TV As A Painting - The Frame By Samsung Review
Can a TV be a piece of art? Can a TV be as aesthetic as a painting on the wall? The Frame TV by Samsung is a product that fits in well in that space. Normally we take TV as a TV. While purchasing we look for the resolution, the screen size and it's 'smartness' in terms of connectivity. Beyond the viewing hours we normally don't give it much focus. The Frame TV changes that. It uses the display as a painting, comes without the messy cables and is sensitive enough to display according to the time of the day that too a painting from the in-built art collection or even an image from your photo gallery.
What's on Offer
The Frame comes in two sizes 55-inch and 65-inch. The pricing is premium at Rs 2,74,900 and 3,99,900 respectively. The TV has customizable frame options including Walnut, Beige wood and White, providing users with the flexibility to match their TV to their space. The Frame offers UHD picture quality. When powered off, it becomes becomes a customizable work of art.
The Frame comes with Samsung's Tizen-based Smart Hub user interface. The UI includes several streaming services, included are YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video besides apps and games. There is also a browser to surf websites.
There are brightness and motion sensors. The brightness sensor seamlessly adjusts to ambient lighting. The motion sensor allows the TV to know when someone enters or exits the room. This enables it to enter a power saving mode when no one is watching and to switch back on automatically when someone is around.
The Frame comes with Samsung's no gap wall-mount, almost kissing the wall, making it look a picture frame. There are no messy cables or wires with one single, transparent optical cable.
What's Great
Ease of use
The Frame has the simplest remote I have seen so far. There is a sense of smartness pervasive in the device. The motion sensor automatically getting the TV on and light sensors work really well. Breezing through the content through voice commands and it's connectivity to other devices is easy.
Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics it's the best I have seen so far in terms of TV. The customizable frame options really make it look like a picture frame. There is also a subscription included to art galleries and works of some famous artists.
Resolution
Both variants feature a 4K-resolution (3840×2160). The picture quality is definitely great. The 4K content looks pretty and real. The high resolution in this TV is neat without any of the hitches especially in motion. I was surprised by how it manages the low quality content, it doesn't pixelate the way I expected. There is a certain smoothness in the resolution.
No Messy Cables
One of the best things about this TV is there are no messy cables. There is simply a One Connect box that connects your TV with a see-through thin optical cable.
What's Not Great
High Pricing
Rs.3,99,900 for a 65 inch is a bit too high.
Frame Price
There is a standard free charcoal frame with the TV However if you want to buy one of the other frame options Walnut, Beige wood and White they are priced at over Rs. 13,000 per set.
Voice commands
This is India and we have an Indian accent. Samsung take note of that. The Indian accent will not change according to you. You will have to upgrade your system. Especially with a minimalistic remote having to handle a smart TV at that, the voice commands really need some fine tuning.
The Last Word
Samsung is well placed in a good position to flirt between the space of technology and art. In Frame TV Samsung attempts it elan and all the ammunition at it's command. The Frame can be termed as a lifestyle product aimed at a niche as of now. While it may remain well out of reach of mass consumers, The Frame TV is definitely a thumbs up in terms of aesthetics and innovation. The TV can well be a painting, The Frame shows exactly that.
