Samsung have earned a reputation for consistent innovation when it comes to TVs. They consistently push the boundaries of display technology with cutting-edge features such as 4K and 8K resolutions, QLED displays, and advanced smart TV platforms. But what if you don’t want the edge of innovation right in the heart of your living room? Or maybe you do, but you want it disguised a little.
That’s where picture frame TVs, or more specifically, the Samsung Frame TVs, come in. They’re sleek, handy, and a completely new era for televisions that keep the decor of your space to exactly your liking, turning into paintings when not in use and a high-spec TV when they are. The Samsung Frame continues the brand’s tradition of ever-advancing tech, offering more than just a TV. It’s designed to enhance not only your on-screen entertainment but also your living space.
TVs that look like art might seem like a crazy concept, and it might make you question whether their functionality as an actual TV can compete with others on the market.
Does the TV’s sleek, picture frame design take precedence over its performance? Or does it find the balance of both worlds? In this Samsung Frame TV review, we’ll look at the key features of the television to see how it stands up in today’s market.
We’ve reviewed a great deal of tech, including many TVs, here at AV.com, and we’ve guided plenty of customers in the right direction, helping them find the best product for their needs and home environment. So, we have a pretty good idea of what to look for in the Samsung Frame TV and how it stacks up against other products we’ve tried. Specifically, we’ll be assessing the pros and cons of the flatscreen, the picture and sound quality, who it’s suited to, and ultimately, whether or not it’s worth the money.
In a hurry? Here’s our verdict
In a nutshell, the Samsung Frame TV uses Pantone-validated colours and Quantum Dot technology to provide exceptional picture quality. And when turned off, it becomes a canvas for more than 2,500 artworks, available in the Samsung Art Store. It’s a unique design that adds a touch of elegance to your living space.
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons to help you decide if the TV suits you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Displays up to 2,500 artworks when not in use | High pricepoint |
| Includes Quantum 4K processor, Pantone-validated colours, and an anti-glare screen | No Dolby Vision or DTS audio support |
| Comes with a Slim Fit Wall Mount for instant mounting | Does not include a local dimming feature to further improve contrast |
| Immersive soundstage with built-in Dolby Atmos and support for Q Symphony | |
| Tizen OS is easy to navigate |
What is the Samsung Frame TV?
The Samsung Frame is designed to blend cutting-edge tech with art, offering a stylish alternative to traditional TVs that can feel intrusive in modern, design-conscious homes. It’s aimed at those who value aesthetics as much as functionality, particularly those who want their TV to complement their interior décor.
Of course, the most obvious feature of the Frame is the Art Mode. You can configure the TV so that when it’s off, it displays high-quality artwork or photographs as though they’re on canvas, transforming your screen into a gallery. You can choose from hundreds of art pieces or upload your own images.
The Frame TV is designed to lie completely flush against the wall, further reinforcing its picture frame look. This creates a sleek, minimalist finish that aligns with Samsung’s goal of making a TV that complements, rather than disrupts, the aesthetics of your living space.
If you really want to make the TV look like a picture frame, you separately purchase customisable bezels in various colours. This allows you to match the Frame TV to your existing furniture or wall colour.
Is the Samsung Frame TV easy to install?
The Samsung Frame TV is quite easy to install. Even though it comes with stand legs, you’re better off mounting The Frame onto your wall if you want to get the most out of it. This way, the TV looks more like a picture frame.
Instead of typical on-TV ports, the Frame uses a One Connect box, which keeps your setup neat and clutter-free. This separate unit houses multiple connectivity options, including four HDMI ports, a USB port, Ethernet, and an optical audio output. This means you’ll be able to pair the TV with your Blu-ray player, AV receiver, speakers, and more.
Since a black cable wouldn’t work against light-coloured walls, the One Connect box connects to the TV via a single, six-metre Near-Invisible Cable.
Plus, as opposed to having these connections fixed to the back of the TV, you’ll be able to move the One Connect box around to best suit the layout of your room.
Samsung Frame TV review
Sleek design and Art Mode
The first thing you’ll notice about this TV is how slim it is. Measuring just 24.9mm in depth, the TV sits nearly flush against the wall, much like an actual picture frame. This minimalist design is not only great to look at but is also a great space saver.
What makes the Frame TV stand out is, of course, the Art Mode. As mentioned earlier, when you’re not watching TV, this transforms the screen into a display for digital art or personal photos.
Art Mode isn’t just about displaying static images. The TV’s sensor detects ambient light and adjusts the brightness to ensure the art looks as natural as possible throughout the day. It also has a motion sensor, switching the art on when someone enters the room and off when the room is empty, saving energy.
Unlike traditional glossy screens, the Frame TV’s matte finish reduces reflections and glare from natural or artificial light, making it easier to enjoy both TV content and artwork at any time of day. Certified by the Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, this technology ensures that displayed images look crisp and clear from a direct angle, with colours appearing rich and true to life.
This plays a vital role in making Art Mode more immersive, allowing you to appreciate the finer image details without distracting reflections.
However, since it’s backlit, the TV is never going to display artwork in full authenticity. But for a TV, it does an excellent job at adding a bit of decoration to your home décor. It certainly beats having a lifeless, black screen in your living room.
While the TV offers a wide viewing angle, you may also notice a drop in picture quality when viewed from past 45 degrees. This does slightly detract from the Frame’s impressive design.
However, when it comes to direct viewing, you’ll be able to see every visual nuance in your favourite artwork.
Is the picture quality just as good?
The TV uses QLED technology, which is great at delivering vibrant colours, deep blacks, and impressive contrast. This is enhanced by Samsung’s Quantum 4K processor, which uses AI upscaling to improve the clarity of lower-resolution content.
Whether you’re streaming in HD or watching older content, the AI works behind the scenes to boost the resolution, giving you a sharper, more detailed image that looks closer to native 4K. The Pantone-validated colours then really make the image appear vibrant and create that canvas-like picture quality.
If you’re a cinephile, you’ll want to make the most of Filmmaker Mode. This automatically adjusts the TV’s settings to enhance the picture quality of your film.
Plus, the Real Depth Enhancer adjusts the contrast to make objects in the foreground pop, giving a more realistic, 3D-like effect. This is especially useful for nature documentaries or action scenes where you want to feel fully immersed.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides. The Frame doesn’t offer Dolby Vision which means you miss out on a true cinematic experience. There’s also no full-array local dimming, so the contrast isn’t quite as sharp as others at this price point.
But it does have UHD Dimming, which we feel does a commendable job of fine-tuning brightness and contrast in specific parts of the screen.
Sound quality: Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony
In the 43-inch TV, the one we’re reviewing, the Samsung Frame comes with a two-channel speaker setup, covering all the audio basics you need for a balanced sound with great highs and detailed lows. This is perfect for when you’re watching a dialogue-heavy drama.
The remaining sizes each offer two additional built-in subwoofers that produce a thumping bass to give that true cinematic experience.
Its impressive built-in Dolby Atmos support delivers great overhead audio to create a 3D soundstage. This is great in action scenes, where you can hear things happening all around you – explosions, footsteps, or helicopters overhead – adding a whole new layer of immersion.
On top of that, Adaptive Sound Pro automatically optimises the audio for the content you’re watching, making sure dialogue is always clear and sound effects are balanced. The Object Tracking Sound feature also helps by following the movement on the screen, so the sound comes from exactly where the action is happening.
The TV supports Q-Symphony. With a compatible Samsung soundbar, Q-Symphony lets both the soundbar and the TV’s speakers work together, giving you a fuller, more enveloping sound. It’s not just about volume – it’s about depth and richness, with audio coming from multiple points in the room.
Using integrated Bluetooth, you also have the option to add some wireless speakers to the setup.
Smart features and innovative extras
The Samsung Frame TV runs on the Tizen operating system. The home screen is designed for ease of use, allowing you to organise your most-used apps for quick access. It also supports universal search.
While not as extensive as Android TV, Tizen offers access to all the major streaming services, including Netflix and Disney+. The Frame also supports voice control through Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant, giving you multiple options for hands-free operation.
For gamers, the Frame TV includes FreeSync Premium and Motion Xcelerator at 120Hz (except for the 43-inch variant), which ensures smooth, tear-free gaming with minimal blur during fast action scenes. Its incredibly low input lag makes it highly responsive, giving you an edge in fast-paced games.
Thanks to HDMI 2.1, the TV supports up to 4K at 120Hz, perfect for next-gen gaming. However, there is only one HDMI 2.1 port, which can limit connectivity if you have multiple high-performance devices. Still, the TV offers Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support for nearly tear-free gaming and excellent response time, further enhancing the gaming experience.
If you fancy a break from the artwork, Ambient Mode is a great extra. When the TV is off, it can display useful information like the weather and news headlines, or mirror your wall colour.
Samsung Health turns your TV into a fitness hub, offering guided workout videos, mindfulness exercises, and progress tracking – all from the comfort of your living room. Whether you’re into yoga, cardio, or strength training, this feature is a handy way of keeping on top of your fitness.
The Frame is also fitted with mobile mirroring, which lets you cast content from your phone or tablet to the TV using SmartThings or AirPlay 2. This is good for showing photos, videos, or even presentations on the big screen.
Remote
The Frame comes with Samsung’s One Remote, which is charged via solar light. Like the TV itself, the remote is sleek and comfortable to use. Better still, there’s a built-in mic, meaning you can use Google Assistant, Alexa, and Bixby to also control the television.
Upgrade your setup
To enhance your Samsung Frame TV, there are some upgrades you can make. As we mentioned earlier, you can customise the aesthetics of the TV with stylish bezels. These come in a range of colours and finishes, such as white, beige, and wood, allowing you to choose one that best suits your home’s décor.
If you want more flexibility in placement, you can add Vogels NEXT OP1 TV Floor Stand, available for 46- to 70-inch models, offering a stylish, tripod-like alternative to wall mounting.
For a more immersive sound, we recommend the Sennheiser AMBEO Max Soundbar. It has a frequency range of 30 Hz – 20 kHz, meaning there’s no need for a subwoofer, and it uses room calibration and virtualisation technology to imitate the sound of a 5.1.4 speaker configuration, essentially giving you a convenient yet comprehensive Dolby Atmos setup.
Sizes available
The 43-inch and 55-inch offer a good middle ground for living rooms or bedrooms, while the 65-inch – 85-inch models provide a larger, cinematic experience, ideal for bigger spaces.
Each size maintains the same slim, stylish design that the Frame is known for, giving you a truly artistic experience regardless of the size.
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How to add art to your TV
With a subscription of £3.99 per month (£39.99 per year), you have unlimited access to over 2,500 art pieces from the Samsung Art Store.
Adding your own photos requires Samsung’s SmartThings app. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can connect your TV over Wi-Fi and start uploading images from your phone or tablet. It supports common file types like JPEG and PNG, so most photos will work without a problem.
The app also lets you adjust the brightness, colour, and layout of the photos to ensure they look perfect on screen, mimicking the appearance of real artwork. And you can set a slideshow to rotate through different images.
Having said that, if you have a lot of photos on your smartphone, the app can be quite slow to load. A good workaround, though, is to create a specific album just for the pictures you want to display. That way, you can access the photos you want to display a lot quicker.
Who is the Samsung Frame TV suited to?
The Samsung Frame TV is suited to those who value both aesthetics and functionality. It’s particularly appealing if you want a television that blends seamlessly into your living space, doubling as a piece of art when not in use. For design-conscious individuals, its slim frame and customisable bezels allow it to integrate into almost any home décor.
For film lovers, the Frame offers decent picture quality with its QLED panel, delivering vibrant colours and solid contrast. However, its focus on aesthetics slightly compromises top-tier display performance. If you’re after a TV purely for the best cinematic experience, other models in Samsung’s range may offer better picture quality.
It’s also probably not an ideal choice for novice TV enthusiasts or those in compact living spaces. The extensive feature set, including customisable bezels and art mode, might feel overwhelming if you’re just looking for a straightforward TV. Additionally, its larger sizes are better suited to more spacious rooms where it can truly shine.
That said, if you have a home cinema setup, the Frame TV fits in well. It offers plenty of connectivity options, like multiple HDMI and USB ports, making it easy to connect to your audio separates.
Ultimately, the Samsung Frame TV is for those who want more than just a standard TV, offering a unique blend of style and versatility.
Is the Samsung Frame TV worth the money?
The Samsung Frame TV carries a premium price tag, with some of the larger models reaching several thousand pounds. This is quite steep compared to other Samsung TVs, but it’s the innovative design, QLED technology, and Dolby Atmos support that warrant this price.
Although a lack of Dolby Vision support means the Frame doesn’t deliver the same level of contrast or HDR quality as other models, such as the Panasonic TX-65MZ800B and the LG OLED55C36LC Smart TV, the Frame’s appeal lies more in its display technology. The glare-free screen makes the picture easy and enjoyable to watch, and it ensures that images resemble artwork rather than a typical TV display.
Plus, leaving a static image on a standard TV for too long can cause permanent marks, something that the Frame’s Art Mode will ensure doesn’t happen.
So, if you’re an art enthusiast or looking for a TV that blends seamlessly into your living space, the price is worth paying!
FAQs
Can you leave Frame TV on all the time?
You can leave a Samsung Frame TV on all the time, thanks to Art Mode, but it can increase energy consumption and wear. To mitigate this, motion sensors turn the display off when no one is around and back on when they sense movement, extending the TV’s life, and saving power.
What are the disadvantages of Frame TV?
The Samsung Frame TV’s main disadvantages include its lower picture quality compared to OLED TVs, higher price for similar specs, and limited viewing angles. It is, however, very aesthetically pleasing thanks to Art Mode.
Which is better, Samsung Frame or LG OLED?
LG OLED offers superior picture quality with deeper blacks, better contrast, and wider viewing angles than the Samsung Frame TV. However, the Frame excels in design, functioning as both a TV and a digital art frame, making it ideal for aesthetic setups.
Final thoughts
So there you go, that was our Samsung Frame TV review. While this TV may cost you quite a bit, we feel it strikes the perfect balance between aesthetics and performance to enhance your home entertainment experience.
If you want to dive deeper into Samsung, check out our list of the best 2024 Samsung TVs. Or for a better general understanding of TVs, take a look at our picks of the best TV brands and the differences between QNED and OLED.
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