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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Back
    5. Borders
    6. Thickness
    7. Build Quality
  5. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Horizontal Viewing Angle
    6. Vertical Viewing Angle
    7. Gray Uniformity
    8. Black Uniformity
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. SDR Color Gamut
    12. SDR Color Volume
    13. HDR Color Gamut
    14. HDR Color Volume
    15. Image Retention
    16. Gradient
    17. Color Bleed
    18. Reflections
    19. Text Clarity
  6. Motion
    1. Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    2. Response Time @ 60Hz
    3. Image Flicker
    4. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    5. Refresh Rate
  7. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Resolution And Size
    3. Inputs
    4. Total Inputs
  8. Features
    1. Additional Features
    2. On-Screen Display (OSD)
    3. Controls
    4. In The Box
  9. Comments

Dell UltraSharp U2520D vs Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Dell UltraSharp U2520D
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jul 04, 2022 06:56 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Dec 14, 2023 04:44 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dell UltraSharp U2520D Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Picture

Variants

  • U2520D (25")
  • UltraSharp U2721DE (27")

Our Verdict

Dell UltraSharp U2520D

Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

The Dell UltraSharp U2520D is better than the Dell UltraSharp U2721DE. The U2520D supports HDR, it displays a wider SDR color gamut, has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy, and it has a quicker response time. The U2721DE handles reflections better and it has a wider vertical viewing angle.

0

Check Price

27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.7
7.4
No major differences between these monitors for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Design Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Design Picture

Size  

25"
27"

Curved  

No
No

Curve Radius  

Not Curved
Not Curved

Weight (without stand) 
 

9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
8.9 lbs (4.0 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)

Show text

Stand  

Stand Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Stand Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Stand Picture

Width 
 

9.6" (24.4 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)

Depth 
 

7.3" (18.5 cm)
7.1" (18.0 cm)

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

8.4
8.5

Ergonomics Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Ergonomics Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

Yes, Both Ways
Yes, Both Ways

Swivel Range  

-45° to 45°
-40° to 40°

Tilt Range  

-20° to 2.5°
-20° to 5°

Show text

Back  

Back Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Back Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100

Show text

Borders  

Borders Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Borders Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.3" (0.7 cm)
0.2" (0.6 cm)

Show text

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Thickness Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.0" (12.8 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

2.0" (5.0 cm)
1.5" (3.8 cm)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build Quality Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Build Quality Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Build Quality Picture

Show text

Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.0
6.0

Checkerboard Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Checkerboard Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

1,010 : 1
1,014 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge

Show text

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

7.9
7.7

SDR Real Scene 
 

332 cd/m²
314 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

350 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

350 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

351 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

351 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

351 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

349 cd/m²
347 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

350 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

350 cd/m²
348 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

351 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

351 cd/m²
349 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.000
0.000

Show text

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

6.7
0.0

HDR Real Scene 
 

385 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

388 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

436 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

439 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

442 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

444 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

388 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

436 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

439 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

441 cd/m²
N/A

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

443 cd/m²
N/A

HDR ABL 
 

0.008
N/A

Show text

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

8.2
7.4

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Chroma Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

43°
39°

Color Washout From Right 
 

43°
39°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Hue Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

49°
48°

Color Shift From Right 
 

52°
47°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Horizontal Lightness Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

46°
45°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

46°
46°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

70°
70°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

70°
41°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

55°
39°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

57°
38°

Show text

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

6.6
7.6

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Chroma Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

31°
32°

Color Washout From Above 
 

31°
34°

Vertical Hue Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Hue Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

33°
41°

Color Shift From Above 
 

32°
43°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Vertical Lightness Graph
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

35°
34°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

34°
36°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

52°
70°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

54°
70°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

31°
44°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

32°
63°

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Gray Uniformity 
 

8.7
8.7

50% Uniformity Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D 50% Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

3.014%
2.436%

50% DSE 
 

0.110%
0.115%

5% Uniformity Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D 5% Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.394%
0.279%

5% DSE 
 

0.055%
0.041%

Show text

Black Uniformity 
 

6.1
7.1

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Native Black Uniformity Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

1.965%
1.219%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Pre Calibration 
 

8.0
7.1

Pre Calibration Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Calibration Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pre Color Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Color Space (sRGB)
Standard

Luminance 
 

75 cd/m²
103 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

21
22

Contrast Setting 
 

75
78

RGB Controls 
 

100-100-100
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,606 K
5,949 K

White Balance dE 
 

3.01
3.53

Color dE 
 

1.99
3.19

Gamma 
 

2.25
2.24

Show text

Post Calibration 
 

9.7
9.7

Post Calibration Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Calibration Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Gamma Curve Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Post Color Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Luminance 
 

98 cd/m²
101 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

21
23

Contrast Setting 
 

75
78

RGB Controls 
 

96-98-100
94-92-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,470 K
6,489 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.49
0.40

Color dE 
 

0.40
0.52

Gamma 
 

2.17
2.17

Show text

SDR Color Gamut 
 

9.1
8.6

Color Gamut sRGB Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut sRGB Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

99.6%
96.8%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut ARGB Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

82.4%
75.3%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Show text

SDR Color Volume 
 

9.3
8.9

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

97.8%
96.6%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

87.5%
81.4%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

Custom Color
Custom Color

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HDR Color Gamut 
 

7.0
0.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

Yes
N/A

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

71.9%
N/A

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

68.2%
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Show text

HDR Color Volume 
 

6.5
0.0

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

63.7%
N/A

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

66.2%
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

Display HDR
No HDR

Show text

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Image Retention Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

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Gradient 
 

8.4
7.8

Gradient Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Gradient Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

8 Bit
8 Bit

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Color Bleed 
 

10
10

Color Bleed Horizontal  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Bleed Horizontal
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.001%
0.000%

Color Bleed Vertical  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Color Bleed Vertical
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.009%
0.002%

Show text

Reflections 
 

6.4
7.6

Average Room  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Average Room
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Average Room

Average Room Off Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Average Room Off Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Bright Room Off Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

7.3%
6.5%

Indirect Reflections 
 

3.9%
5.7%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

3.4%
0.8%

Show text

Text Clarity 
 

7.5
7.0

ClearType On  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D ClearType On
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

IPS
IPS

ClearType Off  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D ClearType Off
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE ClearType Off

Pixels  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Pixels
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB

Show text

Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

8.3
7.1

Motion Blur Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Motion Blur Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Response Time Table
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Normal
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

6.3 ms
7.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

12.5 ms
19.2 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

5.2%
4.5%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

7.0 ms
8.4 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

13.3 ms
20.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

7.3%
6.0%

Show text

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

8.3
7.1

Motion Blur Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Motion Blur Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Response Time Table
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Normal
Normal

Rise / Fall Time 
 

6.3 ms
7.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

12.5 ms
19.2 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

5.2%
4.5%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

7.0 ms
8.4 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

13.3 ms
20.7 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

7.3%
6.0%

Show text

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Backlight Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz

Show text

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

0.0
0.0

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

No BFI
No BFI

BFI Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D BFI Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D BFI Frequency Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Refresh Rate 
 

5.9
5.9

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

No VRR
No VRR

Native 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

No
No

FreeSync 
 

No
No

G-SYNC 
 

No
No

VRR Maximum 
 

N/A
N/A

VRR Minimum 
 

No VRR
No VRR

VRR Supported Connectors  

No VRR
No VRR

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Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.0
9.0

Native Resolution 
 

8.7 ms
8.7 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

8.7 ms
8.7 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

N/A
N/A

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

N/A
N/A

10 Bit HDR 
 

N/A
N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Resolution And Size 
 

8.3
8.3

Native Resolution  

2560 x 1440
2560 x 1440

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

3.7 MP
3.7 MP

Pixel Density 
 

117 PPI
109 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

25.0"
27.0"

Screen Area  

268 in²
310 in²

Show text

Inputs  

Inputs 1  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Inputs 1
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Inputs 1

Inputs 2  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Inputs 2
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.4)
1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort  

No
No

HDMI  

1 (HDMI 2.0)
1 (HDMI 1.4)

DVI  

No
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

1 (DP 1.4)
1 (DP 1.4)

USB  

3 (USB 3.0)
4 (USB 3.0)

USB C  

2 (1x USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode, 1x USB 3 Amp))
1 (USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode)

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

No
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

Internal
Internal

Show text

Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

No
No

HDR10  

Yes
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No

Show text

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D OSD Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D Controls Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE Controls Picture

Show text

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Dell UltraSharp U2520D In The Box Picture
Dell UltraSharp U2721DE In The Box Picture

Show text

Check Price

27"
UltraSharp U2721DE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Dell UltraSharp U2520D

Dell UltraSharp U2721DE

Comments

  1. Comparison

Dell UltraSharp U2520D vs Dell UltraSharp U2721DE: Main Discussion

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