That said, 4K may be plenty of pixels for you, especially if you're planning to use the monitor primarily for surfing the web and entertainment. There's even less 5K content available than 4K, and Studio Display's 5K resolution is really for niche uses.
As my colleague Andrew Cunningham wrote in his Studio Display review:
One person's 'minor loss of detail' is another person's 'unacceptable loss of detail,' and that's why some people (particularly those doing graphics and publishing work) don't like using 27-inch 4K monitors with their Macs. Compared to a 5K iMac, you either lose usable desktop space by running the monitor at its native, non-scaled 3840×2160 resolution, or you give up some detail by using a scaled 5K display mode. With a native 5K display, that trade-off doesn't exist, and that's why some Mac users want there to be at least one good option available to buy.
5K resolution is the most distinguishing feature of the Studio Display, so if you don't fit in the small category of people who need that, you can save money and/or get more features, like a bigger size or greater port selection, by sticking to 4K.
If you do want 5K, the Studio Display is a big fish in a small pond. Desktop-size options are extremely limited; although, LG's 27-inch UltraFine 5K IPS monitor has a cheaper MSRP of $1,300 as of writing.
For multi-device setups, remember to ensure that either monitor supports the systems you want to connect. The UltraSharp's vast port selection and KVM, picture-in-picture, and picture-by-picture support are helpful to have for such cases. The Studio Display, of course, only officially supports Macs, but we found it okay for occasionally using with Windows PCs.
Final thoughts
Apple opened the door to four-figure desktop-size IPS monitors this year, and Dell strutted right through. If you're considering spending $1,600 on a monitor, it makes sense to consider the UltraSharp U3223QZ and, if you're a Mac person, the Studio Display. That's especially true if you're looking for something in the 27- to 35-inch range. But the critical differences, particularly in resolution, outlined above should help ensure that you get the most out of your $1,600.
Don't need the U3223QZ's video-conferencing features but like the sound of IPS Black? Note that Dell makes cheaper IPS Black monitors in 27- and 31.5-inch sizes.
And if you're after extra contrast, remember that (generally speaking) you can get even greater contrast ratios from monitors using, from cheapest to priciest, VA, Mini LED, or OLED technology.
For those still content with the strong viewing angles, color, and decent contrast traditional IPS monitors are already known for, there are plenty of 4K options out there, including budget ones in the $400 range.
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