Dell up2718q 4k hdr monitor review

The Dell UP2718Q is a pretty nondescript looking monitor as monitors go. It’s not unlike many of Dell’s other monitors in terms of aesthetic looks. There are two USB 3.0 ports on the left side which is always a handy feature to have on a monitor. The rest of the I/O is in its typical spot on the back tucked out of the way. I am not a fan of how most manufacturers tuck their I/O away like this, but it’s not a deal breaker. Mostly because I find it a pain to deal with, but that could just be me.

The Dell UP2718Q I/O array.

The I/O consists of the following and can be seen in the diagram provided by Dell above: 1. AC power connector | 2. HDMI 1 connector | 3. HDMI 2 connector | 4. DP connector (in) | 5. mDP connector (in) | 6. Audio line-out port | 7. USB upstream ports | 8. USB downstream port | 9. USB 3.0 downstream port with BC1.2 charging capability | 10. Stand Lock. There is also plenty of ventilation on the bottom to keep the monitor cool.

The screen itself has a matte finish but is not touch sensitive, so don’t expect to be using this with Windows 10 touch. Overall the design is pretty plain, not bad thing. The bezels are normal sized and the build quality is great, even for being made of high-quality plastics.

Dell stock photo of the UP2718Q.

Display

First, let’s address the controversy that is 4K, I’ll be really brief. True 4K resolution is 4096 x 2160 but most 4K monitors (including the Dell UP2718Q) and 4K TV’s only run at 3840 x 2160. True 4K resolution is usually only found on ultra high-end 4K devices and is much more expensive. The industry has pretty much settled on calling 3840 x 2160 4K and frankly, it is close enough. Now on to how this display looks.

I will say this, if you’re able to run this monitor in 4K for everything you do, then you have better eyes than I. When you crank this baby to its full resolution text gets pretty small and I’m not one to have my monitor directly in my face. Most of the time I used the Dell UP2718Q I used it in 2K mode which is 2560 x 1440. I felt this offered the best experience in terms of reading the text and interacting with web pages.

In 2K mode, the text is clear and crisp and colors are warm, full of depth and very rich. Blacks are deep and contrasty while whites are bright and pure. The refresh rate is 60Hz and I felt scrolling and video were spot on, I never felt any stutter in any of my use with this monitor.

4K entertainment content is great on this monitor. I used it in 2K for the majority of my writing and web use.

Flipping the settings to 4K to watch Netflix in 4K and some YouTube videos in 4K is an even better video experience. The detail you can see is amazing and the colors just pop off the screen. These are some of the deepest blacks and spot-on whites I’ve seen on any monitor. Everything is super crisp and sharp. I could not test 4K gaming as I don’t PC game very much nor do I own any 4K titles.

I did a bit of light gaming with this monitor and games seem to playback really well when set at 2K resolution. I didn’t notice any dropped frames or other problems. But again, I don’t PC game much and the monitor wasn’t used for that purpose. I did use Dell UP2718Q for photo and video editing in Photoshop and Premiere Pro and it worked brilliantly!

Overall I think this display is really amazing. Colors pop and blacks and whites are nearly spot on. I couldn’t use the Dell UP2718Q in 4K for daily reading and writing tasks but it looks just as grand in 2K. I would say this display is great for content creators, light gaming, entertainment, and those who use productivity software like Office.

USB 3.0 ports on the side, handy!

Performance

I had zero issues with the performance of this monitor. Everything rendered nicely when using it in Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Video playback when watching 4K video was smooth and clean. Colors, black, and whites were all spot on. Overall a champion performer for what it’s built for.

Price/Value

The MSRP on the Dell UP2718Q is $1999.99USD but Dell does have it listed on their site for $1479.99USD and Amazon for $1599.99 at the time of this review. Even at the fourteen hundred dollar price point some may feel this is a bit pricey. While I would agree that it is pricey for a monitor, it’s pretty reasonable and competitive for a 4K monitor. Not everyone will agree on how much value a product has when it comes to price, I think the Dell UP2718Q has enough value for the money here.

Many monitors are going with a fixed stand these days. Nice to see height adjustment, among others, on this monitor.

Wrap Up

Dell makes really great monitors in general. The UP2718Q is no exception here and it’s a solid choice if you’re searching for a 4K monitor for your desk. Don’t let the $1999USD price tag scare you too much, Dell has it listed for $1479USD and that’s really a good price for this monitor. Dell’s price is even lower than Amazon’s. Both links are below in the score box so pick whichever suits you best, I’d imagine you’d rather pay $1479 than $1599! 😉

Is Dell U2718Q good for gaming?

--The U2718Q is one of the first "affordable" monitors to offer HDR10 support. HDR automatically kicks in when connected to a PS4 Pro and offers a very noticeable improvement in both color depth as well as contrast. The monitor also displayed HDR from my Samsung 4K Bluray player without any issues.

What is the color depth of the Dell U2718Q?

Featuring a striking color depth of 1.07 billion colors, your work is presented in outstanding detail, even in dark or brightly lit areas. Dell HDR combines greater depth of colors, remarkable clarity and a high contrast range of shades to create strikingly realistic images.

What is the brightness of up2718q?

At the top end the maximum luminance reached 349 cd/m2 which was a bit lower than the specified maximum typical brightness of 400 cd/m2 from the manufacturer.

What is Dell UltraSharp?

Discover unmatched performance: Award-winning Dell UltraSharp PremierColor monitors push the boundaries of monitor technology to deliver exceptional color performance that meets the demands of digital creators, while UltraSharp monitors offer stunning color tailored to professionals who value color accuracy in their ...