The Alienware 34 QD-OLED made a splash as one of the first truly impressive OLED gaming monitors. Now, Alienware aims to reclaim its crown with the new 32-inch 4K QD-OLED (AW3225QF). Does it succeed? Absolutely. For now, the Alienware 32 QD-OLED reigns supreme.
Video Review
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Alienware 32 QD-OLED Specifications
| Feature | Alienware 32 QD-OLED (AW3225QF) |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 32 inches |
| Panel Type | QD-OLED |
| Resolution | 3820 x 2160 |
| Peak Brightness | 1,000 nits (HDR), 250 nits (SDR) |
| HDR | DisplayHDR True Black 400, Dolby Vision |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000,000:1 |
| Response Time | 0.03ms (GtG) |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz (Adaptive Sync, G-Sync Compatible) |
| Curve | 1700R |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (4K @ 240Hz), 2x HDMI 2.1 (eARC) |
| Ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| List Price | $1,200 |
Design and Features
alt text: The rear design of the Alienware 32 QD-OLED gaming monitor, showcasing its distinctive black and white two-tone aesthetic and integrated lighting.
The Alienware 32 QD-OLED stands out as the first 32-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate. While upcoming competitors like the Samsung Odyssey G8 and HP Omen Transcend 32 offer similar specifications, the Alienware 32 is currently the only one available. This 4K 240Hz combination, while potentially overkill for many current gaming PCs, future-proofs your setup for upcoming GPU upgrades. Those concerned about the 175Hz limit of the Alienware 34 will appreciate this upgrade. Furthermore, the high refresh rate provides flexibility for competitive gaming at lower resolutions. For even higher refresh rates, Alienware offers a 27-inch QD-OLED with a 360Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its ultrawide sibling, the Alienware 32 adopts a standard 16:9 aspect ratio with a subtle 1700R curve. This curvature enhances immersion without the awkwardness sometimes seen in more aggressively curved 32-inch monitors. Competitors like the Odyssey G8 and Omen Transcend 32 have opted for flat panels.
The Alienware 32 largely inherits the design language of the 34-inch model, including the base, stand, and rear lighting. The familiar black-and-white two-tone design remains, though an all-black option, currently exclusive to the 27-inch model, would be welcome. The plastic back chassis feels less premium compared to the metal construction of recent Samsung monitors.
Ergonomically, the monitor offers over 4 inches of height adjustment and 40 degrees of tilt, matching the Alienware 34. While it lacks vertical rotation, the adjustment range is sufficient for comfortable positioning. Notably, the Alienware 32 omits built-in speakers, a feature becoming increasingly standard in high-end displays from Samsung and LG. This absence is a minor inconvenience for occasional work use or video calls.
Ports and On-Screen Display (OSD)
alt text: Close-up view of the port selection on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED, featuring HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB connections, enabling versatile connectivity for various devices.
The Alienware 32’s OSD is easily accessible via a centrally located joystick. Navigating the menu is intuitive, providing quick access to settings like brightness, contrast, and input selection. The OSD also houses advanced options like Smart HDR modes, Dark Stabilizer, OLED care features, color modes, Console Mode, and Dolby Vision. Remarkably, the Alienware 32 is among the first gaming monitors to support Dolby Vision, a boon for console gamers.
The Alienware 32 boasts impressive console compatibility. Beyond Console Mode for automated HDR tone mapping and Dolby Vision support, it features two HDMI 2.1 ports with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). This eARC functionality allows direct connection to Dolby Atmos sound systems, making the Alienware 32 a compelling television replacement.
Alongside the HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort connection ensures full 4K at 120Hz. A variety of USB ports, including an upstream Type-B, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, and a USB-C with power delivery, complete the connectivity suite. The downward-firing ports are neatly concealed behind a removable cover, and cable management is facilitated by routing cables through the stand.
Stunning Image Quality
alt text: Displaying a vibrant HDR scene on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED, demonstrating its exceptional color reproduction and impressive peak brightness capabilities.
The QD-OLED panel is the undisputed star. However, this isn’t 2022, and excellent OLED monitors are more common. The Alienware 32 elevates image quality beyond its predecessors. While the Alienware 34 delivered respectable color accuracy, the new 32-inch model excels.
This generation of QD-OLED monitors addresses prior color accuracy concerns. The overblown greens and reds are gone, with the Alienware 32 achieving an average color error of just 0.56. This makes it one of the most color-accurate monitors available, even surpassing many high-end laptops and MacBooks, and notably, this performance is achieved out-of-the-box.
The core strengths of OLED technology remain. Perfect black levels, combined with a measured peak brightness exceeding 1,000 nits (for a 1% window), deliver stunning HDR visuals. The DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification underscores this impressive HDR performance. Excellent color saturation is evident in the 100% sRGB, 97% DCI-P3, and 94% AdobeRGB coverage.
alt text: Showcasing another captivating HDR image on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED, emphasizing its remarkable contrast and vibrant color representation, ideal for immersive gaming and content creation.
SDR brightness remains a relative weakness, peaking at around 260 nits. While sufficient for darker environments, this pales in comparison to some high-end laptops that achieve double the brightness. In brighter rooms, using HDR mode at full brightness might be preferable.
While not a significant drawback, the Alienware 32 lacks the resolution-switching capabilities of newer LG OLED panels, which can offer a 1080p 480Hz mode. This feature provides an intriguing alternative for users seeking both high resolution and extreme refresh rates.
Unparalleled Gaming Performance
alt text: A screenshot from the video game Baldur's Gate 3, displayed on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED, highlighting the monitor's ability to render detailed game graphics with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
The Alienware 32 delivers an unparalleled gaming experience. The combination of exceptional HDR performance, a 240Hz refresh rate, 4K sharpness, and OLED’s inherent responsiveness creates a truly immersive experience. While lacking formal FreeSync Premium Pro or G-Sync Ultimate certification, the monitor supports variable refresh rate, effectively eliminating screen tearing.
Console compatibility is a major strength. The standard aspect ratio ensures compatibility with all console games, a seemingly trivial yet crucial advantage over ultrawide alternatives like the Alienware 34. The combination of dedicated console features, Dolby Vision support, and HDMI 2.1 connectivity makes the Alienware 32 an ideal choice for hybrid gamers.
A Winning Formula
alt text: A scene from Cyberpunk 2077 displayed on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED, showcasing the monitor's ability to handle complex lighting and visual effects with impressive clarity and color accuracy.
The Alienware 32 QD-OLED sits at the top of Alienware’s OLED lineup, priced at $1,200. While the most expensive of the three, its 4K resolution and advanced features justify the premium. It’s competitively priced against the Odyssey Neo G8 and matches the launch price of the Alienware 34.
While the Alienware 34 remains a compelling option, especially at its reduced price, the Alienware 32 pushes boundaries with its higher refresh rate, 4K resolution, improved color accuracy, and superior console support. Upcoming competitors like the Samsung Odyssey G8 and HP Omen Transcend 32 promise similar specifications, but their real-world performance remains to be seen.
A key differentiator for the Alienware monitors is the excellent three-year warranty covering OLED burn-in. This warranty provides peace of mind, allowing users to fully embrace the stunning visuals of OLED gaming without worry. The Alienware 32 QD-OLED stands as a testament to the cutting edge of gaming display technology.
