At a lookKnowledgeable’s Ranking
Professionals
- Extremely-compact design
- Built-in Tizen good platform
- Auto keystone correction
Cons
- At its greatest in a darkened room
- Extremely-widescreen mode has restricted use
- Battery base offered individually
Our Verdict
Simply transportable and providing vivid, vibrant photos, this second-generation Freestyle projector is good for impromptu film nights and supersizing sports activities. You possibly can even pair two for ‘scope type’ viewing.
Worth When Reviewed
$799.99
Finest Costs Right now: Samsung The Freestyle 2
$789.00
$797.99
$797.99
$797.99
$799.99
$799.99
This second iteration of Samsung’s Freestyle compact LED projector affords some refined upgrades over its predecessor, however rewards with the identical excessive influence photos and nice versatility.
Nonetheless very a lot a causal beamer, it may flip any clear wall, or ceiling, right into a big-screen show with minimal fuss or set-up trouble – and due to Samsung’s Tizen good TV platform, you possibly can rapidly venture your favorite streaming reveals.
Whereas the Freestyle 2nd Gen (SP-LFF3) is HD decision solely, it’s appropriate with numerous HDR (Excessive Dynamic Vary) sources, be they HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG.
Big dimension viewing anyplace in the home? Possibly you don’t must spend money on that 85-inch telly in any case…
Design & Options
- Auto keystone correction
- Auto focus
- Tizen good TV platform
Sharing the identical cylindrical chassis as the unique The Freestyle, with similar connectivity, this Freestyle reboot has apparent enchantment.
Perched atop a round base, it may pivot a full 180 levels, permitting you to venture onto partitions and even the ceiling. Auto-focus ensures the image is at all times sharp, whereas highly effective keystone correction routinely straightens the show and focuses the picture, no matter your angle.
This geometric correction isn’t at all times flawless, however in most cases you possibly can count on a transparent, sharp image.
If the projector is positioned on an uneven floor, new auto-levelling involves the rescue. On the subject of throw distance, 2m is required to present you a 75in picture. From round 2.7m, you’ll hit the complete 100in however you can begin at simply 30in from 0.8m.
Wi-fi connectivity covers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2; there are bodily ports for Micro HDMI and a USB-C energy provide.
Steve Might / Foundry
The projector comes with a slim, solar-powered distant management, that includes devoted buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and Samsung TV Plus.
There are additionally on-body contact delicate controls in the event you choose. The Second Gen works with Samsung SmartThings, and Apple AirPlay 2 – with Faucet View for mirroring Galaxy gadgets with Android 8.1 or later through NFC. It additionally has built-in far-field mics that allow voice assistant management for Amazon Alexa and Samsung’s Bixby. You may as well display screen mirror with appropriate Samsung TVs.
A plastic cap is supplied to guard the lens, however this may also be used to create a diffuse, ambient lighting impact. It might be a prism, scene (Samsung’s web site reveals an aeroplane window) or one among your individual photos.
The Freestyle 2nd Gen works off the mains (battery base offered individually), however might be powered by both a bespoke battery case accent or a USB energy financial institution with a 50W/20V output or above.
The projector’s default color is white, however fashionistas can customise their Freestyle with non-obligatory colored covers, in Beige, Pink, or Inexperienced.
In the event you’re tempted to take your Freestyle outside, it is likely to be price investing in Samsung’s non-obligatory IP55-rated carry case.
Steve Might / Foundry
Modifications below the hood embrace an improved processor and software program.
It might probably additionally edge-blend photos (Sensible Edge Mixing) from two totally different Freestyle 2023 projectors, to create an extremely huge 21:9 picture. To activate, you’ll want two 2023 projectors paired utilizing the SmartThings app on a Samsung smartphone.
A graphical setup routine helps sync the Freestyles. When little cartoons overlap, the smartphone takes a snapshot of the end result and uploads it for processing. As if by magic, the 2 projectors start syncing their output collectively.
The catch is you possibly can’t use this mode with any outdated content material. It really works with some ‘scope clips on YouTube however is most reliably used to show your individual images. Photos are cropped to suit the side ratio, however the impact is compelling. It’s very troublesome to identify the place the be part of is.
Samsung
Image High quality
- LED gentle engine
- Black degree limitation
- Crystal Engine processor
So let’s speak visuals. The Freestyle 2’s photos seem vivid and punchy, at the very least when considered in low gentle. Whereas its output is OK for non-critical, quasi-daylight viewing, it shines brightest in a darker surroundings.
The projector makes use of a DLP chip with an LED gentle supply, mentioned to final at the very least 30,000 hours.
Steve Might / Foundry
Regardless of being restricted to a Full HD decision, The Freestyle 2 manages to impress with crisp element and vibrant hues, courtesy of Samsung’s Crystal Engine and PurColor processing.
I watched a mix of pure historical past footage, motion pictures and recreation reveals, and all had been displayed with equal enthusiasm.
There are inevitable limitations. Black-level efficiency is predictably constrained, with The Freestyle 2 delivering a darker shade of gray than something inky. However that is trumped by a constantly excessive common image degree and photo voltaic vibrancy.
Image presets cowl Dynamic, Commonplace, and Film. For many content material I felt that Commonplace setting supplied probably the most balanced efficiency. Movement dealing with is easy, with minimal artefacts or color fringing.
Sound High quality
- 360° soundstage
- 5W amplification
- Bluetooth
The Freestyle utilises a rear-facing, 5W sound system that spreads the soundstage surprisingly huge. It sounds higher than the overwhelming majority of extra standard, usually gaming-oriented, compact projectors, I’ve heard.
There’s sufficient oomph to its output to forestall it from sounding overly skinny. It’s greater than ample to entertain a small viewers, and generate sufficient hubbub to masks its low degree fan noise, which is round 30dB.
In the event you fancy a extra immersive audio expertise, you would join a soundbar or exterior sound system utilizing ARC over the mini HDMI connection, though this does begin to battle with the straightforward use ethos of The Freestyle 2.
Pairing with Bluetooth headphones might be a extra wise choice and there’s assist for Multi Bluetooth Pairing.
Samsung
Worth & Availability
The Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 comes with a price ticket of $799.99/£699. That’s cheaper than the unique’s launch value of $899.99/£999.
Whereas it’s not probably the most budget-friendly Full HD decision choice within the projector market, it affords a singular set of options that units it other than rivals, particularly for many who prioritise portability.
You should purchase it from Samsung, Amazon and BestBuy within the US.
You should purchase it from Samsung and Currys within the UK.
Do you have to purchase the Samsung The Freestyle 2?
The Freestyle 2 is a uniquely succesful compact projector with a multiplicity of abilities. It’s nice for film nights, youngsters events, sports activities occasions and even patio BBQs.
Although restricted to Full HD, image high quality is usually spectacular, with uniformly vivid and detailed photos.
The availability of Sensible Edge Mixing is a intelligent embellishment, though there’s in all probability not sufficient of a consumer case to warrant shopping for two Freestyles to implement.
Whether or not you’re projecting on a wall or ceiling, the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen bends actuality in all the correct methods. I feel it’s properly price auditioning.
Specs
- LED projector with a DLP engine
- 30-100in display screen dimension
- Decision: 1920 x 1080
- HDMI: Micro HDMI
- HDR assist: HDR10, HLG, HDR10
- Tizen Sensible Platform
- Dimensions:102.4(w) x 172.8(h) x 95.2(d)mm
- Weight: 0.83kg
