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Dell monitors have long ranked among the top recommendations (and I’ve bought a couple myself, especially the Ultrasharp line), but high pricing and a narrow niche focus on productivity can sometimes limit their appeal. With the Dell S2725DS, the company remedies those issues with an IPS QHD panel that boasts a refresh rate of 100Hz. It’s responsive, attractive, and reasonably priced.
The Dell S2725DS has basic specifications that are typical of mid-range 27-inch office-use monitors. At its core is a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 and a maximum refresh rate of 100Hz – most monitors in this price point max out at 75Hz. Perhaps the one difference – and it is a key difference – is the use of an IPS panel, which gives Dell an edge in image quality over its direct competitors.
About the Dell S2725DS
• Display size: 27-inch
• Native resolution: 2560×2440
• Panel type: IPS
• Refresh rate: 100Hz
• Brightness: 350 cd/m2
• Connectivity: 2 x HDMI
• Ergonomics: Tilt, swivel, pivot
• VESA mount: Yes, 100mm x 100mm
Design & Features
The Dell S2725DS sports a clean, non-obtrusive design. The display is surrounded by a black trim on the front and back and sits on a silver stand, with the high-end materials that make up this monitor matching the premium monitor’s quality.
Due to the monitor’s 16:9 aspect ratio and 27-inch display size, you may find it to be a very wide monitor, which might require some adjustments on your desk. However, once it’s fitted in place, the width is very easy to get used to. Pixel density on this monitor comes to 82 pixels per inch (PPI), which is common among ultrawide monitors and more than enough for casual photo and video editing.
The Dell S2725DS uses an IPS panel, known for wide angles and bright visuals. However, VA panels often have a higher contrast ratio than IPS panels, and that makes them popular among gamers as it boosts a player’s ability to distinguish enemies in dark scenes. But for productivity and business use, IPS monitors deliver better clarity. Connectivity comes via two HDMI ports and a pair of 2-watt speakers.
Image Quality
As mentioned earlier, the Dell S2725DS is built on a premium IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel with native 2560 × 2440 resolution, perfect for productivity, especially when working on tasks that require fine details. That means it has a wide 178-degree off-center view and well-saturated colors. Its wide color gamut (AOC quotes it at 100% sRGB) guarantees its color accuracy. At 1,500:1, the static contrast ratio is fine, backed by the decent 350 cd/m2 peak brightness.
For productivity, a refresh rate of 100Hz is respectable, so is the 8ms response time, and considering the 16:9 screen is backlit by LEDs, it’s as crisp as you would expect. So, it doesn’t have a superfast 120Hz refresh rate (or even higher), which you’d ordinarily get with gaming monitors; it lacks HDR and local dimming that’s available on high-end monitors like the LG 32GQ750-B and the BenQ SW271.
The Dell S2725DS is a good everyday productivity monitor that you should buy for its features and performance.
Even without extras like HDR and local dimming, this Dell monitor looks crisp, clear, and consistently shaded. Again, it manages to achieve the level of clarity needed for Photoshop or video editing tasks. That’s made possible by the 83 ppi, which lets you scrutinize on-screen images, while the flicker-free WLED backlight is easy on the eye.
As a general productivity monitor, it’s hard to fault the Dell S2725DS QHD panel, but when it comes to gaming, the 100Hz refresh rate and 8ms response rate can be considered low. Dell doesn’t include G-Sync or FreeSync on this monitor, but even without any gaming features, the monitor can still be used for playing basic games that do not require high visual fidelity.
If you’ll be using the S2725DS for entertainment on the side, the native 1080p resolution and 16:9 screen breathe life into your movies. However, the lack of HDR once again prevents the colors from reaching their full potential. There is a pair of integrated speakers, not so loud, but you have a headphone jack for connecting your powerful audio solution.
Dell S2725DS Review: Bottom line
The Dell S2725DS continues the company’s leadership in professional productivity and office monitors. Compared to its peers, the S2725DS has a slight edge in image quality and a significant advantage in design, especially ergonomics, by offering pivot, tilt, and swivel adjustments. The Dell S2725DS also provides a 1440p resolution with a 1000Hz refresh rate, which is quite standard for a productivity and office monitor at this price point.
Pricing is also in the S2725DS’s favor. The monitor’s retail MSRP of just under $200 is impressive, keeping in mind this is a 27-inch 1440p monitor with a set of features and image quality that you rarely find elsewhere. As expected, to reach this price point, Dell had to make a few compromises – a lack of a USB port or even a DisplayPort, like you find on competitors.
That said, considering how much you’re paying to get that 27-inch IPS panel and the included features, those omissions can be overlooked at best. I can’t imagine a display that delivers more for the money. That makes the Dell S2725DS an easy recommendation if you want a nearly premium office and productivity monitor, without a premium price.
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