Review: Dell 32 Plus 4K S3225QS, an affordable 4K monitor that does what it needs to do

Dell offer so many different monitors that it is easy to get lost in the weeds of all the options, so it is important to closely check specifications and model numbers when purchasing.  

We were sent the Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor (S3225QS) to review, a very affordable monitor that promises 4K resolution in a quality productivity monitor.  At RRP $449.40 (why do Dell have these weird prices all the time?), this sits well and truly in the affordable line of monitors, especially given its specs.

The Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor features a decent-sized VA LCD panel.  Now, VA panels aren’t the best around, but they’re considered good for decent contrast ratios, good colour reproduction, and great performance in dark rooms, thanks to their low black levels.

Dell 32 Plus 4K S3225QS Specifications

• 32-inch VA LCD display, 16:9 aspect ratio
• 3840×2160 (4K) resolution
• Up to 120Hz refresh rate
• HDR10 and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Certified
• Connectivity:  2 HDMI ports (HDCP 1.4 and 2.2), 1 DisplayPort 1.4 (HDCP 1.4 and 2.2), both supporting 4K, 120Hz
• Narrow bezel
• 2 speakers, 10W total

Design

The monitor’s design is nothing special, but that doesn’t mean it is bad.  The rear of the monitor is encased in a fairly cheap-feeling white plastic but does that affect the monitor?  Of course not.  There are white panels on the rear, with the HDMI and DP ports underneath.  You can leave these panels on to make the monitor’s rear look neater.

The power button and on-screen control joystick are located at the rear of the monitor, in an easy-to-access position.  They are easy to use, much better than many others.  Easy to navigate and easy to select without accidental presses.

The stand is solid and dependable, with very little wobble.  It includes a clip on it to help keep your cables tidy – nothing exciting but a handy addition.  The stand provides 10cm of up-and-down movement for the monitor, as well as a tilt range of -20° to 5 °.  It also tilts from side to side but I cannot think of when you would need this.  I would have liked the monitor to go a touch higher, given I used it with my laptop connected to it in front.  It was good enough though: I just had to tilt the laptop display back a bit more than usual to view the entire Dell display.

Disappointingly, the stand offers no swivel.  This would have been nice, considering the narrower viewing angles than some monitors. 

Performance

I tested the monitor using both HDMI and DP connectivity options and had no issues.  Movies played perfectly smoothly, and the productivity use was a breeze, as you would expect.  I would have much preferred a USB-C connection and a USB hub but this budget monitor does not extend that far.  I wonder when USB-C connectivity will be considered a standard inclusion.  Surely soon.

The monitor had a really good contrast ratio, offering comfortable viewing in a darkened room with deep blacks and bright highlights.  Don’t expect fancy picture tweaks at under 0, though.

Dell states the viewing angle is 178°, but the angle at which you can see a quality image is much lower.  Luckily, most people sit directly in front of their monitor, so they will never run into this issue.

There are speakers in the monitor, two of them for a total of 10W.  They are ok for basic use, but if you are going to watch a decent movie or listen to music, you will want external speakers or headphones to get the full audio experience.

Final thoughts

Not all monitors are top-of-the-range. Very few of us need a monitor that good and for those who just want a quality monitor there is the Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor (S3225QS). A decent quality 4K monitor with good colours and a great contrast ratio that is large enough to be used for media consumption or a productivity workhorse.

The Dell 32 Plus 4K Monitor (S3225QS) will not blow you away but at just 9 it is not designed to. It does what it is designed to do, and does it well, without any fuss. No bells or whistles, just solid performance at a reasonable price.