by Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ: Basic Specifications
Screen size: 31.5 inches
Screen type: IPS Black
Analysis: 3840×2160
Shine: 400 nits
Contrast: 2000:1
Pixel Response: 5 ms (gray to gray fast), 8 ms (gray to gray normal)
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Display Colors: 1.07 billion
Inputs: HDMI (HDCP 2.2), DisplayPort 1.4 (HDCP 2.2), USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream/DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode (power up to 90W), USB 3.2 Gen 2 downstream (power up to 15W), 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2, DisplayPort output (MST), Headphone (mini-jack), KVM
Adjustment: Tilt -5/21º, Swivel -30/30º, height adjustment 150mm
Weight: (based on) 11.9 kg
Dimensions: (with base) 712 x 647 x 230 mm
The Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ wants nothing to do with cheap or frivolous. It’s for serious people who have serious meetings with other serious people while working on some serious multi-tasking projects, and all those people obviously have serious salaries too, because to make the U3223QZ yours, you’ll have to pay £1,000. at least.
Yes, it’s already one of Dell’s best monitors (opens in new tab), and for good reason, as it’s big, sharp and packed with features like a full HD webcam, a 4K IPS panel, a KVM switch (so you can easily switch between two computers connected to the display), multi-function tasks, such as split-screen and dedicated video conferencing buttons. But how does it fare when used in a real world environment? Will it prove its worth against other, cheaper displays? To find out, I got to use one for over a month, testing it for both work and play.
Plan
Like most of Dell’s premium products, the Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ carries an air of distinction out of the box. It’s heavier than most monitors I’ve used in recent months, very heavier, in fact, nearly 12 pounds when fully assembled.
Thankfully the stand is solid and sturdy and clicks onto the back of the screen with ease. Once set up, you can adjust the screen’s height, rotation and tilt, with the 150mm height adjustment being particularly generous.
The screen also looks premium, with a soft cloth covering the thick top bezel, which has a built-in full-size Dell HD webcam (we reviewed an almost identical standalone model of this Dell Webcam (opens in new tab) recently). It gives the whole build a look that shouldn’t be ignored, a display that’s made to stand out and not just fold into the environment. The bezels are chunky, the corner is sharp and the top trim adds height on top of an already large screen.
It’s definitely a look that will divide opinion and would suit a corporate environment more than a small home office for sure, but I kind of like the boldness of the design. Although, I wonder what will happen if the fabric rips or tears…
Characteristics
The Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ is purpose-built for video conferencing and productivity, with dedicated buttons in the lower left corner for launching Microsoft Teams, starting and ending calls, and turning the camera and microphone on and off. The buttons aren’t programmable, so if you’re not a Teams user, this will be pretty much unnecessary for you.
The screen itself is an IPS Black panel, with HDR400 technology, which is a nice feature, but it won’t compete too hard with the much more powerful HDR panels, many of which are also much cheaper.
There’s a healthy number of ports on the back for excellent connectivity, including a quick-charge port (for charging your laptop or phone, for example), plenty of USB 3.2 ports, and HDMI and DP ports. There’s also a Kensington lock for security, a KVM switch and a privacy shutter on the webcam.
Speaking of the webcam, this is one of the main features here. It is an HD webcam and the image produced is sharp and bright. I can also tilt the webcam, which is handy since the screen is so tall.
Implementation
With 1.07 billion colors and 100% Rec 709, 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3, the Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ has all the ingredients of a good photo and image editing monitor, and it certainly is, with excellent detail for Photoshop and more image edits I worked on during my time with it.
However, with only a 60Hz framerate and HDR maxed out at 400 nits, it’s not the best monitor for video work or game development, for example, as you can get monitors that do much better and the aforementioned image processing just as well, at a fraction of the price which this screen gives.
Video conferencing is the real power here, with a 3840×2160 resolution that’s large enough to fit multiple floating heads on your screen, as well as multitasking and presence, while keeping everything visible at all times. The webcam performs very well, with face tracking so the ultra-wide lens follows you obediently and without fuss. It also has Windows Hello, so unlocking your computer happens automatically when you sit in front of it.
But then again, all of this can be done on screens much cheaper, and just as large, as the U3223QZ. So why get this? The answer is simple and perhaps disappointing to some: yes They look good while doing so. It’s an imposing display, a brand flagship as much as a productivity champion, built to look good and impress mortals as it sits on an executive’s large desk.
Price
The Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ retails at £1,202 / $1,599 at the time of writing, but discounts are often available on the Dell website (and other retailers that stock the monitor), so shopping around could save you up to £200 £ / $400 RRP. That said, it will still be an expensive monitor, and I suspect it will be sold mostly to companies for executives and managers.
Should I buy the Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ?
If you’re my boss’s boss, then yes, you should consider the Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ. It’s a good productivity and multitasking display, with a sharp IPS panel (though lackluster HDR) and a webcam that will help you look good during video calls. A dedicated row of buttons underscores the screen’s focus on video conferencing, and the high-end design touches and extravagant price tag underscore its appeal to high-end business users above all else. For others, such as designers, photographers, and filmmakers, there are plenty of cheaper options out there that will serve your needs just as well or better than this unit.
