Dell UltraSharp U3226Q 32 4K QD-OLED monitor review: A creator's dream panel with a jarring price tag

I’ve been a huge fan of Dell displays for a long time.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>I’ve been a huge fan of Dell displays for a long time. So, when I first saw the UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED (U3226Q), I thought two things: <em>What a long name</em>, and <em>Wow, that looks incredible</em>. </p><p>I have got really used to my 52-inch beast from Dell, so I know they are capable of delivering spectacular quality and novel ideas. So, the idea of Dell jumping feet first into a creative monitor is really exciting… and they did it very, very well.</p><p>This monitor has DisplayHDR True Black; it’s a QD-OLED anti-glare coating; it's a 120Hz, 4K panel; and it’s built from the ground up for color-critical workflows that are vital to getting the colors just right. There’s a magnetic shade for use in areas with harsh or inconsistent lighting, a built-in colorimeter, and up to 1000 nits of peak brightness. </p><p>The specs are incredible, and rightfully so; this monitor is truly brilliant in all of the best ways. As long as you forget that unseemly price tag. </p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-price-and-availability"><span>Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED: Price and availability</span></h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2560px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="9VVBBJ6rpMRX7kZEbz97rn" name="Dell | UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED | 6" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9VVBBJ6rpMRX7kZEbz97rn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2560" height="1440" attribution="" endorsement="" class=""></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED can be purchased for <a href="https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-monitor-u3226q/apd/210-bvkd/monitors-monitor-accessories" target="_blank">$2,440 at Dell</a> in the US. And in the UK, it's got an equivalent <a href="https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-monitor-u3226q/apd/210-bvcp/monitors-monitor-accessories" target="_blank">cost of £2,405 at Dell UK</a>. It's also available from a range of other retailers, but not reliably so. </p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2560px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="d4zFnxcXkPD9d7jFz22Nkn" name="Dell | UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED | 5" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d4zFnxcXkPD9d7jFz22Nkn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2560" height="1440" attribution="" endorsement="" class=""></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )</span></figcaption></figure><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-unboxing-and-first-impressions"><span>Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED: Unboxing and First Impressions</span></h2><p>I haven't really used it on a monitor or with shaders before; however, I've recently seen several. I didn't really understand why it would be used, but now, after seeing half a dozen monitor shaders in the last six months, I have a pretty good idea of why you would want them, why you would need them, and why you wouldn't need them.</p><p>Right away, I noticed just how sleek and polished this monitor looks. Granted, I have very good experience with Dell monitors at this point, but I still recognize the build quality on this thing, even from first on most</p><p>The packaging is pretty straightforward. After testing all some of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-business-monitor" target="_blank">best business monitors</a> over the last couple of years, I've learned to expect a certain level of standard in packaging. The monitor itself had front and back protection to ensure that it won't break during transport.</p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-design-build-quality"><span>Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED: Design & Build Quality</span></h2><p>There is a reason why Dell monitors are insanely popular, especially in the business world. That's because, even though they don't have all the gimmicks that many other providers do, they have built their reputation on dependability. </p><p>This monitor, even though it is a high-end performance monitor, is built the very same way. It has the essentials covered, so the user can rely on it for any use case. It's able to fit in a really small project space all around.</p><p>The last thing I'll mention about design and build quality is the shader itself. It's made from a nice material. It doesn't look like it will sag at all, and it magnetically attaches, which is fantastic. </p><p>You may not always want to use this shader, but when you need it, you can easily slip it on to the display. </p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-in-use"><span>Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED: In use</span></h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2560px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="gKPp5LsNvRmr5Qvqe3JHmn" name="Dell | UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED | 2" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gKPp5LsNvRmr5Qvqe3JHmn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2560" height="1440" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )</span></figcaption></figure><p>Using this monitor has been fantastic. It looks super sharp. It's clean. It's simple. It's not overstated. It mounts great on modern monitor arms. It has great ports. All these things result in very smooth, easy usability for me.</p><p>I was able to get this all set up very quickly, and once everything was set up, I was able to use it right away thanks to its single USB-C cable for connecting a laptop or desktop. </p><p>Now, if I want to add more to this monitor, such as a secondary machine or something, it does have great ports and several options, though. It doesn't have nearly as many options as some of the more advanced monitors I have seen.</p><p>My team and I have used this monitor for photo editing, for video editing, and for basic website design. So far, it's been spectacular to use. Its picture quality is spectacular, and the shader is super easy to disable when I don't need it.</p><p>One thing that I'm very thankful for is that this monitor is still bright. Most of the monitors and shaders I have seen have a really dim max brightness, but this one still looks great with max brightness. </p><p>Another thing worth touching on is the ports for the Dell Ultrasharp for the desktop setup in the photo. I use a single USB-C cable running directly from my laptop to the monitor. </p><p>If you've a more complicated setup where you're using one of the mini Thunderbolt docking stations or something similar, you can plug directly into it via USB-C or, of course, HDMI.</p><p>For the longest time, I would recommend Samsung or BenQ panels for creative work - in my experience, those companies produce some of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-monitor-for-photo-editing" target="_blank">best monitors for photo editing</a> and the like. </p><p>However, several more companies are stepping up when it comes to high-quality creative panels. Dell is clearly one of them, and honestly, I don't think its are too late to the game either. I think it's right on time, bringing its background of reliability and dependability to a growing demographic.</p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-dell-ultrasharp-32-4k-qd-oled-final-verdict"><span>Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED: Final verdict</span></h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2560px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="qyVatDYag8Eb4tcG9x5rdn" name="Dell | UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED | 4" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyVatDYag8Eb4tcG9x5rdn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2560" height="1440" attribution="" endorsement="" class=""></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )</span></figcaption></figure><p>If you know that you are looking for a creative monitor with specific specs, the best panel possible, and you even know what a shader is and what it does, then this is the kind of 4K monitor you should be looking into. </p><p>If you have to wonder whether this is worth it, it probably isn’t. It's total overkill for running standard office software and streaming the occasional movie. </p><p>If you know you're looking for an absurdly nice monitor because you are a video editor, a photo editor, or a content creator in some way, and you need a high-quality one, then absolutely make sure you check this one out.</p><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gKPp5LsNvRmr5Qvqe3JHmn.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyVatDYag8Eb4tcG9x5rdn.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CqAxXxfxS2XAJ2oHofndqn.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d4zFnxcXkPD9d7jFz22Nkn.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aQn68GGJZLuw27EcWHiQon.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9VVBBJ6rpMRX7kZEbz97rn.jpg" alt="Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 4K QD-OLED" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Collin Probst // Future </small></figcaption></figure></figure> </article> ]]>