Fstoppers Reviews the Dell UP2516D Wide Gamut Monitor

During the recent years, Dell launched its affordable UltraSharp Premier Color wide gamut monitor series in different screen size and resolution options. The features and technical specs of Premier Color monitors are impressive on paper, but how about the real results? After spending 3 months with 4 different units of the 25-inch model, I have finally completed my in-depth review.

A while ago, I wrote an introduction to monitors for photographers and retouchers, and I included Dell UP2516D on my recommended monitors list due to its low price and specs. First of all, the only reason that I chose this monitor is its resolution and wide gamut color space coverage. This model comes in different screen sizes, but considering my usual viewing distance, the 25-inch was the best option for me. If you think like bigger is better, then you should go with the 27-inch model, as most of their specs are similar.

First Look

The Dell UP2516D has 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution and it covers 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, REC709, and 98% DCI-P3 color spaces. It has an IPS panel, and with all these specs, it looks like an ideal monitor for photography and videography. An Adobe RGB monitor will give great results in both viewing and pre-printing processes, according to Internet standard sRGB monitors. Besides, you can easily switch between color spaces and pre-programmed options like paper, multimedia, standard, game, and movie easily with the buttons on the monitor. 

The monitor is equipped with 6 USB 3.0 ports, 4 on the back, and 2 on the left bottom side of the monitor. This is very handy if you are using USB powered devices such as memory sticks, screen calibrators, card readers, etc. frequently. Besides, the overall design is modern and sleek with a really thin bezel and capacitive touch adjustment buttons. Unfortunately, this monitor doesn’t come with a monitor hood, like many other Dells, which I found a bit disappointing. You may think that you can use third-party monitor hoods like I did; however, this monitor is not designed perfectly for using with a monitor hood. I bought the Pchood professional monitor hood, which fit very well, but the stand of the monitor wasn’t strong enough to carry the additional weight of the hood; therefore, it was nearly impossible to use the monitor with an attached hood, as it kept sliding down. Plus, you lose two USB ports when you attach the hood.

Build and Panel Quality

The exterior build quality — except the weak stand — is really good. Also, as an advantage of QHD resolution on a 25-inch screen is that text is sharp, and it is easy to read for long hours. Through all my retouching process, I noticed that the gradients were seamless, and the overall color reproduction was really good. But, as I mentioned in the beginning of my post, I had four units of this monitor due to some internal quality problems. The monitor kept its promise in terms of color reproduction in all first three units, but the last unit had a uniformity problem which caused a red/pink color cast on the right side and a green/yellow color cast on the left side. This is a major problem for people who are working in color critical businesses such as photographers, retouchers, and videographers. Even though the monitor has a “uniformity compensation” option in the adjustment menu, it didn’t work well on this issue. Besides, the uniformity compensation option only works in custom color settings, so if you are using the native Adobe RGB or sRGB, you cannot turn it on. This is really weird, because Dell promotes this monitor as “factory calibrated with included calibration report”; however, if you want a uniform panel, you have to use the monitor in your custom color settings.

The first unit that I got had an enormous backlight bleed. It is a common problem in IPS monitors, and I have experienced this issue with most of the monitors that I have bought in the last 6-7 years. I’d just like to see a uniform IPS panel without a bleed on this “premier” monitor with “premium panel warranty” by Dell. However, all four units had the same backlight bleed problems, and some had dark halos in the middle of the display.

The issues with the panel weren't only backlight-bleeding problems. I had a red stuck pixel and a dead pixel on two of the units. Most brands have warranties that even cover one dead/stuck pixel; however, Dell's premium panel warranty covers only bright pixels. In my opinion, a dead pixel is worse than a brighter pixel on the panel, and in 2016, it is frustrating to see dead pixels on a display.

I returned the first three monitors to Dell because of the uniformity and other panel issues, and I didn’t want to perform a hardware calibration on the last one due to color cast issues. I used the native settings and so far, the results were accurate, at least in the middle of the screen.

What I Liked

• Thin bezel
• Overall design
• Easy menu system
• 6 USB ports
• Input options (display port, mini display port, 2x HDMI)
• Included mini display port cable
• Affordable price

What I Didn’t Like

• Non-uniform panel
• Extreme backlight bleeding
• Chance of having a dead pixel
• Weak stand
• Lack of monitor hood
• Warranty: Dell fails at this point, because instead of replacing your faulty brand new monitor with another brand new monitor, they keep sending refurbished monitors, which are probably previously returned products. So, Dell drags you into a loop with factory refurbished faulty products. 

Conclusion

If you're after a wide gamut monitor, unfortunately I'd recommend you to go with a different model made by another brand, unless you believe you are lucky enough to get a decent unit. Obviously, this series have production issues that result in unacceptable problems. Actually, it is quite simple: consumers just want to get what is promised. And when it comes to monitors, the thing that you spend hours looking at, every little detail is vital in terms of quality. Also, manufacturers should accept the fact that buying technology is not a matter of chance anymore. With good quality control and precise manufacturing, these kind of issues would have been healed. If you are a Dell UP2516D or UP2716D owner, please share your experience in the comments section below.