Review: BenQ PD3205U

Whether as a professional producer, content creator or ‘just a hobby’ gamer, when it comes to displays, we are challenged with a question. Which monitor is the best for me? Which one will bring my work to life and give authenticity to my projects or game plans. Now colleagues, let’s all sit back and welcome the latest monitor from BenQ, the PD3205U. This 31.5 inch monitor provides us with all the necessary features we want, without forcing us to break the bank. It is the worlds first Pantone SkinTone Validated display, meaning artists will LOVE it!

Outlook

Getting a monitor for a desk involves two things: its design and performance. Starting with design, the BenQ PD3205U gets a rating of 7/10 with its bezel display, matte finish, and better cable management. The monitor comes with a special monitor stand, that has a cable holder behind it. The design of the monitor is augmented by its flexibility, which makes it safe and easy to adjust. The monitor is provided with a hotkey puck that saves space and enhances efficiency. The hotkey puck includes three Keys and a central dial (useful for adjusting volume). Another exciting feature of this monitor is its cable management, which helps keep all your cables in place.

Connection

The monitor has eleven (11) ports that are distributed on the side (3 ports) and back (8 ports).

These outlets include:

• • On the Back
• 2 USB 3.2 type A
• 1 HDMI 2.0
• 2 USB 3.2 type B
• 1 USB-C
• 1 Display port
• 1 port for the hotkey puck at the back of the monitor.
  • On the Side
• 1 Headphone jack 3.5mm
• 1 USB 3.2 type C
• 1 USB type A port

The USB-C on the back is used for data transfer only, while the one on the side can be used for data transmission with a good transmission rate. This port also provides charging of up to 90W for phones or other gadgets.

Display

With its reputation preceding it, BenQ products are known for their color precision. In accordance to this, the PD3205U is no exception as it is provided with a 31.5 inch in-Plane switching screen and a color space that covers up to 99% of standard RGB colors which includes the Rec.708 color gamut. This is further supported with a bit depth of 10bits (1.07 billion colors). These features allow users to load images with bright and near life color accuracy. The PD3205U is packed with an outstanding resolution of 3840 x 2160, which is amazing for a 32-inch frame. It is also very useful while playing games. It has a pixel density of 140PPI, which is excellent for a video editor or photographer.

A KEY Feature of this display is that it has been Pantone Validated and Pantone SkinTone Validated. Pantone only certifies an electronic device that complies with the color standards from the Pantone Matching System. This is the world’s first Pantone SkinTone Validated display. The monitor accurately reproduce lifelike skin tones to represent equality and inclusivity for all color professionals and users of this product.

Brightness and Contrast

In terms of brightness and contrast, the PD3205U boasts a place in the front lines of monitors. It is setup with a brightness of 259cd/m2 that gives a very nice image ambience, even when it’s in an extremely light environment. This brightness level, supported by the monitor’s HDR 10 feature, creates a display with a more realistic look. Furthermore, the monitor boasts a high contrast value (intensity ratio) of 1000:1 which also improves the image quality.

The monitors response time is 5 ms, which is excellent for gaming activities. In addition to the response time, the product has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which, unlike its response rate, can be a deficit for gamers. However this is quite a bright side for content creators who search for a monitor that is not on the high budget side.

Extra Features

The monitor display is flicker free and is also fortified with blue light reduction. This creates an eye-care working condition for those who work extensively. The PD3205U also includes an inner speaker, which is not very loud, but an advancement from some other monitors (in the same price level) that have no ability to produce sound on their own.

Also they have announced an exclusive partnership with Pantone – Offering users a FREE One Year Pantone Connect subscription on selected SW/PD models HERE

Conclusion

Though the monitor may have not checked some of the boxes in terms of its refresh rate, we can still say this product is a pretty nice selection for its price. The 27″ inch is AU 899 and the 32″ inch is AU 1399. You can find both Monitors and pricing listed at the bottom of the Official Purchase Page. BenQ is a great company and we look forward to seeing more advancements in models for years to come. This monitor and more information about it can be found at the Official BenQ Website HERE.