Dell S3225QS 32-Inch Plus 32" Review
The Dell S3225QS offers a big 4K screen and 120Hz smoothness in a neat bundle with a dock and peripherals. It's a great all-rounder, but not a champion in any single category.
The 30-Second Version
The Dell S3225QS is a solid 32-inch 4K all-rounder with a smooth 120Hz refresh. Its best score is for features (84th percentile). The killer feature is the massive bundle that includes a dock, cables, and peripherals. Worth buying if you need the whole package, but look elsewhere for specialist performance.
Overview
The Dell S3225QS is a 32-inch 4K monitor that tries to do a bit of everything. It's got a big, sharp screen, a surprisingly smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a VA panel for deep blacks. It's pitched as an all-rounder for work, media, and casual gaming.
And for the most part, it succeeds. The bundle is a huge part of the story here—you're not just getting a monitor, you're getting a whole desk setup with a dock, cables, and peripherals. That changes the value proposition completely.
Performance
Performance is solid but not class-leading. The 120Hz refresh and FreeSync Premium make everyday scrolling and casual gaming feel smooth, landing it in the 59th percentile for performance in our database. The VA panel's 3000:1 contrast ratio gives you great depth for movies, but don't expect the pixel response of a dedicated gaming screen. It's fast enough for most people, but hardcore competitive gamers will want more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The massive 32-inch 4K screen is immersive and sharp. 83th
- 120Hz refresh rate is a nice bonus for smooth general use. 70th
- VA panel delivers excellent contrast and deep blacks.
- The included bundle adds tremendous practical value.
Cons
- Ergonomics are basic, scoring in the 32nd percentile. 8th
- Connectivity is just okay, with only two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort. 28th
- It's a huge, heavy monitor—portability scores in the 8th percentile. 31th
- HDR10 support is basic, not a true HDR experience.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 32" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| HDR | HDR10 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 |
Value & Pricing
At around $1020, this is a tricky one to judge because you're really buying a bundle. As a standalone monitor, it's a decent but not exceptional value. The feature set is good, but the ergonomics and connectivity are average. However, when you factor in the docking station, high-quality cables, keyboard, mouse, and cleaning kit, the whole package becomes a compelling deal for someone setting up a new, clean workspace from scratch.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the competition and its place is clear. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 or MSI MPG 32" 4K 240Hz will crush it in pure gaming performance. The ASUS ROG Swift QD-OLED has vastly better contrast and response times. And the Dell UltraSharp line offers better color accuracy for creatives. The S3225QS sits in the middle: not the best at any one thing, but a competent jack-of-all-trades, especially with its bundle.
| Spec | Dell S3225QS 32-Inch Plus 32" | LG UltraGear LG - UltraGear 27" IPS Dual Mode (4K UHD 180Hz, | Samsung Odyssey Neo Samsung - 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Dual 4K UHD Quantum | MSI MAG MSI 32" UHD 4K 165Hz Nvidia G-Sync Compatible | ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP | Apple Studio Display Apple - Studio Display - Standard glass - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 32 | 27 | 57 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3840 Pixels | 3840 x 2160 | 7680 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2880 |
| Panel Type | - | IPS | VA | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 180 | 240 | 165 | 240 | 60 |
| Response Time Ms | - | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | - |
| Hdr | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR10+ | HDR400 | HDR10 | ✗ |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Color | Compact | Display | Feature | Ergonomic | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell S3225QS 32-Inch Plus 32" | 70.1 | 8.3 | 57.4 | 82.5 | 27.9 | 61.6 | 30.5 | 50.7 |
| LG UltraGear 27" Dual Mode Compare | 91.9 | 80.5 | 90.5 | 82.5 | 96.5 | 94.1 | 99.9 | 97.3 |
| Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57" Dual Compare | 99.4 | 50.6 | 99.6 | 82.5 | 87.8 | 96.3 | 99.4 | 99.3 |
| MSI MAG 32" Compare | 99 | 8.3 | 98.7 | 97.2 | 96.5 | 99.8 | 89.4 | 99.3 |
| ASUS ROG Swift 32" Compare | 99.9 | 72.5 | 98.7 | 82.5 | 87.8 | 81.3 | 96.7 | 97.3 |
| Apple Studio Display Studio Display Standard glass Tilt-adjustable stand Compare | 96.8 | 80.5 | 99.4 | 99.6 | 72.4 | 22.5 | 96 | 98.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this good for competitive gaming?
Not really. While the 120Hz is smooth, the VA panel's response times and basic HDR10 support put it behind dedicated gaming monitors like the MSI MPG or ASUS ROG Swift models.
Q: How are the built-in speakers?
The dual 10W speakers are fine for system sounds and casual video calls, but you'll want dedicated speakers or a headset for music, movies, or gaming.
Q: Does the stand allow for vertical rotation (portrait mode)?
No, the stand only adjusts for height, tilt, and swivel. It does not rotate to a portrait orientation.
Who Should Skip This
Hardcore gamers should skip this. You're paying for a bundle and a big screen, not top-tier gaming specs. Look at the MSI MPG 32" 4K 240Hz or an OLED panel instead. Serious creative pros needing absolute color accuracy should also consider a dedicated UltraSharp or similar pro-grade display.
Verdict
Buy this if you're setting up a new home office or media station and want a big, beautiful 4K screen that can handle a bit of everything. The bundle makes it a one-stop shop. It's also a great pick if your use case is 70% work/productivity, 20% media consumption, and 10% casual gaming.