Alienware has returned with one of its flagship monitors: a 34-inch curved OLED display that delivers a gaming experience unmatched by traditional 16:9 screens. Is this new version worth a look? Here’s our review.
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Among the monitors that caught our eye at Frandroid, the Alienware AW3423DW, released in 2022, stands out. This 34-inch curved model has been highly praised in our articles and by many of our peers, remaining a top choice for gamers looking to switch to OLED technology.
We eagerly awaited a new version of Alienware’s flagship monitor. Finally, here it is: the AW3425DW.
Specifications
| Model | Dell Alienware 34 QD-OLED (AW3425DW) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 81.41 cm x 23.2 cm |
| Curved Screen | Yes |
| Screen Size | 34 inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Response Time | 0.03 ms |
| Maximum Brightness | 1000 cd/m² |
| HDMI Ports | 2 |
| DisplayPort Ports | 1 |
| Built-in Speakers | Unknown |
| USB | Yes |
| Weight | 8.14 kg |
| Product sheet |
The Alienware AW3425DW features several technical improvements over its predecessor. It now boasts a 2nd generation Samsung QD-OLED panel with a refresh rate of 240 Hz (up from 175 Hz previously).
Design
In 2025, Alienware refreshes the design of its gaming monitors with a new Interstellar Indigo color, a welcome change from the usual black that dresses most models.
The brand continues to use plastic finishes for a more elegant and minimalist look. This is a monitor that blends into its surroundings.
The Alienware logo on the back remains customizable, as is the power LED via the OSD. A new non-backlit “glyph” logo replaces the previous “34” model mark, which we won’t miss.
The display maintains a 34-inch ultra-wide panel with a curvature measured at 1800R. If you have experienced its predecessor, this one will feel familiar.
Connectivity
This new Alienware monitor’s connectivity options have evolved with the times. It features a standard DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, both capable of displaying a resolution of 3440 by 1440 at 240 Hz. In DisplayPort mode, the Display Stream Compression (DSC) feature allows you to reach the full potential of the monitor without visual loss, supporting 10-bit color depth and HDR at 240 Hz.
It also includes a USB hub that now incorporates a 15W USB-C port suitable for charging smartphones or other compact devices. This year, Alienware has omitted the 3.5 mm headphone jack, and it’s not a feature we will miss.
Stand / Support
This year’s big innovation is the monitor’s base, which is now more compact with a squared shape with rounded corners. Gone are the long branches that unnecessarily occupied space on the desk, as this new base provides more room for your keyboard/mouse combo.
The stand features the ergonomics typical of Dell monitors, with various adjustments possible in height, side-to-side, and a slight tilt. Unsurprisingly, a portrait mode is not possible, but there is still VESA compatibility for mounting on an adjustable arm to save even more desk space.
OSD
The settings menu is accessible via a joystick located below the Alienware logo. As always, a window at the top of the screen briefly displays your current settings (resolution, refresh rate, selected profile, etc.) during navigation.
The OSD goes straight to the point with various settings for gaming, brightness (disabled in HDR mode), and advanced image parameters. This menu also allows you to configure various burn-in protection options.
Image Quality
The Alienware AW3425DW incorporates a 2nd generation Samsung Display QD-OLED panel. It’s not the very latest version of the technology currently found in smaller screens.
However, it allows for an upgrade in terms of refresh rate with an ultra-wide display that goes from 175 Hz to 240 Hz, along with support for HDMI 2.1.
The strengths of OLED technology are well known. Each pixel is its own light source, eliminating the need for backlighting, so it offers almost infinite contrast. Blacks are extremely deep, with bright elements showing no halo effects (blooming) seen on LCD screens.
However, the screen still has one of the big limitations of QD-OLED panels, which is elevated blacks under high ambient light. This well-known phenomenon gives the screen a pinkish hue, slightly undermining the promise of OLED in this format. In the evening or in dim light, the phenomenon is not noticeable. This flaw makes the screen less versatile than LG’s competing models in this respect.
Our Measurements
The strengths of the QD-OLED, particularly compared to LG Display’s WOLED, lie in its color rendition and brightness. The AW3425DW is no exception, according to our measurements taken with a Calibraite Display Pro Plus HL probe using the Calman Ultimate software.
The color spaces are well represented with 110% of DCI-P3 and 164% of sRGB. We even reach 74% of Rec.2020, a space mainly dedicated to professionals working with high dynamic range (HDR) imagery.
In terms of color accuracy, the factory calibration is absolutely exemplary (as usual with Dell) with an SDR Delta-E of just 1.29 and a maximum of 2.63 for white. For comparison, we generally aim for a value below 3, although a Delta-E up to 5 remains acceptable. This is simply excellent and makes this screen also suitable for creatives. In HDR, we also achieve the excellent value of 2.5, although with some deviations in cyan and green.
The gamma curve, which defines the accuracy of brightness, is more disappointing on the Standard profile of the screen, with many deviations on gray levels and a color temperature slightly too warm. Conversely, the sRGB mode does not offer superior color accuracy, but follows the gamma 2.2 curve more faithfully with much more accurate gray levels. Hopefully, Alienware can rectify this issue with a firmware update.
Finally, let’s discuss brightness. The Alienware AW3425DW can reach up to 265 cd/m2 in SDR and 275 cd/m2 in HDR across the full screen. These values are well below what the best LCDs on the market can offer, but the strength of these panels lies in the peaks on smaller windows.
Thus, the DisplayHDR TRUE Black mode allows you to increase brightness up to 275 cd/m2 up to a 2% window before the value plummets. In HDR1000 mode, the observed peak is 1041 cd/m2 on small bright elements.
These are therefore expected and observed values on most OLED screens released since 2024.
Font Rendering
Font rendering remains a weak point for QD-OLED technology, displaying color fringing around characters.
This is an issue that improves with each generation, and the phenomenon is much less visible here than on the previous model. In normal use, it would be hard to notice.
In Game
We reiterate with each test, but OLED technology is made for HDR. This controlled brightness for each pixel and its deep blacks allow it to display highly contrasted scenes. Details in shadow areas are better represented, and the precision in bright areas is exemplary.
Thus, the use of such a screen really makes sense in this mode. Coupled with the ultrawide format, the AAA gaming experience takes on a whole new dimension. Whether it’s the lush jungle of Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle, the neon lights of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, or the suspended ocean of Obscure Light: Expedition 33, the immersion is complete. Also worth mentioning is Flight Simulator, a game that obviously benefits from a 21:9 screen format to enjoy the landscape while flying under optimal conditions.
The contribution of 240 Hz is noticeable on this format, but it is not a radical evolution compared to the previous model. However, such a frequency is appreciable in more intense FPS games like Doom: The Dark Ages, but also in racing games like Forza Motorsport.
Finally, the almost instantaneous response times of OLED can also make this screen suitable for competitive gaming. However, in such cases, the most demanding players might prefer a smaller panel for more limited viewing angles.
The limitations remain the same between the two main HDR modes. While the DisplayHDR True Black mode offers a lower peak brightness, it provides a generally brighter image when the scenes are bright. We observed a difference of nearly 40 cd/m2 in gray levels in the opening scene of Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart.
However, the HDR1000 mode is particularly suited for more contrasted games, such as Cyberpunk 2077 or even Obscure Light: Expedition 33. Bright elements stand out more on the screen for a striking display.
Unfortunately, no mode currently offers the best of both worlds, even though manufacturers like MSI have attempted it with non-conclusive firmware updates.
Price and Availability
The Alienware AW3425DW is sold at a suggested price of 849 euros. Its predecessor, the AW3423DW, was launched at a price of nearly 1300 euros. Obviously, we are talking about a different era, so it would be one of the first OLED monitors on the market.
Dell Alienware 34 QD-OLED (AW3425DW)
at the best price
-
Dell
Here, Alienware is able to offer a monitor at such a price without betting on the latest generation panel, but still providing enough improvements to replace the old model.
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.