Dell UltraSharp U3226Q 4K 32-inch QD-OLED monitor review: Pro-grade with reference-level color

Dell delivers a reference display with the UltraSharp U3226Q.

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Dell UltraSharp U3226Q
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(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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Normally, I would prepare you for the fact that pro monitors aren’t great for gaming, then talk about low refresh rates, lack of Adaptive-Sync and motion blur. The U3226Q is a happy exception to all these negatives. OK, it’s 120 Hz, so there’s a little blur. But it’s an OLED, so there isn’t that much. And you get Adaptive-Sync. Check it out.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

· Response Time Full black to white transition – 0.12ms

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· Absolute Input Lag Full black to white transition – 16.6ms

The response time is extremely impressive because I’ve measured faster-refresh OLEDs with slower response, and higher input lag. 0.12ms is quicker than the Asus PG34WCDM I just reviewed which took 0.24ms to draw that one-inch square. Don’t get me wrong, this is a minute difference that cannot be seen by the naked eye. But it is there, nonetheless.

The lag score is also impressive at 16.6ms averaged over 25 mouse clicks by the Nvidia LDAT sensor. This is on par with many 4K 240 Hz screens. Though the U3226Q shows a tad more motion blur due to its 120 Hz refresh rate, it is just as responsive to control inputs as many speedy OLEDs.

Test Takeaway: The U3226Q is about the only professional monitor I would recommend for gaming. Though it has a bit more blur than faster screens, it isn’t a huge distraction in practice. And its low input lag means plenty of addictive fun in 3D shooters and lushly illustrated adventures alike.

Viewing Angles

Dell U3226Q

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The U3226Q has decent off-axis viewing angles but its Quantum Dots coupled with an aggressive anti-glare layer add a slight green tint to the 45-degree horizontal photo. There is no change in gamma or brightness so that’s a good thing. The top view goes a bit red with lighter gamma and a slight brightness reduction.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

· Screen Uniformity Deviation From Center 0% Black Field – 4.34%

The U3226Q has excellent screen uniformity in the manner of nearly all the OLEDs I’ve reviewed. It’s about average for the category at 4.34% deviation from center. There is no uniformity compensation included like some pro monitors, but it is clearly not needed. I’ve observed that after a few runs of the pixel refresh routine, this number drops by about 20% on average across all OLED displays.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wakuwaku
    No ULMB option
    We all know now that even this "veteran" reviewer now uses AI!
    Why? Because AI says OLEDs have ULMB, which obviously they don't. Backlight strobing cannot exist on a display that does not use a backlight.... OLEDs use BFI or black frame insertion. And BFI is pointless on a creator or productivity monitor. Why do you want to increase costs for creators to get their gear?
    Reply
  • BillyBuerger
    Above it, on the bezel, are three touch-sensitive buttons that light up when your hand gets close. I enjoyed waving at the screen like Harry Potter to make them appear.
    Oh gawd no. I thought Dell finally stopped with the terrible touch buttons on their monitors.I'm still using some old Dell U2415 monitors which are still great, but the touch buttons are such a terrible interface. Especially for the power button. This is similar to using touch buttons for the function row on the XPS laptops. It's especially terrible for the Escape key. Buttons need to have a tactile feel so you can tell where they are and when you've pushed them. Touch buttons have none of this and are super awkward to use.
    Reply
  • Dementoss
    Why criticise the 120Hz max refresh rate, when this monitor is not aimed at gamers?
    Reply