Dell Alienware AW3225QF Review

Dell was the company that launched the first gaming OLED monitors on the market. It has been almost three years, and since then, the company has maintained its position and continues to show potential for further surprises. The manufacturer’s lineup includes a unique 31.5-inch curved QD-OLED panel with a 4K UHD resolution. The Dell Alienware AW3225QF monitor was designed uniquely, with no direct equivalents. The solution expands the Alienware model range with a new exclusive offering, appealing to consumers who seek to combine modern OLED technology with impressive performance features. Let’s get to know more about it in this Alienware AW3225QF review below:

Dell Alienware AW3225QF Review

Unboxing

This Alienware AW3225QF review model comes in a large box with high-quality printing, several photos of the monitor, and a mention of the most important distinguishing features.

The box opens like a book, without any fixed plastic elements. The monitor is well-protected from external influences and comes disassembled, including the case, stand, and central support.

A plastic handle is mounted on the top of the box for easy carrying.

Let’s take a look at its impressive package, which includes the following:

• Power cable;
• DisplayPort cable;
• HDMI cable;
• USB Type-B -> Type-A cable;
• Quick Start Guide;
• Rear plastic cover for a cable management system;
• Purchase Congratulations Card;
• Microfiber cloth for safe screen cleaning;
• Instructions for safe handling of the device;
• Service information;
• Brief report on the completed factory calibration.

Design and Ergonomics

At first glance, the new Dell Alienware QD-OLED monitor’s appearance shows the familiar features of Alienware products from the 2023-2024 lines, but in the case of the Alienware AW3225QF, only one color scheme is available – black and white.

The monitor is unassembled in the package. The stand can be attached in just a few seconds, without any tools. Disassembly is also quick and easy – by pressing one mechanical locking button.

The central stand attaches to the monitor using a standard quick-release fastening mechanism. If needed, the stand can also be mounted on a VESA-compatible 100×100 mm bracket. To do this, simply unscrew the four screws at the attachment point of the central column and use them with the chosen bracket.

The manufacturer separately notes the use of a 360-degree ventilation system. Ventilation slats are indeed present along the entire perimeter of the rear part of the case and contribute to better airflow and heat dissipation. There is no fan – the monitor is silent.

The shape of the legs has been retained from the previous two generations of 32-inch 4K gaming Alienware giants, so the screen will still be closer to you than it would have been if Dell’s designers had used a stand with a different geometry. As for stability, we had no complaints – the design is heavy and monolithic.

The cable routing system is implemented by removing the central pillar. While this solution is straightforward, it lacks effectiveness.

The system is enhanced with a plastic decorative element that conceals the interface block, completing the model’s appearance. The cover features holding magnets, allowing it to be installed with a simple hand motion.

The stand has the most developed ergonomic capabilities for this class of devices. In the case of our Alienware AW3225QF review model, you can change the panel tilt from -5 to +21 degrees, rotate it by 20 degrees to the right and left, and change the height to 110 mm. Rotation to portrait mode (Pivot) is not provided – apparently due to the curved panel.

All fasteners, the internal components of the stand, and the central column are constructed from metal. The stand features four large rubber feet that effectively grip the work surface and keep the monitor stable, thanks to the weight of the entire assembly.

All monitor components fit together with minimal gaps. The case remains stable and does not twist, crunch, or creak, whether it is compressed or moved. The painting of the elements is uniform, and the processing of the edges of the parts does not cause any complaints.

When examining the new 4K 32″ curved monitor, you can see the only mention of the Alienware brand on the central stand, an illuminated alien head, and some strange designation.

All primary connection interfaces are positioned downward on two distinct pads at the rear of the device.

Another USB 3.2 Type-A and one single Type-C ( without DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery) for working with peripherals are located on the bottom edge of the Alienware AW3225QF case and are shifted to the left of the 5-position control joystick.

The device lacks a built-in speaker system, and the lower ventilation pads are ineffective. They are more related to the general cooling system of the QD-OLED panel used.

Menu and Control

The monitor is operated via a 5-position joystick and a separate power button, both situated on the bottom edge of the case. This control system enhances convenience and aligns with modern design trends embraced by many manufacturers.

Pressing the joystick will cause prompts to appear on the screen, with the OSD block positioned directly above the main control element.

Let’s examine the structure of the main menu accessible through the corresponding button of the OSD.

Firstly, the menu structure of the new AW3225QF is similar to that of other Alienware models from the past two years, though it differs from its LCD predecessors.

The AW3225QF features nine menu sections:

1. Game: This section allows you to select the color mode, activate game “enhancers,” and adjust the visibility of dark details. It includes settings for saturation, hue, console connections, AlienVision sub-modes, and a reset to default values for this section only.
2. Brightness and Contrast: Adjustments for image brightness and contrast are available here.
3. Input Source: This section lets you select the input source, with automatic source selection enabled by default for convenience.
4. AlienFX Lighting: Choose from 19 colors for three lighting zones or activate a smooth color transition. You can also synchronize the backlight with on-screen activity, with over 200 supported games, according to Dell.
5. Display: Access settings for image scaling, input color formats, sharpness (recommended not to adjust), Smart HDR modes (set HDR Peak 1000 for maximum brightness), and Dolby Vision presets.
6. PiP/PbP: This section provides options for Picture-in-Picture (PiP) and Picture-by-Picture (PbP) functions with a clear presentation of available presets.
7. Menu: Set the localization language, adjust transparency, configure a timer for the OSD screen, and reset settings to factory defaults.
8. Personalize: Change one of the five quick access buttons and select functions for four joystick positions to enhance usability.
9. Other: View firmware version, service number, and other monitor information under “Display Info.” You can also disable DDC/CI support, run self-diagnostics, and enable panel cleaning (fast or full). The “Factory Reset” option resets all settings to factory defaults.

Accessing the service menu was unsuccessful; no new options appeared on the screen with any key combination.

Alienware AW3225QF review test

Color Gamut

The monitor uses a QD-OLED panel with a modified spectrum and a corresponding extended color gamut. Let’s evaluate its true capabilities by examining our Alienware AW3225QF review model:

The initial test was conducted using the display’s factory settings in Custom mode, which is identical to Standard mode. The screenshots reveal that two of the three reference points are noticeably displaced compared to the standard sRGB color profile, indicating that the monitor exceeds it in many color shades. The monitor shows clear superiority over the DCI-P3 color space. However, when compared to AdobeRGB, it is slightly inferior in green hues but superior in red hues. Overall, there are no significant issues.

Identical results are demonstrated by the preset Game 1/2/3 modes for manual user adjustment. In the DCI-P3 and sRGB space emulation modes, a sharp decrease in color saturation with extremely high accuracy is noticeable.

During manual adjustment and full calibration in Custom mode, the Alienware 4K OLED monitor retains its maximum capabilities; it does not provide emulation of color standards.

The final results of the color gamut (and the volume of the figure as a whole – the second digit) compliance of the monitor with standardized spaces are as follows:

Standard settings (Custom/Standard):

• sRGB – 100.0|170.0%;
• AdobeRGB – 96.9|117.1%;
• DCI-P3 – 98.5|120.4%;

sRGB mode:

• sRGB – 99.1|105.5%;
• AdobeRGB – 71.9|72.7%;
• DCI-P3 – 74.7|74.7%;

DCI-P3 mode:

• sRGB – 100.0|143.8%;
• AdobeRGB – 86.2|99.1%;
• DCI-P3 – 96.8|101.9%;

After calibration:

• sRGB – 100.0|165.5%;
• AdobeRGB – 95.0|114.0%;
• DCI-P3 – 98.5|117.2%.

When dealing with shades that exceed standard study ranges, you can address the issue using a familiar method: ICC/ICM profiles and color management system (CMS) software. This includes applications such as Adobe products, Google Picasa, XnView, Windows Photo Viewer (7, 8, 10, 11), Firefox, and Google Chrome. Additionally, using the sRGB emulation mode at the monitor level simplifies color management, ensuring consistent performance across applications and games.

Brightness, Contrast, and Color Rendering

The monitor offers five main preset modes: two emulation modes for standard color spaces, three gaming modes (Game 1-3), two color temperature presets, and a customizable manual mode. By default, the monitor uses Standard Mode with the following settings:

• Brightness – 75;
• Contrast – 75;
• Dark Stabilizer – 0;
• Smart HDR – VESA Display 400;

The following settings were used to achieve a brightness of 100 nits, a color temperature of 6500K, and other enhancements.:

• Brightness – 47;
• Contrast – 75;
• Dark Stabilizer – 0;
• RGB Gain – 97/99/100;
• Smart HDR – HDR Peak 1000;

Let’s study the obtained results, presented in the table below:

In this Alienware AW3225QF review, we decided to go through only three installed presets and check the results of manual adjustment with calibration. The factory brightness setting between modes differs significantly, but in the main presets, it is immediately at a high level for OLED of 216-253 nits – you can safely reduce it. The contrast ratio of OLED displays approaches infinity, making it impossible to measure accurately.

In terms of setting the white point, the Dell Alienware QD-OLED monitor demonstrates average accuracy – at 6200K with virtually no parasitic tint. In sRGB emulation mode, everything is much better – the deviation from the reference is only 1.6 DeltaE.

The model no longer includes the familiar ComfortView mode. This change occurred because we adjusted the QD-OLED panels’s brightness spectrum directly, eliminating the need for software-based image warming. While we have noticeably enhanced contrast across all image modes, this improvement has sacrificed detail in the darkest shadow areas.

When using the DCI-P3 mode, the display undergoes significant changes: a noticeable color tint emerges, brightness drops by approximately 75%, and visual contrast sees a slight increase.

After switching to Custom mode with a full-color gamut and performing the adjustment procedures, we reached 102 nits of brightness, and the white point returned to normal. Preserved visual contrast, but shadows appeared. Deviation levels settled at 0.32 DeltaE94 on average and 1.22 at maximum, which is an excellent result, especially for a gaming model.

However, you shouldn’t rely on the stability of these results, as OLED displays can vary in performance depending on the brightness levels. While the stability has improved compared to earlier W-OLED and QD-OLED models, it is still not ideal. The Dell Alienware AW3225QF is suitable for amateur color work, but professionals should consider other options.

Gamma Curves and Gray Balance

Using the HCFR Colorimeter program and the “calibrated” X-Rite Display Pro colorimeter, we studied the gamma curves in all the modes discussed above. In addition, based on the measurements taken, it is possible to estimate the divergence of the gray wedge (dots of the black-and-white gradient) on the CIE diagram and draw conclusions about the prevalence of a particular parasitic hue, or its absence.

Our Alienware AW3225QF review unit shows increased image contrast at standard settings, as do most OLED monitors and competitors we know (at least from MSI and ASUS). On special test images, deep shadows show virtually no distinguishable differences, despite what the gamma curves (derived from 20 measured shades) may suggest. Although the monitor appears to be nearly perfectly configured based on these examples, this is not entirely accurate. We need to address the underlying issues

In sRGB mode, the situation is even worse. Unlike the 27-inch version (Alienware AW2725DF Review), we have a story with increased contrast – higher than with default settings. At the same time, the system sets the white point and all shades of gray close to the reference, which is an advantage. Also, the mode produces high-precision emulation of the specified color space, sharply reducing the saturation of the picture to the norm familiar to many.

Regarding the DCI-P3 mode, we tested the model with a gamma setting of 2.2. The AW3225QF, however, has an actual gamma of approximately 2.28. As a result, the image appears dark and highly contrasted, with an unintended green tint on the gray gradient. As such, there is no point in using it.

Let’s move on to Custom Mode, where we performed manual adjustment and calibration with edits in the graphics card LUT. However, as the results above show, we raised the deep shadows, but this worsened the outcomes in another area—the 50-80% section. Thus, we can conclude that calibration for bringing shadows “into the light” is relevant and necessary, but you should not count on an ideal result on all fronts.

Gradients Uniformity

The pseudo 10-bit QD-OLED panel demonstrated high-quality gradients, both with default settings and after manual adjustments. Unlike most modern W-OLED panels, changing the brightness level has virtually no impact on gradient quality, which is a notable advantage.

After applying the profile created during calibration with LUT edits, the quality of gradients in the 10-50% range deteriorates, and about 3-5 sharper transitions with weak parasitic shades appear.

The situation is typical, but when working with AW3225QF, you can do without such negative moments – if the ideal setting of gamma curves for deep shadows is not essential to you, but the quality of gradients is important, then you can do with profiling, without correcting the LUT graphics card, and then the gradients will remain high-quality, as with the default settings. The applications will display shadows using their built-in color management systems (CMS). They are designed to work effectively with custom-created and installed profiles.

Color Temperature Stability

Next in our Alienware AW3225QF review, we’ll examine the color temperature stability across both standard and special image modes.

The results of this table represent deviations of the gray wedge points along the X-axis. They do not affect the vertical axis, and therefore it is possible to assess the presence of parasitic shades only using the CIE diagram from the subsection “Gamma curves and gray balance”.

The monitor exhibited exceptional performance in all modes and continued to deliver consistent results even after adjustments and calibration. In emulation modes, the overall results are worse than with default settings but still high.

Now let’s look at the results of the special Cool and Warm modes and compare them with the Standard/Custom Mode:

We can note the following:

Based on the obtained values, we can make an unambiguous conclusion that both modes correspond to their names;

As the color temperature level increases, the level of deviations does not change.

In summary, achieving a color temperature close to 6500K requires manual adjustments. You can either estimate the adjustments visually or use appropriate measuring equipment.

Brightness Range and HDR Performance

We activated the Custom mode to assess contrast stability and the range of brightness changes. We adjusted the brightness level from 100% to 0% in 10-unit increments. In the case of the new Dell Alienware QD-OLED monitor, we checked the brightness of the white field at screen fill levels (APL – Average Picture Level) of 5 and 100% of the screen area. We also checked the maximum capabilities of the device when playing HDR in two Smart HDR modes: VESA Display HDR 400 True Black and HDR Peak 1000 (analogous to VESA Display HDR100, but from Dell).

The resulting working brightness range with standard settings and white output at 5% of the screen field was 31-257 nits with a contrast ratio tending to infinity. The brightness decrease is almost linear.

At full-screen filling (100% APL), the brightness range changes slightly – 30-258 nits. This is a good result, demonstrating high image stability in the case of a QD-OLED monitor and adequate algorithms for the ABL brightness limitation function built into the matrix firmware.

Thus, the working brightness range of the AW3225QF monitor is ideal for most workspaces, but with adequate light insulation. Otherwise, you may experience not only glare and reflections but also a reduced depth of black levels. This can cause a significant decrease in the contrast ratio, potentially dropping from ‘infinite’ to 1000:1 or even lower, as demonstrated by testing.

As for HDR, when it is activated, the ability to change most of the parameters in the monitor menu responsible for the image quality is lost. The monitor switches to automatic image control mode on the screen.

In this case, we checked its behavior on special test scenes in two operating modes – VESA Display HDR400 True Black and HDR Peak 1000. The steady-state brightness values, measured 3 to 5 seconds after the pause, were 276 to 476 nits and 268 to 1,067 nits, respectively.

The monitor is capable of demonstrating brightness over 1000 nits, but only when playing suitable HDR content and setting the HDR Peak 1000 mode. True Black 400 and Dolby Vision limit the maximum brightness to around 480 nits at 2-10% screen fill, but the brightness at 25-100% fill levels is slightly higher than that of the thousandth. The visibility in shadows is also better here, but Peak 1000 has advantages in highlights. It is worth keeping this in mind.

Panel speed

Initially, early OLED screens, particularly those used in phones, had slow response rates. However, as manufacturers gained more experience with the technology, they improved scanning frequencies and other speed metrics. For products based on modern QD-OLED panels from Samsung Display, the basic value is 0.03 ms GtG regardless of the scanning frequency – 120, 144, 175-180, or 240-360 Hz.

The third-generation QD-OLED panel used in the Alienware 4K OLED monitor offers the currently available maximum for 4K OLED in the form of 240 Hz on both DP and HDMI 2.1 connections.

At the same time, the new product does not have options for overclocking the panel in response speed under the general name Overdrive (OD) (this is normal for OLED), and there is no “black frame insertion” function. The latter is forgivable for OLED with such a high vertical scanning frequency.

This Alienware AW3225QF review model demonstrates a complete absence of blurring and visually noticeable artifacts. At 120 Hz (and below) the monitor does not create the “wow” effect – just a good picture. Doubling the frequency from 120 Hz to 240 Hz significantly enhances smoothness, while maintaining a comparable response speed.

Separately, we note that the AW3225QF monitor officially supports VRR systems, which indicates full support for open Adaptive-Sync and, of course, implies trouble-free operation with NVIDIA G-Sync in Compatible mode (with official certification) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro specified in the specifications.

The new Dell Alienware QD-OLED monitor handles frame skipping issues well. At the maximum vertical refresh rate of 240 Hz, it performs honestly without any skipping.

Viewing Angles

The Dell Alienware AW3225QF is a QD-OLED monitor. It highlights the superiority of OLED technology in viewing angles and image stability. While its curvature doesn’t enhance image stability, the monitor remains unmatched in this regard.

The image above shows everything perfectly. When changing the viewing angle within a wide range, the color and brightness of the picture on the AW3225QF screen change slightly. However, they remain at a high level.

Brightness and Color Temperature Uniformity

We tested the display’s uniformity at 35 points, setting the monitor brightness between 120 and 122 nits. Also set the reference white point to approximately 6500K. We based all calculations of deviations on data from the central part of the screen.

With the brightness set, the average deviation from the central point was 0.9%, and the maximum was 9.8%. For a large modern monitor based on a matrix with organic light-emitting diodes, this is an average result. Given that the OLED panel isn’t susceptible to damage from poor case assembly, such as crushing the backlight elements in an LCD, it’s clear that the AW3225QF has the ABL function constantly active. This ensures that the panel remains unaffected by such issues. It tries to reduce energy consumption and heating of the device, creating a slight vignetting effect.

The presented diagram of the surface clearly shows how the brightness level is concentrated across the panel field. During this AW3225QF review test, from our point of view, there are no global problems.

The photo above shows a white field with minimal corrections in a graphics editor. This provides a clearer visual representation of the light field’s uniformity on the screen. The difference in brightness and color temperature between the central zone and the edges or corners of the panel is not noticeable. If any differences exist, they are imperceptible.

Even when transitioning to darker halftones, the results remain impressive; Dell engineers have done an excellent job. We have also observed that the black field performs flawlessly.

When displaying 100% black, the pixels turn off completely, with only a small area showing the white mouse cursor.

Next, let’s examine the consistency of color temperature across the entire screen.

In this Alienware AW3225QF review, we used manual CT settings to achieve a color temperature of 6500K. They maintained the brightness of the white field at the center between 120 and 122 nits. The average deviation was 1.8%, and the maximum was 3.4%. The difference between the measured minimum and maximum was below 250K. This result is excellent and comparable to high-quality professional and semi-professional models used for color work.

The constructed diagram shows some differences in brightness uniformity compared to this one. The monitor exhibits slight vignetting at the corners and edges of the panel. While the diagram might suggest a significant issue, this effect is minimal and not noticeable during regular use.

Final line

Dell and its premium brand Alienware are not slowing down and continue to surprise their picky audience. Once again, the manufacturer got a rare panel, which Samsung Display made specifically for the exclusive request from Dell. The result was both interesting and unique, but in terms of key performance characteristics and picture quality, it is identical to other QD-OLED solutions.

This Alienware AW3225QF review demonstrated all the familiar features of modern QD-OLED panels of the second and third generations, as well as an equally large list of features, advantages, and disadvantages inherent in virtually all Alienware gaming monitors of recent years. The manufacturer did not spoil anything, but, on the other hand, did not do anything that stood out against the background of the achievements of recent years.

As a result, we now have a solid player in the 4K UHD super ultrawide OLED gaming segment, featuring a large screen diagonal and capabilities that will easily remain relevant for the next 3-5 years. The Dell Alienware AW3225QF monitor can practically become a universal monitor for everything, but it has some small limitations.

If you have the necessary amount to buy it, have already purchased (or plan to purchase) the fastest and most modern PC components, and know all the features of OLED, then our Alienware AW3225QF review unit is an exciting choice. It easily copes with the latest 31.5-inch W-OLED from ASUS and LG and offers a higher quality, more stable, and visually pleasing picture. Samsung Display engineers are diligently working on this. It’s worth considering carefully. Best of luck with your decision!

Dell Alienware AW3225QF price and availability

The new Alienware 32-inch 4K gaming monitor is available on Newegg.com for $1,533.99. Additionally, you can find it on Amazon.co.uk for £1,099.99. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this Dell Alienware AW3225QF review. Please share your feedback in the comments.