Review Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED review: Near-perfect color and premium performance

[Admin]

Alienware delivers on all counts with its AW3425DW. It’s a 34-inch curved ultra-wide QD-OLED panel with WQHD resolution, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10 and wide gamut color. It couples near-perfect color accuracy with premium gaming performance.

Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED review: Near-perfect color and premium performance : Read more

 

[Morgan xXx]

Alienware delivers on all counts with its AW3425DW. It’s a 34-inch curved ultra-wide QD-OLED panel with WQHD resolution, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10 and wide gamut color. It couples near-perfect color accuracy with premium gaming performance.

Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED review: Near-perfect color and premium performance : Read more

Are there any issues with Auto Dimming? I'm still with an LG C2 OLED (may go to C4) because it is thus far, the only OLED that allows you to turn off Auto Dimming, or ASBL, using the service menu in SDR. When gaming in HDR ASBL is on, but PC work is in SDR and it's great to have it off.

I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.

 

[Elrabin]

Are there any issues with Auto Dimming? I'm still with an LG C2 OLED (may go to C4) because it is thus far, the only OLED that allows you to turn off Auto Dimming, or ASBL, using the service menu in SDR. When gaming in HDR ASBL is on, but PC work is in SDR and it's great to have it off.

I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.

I have its predecessor, the AW3423DWF and if you set it to the TrueBlack400 setting, there is no auto dimming enabled.

I'd be really surprised if this one isn't set up similarly.

 

[thestryker]

Are there any issues with Auto Dimming?

I have it and haven't used it outside of TrueBlack, but can confirm I've noticed no such thing there. I've only noticed panel refresh when the display turns off (either via PC or manually) and this process can be interrupted if you're resuming usage.

I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.

Keep in mind using DP with 240Hz refresh requires DSC which has its own set of downsides which may or may not be important for your use case.

 

[Makaveli]

Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?

Can this be used 8 hours a day for work also?

 

[Elrabin]

Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?

Can this be used 8 hours a day for work also?

I've had the Alienware 3423DWF(this monitor's predecessor) for over 2 years so far and it's on 8 hours a day for work and at least a couple hours a night for gaming/watching streaming.

I do the pixel refresh every 4 or so hours of use when it reminds me to do so. I just finish what i'm doing when i get the popup, lock my PC and go take a walk or change out laundry or some other 5 minute chore and by the time I get back, it's done

Text looks no different than my high end IPS monitors

 

[thestryker]

Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?

I think it depends on what you're doing and how sensitive you are. The subpixel layout is the same as the Gen 1 QD-OLED panels despite being a Gen 2 panel. My secondary display is slightly better text wise, but not to the degree that I'm bothered by the AW display.

 

[JMarvelous]

I have the 32in 4k version and it was expensive as heck but the most beautiful picture ive ever laid eyes on. Gaming is amazing.

I've never had any issues with it. I run the refresher (6 mins long) every 4 to 5 hours if Im on for long periods. I mainly do design so color was important to me.

Text looks absolutely amazing, no fringing. The 1440p monitor may have text issues idk.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.

 

[Makaveli]

Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.

Valid points.

 

[thestryker]

Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con.

It might be more of a con if there was anything viable in the same format with better pixel density (assuming 120Hz or higher refresh).

LG is going to have some "5k2k" 34" UW displays coming, but those are 800R. You have to move up to 40/45" to increase pixel density without high curve in UW format (former is IPS, latter is OLED but the adjustable one is $2500, non is 800R).

If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.

This is their standard review format so I'm not exactly sure what your problem is. Should the reviewer ignore the color gamut and accuracy because it's a gaming focused display?

 

[Elrabin]

Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.

I defy you to see a single individual pixel at a normal viewing distance.

I had to put my face about 6 inches away to do so.

 

[UnforcedERROR]

Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.

The density lands at 110. That's perfectly acceptable. Also Tom's always goes over color accuracy, and saying gamers don't care about color accuracy feels like a comment from a decade back. Display tech has come a long way, and some of us use our monitors for both work and play. There's benefits in media consumption for having accurate color.

It might be more of a con if there was anything viable in the same format with better pixel density (assuming 120Hz or higher refresh).

LG is going to have some "5k2k" 34" UW displays coming, but those are 800R. You have to move up to 40/45" to increase pixel density without high curve in UW format (former is IPS, latter is OLED but the adjustable one is $2500, non is 800R).

This is their standard review format so I'm not exactly sure what your problem is. Should the reviewer ignore the color gamut and accuracy because it's a gaming focused display?

This.

Also closest thing I can think of is the U4025QW. But that's a 5K productivity monitor, an IPS, 120hz, and it costs $2000...

 

[Jame5]

Honestly, this monitor with a USB-C PD (>=90w) input for connecting my work laptop is my dream display.

 

[SkyBill40]

I've had the Alienware 3423DWF(this monitor's predecessor) for over 2 years so far and it's on 8 hours a day for work and at least a couple hours a night for gaming/watching streaming.

I do the pixel refresh every 4 or so hours of use when it reminds me to do so. I just finish what i'm doing when i get the popup, lock my PC and go take a walk or change out laundry or some other 5 minute chore and by the time I get back, it's done

Text looks no different than my high end IPS monitors

As an owner of the aforementioned -DWF, I can vouch for what's being stated here. While I don't use mine nearly as much as you for productivity work, I do use it for a couple hours in that regard once a week (half day WFH on Fridays); however, I do use it plenty for gaming and haven't seen any issues. I also run the pixel refresh when recommended and my display is still like new after a year or so of ownership.

 

[Fox Tread33]

August 19, 2025 - I've had a Dell UP3216Q for six or seven years and have been very happy with it. However, when it comes time to replace it, I'll definitely consider buying the Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED. That is, if nothing has been produced in the meantime that I think is better by that time. I also have a two year(?) old Alienware AW3432DW QD-OLED sitting on my desk along side the Dell monitor. I use it for the small amount of gaming I do, but like the Dell, I use it for all of the daily online tasks like I do with the Dell. I do enjoy watching videos on the Alienware because of the sharpness and the color accuracy. The Dell looks pale by comparison. It could partly be because I haven't done a good job of fine-tuning the color ratio. Considering what I paid for the AW3432DW QD-OLED, I think the price for the AW3425DW is shockingly reasonable. I went down a "rabbit hole" on this topic and found a great comparison of the two monitors on an online rating site whose name starts with "RT".. in case it isn't permitted to mention other review sites in this forum. In the comparison, I was surprised at how close the specs for the two monitors are. However, I did note that the older model does have more outlets, but no USB-Cs, and of course everyone wants 240Hz now.

 

[thestryker]

However, when it comes time to replace it, I'll definitely consider buying the Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED. That is, if nothing has been produced in the meantime that I think is better by that time.

There is a new 34" QD-OLED panel coming with an updated subpixel layout and I believe 360Hz refresh rate. This hasn't been fully detailed yet though it has been shown which means it will likely be a 2026 (just a guess on my part probably late) volume production panel.

I'd been wanting to replace my 34" VA panel display for a while and skipped the first generation QD-OLED, but decided I'd always be waiting for the next best and picked up the AW3425DW when there was a discount dropping it below $700. I haven't used a ton of HDR, but the display has been great.

 

[Fox Tread33]

There is a new 34" QD-OLED panel coming with an updated subpixel layout and I believe 360Hz refresh rate. This hasn't been fully detailed yet though it has been shown which means it will likely be a 2026 (just a guess on my part probably late) volume production panel.

I'd been wanting to replace my 34" VA panel display for a while and skipped the first generation QD-OLED, but decided I'd always be waiting for the next best and picked up the AW3425DW when there was a discount dropping it below $700. I haven't used a ton of HDR, but the display has been great.

August 19, 2025 - (I always date my comments, because you would be surprised at the number of replies I get months later from various forums.). Thank you so much for your kind and informative reply. I'm happy for you that you have a monitor that you are enjoying. The problem can be that when you wait for the "next new thing" in Tech, you are always awaiting.. cause like.. you know... there's always something new. Things like 240Hz. really don't impact on me, because of my monitor usage. I marvel at the graphics in current games. I don't play online, and my joy is playing and creating scenarios on a real world Sim called Steel Beasts Pro that doesn't require extreme machines to run. The graphics are excellent, but nothing like the almost photorealistic that you see on a lot of online games. I don't play anything online, so I don't have the support of huge servers to generate graphics for me, and I'm still using an EVGA RTX 3080 Ti FTW3. Stay well, & thanks for reaching out 😊