The catch
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
QHD instead of 4K at an equal screen size.
Side by side
Dell U2724DE vs S2725QC: Docking hardware is replaced by UltraSharp, while S2725QC offers sharper text at 120Hz
Quick verdict
If the monitor has to handle wired networking, a compatible second display and up to 90 W of laptop charging, go with the U2724DE. When 65 W charging is enough, the S2725QC offers a sharper 4K picture and built-in speakers. Both reach 120 Hz. What you get with the UltraSharp is a more capable desk hub, and what you get with the S2725QC is more pixels in the same screen size.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
In the same screen size, pixels are 2.25 times as many
Against 3.69 million on U2724DE, S2725QC has 8.29 million pixels. That gives finer detail within the same 27-inch size. It does not mean 2.25 times as much comfortable workspace, since operating-system scaling changes the size of text and controls.
Where this comes from
3840 × 2160 = 8,294,400 pixels and 2560 × 1440 = 3,686,400, so the ratio is 2.25. The pixel counts are calculated from native resolution.
The catch
Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
Laptop charging tops out at 65 W.
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Why pick it
- Route Ethernet and a compatible second display through the monitor
- Charge a supported laptop at up to 90 W over USB-C
- The catch
- QHD instead of 4K at an equal screen size.
Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Why pick it
- Want 4K detail from a 27-inch screen
- Hold on to built-in speakers and a simpler desk with one display
- The catch
- Laptop charging tops out at 65 W.
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What this page compares
Dell U2724DE vs S2725QC on a laptop desk: weigh 4K detail, 120 Hz, USB-C charging and the cost of adding Ethernet or another display.
If the monitor has to handle wired networking, a compatible second display and up to 90 W of laptop charging, go with the U2724DE. When 65 W charging is enough, the S2725QC offers a sharper 4K picture and built-in speakers. Both reach 120 Hz. What you get with the UltraSharp is a more capable desk hub, and what you get with the S2725QC is more pixels in the same screen size.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I want a 27-inch screen with 4K detail
S2725QC is native 4K, and U2724DE is QHD.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Not suitable
- Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Better fit
I want smoother desktop movement from 120 Hz
With a suitable connection, either supports up to 120 Hz.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Good
- Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Good
I need the monitor to have Ethernet built in
An RJ45 port is found only on U2724DE.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Better fit
- Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Not suitable
Over USB-C, my laptop requires more than 65 W but no more than 90 W
The nominal power budget is on U2724DE. Verify the laptop and cable profile.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Depends
- Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Not suitable
I want speakers without having to add another device
Built-in speakers are found only on S2725QC.
- Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- Not suitable
- Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
In the same screen size, pixels are 2.25 times as many
Against 3.69 million on U2724DE, S2725QC has 8.29 million pixels. That gives finer detail within the same 27-inch size. It does not mean 2.25 times as much comfortable workspace, since operating-system scaling changes the size of text and controls.
How we worked this out
3840 × 2160 = 8,294,400 pixels and 2560 × 1440 = 3,686,400, so the ratio is 2.25. The pixel counts are calculated from native resolution.
The one-cable plan changes once the charging requirement goes above 65 W
Take a laptop whose documented requirement is 80 W over a compatible USB-C charging profile. The 65 W S2725QC ceiling falls 15 W short, while U2724DE has 10 W of nominal headroom. This is a power-budget check and not a promise of charging speed or sustained performance.
How we worked this out
Illustrative required input: 80 W. S2725QC: 65 - 80 = -15 W. U2724DE: 90 - 80 = 10 W. Host acceptance, cable and charging profile have to line up.
Weigh the complete desk cost
When the desk requires wired Ethernet and a second display connected through the first monitor, S2725QC needs an external dock or a different connection arrangement. The relevant network and display-output ports are already on U2724DE. Check host support, then compare the complete setup price.
How we worked this out
RJ45, DisplayPort output and downstream Thunderbolt are included on U2724DE. S2725QC lists no RJ45 or display-output connection. This compares port availability and does not guarantee compatibility.
Option A
Dell, U2724DE
UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
The Dell U2724DE is a 27-inch native QHD monitor that runs up to 120Hz. A verified Thunderbolt host gets video, data and up to 90W through the proper upstream port, while the separate USB-C upstream carries data only. To use RJ45 you need upstream data, the driver and an Ethernet cable, and DP Alt High Resolution limits USB data to 480 Mbps.
- Best for
- Route Ethernet and a compatible second display through the monitor
Facts we checked
- Screen size and resolution: 27 inches, 2560 × 1440
- Maximum refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Laptop power delivery: Up to 90 W
- Built-in wired network: 2.5GbE RJ45
Option B
Dell, S2725QC
27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
This simpler 27-inch home-office screen from Dell offers 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh, USB-C charging and speakers.
- Best for
- Want 4K detail from a 27-inch screen
Facts we checked
- Screen size and resolution: 27 inches, 3840 × 2160
- Maximum refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Laptop power delivery: Up to 65 W
- Built-in wired network: None
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor | Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size and resolution | 27 inches, 2560 × 1440 | 27 inches, 3840 × 2160 | S2725QC has more pixels, and the physical screen size is the same. |
| Maximum refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | Base the decision on resolution and connections. Do not count on any refresh-rate upgrade. |
| Laptop power delivery | Up to 90 W | Up to 65 W | Look up how much power your laptop needs and which USB-C charging profiles it supports. |
| Built-in wired network | 2.5GbE RJ45 | None | If you need Ethernet, S2725QC requires a different route for it. |
| Connections for another display | DisplayPort out and Thunderbolt downstream | No display output | Whether multiple displays really work comes down to the host, the operating system and the connection mode. |
| Built-in speakers | No | Yes | You get basic sound from S2725QC itself, with no desktop speakers added. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
- No speakers built in.
With Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
- No Ethernet port and no display output.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Native 4K is non-negotiable
Go with Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor. S2725QC meets the resolution requirement, while U2724DE is QHD.
Ethernet has to be built in
Go with Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor. The RJ45 port is on U2724DE.
My laptop needs over 90 W supplied by the monitor
Neither model fits. Over their laptop connections, neither delivers that much power.
Decision guide
How to decide
The U2724DE is for a monitor that must handle wired networking, a compatible second display and up to 90 W of laptop charging. The S2725QC is for a sharper 4K picture and built-in speakers when 65 W charging is enough. Both reach 120 Hz. The UltraSharp offers the more capable desk hub, and the S2725QC offers more pixels at the same screen size.
Cost out the whole desk
Write down what has to stay connected when you unplug the laptop. An Ethernet cable, keyboard, storage device and second display can make a hub monitor useful every day. Where a dock already does those jobs, paying for overlapping connections may bring little benefit. When comparing the two Amazon offers, count any missing dock, adapter or speakers.
Settle on readable text before you count windows
More pixels make finer rendering possible at a fixed screen size, but comfortable text size still depends on eyesight, viewing distance and scaling settings. If you can, try your preferred application layout at the scale you intend to use. Buying 4K and then increasing the interface size is a perfectly sensible way to get clearer text, even though it doesn't make room for more windows.
Check the laptop connection before you buy cables
A socket shaped like USB-C does not by itself establish video, charging and multiple-display support. Look at the laptop specification and the operating system you plan to use. With the U2724DE, confirm the supported Thunderbolt or DisplayPort chain. With the S2725QC, confirm that the cable and host can deliver the resolution and refresh rate you want. A monitor can't add display support that the computer lacks.
What this page can’t tell you
- Published specifications are the basis for the pixel and power-budget calculations. We haven't measured these units, text clarity, charging speed or speaker quality.
- The host, operating system, cable and connection mode all determine multi-display output, charging and maximum refresh rate.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the computer monitors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor |
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| |
| Dell 27 Plus 4K USB-C 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 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor
Route Ethernet and a compatible second display through the monitor
See price & reviews on AmazonDell 27 Plus 4K USB-C Monitor
Want 4K detail from a 27-inch screen
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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