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Head-to-head · Best USB-C Monitors

Dell UltraSharp U3225QE vs MSI Modern MD272UPSW

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Dell UltraSharp U3225QE comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about creative professionals needing large 4K workspace — read the strengths below before deciding.

Dell UltraSharp U3225QE
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best USB-C Monitors
Dell UltraSharp U3225QE
2 sources$799.99as of Aug 1

A 32-inch 4K IPS Black panel wrapped around a Thunderbolt 4 dock. PCMag scored it 4.5 out of 5, crediting the contrast the IPS Black generation adds and the convenience of running a laptop's display, power and peripherals down one cable; Wired landed at 8 out of 10 and liked blacks that stay black rather than going grey. There are no speakers, and it is not an HDR display in any meaningful sense. Consolidating a desk is what it is for.

Strengths
  • — IPS Black panel lifts contrast to roughly 3,000:1, well past a standard IPS
  • — Thunderbolt 4 with 140W power delivery replaces a laptop dock outright
  • — 4K at 120Hz, unusual on a monitor built for productivity
Watch-outs
  • — No built-in speakers, which undercuts the single-cable desk it is sold for
  • — DisplayHDR 600 is bright SDR rather than competitive HDR
  • — Ambient light sensor dims too aggressively and needs overriding
$799.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
MSI Modern MD272UPSW
Ranked #5 in Best USB-C Monitors
MSI Modern MD272UPSW
2 sources$349as of May 19

The MSI Modern MD27UPHW is a 27-inch 4K smart monitor that straddles TV and PC duty. PCWorld called it a 'solid smart monitor powered by Google TV OS' and liked the attractive design and included remote control. PCMag praised the bright image and streaming capabilities but found the color performance just so-so. It undercuts many alternatives on price, with the caveats that the color gamut isn't advanced and Ethernet connectivity doesn't extend to the connected PC.

Strengths
  • — Attractive and functional design with sleek white colorway
  • — Google TV OS is great for streaming and smart features
  • — Includes a TV-style remote control for easy navigation
Watch-outs
  • — Mediocre color gamut and performance
  • — Ethernet port doesn't extend connectivity to connected PC
Full review →

How they stack up

Dell UltraSharp U3225QE

The Dell UltraSharp U3225QE is the size pick — at 32 inches it gives more workspace than the 27-inch Dell U2725QE and U2723QE for users who want one big screen instead of a dual setup. It shares the U2725QE's Thunderbolt 4 hub story but stops short of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM's gaming chops.

MSI Modern MD272UPSW

The MSI Modern MD27UPHW is the smart-monitor wildcard — its Google TV OS and included remote let it double as a streaming display, which none of the Dell UltraSharps or the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM offer. It trades color accuracy and panel quality for that flexibility; pick it only if the smart-TV features matter.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDell UltraSharp U3225QEMSI Modern MD272UPSW
Size32 inches27-inch
Resolution4K3840×2160
Panel TypeIPS BlackIPS LCD
Refresh Rate120Hz60Hz
ConnectivityThunderbolt 4 (140W PD), HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.41x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x USB-C (65W PD), 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x Ethernet, 3.5mm audio out
HDRDisplayHDR 600HDR10
Weight20.6 lb—
Smart—Google TV OS, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, remote control
Audio—2x 3W speakers
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