Samsung’s Frame TV has millions of fans despite being available for only a few years.
Samsung The Frame TV 2022 is the ideal fusion of design and technology. For anyone who despises staring at a large blank screen in the middle of their room, The Frame is a 4K QLED television with a swappable, snap-on picture frame and the ability to exhibit all types of art on an inventive anti-glare display.
Does Samsung Frame TV 2022 live up to the hype? Before you buy this cutting-edge and artistic television, you should be aware of the following information.
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What Is Samsung The Frame TV?
The Frame TV is a premium 4K TV that shows realistic gallery-quality artwork (Art Mode) on the screen when the TV isn’t in use, so let’s back up and explain what it is and why you might be looking at it. The combination of high-resolution art, no-glare glass, and a light sensor that helps the TV adapt to your room and the time of day means that it is far from looking like a screensaver or placeholder and is, therefore, better at hiding in plain sight than a CIA agent.
Even though there is a sizable selection of free art you can display on The Frame and you can add your own, it’s practically necessary to sign up for the Samsung Art Store to unlock a world of art options for your space.
For Who, What And How?
Who this is for: Samsung’s The Frame TV is for anyone who’s willing to pay a premium for a great-looking TV that also doubles as a work of art when it’s turned off.
What you need to know: Since the Frame is fundamentally a 4K QLED TV, you can be confident in the quality of the images it will produce. The design, which features customizable bezels and an Art Mode that shows art when the TV is off, is its biggest selling point. You’ll need to subscribe, but in exchange, you’ll have access to more than 1,000 pieces of art, which you can cycle through and leave on display when the TV isn’t in use at a brightness that fits your surroundings. Know that the frame will need to be purchased separately.
How this compares: The Frame from Samsung is a unique TV product. Starting at $1,799 for a 55-inch model, LG’s Gallery options are more expensive and utilize an OLED panel as opposed to a QLED panel. The Frame TV is a lifestyle product that emphasizes Art Mode’s distinctive functionality and aesthetic appeal. It satisfies the requirements for a 4K image that works well for both movies and TV shows. The TCL 6-Series offers more detail, thanks to Mini LEDs, at a similar price point to Samsung’s The Frame, which is positioned in the top tiers of 4K TVs and produces a fantastic image. Comparing it to Samsung’s Neo QLED models reveals that it lacks vibrancy as well.
The Price Of Art Sore
Each year, Art Store costs about $70CAD. You can decide whether to rotate through a gallery of your personal favorites or display one work of art at a time.
The Ambient Mode feature on the Samsung The Frame from 2021 also gave you access to moving images, weather data, and additional interactive elements for your screen. On the 2022 Frame TV, the feature is still present, but it is now incorporated into Art Mode rather than existing as a standalone feature. On that, we’ll talk more later.
Is the Samsung Frame TV really less glaring? How much of a difference does a new anti-glare coating make?
The screen is definitely a soft matte design in my previous testing with both the original Frame, released in 2017, and the 2021 version, but this new version takes the minimal glare those older versions did allow and makes it completely disappear. The new Samsung The Frame from 2022 reduces glare by 95% compared to earlier models, which I’d estimate blocked about 80–90% of it.
Pros And Cons Of Samsung The Frame TV
Here are the top benefits and drawbacks of the Samsung Frame TV, keeping things straightforward and accessible to the average consumer.
Pros
- Both the picture and sound quality are excellent.
- Art Mode is realistic
- Blends in seamlessly
- New anti-glare glass makes a HUGE difference
- Easy to use; many previous bugs resolved
- Multi-View and screen mirroring, Airplay
- Add-on bezels totally worth it
- It has lots of “Smart” components like voice assistants and tons of easy streaming options.
Cons
- Although you get an excellent picture and sound quality for the money, it is not cutting edge and is expensive. A fantastic design with artistic elements is more expensive.
- You can either do it yourself or hire a pro to do the installation properly. If you really want it to look like a frame, you can’t just unbox it and take it with you.
- The Smart Things app from Samsung, which is another way to control the TV, is really awful to use. I hate to say it, but I’ve heard it said by a lot of other people, so it’s not just my experience. Luckily, you don’t “have to” use this app to use your TV.
- It does exhibit some glare when exposed to direct sunlight from a nearby window and when lit artificially, but overall, glare is minimal and the majority of the time it truly does appear to be art.
Set Up & Installation Of Samsung The Frame TV
It’s simple to set up this TV, but it will take some time to install it properly. Since the wall mount and procedures are the same for the 2022 model, you can view my how-to video for the 2021 Samsung Frame TV if you’re interested in learning more. The wall mount is included in the box, and installing a conduit to conceal the One Connect cable inside your wall is definitely worthwhile because the cable—as thin and transparent as it is—is the only obvious sign that your work of art is actually a television. I’m not sure if the cable is rated to be enclosed in a wall on its own, but I am aware that Samsung also sells a unique One Connect cable that is rated for walls. Although I’m not in any way an authority, I’m satisfied with the way we handled the installation.
Build Quality Of Samsung The Frame TV
Excellent construction goes into the Samsung The Frame TV. It doesn’t flex or wobble much, and overall it feels well-built. To plug the cable in, you must push the plastic cover over the One Connect port on the TV far enough inward. Additionally, the borders feel loose and are easily scratched, as if they could come off. However, these might be problems that are unique to our unit. Let us know in the discussions if you have this TV and have encountered the same problems.
Samsung Smart Things App
The remote control that comes with your TV will function perfectly, but you should download and connect the Samsung Smart Things app nonetheless.
I’m relieved to see that Samsung appears to have fixed the majority of the problems I had discussed in my review of the 2021 frame TV, where the app would just repeatedly crash when any iPhone user tried to use it. This was after a particularly buggy year trying to use the previous app version on my Apple iPhone.
You can get a virtual remote control, as well as quick access to sources and apps, by using the app. Additionally, a whole section is devoted to art mode, which gives you a slightly quicker way to browse the available artwork. You can also upload your own photos through the app if you want to see them on The Frame as well.
Add-on Frames/bezels Of Samsung The Frame TV
A magnetic bezel that can alter the edge color of the TV is one of the cool accessories for this product. There are much different wood and other options available, but I chose the Modern White version in order to help it blend in with my wall. The factory black edge frame that might be a giveaway that your art isn’t what it seems to be can be greatly concealed by upgrading to one of these additional frames, which I highly recommend.
The four pieces of the $200 snap-on frames are the perfect size to wrap around your TV and are available in four different sizes. They can be turned on or off in a matter of seconds. I think the idea is really brilliant, and my white frame Frame is so stylish.
How To Use Multiview On Samsung The Frame TV 2022?
You must be in the TV feature, not in art mode, in order to use MultiView. the MultiView Button, which resembles a grid of squares, should then be clicked.
You will be given a row of menu options to choose from; you can access any streaming devices, your cable box, YouTube, the internet, as well as your smartphone.
It will divide up the screen for you after you have chosen at least one source. After that, you can select your specific sources or inputs. The phone and TV must first be connected via Bluetooth, and there will likely be a permission request that must be accepted first.
Then hit the MultiView Button
Yes, it will function if you’re using an iPhone. There are two choices: AirPlay or Screen Mirroring. AirPlay allows you to share videos on the screen, while screen mirroring allows you to share anything that is currently displayed on your phone.
On your iPhone, load the video, tap the Share button, and then scroll down to the Airplay option to start AirPlaying. Choose The Frame when prompted.
Open your iPhone’s quick controls menu by pulling down from the top right corner to mirror your screen. Then select Screen Mirroring from the menu. Whenever prompted, pick The Frame.
Should You Buy Samsung The Frame TV?
Samsung’s The Frame might be the ideal brushstroke for you if you are more interested in a TV’s design than its actual picture. It combines a fantastic 4K panel with distinctive Art Mode functionality with a truly cutting-edge design that not only radiates warmth but also adds something to your home.
There is an additional cost because The Frame is not a standard TV. It’s not the cheapest with a starting price of $999 for a 43-inch display plus an extra $100 for a frame bezel. For those who care about design, it won’t disappoint because it is primarily a lifestyle TV. If you simply want a high-quality image overall, we recommend looking at the TCL 6-Series, which has a larger screen size for the same price.
Our Verdict
It’s undeniable that The Frame 2022 is a hit for anyone looking to combine style with functionality. The Frame is an affordable lifestyle item that allows you to switch between watching the newest episode of Stranger Things and admiring Van Gogh’s Starry Night with ease.
Overall, I have zero complaints about 2022 The Frame and I can definitely recommend it if you’re looking at your first Frame TV or as an upgrade from an older model; it’s definitely worth it.
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