Speaking of the bottom bezel, you’ll notice the camera death center below the screen – usually a very strange place for webcams. But that’s because this camera is not suitable for zoom phones. Instead, it is to track your head in 3D space to create a “spatial audio” proposition for the monitor. Using beamforming technology, speakers can create virtual surround sound in compatible games and movies. It’s not perfect, but it can add extra immersion. (It is only used with one person at a time.)
While the bottom bezel of the extra camera and speakers is almost similar to a modern iMac, the five-speaker sound system will also produce some nice standard audio. It’s loud enough to fill the room, which is important because the monitor is for entertainment. The audio isn’t as rich and full as Apple’s studio monitors, but these speakers are better than all the others I’ve tested.
OLED Differences
Photo: Luke Larsen
The 32 Plus has a sharp screen, and its 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution extends to a 32-inch panel with a pixel density of 138 pixels per inch. It also comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which is useful for gaming, as does the OLED’s lower input latency.
But that does make it stand out. Because each pixel is individually backlit, each pixel can be turned off individually, creating an incredible contrast that a typical IPS display cannot compete with. Once you turn it on (by default), this contrast helps produce amazing HDR effects, just like many OLED monitors). The games and videos really look great, bringing those dark blacks and highlights. Dell claims that it can reach peak brightness of up to 1,000 columns, with 946 columns I measured in the 4% window. The high-end OLED TV in HDR is about the same, but it is enough to create a distinct HDR effect.
These colors are also very bright and crisp, which I verified with a Spyder colorimeter. This is a great display for video editors and graphic designers, especially if you are willing to calibrate the screen. That is, SDR brightness is a problem I have with panel quality. I only used 227 nits to measure, which could be a problem if your table is next to the window. Unlike TV, most of what you do on your PC monitor is not in HDR, so I would like to see it hit at least 300 nits in SDR, but this is a common problem with this generation of OLED displays.
Port abbreviation
Photo: Luke Larsen
Photo: Luke Larsen
At this point, OLED monitors designed for creators and video editors are thousands of dollars, such as the Asus Proart OLED PA32DC. If you’re wondering how Dell manages to squeeze all of this technology for under $1,000, there’s at least one trade-off: the port. This is the smallest port I’ve seen on high-end monitors in a long time. At the back, your desktop or USB-C laptop with minimum – hdmi. DisplayPort not found. The USB-C port allows video and uses up to 90 watts on a single cable. You will find other USB-C ports on the back of other accessories.
OK, almost. The monitor’s sleeve has a secret port – the hidden forward USB-C port on the left side of the display can pop up. This is on other Dell monitors, and it’s one of my favorite features. Arriving at the back of the monitor access port is a huge inconvenience, especially if you need to charge your phone or plug in an SD card. Nevertheless, this is not a monitor designed to be used as a USB hub for all peripherals.
