CONS

• Pricey
• Contrast in our testing was below its rating
• So-so color accuracy

Specifications of the DELL ULTRASHARP 32 6K Monitor (U3224KB) are as follows:

Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)	32 inches
Native Resolution	6144 by 3456
Aspect Ratio	16:9

The Dell UltraSharp 32 6K Monitor (U3224KB) redefines the standard for productivity computer monitors. the U3224KB boasts an exceptional videoconferencing setup and a wide range of connection options, eliminating the need for a separate docking station. With a bright screen featuring a resolution over 1.5 times higher than UHD (4K) and IPS Black technology for superior contrast, this monitor surpasses most business monitors. While suitable for creative tasks, the U3224KB does have some limitations. It performs well with intricate drawings, photos, and video clips, but lacks the Adobe RGB coverage required by certain creative professionals, and its color accuracy is average. Consider it more as a versatile connectivity companion with an ultra-high-resolution screen rather than the ultimate creator’s panel, and you’ll understand this premium 32-inch monitor.

Insufficient 4K Resolution

The Dell U3224KB is a 32-inch display that boasts a 6K resolution (6,144 by 3,456 pixels) and a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. If you’re unfamiliar with 6K, it’s similar to 4K in terms of measurement, indicating screens with approximately 6,000 horizontal pixels rather than a specific pixel count. With a pixel density of 223 pixels per inch, this panel offers an exceptionally crisp image, making it an excellent option for tasks involving intricate diagrams.

The Dell U3224KB features LG’s IPS Black technology, a high-contrast version of the commonly used in-plane switching (IPS) technology found in most productivity monitors. Like other IPS panels, it provides expansive viewing angles, offering a rating of up to 178 degrees for both vertical and horizontal viewing. This ensures that colors stay accurate and free from distortion, even when viewed from extreme angles or from the side. I confirmed this during my testing.

The stand of the Dell U3224KB offers an impressive range of motion in terms of ergonomics. When fully extended, the shaft connecting the cabinet to the base allows for an additional 6.3 inches in height adjustment, making it one of the monitors with the largest adjustment ranges available. You can adjust the tilt of the monitor up to 5 degrees towards or 21 degrees away from you, swivel the screen 60 degrees in either direction, and pivot the panel between landscape and portrait modes in either direction. Additionally, if you prefer to wall-mount or arm-mount the U3224KB, it is equipped with a square array of holes to accommodate a VESA bracket (not included).

The U3224KB is among the limited widescreen monitors, and the second one we have assessed, to significantly surpass 4K resolution. Both the LG 49WL95C-W and the Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor (U4919DW) are 49-inch 5K panels, featuring 5,120 horizontal pixels but only 1,440 pixels vertically, making them wide variants of 1440p resolution. The only other “true” 6K display we have evaluated, also a 32-inch model, is the Apple Pro Display XDR, with a resolution of 6,016 by 3,384 pixels, slightly lower than that of the U3224KB.

Due to these similarities, the two monitors are frequently pitted against each other, as they belong to a unique category. However, there are some key distinctions between them. To begin with, when you factor in the Pro Stand add-on, the Pro Display XDR is roughly double the price of the Dell U3224KB. Additionally, while Apple’s top-of-the-line monitor is specifically designed for professional Mac users, the U3224KB is a premium productivity panel with advanced features and some creative capabilities, making it compatible with both Macs and Windows PCs.

Connectivity: An Abundance of Ports.

The U3224KB boasts an abundance of connectivity options. It features a Thunderbolt 4-in port and a Thunderbolt 4-out port, both of which are compatible with USB-C. The upstream Thunderbolt port supports DisplayPort Over USB and can deliver up to 140 watts of USB Power Delivery, ample power to charge a laptop connected to it. Additionally, the downstream Thunderbolt port enables you to easily daisy-chain a second monitor. Furthermore, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack allows for a direct LAN connection through the monitor, even in areas with unreliable or no Wi-Fi coverage.

Additional ports on the monitor consist of HDMI 2.1, mini DisplayPort 2.1, and a data-only upstream USB-C port. Furthermore, the monitor is equipped with a hub containing four USB Type-A ports.

All the ports are located facing downwards at the back, but they are easily accessible. With the U3224KB’s screen being pivotable, you can simply tilt it upwards to portrait position, allowing for convenient access to the various ports and jacks from the side. Additionally, on the left side of the bottom bezel, just next to a row of illuminated icons (which will be discussed later), there is a bay that houses more connectors. These connectors are forward-facing and include one USB-A and two USB-C ports, perfect for connecting peripherals or charging small devices. The bay, usually hidden, can be extended by pressing a specific spot on the bottom of the chassis, and retracted by pushing it upwards.

Overall, the abundance of ports on the U3224KB makes it a prime illustration of a USB hub or docking station monitor. It offers all the necessary connectivity features typically found on a standalone docking station, such as the ability to power a connected laptop and establish a LAN connection.

A webcam can also serve as a central hub for teleconferencing.

The most visually striking aspect of the U3224KB is its 4K HDR webcam. Positioned on top of the monitor, it resembles a large, dark eye that extends above the monitor’s top bezel. Equipped with a Sony 8.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, it can stream in 4K at a smooth 30 frames per second. To ensure you stay centered and in focus, it also includes an AI Auto Framing feature. If you find the webcam’s presence intrusive, you can easily disable it using the Safe Shutter feature. Located on the left-hand side of the bottom bezel, this icon, along with the other buttons, may be initially difficult to spot as they are normally dark. However, they illuminate when you wave your hand near them.

You have the ability to manage and personalize the webcam’s configurations, including color, brightness, sharpness, contrast, and field of view, using the Dell Peripheral Manager utility. This useful tool will be installed once the panel is linked to your computer. Enhancing your videoconferencing experience, this advanced webcam can provide improved clarity. It is important to remember that the webcam will function properly when connected to a computer via Thunderbolt or USB-C, not DisplayPort or HDMI.

The top bezel of the U3224KB features twin 14-watt speakers and a pair of echo-cancellation microphones. Along with the webcam and software, these components transform the monitor into an unparalleled unified communications solution in my experience.

A Joy to Surf the OSD

The Dell Display Manager utility enables users to efficiently arrange windows on their screen and conveniently share a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor among multiple PCs using the USB KVM wizard.

The U3224KB by Dell is supported by a standard warranty of three years, which is a common feature among premium productivity monitors. Similar to this, the Dell P3222QE, HP Z32k, and the MSI MS321UP also offer three-year warranties. On the other hand, Philips goes a step further by providing a four-year warranty for its 329P1H and other monitors. In contrast, Apple’s Pro Display XDR is only covered by a one-year warranty, which seems inadequate considering its hefty without the stand.

Evaluation of the Dell U3224KB: Exceptional, Featuring Extensive Color Range.

I evaluated the brightness, contrast ratio, and color coverage and accuracy of the Dell U3224KB using our standard test equipment: a Klein K-10A colorimeter and the Portrait Displays Calman 5 calibration software. The monitor’s luminance is rated at 450 nits, and it exceeded that with a measurement of 452 nits. This level of brightness is suitable for various business applications, including photo and video editing, as well as gaming, even in well-lit environments. Additionally, the U3224KB is DisplayHDR 600 certified, and I recorded its HDR brightness at 498 nits.

The Dell U3224KB, one of the few monitors utilizing LG’s IPS Black technology, boasts a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 according to specifications. However, our testing revealed a slightly lower ratio of 1,521:1. In comparison, the Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor (U2723QE) also features a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and managed to achieve a score of 2,002:1 in testing. Despite falling short of the expected ratio, the U3224KB still offers a significant improvement over standard IPS panels, which typically have a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. Further details on the monitor’s contrast performance will be discussed in the experiential testing section.

Dell has rated the U3224KB’s color coverage at 100% of the sRGB gamut and 99% of DCI-P3. The sRGB color space is widely used for web-based art and various applications, while the DCI-P3 space was specifically designed for digital video. The chromaticity chart below clearly demonstrates that the U3224KB fully covers the sRGB color space, with additional room to spare. The bright triangle represents the boundaries of the sRGB space, and our measurements, indicated by the small circles, extend well beyond the triangle. This expanded color gamut is a distinguishing feature of 10-bit color, commonly found in professional monitors, high-end productivity displays, and gaming panels.

The U3224KB fell slightly short of its 99% rating, covering 97.3% of the DCI-P3 space. Nonetheless, this is still an impressive figure.

We conduct tests on monitors to evaluate their Adobe RGB coverage. Dell does not provide a rating for this panel in terms of Adobe RGB coverage. While sRGB is commonly used for web-based art, Adobe RGB is preferred by photographers and art directors for print preparation. The U3224KB was tested to cover 90.4% of the Adobe RGB space, falling short of the standards expected in a professional content-creation monitor. In comparison, the Apple Pro Display XDR covered 96.7% of Adobe RGB, and the Dell UltraSharp 32 4K USB-C Monitor (U3219Q), designed for productivity, covered 98.1% of the space.

Delta E (dE) serves as a metric for gauging the precision of colors, specifically the disparity between the hue of a displayed color and the color input received by the monitor. The dE value mentioned in monitor specifications represents the average of numerous individual color measurements taken across the entire spectrum. A lower dE value signifies a higher level of color accuracy. Numerous professional monitors boast a dE of less than 2 across various color spaces. In regards to the U3224KB, Dell does not make any assertions regarding its color accuracy. However, our testing revealed that it performed subpar out of the box, with a dE of 3.4 for sRGB, 3.2 for Adobe RGB, and slightly above 5 for DCI-P3.

Apart from conducting formal testing, I took the opportunity to examine our collection of test photos and a selection of video clips using the U3224KB. The photos appeared vibrant, displaying reasonably accurate colors. Similarly, the videos exhibited impressive visual quality, showcasing a wide dynamic range. Interestingly, I observed finer details in one particular clip that had previously gone unnoticed. I believe this can be attributed to the monitor’s overall brightness and contrast. Although it falls slightly short of the expectations set by an IPS Black panel, it certainly outperforms standard IPS panels.

I decided to test the U3224KB’s robust sound system by playing a few music videos. The bass response was impressive, and it effortlessly handled high volume levels without any distortion. While audiophiles may prefer powered, high-fidelity speakers, the built-in ones provided satisfactory sound quality for my casual listening needs.

A Remarkable Productivity Monitor with a Corresponding Price