Dell UP2718Q monitor review: A solid 4K HDR monitor choice with height adjustment

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TA-ratings-94While 4K HDR monitors have yet to make a huge impact in the consumer market, there’s no doubt that their time is coming. As that time approaches you may be looking for a good 4K HDR monitor to invest in now. The Dell UP2718Q is a solid choice and it has the added feature that many monitors are leaving out: height adjustment. Read on for our full review of the Dell UP2718Q 4K HDR monitor and find out why we’re giving this Dell monitor a Techaeris Top Pick award.

Specifications

The Dell UP2718Q has the following features and specifications:

  • Screen Size: 27″
  • Device type: LED backlight
  • Panel type: In-Plane switching Technology
  • Max preset resolution: 3840×2160 at 60Hz
  • Brightness: 400 cd/m² (typical), 1,000 cd/m² (peak)
  • Response time: 6 ms (gray to gray)
  • Screen Coating: Anti-glare treatment of the front polarizer (3H) hard coating
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Pixel pitch: 0.1554 mm x 0.1554 mm
  • Contrast ratio: 1000:1 (typical), 20,000:1 (HDR)
  • Color support
    • Color gamut (typical): 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, 100% REC 709, 97.7% DCI-P3, 76.9% REC2020
    • Color depth: 1.07 Billion colors
  • Inputs:
    • Display port (ver 1.4)
    • Mini Display port (ver 1.4)
    • 2 x HDMI (ver. 2.0a)
    • 2 x USB 3.0 port – Upstream
    • 4 x USB 3.0 ports , including 2 x USB3.0 BC 1.2 charging capability at 2A (max)
    • 2 USB 3.0 ports – Bottom
    • Analog 2.0 audio line out (3.5 mm jack)
  • Security: 
    • Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
    • Anti-theft stand lock slot (to panel)
  • Adjustability:
    • Height adjustable (145 mm)
    • Tilt (-5° to 21°)
    • Swivel (-45° to 45°)
    • Pivot (90°, clockwise direction)
  • Height with stand (Compressed ~ Extended):
    • 402.6 mm ~ 547.1 mm / 15.85″ ~ 21.54″
  • Width:
    • 626.4 mm / 24.66 inches
  • Depth:
    • 200.3 mm / 7.89 inches

What’s In The Box

  • Dell UP2718Q with stand
  • 1 x Power cable
  • 1 x mDP-DP cable
  • 1 x HDMI cable
  • 1 x USB 3.0 upstream cable
  • Drivers and documentation media
  • Quick setup guide
  • Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information
  • Factory Calibration Report

Design

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.

Dell UP2718Q
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 UP2718Q
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.

Dell UP2718Q
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.

Dell UP2718Q
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.

Dell UP2718Q
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! 😉

*We were sent a review unit of the Dell UP2718Q for the purposes of this review.

Last Updated on November 29, 2017.

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