Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q 4K Ultra HD Monitor Review

In case you didn't get the memo, the 4K Ultra HD revolution has begun. What's been remarkable about the ongoing transition from Full HD 1080p to 4K Ultra HD is that hardware makers and content creators didn't get stuck in a 'chicken and egg' scenario. Typically when new technology emerges, hardware makers wait for software developers to come out with content that can take advantage of the new capabilities, while software developers are reluctant to code for new hardware until there's a big enough userbase to justify the investment. In this case, we're talking about monitor manufacturers and 4K video producers, both of which have been willing to take a leap of faith.

On the content side, services like YouTube and Netflix are already serving up 4K streams, while hardware makers like Dell are stepping to the plate with displays that can playback 4K video in all its native glory. The latter is what we have here for review -- a Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q monitor with a 31.5-inch panel built by Sharp.

Wielding a 3840x2160 resolution, there's a massive amount of screen real estate to play with on the UP3214Q, especially for multitasking chores, content creators who routinely work with large images or videos, and power users in general. Even gamers can get in on the action, though the refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz (via DisplayPort) and you'll need a burly setup to push gaming pixels around at 4K.

In addition to having four times as many pixels to play with compared to a 1080p monitor, the UP3214Q boasts wide color coverage including 99 percent AdobeRGB and 100 percent sRGB, along with wide viewing angles (176 degrees vertically and horizontally). Short and sweet, Dell is positioning the UP3214Q as a high-end workhorse for professionals and enthusiasts alike. The question is, can it deliver? That's what we aim to find out.

Dell 31.5-inch UP3214Q Ultra HD Monitor Specifications & Features

Display Size	31.5-inch widescreen
Resolution	3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz (DP1.2) 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz HDMI
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Brightness	350 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio	2,000,000:1 (dynamic); 1,000:1 (typical)
Response Time	8ms (gray to gray)
Viewing Angle	176° vertical / 176° horizontal
Display Type	IGZO (Indium gallium zinc oxide); LED backlight
Connectors	HDMI; mini DisplayPort; DisplayPort (version 1.2)
Power Consumption	100W (typical) / 170W (maximum); <1.2W (Standby)
Speakers	N/A
Stand	Height, tilt, swivel, and built-in cable management
I/O Ports	USB 3.0 Hi-Speed hub (with 1 USB upstream port and 4 USB downstream ports); Media card reader
Dimensions (with stand)	482.6mm ~ 572.4mm x 749.9mm x 214mm (HxWxD) / 19 ~ 22.5 inches x 29.5 inches x 8.4 inches
Weight	9.22 kg / 20.33 lbs
Included Accessories	Cable cover; Power cable; DP cable (Mini-DP to DP) USB 3.0 upstream cable (enables the USB port on the monitor); Drivers and documentation media; Quick setup guide; Safety information; Factory calibration report
Warranty	3 years Advanced Exchange Service and Premium Panel Guarantee
Price	$3,499.99 MSRP; $2,499.99 street

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Like pretty much all high-end 4K monitors, the UP3214Q uses an IGZO (Indium gallium zinc oxide) panel. Sharp was the first (and as far as we know, the only) manufacturer to mass produce IGZO panels, which by their nature allow for much higher pixel densities with lower power consumption than traditional LCD monitors based on amorphous silicon (a-Si). IGZO's main advantage over amorphous silicon is much higher electron mobility. If you want to dive more into the technical details (and advantages), Sharp does a decent job going over the highlights on its website.

The features listed above are pretty much standard fare, though we do like that Dell includes a USB 3.0 hub rather than USB 2.0. There's also a media card reader, though no built in speakers.