Dell Ultrasharp U3223QE Monitor

Perfect for productivity, but Dell’s IPS Black image tech isn’t as good as it claims to be

Whisper it, but LCD monitors with high–contrast HDR capabilities are ultimately cheats. They use various forms of local dimming to achieve contrast performance that the LCD panel itself cannot deliver. Enter the new Dell Ultrasharp U3223QE. It boasts what Dell claims is the world’s first use of IPS Black technology, capable of 2,000:1 contrast.

That’s true static contrast from the panel itself, no local backlight dimming required. It’s a big step up on the maximum 1,300:1 contrast of the best existing IPS monitors. Indeed, many only manage 1,000:1. Of course, VA panels are better still, with up to 4,000:1 static contrast. The problem is, VA panels aren’t quite as accurate or quick, nor can they match the wide viewing angles of IPS.

Anyway, what else can we tell you about the Dell Ultrasharp U3223QE? It’s a 32–inch monster with a full 3,840 by 2,160 pixel native resolution. That translates into a pixel density of around 140 DPI — a fair way off Apple’s Retina Mac displays, then, which hit 200 DPI or more. But still enough for nice, crisp fonts in MacOS.

Dell also makes impressive claims when it comes to color fidelity for the U3223QE. Coverage of the demanding DCI–P3 digital cinema color space is pegged at 98 percent, while per–channel color depth is the full 10 bits. While this isn’t a true pro–grade display when it comes to video or image editing, it’s certainly capable of basic content creation.

However, it’s productivity where the U3223QE really scores. Along with the generous panel size and 4K resolution, you get USB–C docking complete with 90W of power delivery and DisplayPort output. That means you can hook up a MacBook via a single cable and drive two of these displays, attach peripherals, and charge the MacBook itself. There’s even an ethernet port for networking support. Full KVM switch functionality is also in the mix.

The only obvious omission is a webcam for built–in video conferencing. But then you couldn’t have that and the slick, slim–bezel design. All of which just leaves the minor matter of, you know, image quality. Sadly, the IPS Black technology disappoints. Subjectively, this monitor’s contrast, black levels, and vibrancy are little, if any, better than a good IPS panel based on existing technology.

Certainly, it doesn’t help that the factory calibration is just a tiny bit tilted towards green and also suffers from a touch of compression in brighter tones. The panel doesn’t produce the cleanest or purest of white tones, either.

That’s a pity, because this is still a very nice monitor with which to get some serious work done. But it’s not the outstanding achiever that some previous Dell UltraSharp screens have been.

Dell Ultrasharp U3223QE Monitor Features

• 32–inch IPS display with anti–glare
• 3,840 x 2,160 resolution
• 400cd/m2 brightness
• 2,000:1 contrast
• 5ms pixel response
• 98% DCI–P3 color coverage
• 60Hz refresh rate
• 100mm x 100mm VESA
• DisplayPort 1.4
• HDMI 2.0
• USB–C with 90W PD
• audio out
• DisplayPort out
• ethernet

Dell Ultrasharp U3223QE Monitor Price

$859.99

IPS Black isn’t the big step forward we’d hoped for. A good, but not great 4K monitor.