Quick verdict: Buy the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE if you work from a laptop and want one USB-C cable to handle video, charging, peripherals, and wired Ethernet, or if color accuracy and contrast matter to your work. Buy the Dell 27 Plus 4K (S2725QS) if you connect a desktop PC or console over HDMI or DisplayPort and want smoother 120Hz motion for a lot less money. Both are sharp 27-inch 4K IPS monitors with fully adjustable stands; the deciding question is how you connect and what you do after work.
- Panel
- IPS Black
- IPS
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160 (4K)
- 3840 x 2160 (4K)
- Hub
- USB-C 90W + RJ45
- —
- Color
- 98% DCI-P3
- 99% sRGB
- Ergonomics
- Height/tilt/swivel/pivot
- —
- Refresh
- —
- 120Hz
- Sync
- —
- AMD FreeSync Premium
- IPS Black panel doubles contrast for deeper blacks
- Built-in USB-C hub with 90W PD and RJ45 Ethernet
- Factory-calibrated color, full ergonomic stand
- Premium price
- 60Hz — built for work, not gaming
- 27" 4K IPS at 120Hz — sharp and smooth
- 99% sRGB with ComfortView Plus low blue light
- Full height/tilt/swivel/pivot + built-in speakers
- No USB-C on this S-series model
- 1500:1 contrast is good, not OLED-deep
The Core Difference: A Docking Station vs a Faster Panel#
The U2723QE is really two products in one: a 4K monitor and a USB-C dock. A single USB-C cable from a compatible laptop carries the display signal, delivers up to 90W of charging power, and connects the laptop to the monitor's USB ports and RJ45 Ethernet jack. For a laptop-first desk, that means plugging in one cable when you sit down instead of four, and it can replace a separate docking station entirely.
The S2725QS skips all of that. It has no USB-C input, so a laptop needs an HDMI or DisplayPort connection and its own charger. What it offers instead is a 120Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium, double the 60Hz of the U2723QE. Scrolling long documents, dragging windows, and moving the cursor all look noticeably smoother, and casual gaming benefits too.
Picture Quality: IPS Black Contrast and Wide Gamut vs Solid sRGB#
The U2723QE uses Dell's IPS Black panel, which Dell rates at 2000:1 contrast, roughly double what a conventional IPS panel manages. Blacks look deeper and dark-mode interfaces look less washed out. It also covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space and ships factory-calibrated, which makes it a dependable choice for photo editing, design work, and anyone who needs colors to match between devices.
The S2725QS is rated at 1500:1 contrast and 99% sRGB coverage. That is accurate, pleasant color for web content, office work, and video, but it lacks the wider gamut and the extra contrast of the UltraSharp. Dell also includes ComfortView Plus, a hardware low-blue-light feature designed to reduce blue light without heavily tinting the screen, which suits long daily sessions.
Refresh Rate: 60Hz vs 120Hz#
This is the clearest trade-off between the two. The U2723QE is a 60Hz work monitor; Dell built it for productivity, not gaming. The S2725QS runs at 120Hz with adaptive sync, which makes motion more fluid in games and everyday use alike. If you play games after work, even casually, the S2725QS is the better fit. If the monitor only ever shows spreadsheets, code, and video calls, 60Hz is perfectly adequate.
Stands, Speakers, and Extras#
Both monitors come with a stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, so either can rotate into portrait for reading or coding. The S2725QS adds built-in speakers, handy for calls and casual video if you don't have desktop speakers. The U2723QE has no speakers but puts its effort into connectivity, with the USB-C hub and Ethernet that the S-series lacks.
Who Should Buy Which#
Choose the Dell U2723QE if you:
- Work mainly from a laptop with USB-C video and charging
- Want wired Ethernet and USB peripherals through a single cable
- Do color-sensitive work or value deeper contrast
Choose the Dell S2725QS if you:
- Connect a desktop PC or console over HDMI or DisplayPort
- Want 120Hz smoothness for gaming or general use
- Want 4K sharpness and built-in speakers for considerably less money
Frequently Asked Questions#
Can the Dell S2725QS charge a laptop over USB-C?#
No. The S2725QS has no USB-C port, so it can't carry video or charging over a single cable. You'll connect your laptop with HDMI or DisplayPort and keep using its own charger. If single-cable charging is important to you, the U2723QE delivers up to 90W over USB-C.
Is the Dell U2723QE good for gaming?#
It works for casual play, but it isn't built for it. The U2723QE runs at 60Hz and has no adaptive-sync gaming focus, so fast motion looks less smooth than on a 120Hz monitor like the S2725QS.
Which Dell 4K monitor is better for photo editing?#
The U2723QE. Its 98% DCI-P3 coverage, factory calibration, and IPS Black contrast make it the stronger choice for color-critical work. The S2725QS covers 99% sRGB, which is fine for web-focused editing but narrower than the UltraSharp's gamut.
Do both monitors have fully adjustable stands?#
Yes. Both include stands with height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustment, so either can sit at eye level or rotate into portrait orientation without a separate monitor arm.
The Verdict#
The U2723QE is the better monitor for a laptop-centered professional desk: its USB-C hub, 90W charging, Ethernet port, and IPS Black panel turn one cable into a complete workstation with excellent color. The S2725QS is the better value for most everyone else, delivering the same 4K sharpness with twice the refresh rate and built-in speakers, as long as you don't need USB-C. Match the monitor to how you connect, and see our full monitor reviews for more options at every budget.
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