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
Editor's Choice
(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The U3226Q supports every current HDR standard in use except for HDR10+. HDR10 gets three fixed modes plus six additional user/cal memories. There’s a slot for Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Dolby Vision gets Dark and Bright options.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

· HDR White Luminance – 535.2847 nits

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· HDR Black Level – 0 nit

· HDR Sequential Contrast – Unmeasurable

The U3226Q isn’t super bright, but it easily earns its DisplayHDR 500 certification with 535 nits measured from a 25% window pattern. Dell claims 1,000 nits for a 1.5% window, and there is no reason to doubt this. Black levels and contrast could not be measured.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

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Dell U3226Q
(Image credit: Portrait Displays Calman)

Like the SDR tests, I simply measured the default HDR10 mode to verify its accuracy. Grayscale tracking keeps all its errors below 3dE so there is no visible issue anywhere in the brightness range. The EOTF is slightly dark below 40% and a tad light above that until the tone-map transition at 65%. This is the correct level for the measured black and white thresholds.

In the color tests, you can see slight oversaturation across the board with the points progressing in a linear fashion. This means all fine elements are clearly rendered in all areas of the image. This gives HDR a bit more impact. In the BT.2020 test, the U3226Q runs out of color at 90% red, 75% green and 95% blue. This is typical performance compared to other pro screens and to the entire HDR monitor category.

Test Takeaway: The U3226Q is a reference HDR monitor with the ability to master any content except HDR10+. It’s also just as easy to calibrate the HDR modes as the SDR ones, which is something I haven’t seen before. It isn’t super bright, but it is bright enough to master content to 1,000 nits and more than bright enough for use in light-controlled environments.

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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