As a digital technology expert with decades of experience evaluating and using cutting-edge computer hardware, I‘ve seen firsthand how the right monitor choice can make or break your productivity and creative workflow. Two monitor lineups that consistently stand out for their exceptional performance and visuals are the Dell Ultrasharp and LG Ultrafine series. Both are premium-tier displays aimed at professionals and power users who demand the highest color accuracy, resolution, and features. But which one is the better choice? Let‘s dive in and compare the Dell Ultrasharp vs LG Ultrafine from a technical perspective to help you decide.
The Lineups At a Glance
The Dell Ultrasharp series is one of the most extensive professional monitor lineups on the market, with sizes ranging from 24" to a massive 43" and resolutions scaling up to 8K (7680 x 4320). Dell has been a leader in the high-end display space for over a decade, and the Ultrasharp name is synonymous with best-in-class color accuracy and minimalist design.
Key specs across the Ultrasharp line include:
- 99-100% sRGB, 95-99% DCI-P3, 85-95% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage
- 8-bit to 12-bit color depth (1.07 billion to 68.7 billion colors)
- 350 to 400 nits typical brightness, up to 1,600 nits peak on HDR models
- 60Hz to 144Hz refresh rate
- 5ms to 8ms typical response time
- USB-C connectivity with up to 90W power delivery, plus USB hub and Ethernet on select models
- Highly adjustable stand with pivot, tilt, swivel and height options
In contrast, the LG Ultrafine series consists of just two monitor sizes – 24" 4K and 27" 5K. These displays were developed in partnership with Apple to be the ultimate companions for Mac users. They feature Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and P3 wide color gamut support to perfectly match the colors of your MacBook, iMac, iPad Pro and iPhone.
LG Ultrafine key specs:
- 4K (3840 x 2160) or 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 500 nits brightness
- 14ms typical response time
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage
- 8-bit + FRC color depth (1.07 billion colors)
- Thunderbolt 3 with 85W power delivery
- Basic tilt-only stand
Color Performance
For creative professionals working in photography, video editing, graphic design and other visual fields, color accuracy is one of the most important considerations in a monitor. Both the Dell Ultrasharp and LG Ultrafine series excel in this regard, but there are some differences to note.
The Ultrasharp series offers the widest color gamut options, with most models covering 100% of sRGB, 95% of DCI-P3, and 85% of the ultra-wide Adobe RGB space commonly used in print production. Higher-end Ultrasharps like the UP3221Q even hit 98% of DCI-P3 and 100% of Adobe RGB. They also use true 10-bit or 12-bit panels that can display over a billion colors without resorting to tricks like dithering.
In practical terms, this means that Ultrasharp monitors can accurately represent a larger range of colors, making them well-suited for color grading video footage or soft proofing photos for print. The factory calibration is also extremely reliable, with guaranteed Delta-E <2 accuracy out of the box on most models. Some Ultrasharps even come with a printed calibration report in the box.
The LG Ultrafine series prioritizes the DCI-P3 color space used by Apple devices and high-end HDR content. While they don‘t offer the same Adobe RGB coverage as the Ultrasharps, the Ultrafines hit an impressive 98% of DCI-P3 – ensuring that you see the exact same vibrant, saturated colors as you would on a MacBook Pro or iPad Pro display.
However, the Ultrafines use 8-bit + FRC panels rather than true 10-bit or 12-bit. This means they rely on software tricks to simulate additional colors beyond the panel‘s native 16.7 million. While this difference is hard to notice in normal use, it does mean the Ultrafines are slightly less suited for mission-critical color grading compared to the true 10-bit and 12-bit Ultrasharps.
HDR Performance
Both monitor lines support HDR (high dynamic range) content, which allows for brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and a generally more impactful viewing experience. However, not all HDR is created equal, and there‘s a wide gulf between the Dell and LG implementations.
Most Dell Ultrasharp monitors, including the popular U2720Q and U4320Q, are DisplayHDR 400 certified. This means they can hit a respectable 400 nits of peak brightness in HDR mode – a notable step up from their typical 350 nit SDR brightness. However, it‘s still well short of the 1,000 nit peaks that define a true HDR experience.
That said, Dell does offer a couple of elite HDR monitors in the Ultrasharp line. The UP2720Q and UP3221Q are VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certified, with an astounding 1,600 nit peak brightness and 384 local dimming zones that dramatically improve contrast. These professional-grade monitors deliver one of the best true HDR experiences you can get outside of a top-end TV.
In contrast, the LG Ultrafine monitors are not officially DisplayHDR certified at all. While they offer some basic HDR support, their peak brightness tops out at 500 nits, and there‘s no local dimming. You can expect HDR content to look a bit better than SDR, but the Ultrafines are far from the best HDR monitors out there. For HDR-critical work on a Mac, Apple‘s own Pro Display XDR is still the king.
Connectivity & USB-C
Connectivity is one area where Dell has a clear edge over LG. Most Ultrasharp monitors released in the past few years feature a USB-C port that can carry the display signal, data, and up to 90W of power to charge your laptop. They also act as a USB hub, with multiple USB-A and USB-C ports to connect peripherals, and even Ethernet on some models like the U2421E and U2723QE.
This allows you to use a single cable to connect your laptop and turn the monitor into a full desktop dock. With up to a 90W power delivery, you can even charge a larger laptop like a 15" MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 15 at full speed. It‘s an elegant solution that reduces cable clutter and makes it easy to transition between a desk setup and mobile use.
The LG Ultrafine monitors, on the other hand, are entirely reliant on Thunderbolt 3. This allows for even higher 40Gbps bandwidth (vs 5-10Gbps for USB-C) and up to 85W power delivery. But it means you‘re out of luck if your laptop doesn‘t have a Thunderbolt 3 port, ruling out most Windows PCs. There are no USB hub ports or Ethernet either – just a single extra Thunderbolt port to daisy chain another display.
Design & Ergonomics
Dell Ultrasharp monitors have a well-earned reputation for exceptional build quality and thoughtful design. The signature thin bezels minimize distractions and make multi-monitor setups look seamless. Every Ultrasharp also comes with a highly adjustable stand that offers a wide range of tilt, swivel, pivot and height options to dial in the perfect viewing angle. Most models are also VESA compatible for mounting on a monitor arm.
LG Ultrafine monitors share a similar minimalist aesthetic, with thin bezels and an all-white back that matches Apple‘s design language. However, the stand is far less adjustable, with only a basic tilt option and no VESA mounting capability. This can make it tricky to position the monitor ergonomically, especially if you‘re taller or shorter than average.
Both lineups use matte IPS LCD panels with wide 178° viewing angles, ensuring consistent colors and contrast even when viewed off-center. However, the Ultrafine‘s glossy front polarizer gives it punchier colors and deeper blacks at the expense of more reflections. The matte Ultrasharps are better for bright office environments where glare is a concern.
Size & Resolution
The Dell Ultrasharp series offers a wider range of sizes and resolutions to fit different needs and budgets. The sweet spot for most users is 27" to 32" at 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), which provides an excellent balance of screen real estate and pixel density.
However, Dell also offers several massive 38" and 43" ultrawide and super-ultrawide monitors for those who want an immersive experience or need to juggle multiple apps side-by-side. On the flip side, the smaller 24" and 25" 1080p and 1440p models are great budget options for everyday productivity.
The LG Ultrafine series keeps things simpler with just 24" and 27" models. The 24" 4K model hits an incredibly sharp 183 pixels per inch, which can make text look tiny without scaling. The 27" 5K is the real sweet spot, delivering 33% more pixels than a typical 4K display. This provides ample workspace for editing huge 4K video timelines or opening up multiple apps side-by-side.
Performance & Gaming
While Dell Ultrasharp and LG Ultrafine monitors are primarily designed for productivity, they‘re also surprisingly capable when it comes to gaming. The Ultrasharp series offers the most gaming-friendly options, with models like the 27" S2722DGM and 38" S3422DWG delivering refresh rates up to 144Hz, 1ms response times, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync.
The LG Ultrafine series maxes out at a 60Hz refresh rate, which is fine for casual gaming but may feel sluggish for fast-paced shooters or racing sims. However, LG‘s 5K models boast a slightly faster 12ms response time compared to the typical 14ms on 4K Ultrafines and 60Hz Ultrasharps. Hardcore PC gamers will still want to opt for a dedicated gaming monitor, but either series can pull double duty for more casual gaming sessions.
Warranty & Reliability
Premium monitors are a significant investment, so it‘s important to consider long-term reliability and support. Both Dell and LG offer a standard 3-year limited hardware warranty on their Ultrasharp and Ultrafine monitors. This covers defects in materials and workmanship, but not accidental damage.
Dell has a slight edge in customer service, with 24/7 phone support, online chat, and a comprehensive knowledge base. They also offer an Advanced Exchange Service that can ship out a replacement monitor as soon as the next business day if yours develops a covered fault. LG‘s support is also solid but not quite as comprehensive or responsive.
In terms of reliability, both lineups have a generally positive track record. However, the LG Ultrafine series did suffer from some early quality control issues, with several users reporting flickering, ghosting, and even complete failures within the first year. Most of these problems seem to have been ironed out in more recent production runs, but it‘s something to keep in mind.
Price & Value
As premium, professionally-focused monitors, neither the Dell Ultrasharp nor LG Ultrafine series is cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from $700 to over $2,000 depending on the size and capabilities you need.
In general, Dell‘s Ultrasharp pricing is more competitive, especially on the lower end. A 27" U2720Q 4K monitor goes for around $719, while a comparable 27" Ultrafine 4K typically costs $200-$300 more. However, the gap narrows as you move up the stack, with the high-end 32" and ultrawide models from both companies reaching into the $1,500-$2,000 range.
The LG Ultrafine‘s premium pricing is somewhat justified by the inclusion of Thunderbolt 3, which offers higher bandwidth and charging power than standard USB-C. But for most users, the Dell Ultrasharp line delivers better bang for your buck – especially if you don‘t need Thunderbolt.
The Verdict
While both Dell Ultrasharp and LG Ultrafine monitors deliver exceptional visual quality and productivity-boosting features, the Dell Ultrasharp series is the clear winner for most users.
Ultrasharps offer:
- Wider color gamut coverage and true 10-bit color
- More sizes, resolutions, and a lower starting price
- Highly adjustable stands and VESA compatibility
- USB hub and Ethernet ports for connecting peripherals
- Better gaming performance with available high refresh rate models
The LG Ultrafine series is still a great choice for Mac users who prioritize seamless integration, a compact footprint, and high pixel density. The 5K Ultrafine is one of the sharpest 27" monitors you can buy, and the one-cable Thunderbolt 3 connection is hard to beat for simplicity.
As a digital creative professional myself, I appreciate the color accuracy and flexibility of the Ultrasharp series. The included calibration reports give me confidence that what I‘m seeing on screen will match my finished work. And with USB-C connectivity, I can quickly dock and undock my laptop to shift between my desk setup and more mobile work.
That said, I still keep a 27" Ultrafine 5K on my desk for previewing Mac-specific projects. The extra resolution provides a stellar canvas for graphic design work, and it‘s the closest I can get to the front-of-screen quality of the far more expensive Apple Pro Display XDR.
Ultimately, the right monitor for you depends on your specific needs and budget. But whether you choose a Dell Ultrasharp or LG Ultrafine, you‘ll be treated to world-class visuals and productivity features that can take your work to the next level. As display technology continues to evolve, I‘m excited to see how these two monitor titans will push each other – and the industry as a whole – forward.
