Verdict
This portable light-emitting diode projector delivers big screen fun with the minimum of bicker . The pictures are bright and punchy , the speech sound surprisingly good , and the built - in apps extend plenty of pour choice . Cloud gambling is a utile addition , while the image blending feature is very clever .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen is the latest edition of the Korean manufacturer ’s portable LED projector . This Modern mannequin retains all the features find on thefirst coevals , such as auto instalment , 360˚ sound , Tizen smart system of rules , extensive streaming apps , and Smart Calibration .
However it also adds some Modern lineament , while also tweaking the performance in a few surface area . The newspaper headline advance is Smart Edge Blending , which seamlessly combines two 2nd gen Freestyles to produce a unmarried monolithic widescreen image for looking at exposure or watching video .
Samsung has also contribute its Gaming Hub for cloud gaming without a console , along with the eco - favorable SolarCell remote control . The processing speed of the Tizen operating system has also been improved with dilate memory , and the LED light author now has a life of 30,000 hours .
Design
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen appear identical to its predecessor , with a cylindrical chassis and adjustable stand . The latter can be angled from 90 through to 180 stage , allow you to figure on a bulwark or a even a ceiling , and it double as a handle when carrying the beamer around .
The matte whitened material body remains stylish and solidly built , ensuring the Freestyle 2nd gen is both portable and robust . Behind a golf hole array at the rear is the same built - in 360˚ speaker system , combined with a heat sink , inconspicuous fan , and spiral atmosphere canal for cooling with minimal randomness .
At the front where the crystalline lens is located you ’ll find some basic touch raw controller for power , loudness and casting . far down , on the right mitt side , is a switch for activate the make - in microphone , a USB - ascorbic acid port for power , and a Micro - HDMI port for physically attach any international equipment .
Features
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen sports a pick of connectivity that emphasises its more peregrine nature . For those expect to make a physical connection there ’s a Micro - HDMI input that supports interpretation 1.4 , with feature film like CEC , HDR andARC . There ’s also a USB - C interface , but this is only for connecting the included USB power adaptor or an external battery .
In terminal figure of wireless connectivity there ’s Wi - Fi 5 , Bluetooth 5.2 and support forApple AirPlay 2.The Wi - Fi not only associate the projector ’s Tizen - powered smart platform , but also summate built - in Bixby and the power to work withAmazon Alexa , offer a choice of fresh assistants .
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen comes with the brand ’s SolarCell remote . It ’s land up in blank to equate the projector , uses a sensible design that ’s well-to-do to harbour , and has an nonrational button layout that get apparatus and control slowly . The rechargeable barrage also help the environment .
As with all of Samsung ’s devices , the Freestyle supports theSmartThingsapp , which is available for Android or iOS , and offers all the ascendence selection find on the included remote , plus access to additional feature film such as Smart Calibration and the Modern Smart Edge Blending .
There were no problems race the SmartThings app , which pair to the Freestyle without any issue , and installation was simple , with the app occupy you through connecting the Samsung to your wireless web and setting up all your favourite apps on the home Sir Frederick Handley Page .
TheTizen - powered smart systemoffers all the main cyclosis service likeNetflix , Prime Video , Disney+,Apple TV+ , and the UK TV catch - up services , along withSamsung TV Plus , and even a web internet browser . The rest home page is sensibly put down out , and all the feature appeared to work without any consequence .
There ’s no built - in piano tuner , but compatible Samsung TV offer tv set Access , permit users to stream live TV broadcasts to the Freestyle in another room via Wi - Fi . When the TV is on you’re able to mirror content to the projector , and when the TV is off you’re able to control the TV content from the Freestyle .
The Ambient way allows you to project from a choice of images or your own photos , which is handy for holding parties or make a restful surroundings . you may even leave the lens jacket crown tie , if you picture turn your Freestyle projector into a stylish , if rather expensive , LED lamp .
New feature of speech for the second generation Freestyle include a Gaming Hub that allows cloud play with no downloads , entrepot limits or console required . Although you will of course necessitate a fairly dissipated internet connection , a gaming service subscription , and a compatible third - party comptroller .
The other big Modern feature is Smart Edge Blending , allowing you to flux two freestyle into a individual widescreen icon that ’s bigger and brighter . Using the SmartThings app and the camera in your mobile twist , you blend the two beamers to look at photograph or watch swarm videos .
Finally , the Freestyle is compatible with external batteries that are USB - PD and 50W/20V end product or above , although Samsung also offers an optional bombardment base with a claim maximum bang of three hour . There ’s even an optional weather - insubordinate carry case for those on the move .
Performance
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen is a cinch to setup thanks to its automatic keystoning , levelling and focusing . guide the unit where you want to project and it ’ll do the rest . This work very well in testing , but you could also manually fine tune the keystoning , levelling and concenter if necessary .
The persona stray between 30 and 100 inches diagonally , and you change sizing by physically move the projector nearer or far from the paries . you may project at any slant , even upwards if you need to glow onto the ceiling so you may watch your favourite show while lying in bed .
The Freestyle is moderately quiet in operation , with a noise floor of only 25dB from two feet away . It ’s also incredibly light to setup thanks to the SmartThings app , which connects the projector to your Wi - Fi , and loads in all your preferred apps and other preferences from your Samsung account .
It ’s very easy to manoeuvre , with a choice of control condition options and a home page and menu organisation that ’s sensibly laid out and intuitive to pilot . I found all the streaming serve worked without any issue , and the platform itself is now more responsive when it do to navigation or cargo apps .
The projector utilise single - chip DLP with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 , and an result light source . This has a claimed luminousness of 550 lumens , and lifespan up to 30,000 hour . While reasonably hopeful , the Freestyle will contend in day , so for the best results pull the drape or utilise it at night .
In ecumenical the characterisation quality is very good , with trope that appear light and detailed . Since the projector is define to a resolution of 1080p it ca n’t display 4 K ( 3840 x 2160 ) natively , but higher resolution content is like an expert downscaled without introducing any pesky imaging artefacts .
The Freestyle supports HDR10 , HLG andHDR10+via its internal apps and HDMI , but the colour blank does n’t get over the full DCI - P3 color gamut . However the tone function on the projector is passing proficient , ensue in HDR image with slew of pleasing pop when equate to SDR .
Whether I was watching SDR or HDR , the image is precise , and the movement handling is excellent thanks to the use of DLP . Unfortunately the Freestyle suffers from the common limitations of DLP , with weak blacks and dividing line , plus possible colour fringing ( rainbows ) for sure people .
Samsung ’s new Smart Calibration feature enables the Freestyle to be rapidly and easy calibrated with a confirm smartphone . Using the SmartThings app , the feature article will assess precise images in a matter of seconds with the smartphones photographic camera , making it very utile when projecting on to off - white wall .
Smart Edge Blending give up two Freestyle 2nd Gen projector to be paired and their pictures seamlessly flux into an ultra - widescreen image . The minimum recommended screen size of it is 130 inches , allowing users to get the full welfare of 21:9 contentedness when streaming videos .
I tested this feature and it work flawlessly thanks to the entire mental process being explained in the SmartThings app . designate the two Freestyles at a screen or bulwark , align their test rule , and using the camera in your telephone the app seamlessly combines them into a single widescreen image .
The process worked without issue , and I could n’t see the articulation between the two projectors when looking at photograph or watching videos streamed from a mobile machine . At present only the Android version of SmartThings reserve video streaming , but the iOS reading does plump for photos .
The Freestyle 2nd Gen is a decent projector for gaming , whether connected to a gaming console using the Micro - HDMI stimulus or cloud gaming through the built - in hub . In the biz mode input slowdown is 40ms , which is a chip in high spirits for serious gamers , but fine for most people who just fancy a cheeky gaming session .
While you ca n’t enjoy late play features like 4 K , 120Hz and VRR , the fact you may speedily and easily dress the Freestyle up means you may game just about anywhere . you may also still gain from HDR and 60Hz , and as a result enjoy a play and hassle - free big concealment immersive experience .
The built - in speaker organisation sounds amazingly good count the projector ’s compact sizing . The combining of 5W of gain , a 360˚ speaker configuration and two passive woofers produce a sound that ’s much larger than I ’d have expected based on the Freestyle ’s dimension .
The sound recording spread out in all directions , and is up to of going loud without distort or losing its composure . When pair two units the speakers from both projector are used , and HDMI ARC means you’re able to send the audio from the build up - in apps back to a soundbar or sound system .
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Should you buy it?
This accomplished portable projector can produce huge images just about anywhere and with the minimum of fuss . Built - in Wi - Fi and a smart chopine gives you access to your pet content , include cloud gaming , the sound is good , and if you have two freestyle you could combine them into a single immersive characterisation .
The Freestyle supports HDR , but unlike most TVs it ’s special to Full HD , and the colour gamut is n’t that wide . There ’s no built - in receiving set , and while the lead unclouded source can grow a reasonably bright image , it lack the overall brightness level to handle day , and should n’t be deliberate an alternative to a TV .
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen is an first-class portable LED Full HD HDR projector that ’s light enough to be moved easily , and robust enough not to get damaged . It ’s attractively designed , has plenty of connectivity , and extensive features that include a voguish platform with all the main streaming apps . It ’s also flexible and simple to setup , with automatic centering , levelling and keystoning .
you may chop-chop and easy plan prominent images on any paries , and the Smart Calibration feature article ensures these depiction are exact no matter of where you point the projector . They ’re also vivid and detailed , with excellent motion handling . While the support of HDR adds some benefit , as with any beamer the Freestyle ’s brightness is limited compare to even the shadowy idiot box .
The smart platform is sensibly designed , intuitive and responsive , while the solar - powered remote control , SmartThings app , and twosome of smart assistants offer up a alternative of control options . The sound quality remains surprisingly good debate the size of this beamer , and the combining of a reasonably low input signal interim and cloud gaming makes the Freestyle a smashing choice for casual gamers .
The new Smart Edge Blending is a fun feature article for anyone who happens to have two second Gen Freestyles , grow an impressively blended widescreen picture – although at present you ca n’t enjoy TV with iOS devices . at long last , the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen is an engaging and flexible portable beamer that deliver tussle - free big screen fun anywhere , and comes recommend from me .
Trusted Score
How we test
We quiz every projector we critique thoroughly over an prolonged period of meter . We usePortrait Displays Calman colour standardisation softwareand industriousness banner to compare features the right way . We ’ll always recite you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to critique a intersection .
Find out more about how we quiz in ourethics policy .
FAQs
The Samsung Freestyle 2023 supports resolutions up to Full HD ( 1080p ) , so it can not project in native 4K. It dos digest HDR though , as it features HDR10 , HLG , and HDR10 + .
