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Updated October 2026: refreshed with Dell’s official spec sheet, corrected port details, a new comparison table, and an FAQ. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon.
Dell S2725QC Review: The Quick Answer
Is the Dell S2725QC worth it? Yes, for most laptop and MacBook users. The Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor (S2725QC) combines a 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) IPS panel, a 120Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium, and a USB-C port with up to 65W power delivery, so one cable handles video, data, and charging. You also get two HDMI 2.1 ports that run 4K at 120Hz (good for a PS5 or Xbox Series X), dual 5W speakers, and a stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot.
- Best for: laptops and MacBooks, home offices, casual gaming and consoles.
- Skip it if: you need DisplayPort input, more than 65W of laptop charging, real HDR punch, or 144Hz+ for competitive gaming.
- Desktop-only? The near-identical Dell S2725QS swaps USB-C for DisplayPort and usually costs a little less.
Dell S2725QC Specs (Verified)
These specs come from Dell’s official S2725QC product page and datasheet. The older version of this article listed a DisplayPort input and said there was no VESA mount. Both were wrong: the S2725QC gets DisplayPort 1.4 only through USB-C Alt Mode, and it does have 100 x 100 mm VESA holes.
| Specification | Dell S2725QC |
|---|---|
| Model | Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor (S2725QC) |
| Screen size | 27 inches (684.7 mm viewable) |
| Panel | IPS, anti-glare 3H hard coating |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD), 16:9, about 163 PPI |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz (48–120Hz variable refresh range), AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Response time | 4 ms GtG (Extreme), 5 ms (Fast), 8 ms (Normal) |
| Brightness | 350 nits (typical) |
| Contrast ratio | 1500:1 (typical) |
| Color | 99% sRGB (CIE 1931), 1.07 billion colors |
| HDR | HDR-ready (HDR over HDMI 2.1). Dell does not list a VESA DisplayHDR certification |
| Video inputs | 1x USB-C 5Gbps upstream (DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode, Power Delivery up to 65W); 2x HDMI (HDCP 1.4 & 2.3; up to 4K 120Hz, FRL, HDR, VRR as specified in HDMI 2.1) |
| USB hub | 1x USB-C 5Gbps downstream (up to 15W), 2x USB-A 5Gbps downstream (one with Battery Charging 1.2); front pop-out quick-access USB-C and USB-A |
| USB-C power delivery | Up to 65W to a connected laptop |
| Speakers | 2 x 5W integrated speakers (5 presets + 1 custom audio profile) |
| Eye comfort | TÜV Rheinland 4-star Eye Comfort, ComfortView Plus low blue light |
| Stand adjustments | Height up to 130 mm, tilt -5° to +21°, swivel -30° to +30°, pivot -90° to +90° |
| VESA mount | Yes, 100 x 100 mm (removable stand) |
| Power consumption | 21.0 W typical, 25.2 W on mode, 180 W max (including USB-C charging) |
| Weight | 6.71 kg (14.79 lb) with stand and cables; 4.85 kg (10.69 lb) panel only |
| In the box | Monitor with stand, power cable, USB-C to USB-C cable (1 m), VESA cover, side I/O cover |
| Warranty (US) | 1-year limited hardware warranty with Advanced Exchange Service (Dell.com US listing; some other countries get 3 years) |
Dell S2725QC vs. S2725QS: Which Dell 27 Plus 4K Should You Buy?
Dell sells two versions of the 27 Plus 4K. They share the same 27-inch 4K 120Hz IPS panel, 99% sRGB color, speakers, and stand. The difference is connectivity:
- S2725QC (this model): USB-C with 65W charging, a USB hub (USB-C plus two USB-A), and two HDMI 2.1 ports. No DisplayPort input.
- S2725QS: two HDMI 2.1 ports plus one DisplayPort 1.4 input. No USB-C and no USB hub.
If you dock a laptop every day, the S2725QC is worth the small premium. If you only plug in a desktop PC or a console, the S2725QS does the same job for less. Both are covered in our best 27-inch 4K monitor under $300 guide.
Video Review
This independent review by PC Monitors covers the S2725QS and S2725QC, which share the same panel.
Dell S2725QC Performance and Features
Design and ergonomics
The S2725QC has thin bezels on three sides, a joystick for the on-screen menu, and pop-out quick-access ports on the front, plus a side HDMI and USB-A port. The stand is the real highlight at this price. It adjusts for height (up to 130 mm), tilt, swivel, and pivot, so you can rotate the screen to portrait for code or documents. If you prefer a monitor arm, the stand comes off and the panel takes standard 100 x 100 mm VESA mounts.
Picture quality
At 27 inches, 4K works out to about 163 pixels per inch, so text is noticeably sharper than on a 1440p screen. The IPS panel covers 99% of sRGB with a rated 1500:1 contrast ratio, which is good for an IPS monitor. That makes it a solid choice for office work, web browsing, streaming, and light photo editing in sRGB. Brightness is rated at 350 nits and there’s no DisplayHDR certification, so treat HDR as a bonus rather than a reason to buy. If HDR or wide DCI-P3 color matters most, look at the LG options in the comparison below.
120Hz, gaming, and consoles
The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, dragging windows, and moving the cursor feel much smoother than a typical 60Hz budget 4K monitor. AMD FreeSync Premium (48–120Hz range) reduces tearing in games. Both HDMI ports support 4K at 120Hz with FRL and VRR as specified in HDMI 2.1, so a PS5 or Xbox Series X can run at 4K 120Hz when the game supports it. Response time is rated at 4 ms GtG in Extreme mode. That’s fine for casual and console gaming, but competitive players should look at faster 144–160Hz monitors.
USB-C and laptop docking
The USB-C upstream port carries DisplayPort 1.4 video, 5Gbps USB data, and up to 65W of charging over the included cable. That’s enough for most ultrabooks and MacBook Air models. Larger laptops that ship with 90–140W chargers will still work, but they may charge slowly under heavy load. The monitor also acts as a small USB hub (one 15W USB-C and two USB-A ports) for a keyboard, mouse, webcam, or phone charging.
Speakers and eye comfort
The dual 5W speakers are better than the tiny drivers most monitors include, and Dell offers several audio presets. They’re fine for calls and YouTube, but you’ll want headphones or desktop speakers for music or movies. Dell doesn’t list a headphone jack or audio output on the S2725QC. The panel is TÜV Rheinland 4-star Eye Comfort certified and uses ComfortView Plus to cut blue light without a heavy yellow tint.
Dell S2725QC Pros and Cons
- ✅ Sharp 27-inch 4K IPS panel with 99% sRGB and 1500:1 contrast
- ✅ 120Hz with FreeSync Premium, which is rare in this price class
- ✅ One-cable USB-C docking with up to 65W charging, plus a USB hub
- ✅ Two HDMI 2.1 ports: 4K 120Hz for PS5 and Xbox Series X
- ✅ Fully adjustable stand (height, tilt, swivel, pivot) and VESA 100 mounting
- ✅ Better-than-average 2 x 5W speakers
- ❌ No DisplayPort input (DisplayPort only via USB-C Alt Mode)
- ❌ 65W charging may be slow for power-hungry laptops
- ❌ Basic HDR: 350 nits and no DisplayHDR certification
- ❌ No headphone jack listed
- ❌ Only a 1-year warranty in the US (3 years in some other countries)
Dell S2725QC vs. the Best Alternatives
Here’s how the Dell 27 Plus S2725QC compares with four real alternatives that buyers often consider in the same price range. Specs come from each manufacturer’s spec sheet. Prices move constantly, so check the current price on Amazon before you decide.
| Dell S2725QC | Dell S2725QS | LG 27UP850K-W | ASUS TUF VG27UQ1A | LG 27UP650K-W | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Laptops & MacBooks | Desktops & consoles | USB-C + color/HDR | PC gaming | Color & HDR on a budget |
| Resolution / refresh | 4K, 120Hz | 4K, 120Hz | 4K, 60Hz | 4K, 160Hz | 4K, 60Hz |
| Panel / color | IPS, 99% sRGB | IPS, 99% sRGB | IPS, 95% DCI-P3 | Fast IPS, 95% DCI-P3 | IPS, 95% DCI-P3 |
| HDR | HDR-ready (no DisplayHDR cert.) | HDR-ready (no DisplayHDR cert.) | VESA DisplayHDR 400 | HDR10 | VESA DisplayHDR 400 |
| USB-C power delivery | Yes, 65W | No USB-C | Yes, 90W | No USB-C | No USB-C |
| Video inputs | USB-C (DP 1.4 Alt), 2x HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 | USB-C, DP 1.4, 2x HDMI (2.0) | DP 1.4 (DSC), 2x HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI |
| Stand | Height, tilt, swivel, pivot | Height, tilt, swivel, pivot | Height, tilt, pivot | Tilt only | Height, tilt, pivot |
| Speakers | 2 x 5W | 2 x 5W | Yes (MaxxAudio) | 2 x 2W | None |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
- Dell S2725QS: the same monitor with DisplayPort instead of USB-C. Choose it for a desktop PC or console setup.
- LG 27UP850K-W: the step-up USB-C pick if you want more laptop power (90W) and DisplayHDR 400 with wide DCI-P3 color, but it’s limited to 60Hz.
- ASUS TUF VG27UQ1A: the gamer’s choice, with 160Hz at 4K and a 1 ms (GtG) Fast IPS panel. It has no USB-C and only a tilt stand.
- LG 27UP650K-W: better HDR and color for photos and video, but 60Hz, no USB-C, and no speakers.
Want more options? Our Best 27-Inch 4K Monitor Under $300 (2026) guide ranks seven picks for work, Mac, and gaming.
Who Should Buy the Dell S2725QC?
- MacBook and USB-C laptop users who want one cable for display, charging, and peripherals. At 27 inches, 4K looks crisp with macOS “looks like 2560 x 1440” scaling.
- Home office workers who spend hours in spreadsheets and documents and want an adjustable stand.
- Console gamers who want 4K 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 on a desk-sized screen.
Before you buy: check your laptop charger’s wattage. If it’s above 65W, the monitor will still work, but heavy workloads may drain the battery slowly. Also make sure your laptop’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode (most Thunderbolt and USB4 ports do). Amazon purchases generally come with a 30-day return window, and Dell’s US listing includes a 1-year warranty with Advanced Exchange.
Verdict: Is the Dell S2725QC Worth It in 2026?
The Dell S2725QC is one of the easiest budget 4K monitors to recommend for laptop users. You get a sharp 4K IPS panel, 120Hz, HDMI 2.1, a fully adjustable stand, and 65W USB-C docking at a budget price (check the current price on Amazon). Its weak spots are basic HDR, no DisplayPort input, and a short US warranty, and none of those are deal-breakers for office work, streaming, or console gaming. If you don’t need USB-C, save a little with the S2725QS. If you game seriously on a PC, look at the ASUS TUF VG27UQ1A instead.
Dell S2725QC FAQ
Is the Dell S2725QC worth it?
Yes, for most people who use a laptop. The Dell S2725QC pairs a 27-inch 4K IPS panel and 120Hz refresh rate with USB-C docking (up to 65W charging), two HDMI 2.1 ports, speakers, and a fully adjustable stand. That’s a rare mix in the budget 4K class. Skip it if you need DisplayPort input, strong HDR, or a 144Hz+ gaming monitor.
Does the Dell S2725QC have USB-C power delivery?
Yes. The USB-C upstream port supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode video, 5Gbps data, and Power Delivery up to 65W, so one cable can drive the display and charge your laptop. There’s also a front USB-C downstream port that supplies up to 15W for a phone or accessory.
What is the refresh rate of the Dell S2725QC?
The Dell S2725QC runs at up to 120Hz at its native 3840 x 2160 resolution over HDMI 2.1 or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode). It supports AMD FreeSync Premium with a 48–120Hz variable refresh range and is rated at 4 ms gray-to-gray in Extreme mode.
What is the difference between the Dell S2725QC and the S2725QS?
Both are Dell 27 Plus 4K monitors with the same 120Hz IPS panel, speakers, and stand. The S2725QC adds USB-C with 65W charging and a USB hub but has no DisplayPort input. The S2725QS has a DisplayPort 1.4 input instead and no USB-C.
Does the Dell S2725QC work with a MacBook?
Yes. Connect a USB-C MacBook with the included USB-C cable to get video, USB data, and up to 65W of charging over a single cable. The maximum refresh rate you get depends on your Mac model’s external display support.
Can I use the Dell S2725QC with a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Yes. Both HDMI ports support up to 4K at 120Hz with FRL, HDR, and VRR as specified in HDMI 2.1, so a PS5 or Xbox Series X can output 4K 120Hz in supported games. HDR works, but with 350-nit typical brightness it won’t match a high-end HDR monitor or TV.
Sources and References
- Dell US: Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor S2725QC (specs, ports, warranty)
- Dell US: Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor S2725QS
- RTINGS: Dell S2725QC review
- PC Monitors: Dell S2725QS (S2725QC) video review
- LG: 27UP850K-W specifications
- ASUS: TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A tech specs
- Amazon: Dell S2725QC product page
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