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Dell S2721QS / S2721Q is a 4K resolution 27 Inch monitor released in 2020 and It's Dell's first ever 4K resolution monitor in their affordable S Series Monitors.
In this exclusive in-depth review and unboxing, we will explore everything you need know about this brand new Dell monitor, and provide additional alternatives for different use cases.
Unlike many review sites, we actually buy the products we review. All photos on this page are taken during the review by our editorial team.
Our Verdict: Pros & Cons
Before we dive deeper into our review, here is our verdict. Dell S2721QS is a great 4K monitor with an incredible price tag that will satisfy most use cases, especially the productivity and work from home setups.
Unless you are looking for competitive gaming monitor or a professional photo editing monitor, this monitor should have no issues supporting the most common use cases with great colors and high resolution.
It lacks the new USB-C video input and USB port, however even with this affordable price, It comes with HDR support, built-in speakers, AMD FreeSync and vesa mount compatibility that many other monitors in this price range lacks.
If you prefer additional features in addition to the 4K resolution, you can check out the higher level Dell UltraSharp Series. However this might not be necessary, since this monitor is packed with features, so make sure the read the rest of the review.
Difference Between Dell S2721QS and S2721Q
Dell S2721QS and S2721Q are essentially the same monitor, and the only difference between them is the monitor stand that they come with.
Dell S2721Q comes with a fixed monitor stand, while S2721QS comes with fully adjustable (eight, tilt, swivel) monitor stand.
The S suffix in the product code refers to stand feature in Dell's product coding system.
Both of these models support VESA mount, So If you already have a monitor mount, we suggest picking the fixed stand version which can help you save additional $40.
Other than the monitor stand, everything else for S2721QS and S2721Q models are exactly the same for our review.
Technical Specs
Dell S2721QS is a 27-Inch monitor with 16:9 aspect ratio and 4K 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. This resolution is also referred as Ultra HD, UHD or 2160p.
It has an IPS Display Panel with 99% sRGB color gamut. The panel is coated with industry standard Anti-glare/Matte (3H) to reduce reflection.
This monitor has brightness of 350 ch/m2 and static contrast ratio of 1300:1.
It has the usual refresh rate of 60Hz even though It comes with AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, for casual gaming setups.
What's in the Box?
Dell S2721QS comes within a compact packaging and very little moving parts. Box includes the necessary HDMI and power cables, and requires no additional purchases, unless you prefer to use the Display Port 1.4
Input & Output Ports
Unlike the higher end computer monitors, Dell S2721QS comes with only 2 HDMI ports and a single Display Port, however in most cases this should be sufficient.
It doesn't support the new USB-C port which let's you connect and charge your monitor using a single cable.
Dell S2721QS also has an AUX port, if you have speakers that you like to connect directly from your monitor.
However, It doesn't have a regular USB port to connect or charge additional peripherals like your phone.
Picture & Color Quality
This monitor has the 4K resolution with is basically the new and the highest resolution standard that is supported by the modern computers.
It is great for watching movies or working on text documents, since text will be crystal clear compared to the lower resolution monitors.
Display panel is capable of providing 10 billion colors which can compete with many professional monitors, however unlike Ultrasharp U2720Q, this monitor isn't color certificated by the manufacturer
Dell S2721QS comes with great colors, but If you have a color calibration tool, It can even be configured to compete with professional monitors that are sold at much higher prices.
Monitor Design
If you are looking for a professional seamless design, Dell S2721QS fits right-in with 3-side frameless design and minimal logo in the front.
The front design is very similar to the Dell's higher price range Ultrasharp Series, and the only visible difference is the silver back color and a different stand design.
This product has a great built quality and we didn't notice any issues with the sturdiness of the monitor, which is what we expect from Dell monitors in general as well.
Stand & VESA Mount
Dell S2721Q (not S2721QS) comes with a fixed monitor stand, It is only capable of tilting the monitor.
Unless you already have a monitor mount that you like to use, we highly suggest getting the S2721QS variant with the fully adjustable monitor stand.
Dell S2721QS's stand is fully adjustable and very ergonomic. It can be easily de-attached from the monitor by pushing the button on the back of the monitor.
Controls & On Display Menu
Dell S2721QS has four built-in clickable buttons on the right bottom side of the monitor for controlling the On Display Menu.
The right most button is the power button and comes with the configurable LED that lights up if the monitor is powered up.
Left two buttons are custom shortcuts, these can be customized to whatever feature you like to access quickly, such as brightness settings or volume control.
On Display Menu includes, many features, such as adjusting colors, switching inputs or controlling the Picture in Picture feature.
Built-In Speakers
Dell S2721QS comes with built-in stereo speakers which are located underneath the monitor.
It doesn't require additional cables to work, as the HDMI cable is already capable of transmitting sound to the monitor.
These speakers aren't extremely high quality speakers, however they are especially useful, If you are connecting a laptop, or you don't want to spend money for external speakers.
Sound quality is great for listening to music and the volume can be adjusted through the buttons found on the bottom of the monitor.
27 Inch 4K Alternatives
If you are looking for better colors for photo editing or USB-C connectivity, Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q is a great alternative.
On the other hand, if you don't need VESA Compatibility, Philips 276E8VJSB has very similar specs with even more affordable price tag.
With a very similar price, ASUS VP28UQG is a comparable 28-Inch 4K resolution gaming monitor with 1ms response time.
Final Words
Dell S2721QS and S2721Q are great for many uses cases such as browsing the web, working on text documents, even watching movies. Especially considering that the 4K resolution with the affordable price and Dell's build quality.
Unless you are a professional gamer or a video editor, we believe that this monitor can be a perfect fit for you.
Even though this monitor has AMD FreeSync, If you are competitive gamer, there are other monitors on the market with higher refresh rates or lower response times.
For additional features or color certification requirements Dell Ultrasharp U2720Q series can be an alternative with similar specs, however It costs a lost more than this monitor.