Dell Ultrasharp 32 U3226Q evaluate: An OLED constructed for professional studios

Finest Costs Right this moment: Dell Ultrasharp 32 U3226Q

The Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED isn’t what it appears. At a look you would mistake it for any 32-inch QD-OLED monitor. Certainly, it’d even appear behind the curve. It delivers 4K decision however solely has a refresh fee of 120Hz. Most opponents hit 240Hz.

Nevertheless, the monitor has just a few tips up its sleeve. These embrace a built-in automated colorimeter designed to maintain the show calibrated all through its life. The monitor additionally has a ton of connectivity together with Thunderbolt 4 and Ethernet. These extras gained’t be sufficient to justify the monitor’s $2,599.99 MSRP to most consumers, however for inventive professionals, they could tip the scales within the U3226Q’s favor.

Learn on to study extra, then see our roundup of the perfect 4K screens for comparability.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) specs and options

The Dell U3226Q’s fundamental specs look acquainted. It has a 31.5-in QD-OLED panel with a decision of 3840×2160, identical to the overwhelming majority of 32-inch OLED screens offered at this time.

• Show dimension: 31.5-inch 16:9 side ratio
• Native decision: 3840×2160
• Panel sort: QD-OLED
• Refresh fee: 120Hz
• Adaptive sync: HDMI VRR
• HDR: Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black Licensed
• Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4 upstream with DisplayPort 1.4 and 140 watts of Energy Supply, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C upstream with 10Gbps of information, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x Thunderbolt 4 downstream with 15 watts of Energy Supply, 2x USB-C 10Gbps downstream with 27 watts of Energy Supply, 3x USB-A downstream with 10Gbps of information, 1x RJ45 with 2.5G Ethernet
• Audio: None
• Additional options: KVM change, built-in colorimeter, Dell Colour Administration with distant calibration
• Value: $2,599.99 MSRP

Nevertheless, Dell spices up the monitor with additional options. The headliner is the built-in colorimeter tucked into the show’s backside bezel. You’ll additionally discover a Thunderbolt 4 enter, Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, and a pair of.5Gbps Ethernet.

The extras don’t come low cost, although, as Dell asks an MSRP of $2,599.99. That’s greater than twice the value of a typical 32-inch QD-OLED monitor.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) design

You wouldn’t know the Dell U3226Q’s value by taking a look at it. The matte black end is uncommon for a Dell monitor, to make certain. Nevertheless, it’s merely par for the course within the broader market of high-end studio screens, most of which are available in a darkish black, charcoal, or grey end.

That’s to not say the monitor is unattractive. It’s like a black go well with or gown. It’s not stylish, nevertheless it usually works.

Whereas the U3226Q’s appears to be like are reserved, the monitor doesn’t maintain again on performance. It has an ergonomic stand with a variety of adjustment that features 150mm of top, 25 levels of tilt, 60 levels of swivel, and may pivot 90 levels into portrait orientation. That is about as large a variety of adjustment as you’ll discover on a 32-inch monitor, although the just lately reviewed HP Collection 7 Professional 732PK has it beat in swivel with a variety in extra of 90 levels.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The stand is secure and has a flat profile with a slender stand neck. All of this makes the monitor straightforward to place on a desk and ensures it gained’t take up an excessive amount of desk house. For those who don’t like a stand, although, you possibly can swap it for a third-party stand or arm through the use of the 100x100mm VESA mount on the again of the monitor.

A monitor hood is included with the show. It was straightforward to connect, although I largely didn’t use it in my time with the show. A monitor hood is helpful for maintaining mild off the show’s floor, which could be a drawback when making an attempt to work with darkish content material, or when working with a particular colour mode that requires a decrease degree of luminance.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) connectivity

Like many Dell Ultrasharp screens, the U3226Q stands out partially due to its connectivity.

An important connection is the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port. It helps 40Gbps of information, DisplayPort 1.4, and as much as 140 watts of Energy Supply. That makes it an effective way to attach a high-end Home windows or Mac laptop computer.

Further video connectivity contains two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. The monitor additionally has a Thunderbolt 4 downstream port with DisplayPort 1.4. You’ll be able to join a laptop computer to the U3226Q over the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, after which join a second monitor to the U3226Q through the downstream port.

The monitor’s USB connectivity is spectacular, as properly. It has two USB-C 10Gbps downstream ports and three USB-A 10Gbps downstream ports. All of those will be accessed over the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port or a USB-C upstream port. KVM change performance is included.

A single RJ45 port with assist for two.5Gbps Ethernet rounds out the choices. This can be a uncommon connection to search out on a monitor, and it’s an effective way to attach a laptop computer to a wired community in your house or workplace.

Only a few screens can evaluate to the Dell U3226Q with regards to connectivity. With that stated, you’ll find related connectivity for much less from screens just like the Dell U3225QE. That monitor doesn’t have an OLED panel, nevertheless it does have Thunderbolt 4 and the same set of downstream ports.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) menus and options

The Dell Ultrasharp U3226Q’s on-screen menus are managed by a joystick tucked behind the monitor’s lower-right nook. It’s a simple, responsive option to entry the on-screen menus. The monitor additionally has a set of touch-sensitive buttons on the lower-left nook that are used for shortcuts, like altering the enter.

Most monitor choices may also be accessed via Dell’s software program, which incorporates Dell Show and Peripheral Supervisor and Dell Colour Administration. Many opponents, together with Asus, BenQ, and HP, supply related software program, however Dell’s software program is among the many extra enticing choices. Dell additionally offers distant monitor administration, which is helpful for those who’re shopping for a fleet of screens for an workplace or studio. The software program is obtainable for Home windows and MacOS.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

And also you’ll seemingly wish to use the software program, because the on-screen menu is a bit overwhelming. The choices are organized in what appears like a logical association, however the sheer variety of options and choices is overwhelming. It may take time to determine the place the choice you need is positioned. Additionally, Dell’s on-screen menu is on the small aspect and the fonts could be a bit onerous to learn.

One of many U3226Q’s key options is the built-in colorimeter. The colorimeter is not only included as a peripheral however as a substitute tucked into the monitor’s backside bezel. When activated, it extends over the floor of the show and performs an automatic colour calibration. Whilst you can activate this manually at any time, the intent is for calibration to occur on a schedule.

Dell’s built-in colorimeter is much like the built-in colorimeter on the BenQ PD2770U, which I reviewed in late 2025. To be trustworthy, it’s troublesome for me to say if the Dell’s colorimeter is best or worse. It does the job at a look, however I anticipate the strengths and flaws of the automated colorimeter will solely reveal themselves after months or years of use.

One factor that’s certain, although, is that Dell’s placement of the colorimeter makes extra sense. The BenQ PD2770U positioned the colorimeter on the high of the show, which suggests the PD2770U has a big high bezel. Dell’s backside placement retains the U3226Q wanting good-looking.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) audio

Dell doesn’t embrace audio system within the Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED. That’s a disappointment. Whereas I anticipate most individuals shopping for a monitor this costly will wish to use headphones or exterior audio system of top of the range, fundamental built-in audio system can nonetheless be helpful for conditions the place they exterior choice isn’t accessible.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) picture high quality

Picture high quality is a giant deal for the Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED U3226Q. This can be a $2,599.99 QD-OLED monitor, so it’s roughly two to a few instances dearer than a typical 32-inch 4K QD-OLED. You would possibly anticipate, then, that its picture high quality will probably be significantly better than a typical QD-OLED. That’s not the case, although the monitor nonetheless performs properly.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

First up is brightness, the place the Dell U3226Q affords a sustained most SDR brightness of 304 nits. Because the graph reveals, that’s an excellent however not main end result for an OLED monitor. It’s usually enough although, even in a brightly lit room.

The U3226Q’s vivid room efficiency is additional improved by the show’s matte end, which minimizes glare. A matte end is uncommon for a QD-OLED monitor, though some opponents—most notably Samsung—additionally present it.

I additionally observed that the U3226Q doesn’t describe monitor brightness as a share. As a substitute, the brightness setting describes the precise luminance output of the monitor. In my testing the luminance output listed by the brightness setting was correct inside 5 nits. That’s helpful when you have a specific luminance output that you simply want the monitor to ship primarily based in your calibrated settings.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Distinction is a win, after all. The U3226Q is a QD-OLED monitor that may obtain an ideal minimal luminance of zero nits in darkish content material, so it in flip offers an infinite distinction ratio. The monitor offers a terrific sense of depth and dimensionality in addition to good element in darkish scenes.

With that stated, the matte show end is a trade-off. Matte shows don’t look as darkish in use due to how the end refracts mild. A shiny end appears to be like deeper, darker, and extra immersive. Personally, I desire a matte end for the decreased glare, however that is one thing to bear in mind for those who’re all concerning the distinction.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The colour gamut is an attention-grabbing end result. Not as a result of it’s completely different from regular, however moderately as a result of it’s the identical. The U3226Q can present 100% of sRGB, 94 p.c of AdobeRGB, and 98 p.c of DCI-P3. These figures line up with different QD-OLED screens.

You would possibly surprise, then, what the U3226Q’s excessive price ticket is shopping for you. It’s a good query. The reply is offered by the U3226Q’s built-in colorimeter, colour administration software program, and colour choices. The monitor doesn’t supply a wider colour gamut than inexpensive QD-OLED screens, nevertheless it does present the instruments required to focus on a really particular colour house and keep picture accuracy.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Colour accuracy is great. The monitor offered a really low common colour error. At this degree, the colour error is probably going past what your imaginative and prescient can detect. I actually didn’t discover a distinction when in comparison with one other QD-OLED monitor calibrated to related accuracy.

The monitor’s colour gamma and temperature efficiency is sweet, if not good. I measured a gamma of two.3 with the monitor’s gamma set to 2.2. This implies the picture is a tad darker than supposed. This can be a constant situation I’ve witnessed with QD-OLED screens, and whereas it’s not instantly apparent, it’s there. Colour temperature got here in at 6400K, barely off the goal of 6500K. Needless to say each gamma and colour temperature will be adjusted with the monitor’s settings, so you’ve got choices to vary each to suit your wants.

Sharpness is sweet. A 31.5-inch panel with 3840×2160 decision affords a tad over 140 pixels per inch. That’s beginning to really feel a bit mundane now that 5K and 6K screens are extra available, nevertheless it nonetheless appears to be like crisp.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) HDR picture high quality

The Dell U3226Q is VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black licensed. This can be a barely higher degree of certification than standard, as most QD-OLED screens have VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certification. As well as, the U3226Q helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The monitor’s HDR brightness was not what I anticipated. I discovered that the U3226Q’s peak brightness isn’t as vivid as some opponents, nevertheless it’s usually brighter when bigger parts of the show are lit.

I don’t thoughts this. Numerous QD-OLED screens can obtain nice brightness when small parts of the display are lit however falter in different eventualities. An excellent instance of that is the Gargantua scene from Interstellar. The disk of scorching gasses across the black gap takes up a big portion of the display. In HDR, you are supposed to see plenty of element within the bands of swirling gasoline. QD-OLED screens can have hassle delivering on this.

Alternatively, the U3226Q doesn’t serve up eye-searing impression in different scenes. The Into the Storm scene from Mad Max: Fury Street contains dramatic lighting strikes that arc and flash. These look brighter on different QD-OLED shows.

Personally, I moderately just like the U3226Q’s general presentation. A QD-OLED that may hit about 1,000 nits in HDR brightness can really feel too vivid when the show is 2 or 3 ft away out of your face.

It’s an excellent factor the U3226Q’s brightness is modest, as a result of the monitor lacks HDR brightness adjustment. This can be a function that’s frequent on latest QD-OLED screens from Asus and MSI. I think about that Dell left this function out as a result of altering HDR brightness makes the content material seen technically much less correct to the creator’s intent, which cuts towards the U3226Q’s give attention to accuracy. Nonetheless, I believe giving customers the choice is preferable.

Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q) movement efficiency

The Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED has a refresh fee of 120Hz. It additionally helps adaptive sync, although in a restricted type, because it solely lists compatibility with the HDMI VRR spec.

Your opinions on the monitor’s general movement efficiency are prone to rely on the screens you’ve used prior.

The 120Hz refresh, mixed with the OLED panel’s quick pixel response instances, can ship a serious motion-clarity enchancment when in comparison with a 60Hz show. Objects in movement present far much less ghosting and most particulars stay seen, although nonetheless a bit smeared. Scrolling textual content is much extra readable than on a 60Hz show, too.

Nevertheless, different OLED screens can now obtain refresh charges as much as 500Hz and past, and 240Hz is frequent at 4K decision. The Dell’s 120Hz refresh fee doesn’t look practically as sharp or fluid in movement. Nonetheless, the 120Hz refresh fee is sweet sufficient usually.

Do you have to purchase the Dell Ultrasharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q)?

There’s so much to love concerning the U3226Q, and probably the most demanding inventive professionals are prone to discover this monitor interesting. The built-in colorimeter makes it straightforward to maintain the monitor calibrated. Dell’s monitor software program is stable. And the monitor affords options like Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist and distant monitor administration that usually aren’t present in inexpensive alternate options.

I additionally suppose it’s going to enchantment to professionals who work from home and need a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED for each work and play. The U3226Q has many options for inventive work after which, when it comes time to chill out, the 120Hz refresh fee, HDR assist, and extremely saturated colour gamut assist video games and films look their greatest.

However with an MSRP of $2,599.99, the U3226Q is over twice the value of a extra typical 32-inch 4K QD-OLED, akin to MSI’s MPG 321URXW and Dell’s 32 Plus. Most individuals will discover extra worth in inexpensive alternate options, however the Dell U3226Q is an effective selection if colour accuracy and consistency are vital in your work.