The catch
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
The upstream USB-C connection lacks Thunderbolt.
Side by side
Dell U2723QE vs U2725QE: The same 4K size stays on both, with U2725QE adding 120Hz and charging above 90W
Quick verdict
120Hz scrolling, Thunderbolt and a charging requirement above 90 watts all point to the U2725QE. If the U2723QE has the better current offer and 60Hz with 90-watt USB-C already covers your work, choose it instead. Both are still 27-inch 4K displays.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Not a single native pixel is added by the upgrade
At the same 27-inch size, both panels contain 8,294,400 pixels.
Where this comes from
3840 × 2160 stays as it was. Scaling or layout choices are behind any effective workspace change.
The catch
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
If your desktop already has enough ports, you are paying extra for the hub.
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Why pick it
- Your laptop is covered by a 90W USB-C connection, and most of your content is static.
- You'd like the existing hub features and don't want to pay for 120Hz.
- The catch
- The upstream USB-C connection lacks Thunderbolt.
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Why pick it
- Smoother movement across the whole desktop is what you want.
- Thunderbolt, or a compatible charging ceiling above 90W, is something you need.
- The catch
- If your desktop already has enough ports, you are paying extra for the hub.
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What this page compares
Dell U2723QE and U2725QE differ on 60Hz versus 120Hz, Thunderbolt, charging and Ethernet. Find out which upgrades your laptop can use.
How the newer UltraSharp changes things at a laptop desk
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A U2723QE that works and is comfortable at 60Hz
Resolution gives no reason to replace it.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Better fit
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Good
A 100W USB-C laptop that is compatible
The target is reached only by the newer monitor's specified power ceiling.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Caution
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
A local network at 2.5GbE
Throughput depends on the rest of the network, but the faster network interface is on the U2725QE.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Good
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
At identical scaling, more spreadsheet rows
Resolution stays the same.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Similar
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Not a single native pixel is added by the upgrade
At the same 27-inch size, both panels contain 8,294,400 pixels.
How we worked this out
3840 × 2160 stays as it was. Scaling or layout choices are behind any effective workspace change.
The refresh interval is halved at 120Hz
At maximum refresh, the interval drops from 16.67 ms to 8.33 ms.
How we worked this out
1000 ÷ 60 and 1000 ÷ 120. Input lag and pixel response are not measured here.
The newer model is favored by a 100W laptop target
On paper the U2725QE reaches the target, and the U2723QE's 90W ceiling falls 10W short.
How we worked this out
140 ≥ 100 and 90 < 100. The required power has to be supported by the laptop, the cable and the USB-C PD negotiation.
Option A
Dell, U2723QE
UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
For a laptop that spends most days at a desk, the U2723QE offers a sharp 4K panel, Ethernet and a USB hub. If its 90-watt connection covers what your laptop needs, that matters more than a newer model number.
- Best for
- A wired 4K work desk served by one laptop cable
Facts we checked
- IPS Black panel at 60Hz, 27-inch, 3840 by 2160
- A USB-C video input that delivers up to 90 watts
- Gigabit Ethernet plus a DisplayPort output
Option B
Dell, U2725QE
UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
Laptop charging power is high and the Thunderbolt hub is serious on this 27-inch 4K IPS Black display, which also runs at 120Hz.
- Best for
- An office or creator desk on one premium cable
Facts we checked
- 27-inch IPS Black panel, 3840 by 2160 at up to 120Hz
- Thunderbolt 4 connection delivers up to 140 watts
- The built-in hub has 2.5GbE and downstream display support
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor | Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size and resolution | 27-inch 3840 × 2160 | 27-inch 3840 × 2160 | The native workspace they start with is the same. |
| Refresh ceiling | 60Hz | 120Hz | Refresh can happen twice as often on the newer model. |
| Upstream connection | USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode | Thunderbolt 4 | Before treating the connection as interchangeable, check the laptop and downstream devices. |
| Laptop power | Up to 90W | Up to 140W | A 50W maximum-output margin is added by the newer model. |
| Ethernet interface | 1GbE | 2.5GbE | Using the higher link rate requires a faster local network. |
| DisplayPort output | Yes | Yes | A suitable multi-monitor arrangement is possible with both. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- Scrolling is less fluid on a panel that tops out at 60Hz than on newer 120Hz UltraSharp models.
With Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Text on a 27-inch 4K desktop usually only gets comfortable once you turn on operating-system scaling.
Decision guide
How to decide
The U2725QE earns its place with 120Hz scrolling, Thunderbolt and a charging requirement above 90 watts. The U2723QE fits when its current offer is better and 60Hz with 90-watt USB-C already covers your work. Either way you get a 27-inch 4K display.
The hub upgrade can count for more than the panel upgrade
Thunderbolt 4, a higher power ceiling and 2.5GbE change what surrounds the screen on the U2725QE. They help if they replace a separate dock or match a faster local network. For a laptop that 90-watt USB-C and gigabit Ethernet already serve well, the practical reason to move up is smaller.
Smoother movement is the improvement you can see
Every 8.33 milliseconds, the desktop can update at 120Hz. People who notice scrolling and pointer motion, not only gamers, will find the upgrade relevant. Image detail does not improve, since both displays keep the same 4K resolution and size.
Look for the bottleneck before paying for the newer hub
Plugging into a 2.5GbE socket won't speed up a gigabit router. Likewise a 140-watt output can't make a laptop accept more than its supported input. Where the newer monitor earns its premium is when your existing equipment can use those capabilities and they simplify a real part of the desk.
What this page can’t tell you
- Link rates don't equal measured network transfer speeds.
- An individual unit's uniformity or color accuracy cannot be established from published panel specifications.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the computer monitors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 2 of the 50 models checked meet every need here: “A screen that stays comfortable for everyday office work”, “Work and entertainment both get sharp 4K detail”, and “A fuller desk connection through Thunderbolt”.
2 models fit, out of 50 checkedThe gap in numbers
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor lists 120 Hz for top refresh rate, 100% more than the 60 Hz on Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
- 60 Hz
- Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- 120 Hz
- Models with this figure
- 44 of 50
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “A screen that stays comfortable for everyday office work”, “Work and entertainment both get sharp 4K detail”, and “A fuller desk connection through Thunderbolt”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedFigures use the fastest published refresh mode. Resolution, connection and color settings decide when you get that rate. For context, 44 of 50 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor |
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| Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor
Your laptop is covered by a 90W USB-C connection, and most of your content is static.
See price & reviews on AmazonDell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
Smoother movement across the whole desktop is what you want.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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