant colors, making it great for pretty much any application and lighting environment. This screen is perfect for both gaming and everyday multimedia viewing. I also like this monitor’s thin bezel up front and all white design, it really fits in nicely with a “white-out” PC build I recently completed. It’s just a preference but I think this monitor really has a nice aesthetic from behind when compared to the usual black or gray monitor housings. If I ever thought I had the need for it, the ultra-thin bezel on this unit would be ideal for a multi-monitor setup but being that it is already 4K I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to justify that. The stand is well built as well with functionality in mind. It has adjustable height, tilt, and a small amount of swivel to provide flexibility for ergonomic customization on any desktop. I think this monitor offers great value for the price, as I said it’s basically four 1080P monitors crammed into one. Overall, this monitor is fantastic in every way.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent - for some use cases.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Let's just say I've used quite a few monitors or displays in my time. Generally speaking, there isn't a one-size-fits-all out there. The same is true here.
First, unboxing and setup are straightforward. The stand and power supply connect easily. You have your choice of 2 HDMI ports or a display port. I certainly appreciate the side loading video connections. You can be up and running in under 10 minutes easily.
The build quality is solid. I haven't noticed any flimsy area, gaps, or uneven seams. HDMI, display port, and power connections are tight.
Right away I noticed the thin bezels, which really are appreciated more during actual display use. Overall the aesthetics are pleasing. It's a nice form factor with nothing too flashy.
Picture quality is excellent for office use, casual movie watching, or light gaming. True gamers might be left a little disappointed. Yes, it is 4K. Yes, it 120 Hz. Yes it is 8ms. All good things, but will this satisfy the hardcore gamer playing Control or Wukong? Probably not. However, for light gamers this could be the best of both worlds - a great little gaming display and an excellent monitor for the home computer.
Now I didn't say any of those things to throw shade at Dell or this display. This is a fantastic monitor. In fact, it has become just what I said. This is now pulling triple duty as a display for light gaming for my kiddo (think Crossy Roads), a monitor for their laptop, and a TV of sorts connected to their FireTV Stick 4K.
In my use I had this connected to a Samsung Galaxy Book 4 360 HDMI-HDMI, a MacBook Pro M1, and a MacBook Air M4. All had great results and work equally great. I also connected this to my Google TV Streamer 4K and the picture quality was excellent.
The built in speakers work surprisingly well. Actually better than I anticipated. Rather clear sound production with no hint of "tin can" reverb. Definitely more than you need for daily office use.
So what can I say. Depending on what you're intended use case is, this could be perfect. Home office, maybe some light gaming, and a bedroom tv to boot. Yes, this is fantastic. 1000% put this on your short list. Really, I think the only people who this will short for are the intense gamers looking for the lowest latency, highest refresh rate, with zero shadowing.
Overall, I love it. It more than fits my use case and is being used on the daily in my home.