Verdict
The BenQ PD3225U is a solid productiveness monitoring equipment for pairing with Windows and macOS likewise with fantastic connectivity , detailed output and a groovy OSD . Its image can be slightly dim , while its contrast may not be as strong as the competitor , though .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The BenQ PD3225U aims to furnish a loud option to Apple ’s Studio Display while packing in an awful great deal of feature for Mac and Windows drug user likewise .
It ’s a bigger panel for newcomer at 32 - inch while being a 4 K 60Hz IPS screen that ’s design for productiveness and creative workloads , as opposed to gaming .
At £ 1099.99/$1099.99 , it is slightly more affordable but remains pricier when compared to other similarly - specced choices such as theSamsung M8 Smart Monitor ( 2023)andSamsung ViewFinity S9
I ’ve been try out the PD3225U for the last couple of weeks to see how well it stacks up against some rather ferocious competition and whether it ’s one of thebest 4 K monitors . Let ’s observe out .
Design
The PD3225U is a silken , New admonisher with a gorgeous grey form and minimum bezels to maximize sieve real estate . It ’s also especially sturdy and hefty , carrying an 8.2 kg weight with the base .
The board is very easy to put together , with a puppet - less construction plainly involving screw the Qaeda into the genuine instrument panel , and you ’re off to the races . This makes setup a doddle , and mean you could be up and feed with the PD3225U in a matter of instant .
The stand here also offers some upstanding adjustment , with up to 150 mm of height adjustment , as well as skillful background for pivot , tilt and swivel . It can also be shifted into a portrait predilection if you wanted to use this gore as a secondary screen , for case . It is also 100 mm x 100 mm VESA - compatible if you ’d favour it on your own stand , too .
You get a choice when it come to how to navigate the OSD , with either a simple joystick on the reverse of the PD3225U alongside some selector buttons , or an extra puck which plugs in and offers an well-to-do fashion of accessing the tortuous OSD .
Connectivity is a strong item with an array of ports present on the PD3225U across both the underside and on the right deal side for quick entree . You get a pair of HDMI 2.0 port , as well as a funny stateless person 1.4 for more ‘ standard ’ display choices , as well as two Thunderbolt 3 USB - degree Celsius interface , one with 85W of power delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode sustenance , and the other with 15W mogul delivery , while there is a USB - bacillus larboard for powering theKVMswitch . The side also has another USB - carbon larboard , a USB - A and a headphone jack .
Image Quality
On paper at least , the PD3225U should extend some noble-minded image caliber , coming with a 32 - in 4 K IPS Black screen that hopefully rivalsApple ’s Studio Display . In practice session however , BenQ ’s Studio Display rival shoot the mark in some country , but not in others .
color truth is expectedly excellent for a more pro - grade panel , with my tintometer measure perfect 100 % reportage of the mainstreamsRGBgamut , while highAdobe RGB(86 % ) andDCI - P3(94 % ) score are also reflective of this panel ’s ideal suitability for colour - sensitive workloads such as design and video editing .
Where this control board certainly falls short is with a much lower peak light than both Apple and Samsung ’s options . BenQ quote the PD3225U to have a peak brightness of 400 nit , although that is aid along by DisplayHDR400 support . My colorimeter measured a top of 200.9 nit , which makes it dim against the liquid ecstasy of Apple ’s Studio Display at 596.78 nit and Samsung ’s ViewFinity S9 with its 629.6 nits .
It ’s much the same with its black grade and contrast ratio , too . The 0.22 black tier result mean its IPS Black panel eccentric put up reasonable cryptical blacks , although it is bettered by panels that cost a lot less , and demonstrably by Apple and Samsung ’s own nominee . The 790:1 contrast proportion also fall behind the competition , too , while its 7700 K colour temperature can leave image a tad on the blue side .
Those numeral only secernate part of the narration , however . In real - world exercise , I was actually impressed with the PD3225U , especially in its M - Book fashion which matched my MacBook Pro ’s display magnificently , and even in spite of its lower peak smartness , it still got smart enough for daytime - to - day working for me , while a 4 K resolution ensured elaborate output that seem fantabulous across its 32 - inch screen size .
Software and Features
The PD3225U ’s on - screen display ( OSD ) is promiscuous to navigate with either the joystick on the back of the panel itself , or with the included puck . It also comes with some extensive options for exchange the color mode such as for sRGB , DCI - P3 and Rec.709 . There are also specific modes for check a MacBook ’s display with the M - Book mode and for utilization in a dark elbow room , with the Darkroom mode .
It also comes with an interesting Dual View feature , which splits the 32 - inch screen in half , and you’re able to then choose which colour mode for the 2d half of the blind . It appears this feature article is useful if you ’re working on different labor on either side of the screen , and you want even more flexibleness .
There is also a KVM switch for commodious shift between inputs , which is a handy extra , while having Thunderbolt 3 capability for plug away in a MacBook and letting it consign while outputting to the PD3225U was mighty useful .
Built - in speakers seem to be becoming a bit of a rarity on monitors up and down the price ravel , but if you require them , the PD3225U does have some . They ’re of reasonable timbre , serving up solid detail and comely overall sound recording for sell with medicine and picture show . However , you are going to be much better off with a pair of external speakers or a solidification of earpiece .
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Should you buy it?
The PD3225U come up with a wide kitchen stove of remark that make it ideal for use with both windows and macOS , admit two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a USB - A port .
The PD3225U falls short with its mediocre light cause images to lack some lick . The competition comes with higher luminance for even more vibrant yield .
Final Thoughts
BenQ ’s PD3225U is a satisfying alternative to Apple’sStudio Displayif you require a more affordable option with excellent color accuracy , stylish looks and plentiful connectivity . Its 4 K output is also detail across a larger 32 - in screen , while it ’s also easy to put together with a tool - less building and highly adjustable stand .
However , against both the Studio Display and theSamsung ViewFinity S9 , the PD3255U offers much lower luminosity and direct contrast , meaning displayed images can miss a minute of punch and reverberance . With this in brain , its Shirley Temple Black are n’t as deep , either . The general watch experience on offer here is still keen , but it ’s not quite as good .
We ’re also at the point where both the Studio Display and ViewFinity S9 can be had for around the same price as the PD3225U ’s retail monetary value , and you could quite frankly get more for less than this BenQ choice . It ’s a great panel , but is overshadowed by broadly speaking well competitor . For more pick , check out our list of thebest 4 K monitorswe’ve tested .
Trusted Score
How we test
We habituate every monitor we test for at least a hebdomad . During that time , we ’ll insure it for rest of use and put it through its paces by using it for both everyday tasks and more medical specialist , color - sensitive work .
We also see its people of color and figure quality with a tintometer to screen its coverage and the show ’s quality .
FAQs
The BenQ PD3225U comes with a 4 K resolution across a larger 32 - inch screen .
Test Data
Full Specs
