The Alienware AW2725DF is a gaming monitor that promises to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. With its impressive specifications and sleek design, it aims to cater to both casual and competitive gamers. In this review, we’ll explore the features and performance of the AW2725DF, and compare it to its larger sibling, the Alienware AW3225QF, to see how it stacks up.

Design and Build Quality

The 27″ Alienware boasts a sleek and modern design that is characteristic of Alienware products. The monitor features a 27-inch display with thin bezels, giving it a clean and minimalist look. The stand is sturdy and offers a good range of adjustments, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, allowing users to find the perfect viewing angle.

In comparison, the Alienware AW3225QF, with its 32-inch curved display, offers a more immersive experience. The larger screen size and curvature make it ideal for gamers who want to be fully enveloped in their games. However, the AW2725DF’s smaller size makes it more suitable for those with limited desk space or who prefer a more compact setup.

Display Quality

It features a 27-inch QD-OLED panel with a resolution of 2560×1440, providing sharp and detailed visuals. The monitor supports a refresh rate of up to 360Hz, making it perfect for fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The 0.03ms response time ensures that there is minimal motion blur, allowing for smooth and fluid gameplay. QD-OLED technology provides deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, resulting in a more visually stunning experience when compared to the standard IPS panels.

The AW3225QF, on the other hand, features a 32-inch QD-OLED panel with a resolution of 3840×2160 and also supports a refresh rate of up to 240Hz, which, while lower than the 27″ version, is still more than sufficient for most gaming scenarios.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the AW2725DF excels in delivering a smooth and responsive gaming experience. The high refresh rate and low response time make it ideal for competitive gaming, where every frame matters. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA AdaptiveSync, ensuring that there is no screen tearing or stuttering, even during intense gaming sessions.

The AW3225QF, with its larger screen size and higher resolution make it perfect for gamers who want to enjoy their games in stunning detail. However, the slightly lower refresh rate may not be as appealing to competitive gamers who prioritize speed over visual fidelity. That said, achieving frame rates high enough to make full use of the 360hz refresh rate on a 1440p display is somewhat easier than achieving the frame rates for a 240hz, 4K display. Either way, it still looks stunning!

Connectivity and Features

The AW2725DF comes equipped with a variety of connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and multiple USB ports. This makes it easy to connect multiple devices, such as gaming consoles, PCs, and peripherals. The monitor also features customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to personalize their setup to match their gaming rig.

Similarly, the AW3225QF offers a range of connectivity options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports. The monitor also features AlienFX lighting, which can be synchronized with in-game actions for a more immersive experience. Additionally, the AW3225QF includes 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL with eARC – to support Dolby ATMOS signal pass-through.

Price and Value

The Alienware AW2725DF is priced competitively at around AUD $1,049.40, making it an attractive option for gamers who want a high-performance monitor without breaking the bank. Its combination of a high refresh rate, low response time, and excellent build quality make it a great value for its price.

The AW3225QF, being a larger and more advanced monitor, comes with a higher price tag of approximately AUD $1,519.10. However, its superior display quality and additional features justify the higher cost for those who want the best possible gaming experience. For gamers who prioritize visual fidelity and immersion, the AW3225QF is worth the investment.

Official Specifications

Alienware AW2725DF:

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
• Panel Type: QD-OLED
• Refresh Rate: Up to 360Hz
• Response Time: 0.03ms (gray-to-gray)
• Brightness: 250 cd/m² (SDR), 400 cd/m² (HDR TrueBlack 400), 1000 cd/m² (HDR peak)
• Contrast Ratio: 1.5 million:1 (at SDR and HDR)
• Viewing Angle: 178° (H) / 178° (V)
• Connectivity: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B upstream port, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A downstream ports, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C downstream port with power charging, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A downstream port
• Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, VESA AdaptiveSync
• Dimensions: 609.11 x 516.20 x 243.69 mm (with stand)
• Weight: 4.30 kg (without stand)

Alienware AW3225QF:

• Screen Size: 32 inches
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
• Panel Type: QD-OLED
• Refresh Rate: Up to 240Hz
• Response Time: 0.03ms (gray-to-gray)
• Brightness: 1000 cd/m² (HDR peak), 250 cd/m² (SDR)
• Contrast Ratio: 1,000,000:1
• Viewing Angle: 178° (H) / 178° (V)
• Connectivity: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-B upstream port, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A downstream ports, Quick Access 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-C downstream port which supports BC1.2 power-charging & 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A downstream port, 1 x Audio Line-Out
• Adaptive Sync: NVIDIA G-SYNC
• Dimensions: 715.56 x 582.77 x 305.72 mm (with stand)
• Weight: 6 kg (without stand)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alienware AW2725DF is a fantastic gaming monitor that offers excellent performance and value. Its high refresh rate, low response time, and sleek design make it a great choice for competitive gamers. While it may lack some features such as Dolby Vision & Atmos, and an eARC port like its bigger brother, it still delivers a top-notch gaming experience.

The AW3225QF, with its larger screen size and QD-OLED technology, offers a more immersive and visually stunning experience. However, its higher price and lower refresh rate may not be as appealing to competitive gamers who prioritize speed.

I personally find the 27″ a touch small and so prefer the 32″ screen size. However I do prefer a flat over a curved screen.

Overall, I am struggling to find fault with this monitor. I mean, I could whine about no eARC, no Dolby & no line out, but 27″ monitors aren’t generally purchased for all the same reasons that a 32″ or larger might be, and would also add to production cost. In my opinion, that is.

Written by: Kurt Frohloff

A Founder of MKAU, a gamer, a family man. I have a love of all things gaming and a wish of mine is to have more time to actually play the games we review here!