Apple Studio Display XDR 27" vs Dell 27 Plus S2725QC
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Apple Studio Display XDR 27"
27" · 5120×2880 · Mini-LED
Optimal Viewing Distance 40cm
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Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)67in category
Apple Studio Display XDR 27"218 PPI #5
Dell 27 Plus S2725QC163 PPI #20
93 PPI224 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness67in category
Apple Studio Display XDR 27"2000 nits #1
Dell 27 Plus S2725QC350 nits #61
250 nits2000 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut63in category
Apple Studio Display XDR 27"99% #2
Dell 27 Plus S2725QC95% #48
79%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple Studio Display XDR 27"120 Hz
Dell 27 Plus S2725QC120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: no visible difference — Both screens exceed the retina threshold at 65cm. The Apple Studio Display XDR 27" has 33% higher pixel density (218 vs 163 PPI), but this only becomes visible below 40cm.
- Brightness: advantage Apple Studio Display XDR 27" — The Apple Studio Display XDR 27" is 186% brighter in SDR (1000 vs 350 nits), a noticeable difference for outdoor readability. HDR peak: 2000 vs 350 nits.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple Studio Display XDR 27" | Dell 27 Plus S2725QC |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5120×2880 | 3840×2160 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 218 | 163 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 40cm | 54cm |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits | 350 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 2000 nits | 350 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,000,000 | 1:1,500 |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 140 W | 65 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 98% | sRGB 99% · DCI-P3 95% |
| Year | 2026 | 2025 |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple Studio Display XDR 27" 2026 | Dell 27 Plus S2725QC 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 27" | 27" |
| Resolution | 5120×2880 (Better) | 3840×2160 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 218 (Better) | 163 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 40cm (Better) | 54cm |
| Panel Type | Mini-LED | IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | FreeSync | FreeSync Premium |
| Response Time | 5 ms GTG | 5 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits (Better) | 350 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 2000 nits (Better) | 350 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,000,000 (Better) | 1:1,500 |
| Ports | USB-C · USB Hub | 2x HDMI · USB-C · USB Hub |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 140 W (Better) | 65 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 98% (Better) | sRGB 99% · DCI-P3 95% |
| Year | 2026 (Better) | 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple Studio Display XDR 27" or Dell 27 Plus S2725QC?
The Apple Studio Display XDR 27" has 218 PPI compared to 163 PPI for the Dell 27 Plus S2725QC.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Apple Studio Display XDR 27" requires 40cm vs 54cm for the Dell 27 Plus S2725QC to reach retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Alienware AW2725DF 27" 2024 · 110 PPI · 26.7" · 360 Hz
vs Apple Studio Display XDR 27" 2026 · 218 PPI · 27" · 120 Hz
Alienware AW2725DF 27" 2024 · 110 PPI · 26.7" · 360 Hz
vs Dell 27 Plus S2725QC 2025 · 163 PPI · 27" · 120 Hz
Alienware AW3225QF 32" 2024 · 139 PPI · 31.6" · 240 Hz
vs Apple Studio Display XDR 27" 2026 · 218 PPI · 27" · 120 Hz
Alienware AW3225QF 32" 2024 · 139 PPI · 31.6" · 240 Hz
vs Dell 27 Plus S2725QC 2025 · 163 PPI · 27" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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