Should I buy Samsung The Frame TV?

The design of the Frame TV is based on that of a photo frame. This means that everything takes place on a thick metal case – unlike the bezel-less appearance of the Samsung Q950TS 8K QLED – which gives the screen a firm outline and is sure to have an impact in your living room.

There are also a number of different coloring options for the frame around the screen: white, black, brown, beige, burgundy red and clay beige.

You'll also be able to use Samsung's Art mode – a setting for the TV that displays artwork, photos, or paintings rather than keeping the screen black when not in use, much like a screen intelligent reinforced. Sure, you're using a small amount of power compared to proper power off, but that means your new TV purchase can be calibrated to better match your decor.

Art mode can also draw on hundreds of works from world famous collections, such as the V&A museum, the Tate gallery and the Van Gogh museum.

The TV frame can be placed on a counter, but it will probably feel more comfortable with its No Gap wall mount, which will keep the screen flush with the wall and will help it better camouflage itself with its surroundings.

Samsung The Frame TV: what sizes are available?

How much does the Samsung The Frame TV cost? It depends, as always, on the size of the TV you choose.

While the 2018 model only had three sizes – 43 inches, 55 inches and 65 inches – which has since expanded to a size of 49 inches, as well as the huge sizes of 75 inches and tiny 32 inches for 2020.

This gives a huge variety, which means The Frame TV is a TV that can be adapted to your specific life situation. Want a massive screen to put the fear of God in your children? Or a tiny Cutsey display that can stand on a shelf or be easily stored? Frame TV can do it all.

The small size is unusual for such a premium package – as we usually expect second-rate parts for such small TVs. You have a drop in video resolution from 4K UHD to Full HD (1080p), although you won't really notice it on such a compact screen.

We spoke to James Parker, head of TV product management at Samsung Electronics UK, who told us that “24% of people replace their TV for interior reasons, and therefore The Frame in 32 inches fills the gap vacuum of the market for a transferable A television which can adapt to any space, whatever its size. ”

Parker added that the smaller size was specially designed to “blend harmoniously into the bedroom decor” compared to other larger versions of the set. The 32 inch model comes with a Mini One connection box to store its cables (relatively smaller), as well as a “flexible tilting support so that the frame can be viewed vertically or horizontally”, just like the Samsung Sero TV.

Prices and offers Samsung The Frame TV

The 2020 model is now available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia – for most sizes, at least.

The smallest size (32 inches) starts at just $ 599 in the United States, but has not yet landed in the United Kingdom or Australia.

If you go bigger than that, you will pay $ 999 / £ 1,199 / AU $ 1,559 for the 43 inch, $ 1,299 for the 50 inch, $ 1,499 / £ 1,599 / AU $ 2,295 for the 55 inch, $ 1999 / £ 2199 / AU $ 2,695 for the 65 inch, and $ 2,999 / £ 3,499 / AU $ 3,995 for the 75 inch.

In the U.S., you can opt for monthly fees, spread over three years (36 months) via Samsung Financing, rather than a one-time payment – while those of you in Australia can also spread the cost over 50 months. You also won't end up paying more, making it a smart way to finance your new The Frame TV.

If you're looking for something cheaper, you can also buy the 2019 model, which starts at $ 999 / £ 799 / AU $ 1,499 for the size of 43 inches, goes up to $ 1,199 / £ 999 for the 49 inch (no AU model) or $ 1399 / £ 999 / AU $ 2499 for the 55 inch, and peaks at $ 1799 / £ 1499 / AU $ 3499 for the size of 65 inches.

For UK buyers, Samsung will also be offering two free glasses with the purchase of a 2019 The Frame TV – usually worth £ 229 – for the rest of 2020, which means you can replace the bezel whenever you want to redecorate. American buyers, on the other hand, can benefit from a 50% reduction on a single customizable telescope when they make a purchase.

But it's a TV, after all – so what do we do with its picture quality?

Samsung The Frame TV Review: not the full picture

Samsung Designer TVs such as the frame are not often available for traditional review – since Samsung views them as lifestyle purchases (not technology) and tries to avoid these sets being compared on the basis of individual specifications.

We found that “we had a few small, but consistent, problems with artifacts and blocking when scaling, especially from SDR, but not at the expense of a generally capable image.” Killing Eve's cyan and pink title screen could cause disconcerting flashing and blocking around the letters. “

We also stated that “the picture looks better with darker scenes and darker palettes, more in keeping with the atmosphere of the thoughtful gallery of gazing at the paintings in the television art store”.

It's clearly a problem that Samsung was aware of, with the 2019 and 2020 versions of The Frame TV featuring a QLED screen rather than the backlit LCD screen of the 2018 model.

The QLED panel for the 2019/2020 models is absolutely an upgrade, with higher brightness and improved contrast – thanks to a metal quantum filter unique to QLED sets – compared to LCDs. However, we did not have the opportunity to review the 2019 or 2020 model ourselves.

The main problems should therefore have been resolved, and if you buy The Frame TV from Samsung, it is probably for its visuals and illustrations, rather than necessarily obtaining the best television image.