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Grayscale, Gamma and Color

To test the U3226Q’s color, I measured each fixed color mode with its default parameters without calibrating first. The charts below represent out-of-the-box results. There are seven modes represented here that include every major spec currently in use.

Here are the default parameters for each mode.

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Mode	Gamut	Color Temp	Gamma
Native	Full native	D65	2.2
Cinema P3	P3	D63	2.4
Display P3	P3	D65	sRGB
sRGB	sRGB	D65	sRGB
BT.709	BT.709	D65	BT.1886
BT.2020	BT.2020	D65	BT.1886
Adobe RGB	Adobe RGB	D65	D65

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

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Dell U3226Q — (Image credit: Portrait Displays Calman)

The color results are even more impressive with all modes around 1dE average error. It doesn’t really get better than that. BT.2020 is a little higher because the U3226Q is a P3+ display. You won’t find a true 2020 monitor for less than $10,000 and this one is a quarter of that. My only comment is that the 2020 points are all undersaturated rather than just the 100% ones. This keeps the progression linear, which is ultimately better for overall image quality. But it would be nice to include an option for adherence to as many targets as possible. I also noted that Adobe RGB came up a little short in the green primary. True Adobe RGB monitors are also a rare and expensive proposition. However, the U3226Q gets very close to the mark.

Grayscale, Gamma, and Color Gamut Test Summary

Here is a table with all the results in one place. The U3226Q is one of the most accurate pro monitors I’ve tested at its default settings.

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Row 0 - Cell 0	Grayscale Error	Gamma Range	Gamma Average	Gamma Actual	Gamut Error	Gamut Volume
Native	1.35dE	0.30	1.36%	2.17	1.59dE	108.23%
DCI-P3	1.34dE	0.24	0.00%	2.40	0.92dE	95.73%
Display P3	1.27dE	0.28	0.45%	2.39	0.90dE	95.92%
sRGB	1.28dE	0.29	0.45%	2.39	0.91dE	98.69%
BT.709	1.29dE	0.25	0.00%	2.40	0.87dE	98.78%
BT.2020	1.29dE	0.31	0.45%	2.39	2.88dE	72.57%
Adobe RGB	1.25dE	0.12	0.91%	2.18	1.39dE	90.40%

Test Takeaway: The U3226Q equals the best professional monitors I’ve reviewed in overall accuracy and bests many of them with its out-of-box results. Verification and adjustment of any mode is a quick and hands-off affair thanks to the built-in meter, so you can always be sure you’re on point. It also covers every possible industry standard and makes it easy to create your own setups with its six settings memories. It sets a new standard for flexibility and convenience.

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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

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.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Color Gamut Accuracy

Grayscale, Gamma, and Color Gamut Test Summary