On Tuesday, Dell listed the UltraSharp U3223QZ monitor for $1,600. The display would like to justify its price with a generously sized 32-inch IPS panel that boasts twice the contrast of typical IPS monitors, a built-in 4K webcam and 4K resolution. The four-figure asking price, plus the built-in camera, USB-C connectivity and sleek finish put it in company with Apple’s 27-inch Studio 5K Display. Both monitors offer unique options for people with larger budgets who want high image quality, especially Mac owners. But despite identical prizes, their best audiences differ significantly.

Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ vs Apple Studio Display Specs

While appealing to Windows users with ultralight PCs with USB-C power connections, Dell’s UltraSharp line of monitors are also popular among Mac owners due to USB-C power delivery (PD), a sleek silver color and thin bezels that complement the Apple aesthetic.

But a quick look at the specs of both monitors already gives a glimpse of the different experiences you can expect from the $1,600 displays (note that all specs are manufacturer claims):

Specification	Dell UltraSharp U3223QZ	Apple Studio screen
Cut	31.5 inches	27 inches
Resolution	3840×2160	5120×2880
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Panel type and backlight	IPS Black, LED	IPS, LED
Panel type and backlight	IPS Black, LED	IPS, LED
Contrast	2000:1	Not disclosed
Maximum brightness	400nits	600nits
Color	98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709	P3 display
Ports	HDMI2.0 DisplayPort 1.4, DisplayPort out USB-C upstream (90W PD), USB-C upstream, USB-C downstream (15W PD) 5x USB-A RJ45 3.5mm jack	Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD) 3x USB-C downstream

The Studio Display of conference monitors?

When you hear “Studio Display”, chances are you also think of 5K. After all, it’s the most touted feature on the Apple monitor. On the other hand, the U3223QZ with its 4K resolution has an integrated webcam as its main attribute, among other features, for video streaming or frequent conferences.

U3223QZ vs Studio Display webcam

The U3223QZ features a 4K webcam that supports video recording up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps). It’s equipped with a Sony Starvis CMOS sensor and has AI power features, like autoframe and the ability to tweak the color to deal with “harsh lighting,” as Dell puts it. It also uses 3D and 2D video noise reduction to combat motion blur, although we’ll have to try it in person to see how effective it is. You can also configure the camera to automatically log you in or out via Windows Hello, depending on whether or not it detects your presence.

The built-in webcam means you don’t have to sacrifice a port or bezel space, and it’s adjustable. You can tilt it from 0 to 20 degrees for a field of view of 65, 78, or 90 degrees, according to Dell. The webcam also has a physical shutter that’s supposed to work in video conferencing apps, but we won’t know if it’s reliable until we try it out.

Finally, Dell offers its Peripheral Manager application (Windows 10 and later) to fine-tune the webcam image.