Samsung The Freestyle in a short test: Falling prices make unusual projectors attractive

Do you dream of a home cinema, but shy away from the complex installation of a projector under the ceiling and do not have the necessary change for an ultra-short-throw projector? Then mobile mini projectors are an alternative. With The Freestyle, Samsung has been offering such a model since spring 2022.

1. A projector that looks like a ceiling spotlight

2. Larger images only with two projectors

3. The projector is not as free as the name suggests

4. Lots of streaming apps thanks to Tizen

5. We also noticed that

6. Conclusion: Buy or wait for The Freestyle (2023)?

At 999 euros, it wasn’t a bargain when it was launched. In the meantime, however, the price has dropped to less than 500 euros, which is why the projector attracted our attention at the “World of Samsung”.

At Buy The Freestyle*

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At the event in Bad Homburg, Samsung is showing its innovations in the TV and audio sectors. Despite his age, The Freestyle is still a representative here. A successor has already been announced, but the market launch has not yet been scheduled. More on that later. Enough of the preamble. Now let’s watch “The Freestyle” together.

A projector that looks like a ceiling spotlight

The projector owes its name to its exterior. The can-shaped projector is namely suspended in a device. Samsung calls this construction “all-round design”, which at first glance makes The Freestyle look like a smart ceiling spotlight and not like a projector. In fact, however, it offers advantages in everyday life. The projection angle can be adjusted by up to 180 degrees.

Samsung The Freestyle in pictures

Pictures of the short test of Samsung The Freestyle.

Does the vase of flowers on the shelf in front of the screen get in the way? A handle is enough and the picture moves up a bit, the vase does not have to be moved. Are you in bed right now? Alternatively, The Freestyle can project the image onto the ceiling instead of onto the wall. Thanks to automatic image adjustment, it only takes a few moments after changing the orientation for the projector to align the image on the new projection surface.

Larger images only with two projectors

The size of the picture depends on the distance to the wall. The Freestyle achieves a maximum screen diagonal of 100 inches. The projections are therefore rather small. For comparison, XGIMI’s Halo+ delivers up to a 200-inch screen. A weakness that Samsung wants to solve in an unusual way with The Freestyle 2: With the successor model, you can combine the image of two projectors into one larger area. So start looking for a “freestyle buddy”.

Speaking of the picture. The projections have a maximum resolution of Full HD. The quality is okay, but of course it can’t keep up with the larger projector. Since The Freestyle is not particularly bright with 550 lumens, you have to darken the room you are looking in. The image quality can also be improved by using a screen as a projection surface instead of the bare wall.

The projector is not as free as the name suggests

The built-in 360-degree speaker is not weak, but we would still recommend pairing the projector with a Bluetooth speaker. Especially when there are several people in the room and the background noise increases as a result.

Even if the name suggests “freedom”, this is limited in many places at The Freestyle. For example, the device has no IP certification and is therefore only conditionally suitable for use in your own open-air cinema. This is also made more difficult by the fact that The Freestyle does not have an integrated battery. The projector absolutely needs a socket nearby or you have to attach a powerful power bank via USB-C. Alternatively, Samsung also offers a battery pack that is clamped under the socket. Cost: about 150 euros.

It’s not the only accessory for The Freestyle. Samsung also offers shells in other colors if you find the projector in white too boring. You can also purchase a robust transport case.

Lots of streaming apps thanks to Tizen

You can get content on the projector via the Internet or you can connect a player. However, since The Freestyle only offers a microHDMI port for this, you will have to buy an adapter in most cases. On the other hand, the route via the Internet is uncomplicated. This is where Samsung shows its strengths. For example, while XGIMI currently lacks a Netflix license for its mobile projector, The Freestyle provides you with the OS Tizen, which is already known from Samsung TVs – including the most important streaming apps.

The successor, due to go on sale later this year, will also feature the Samsung Gaming Hub. In this Samsung bundles the offer of three cloud gaming providers (Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now and Utomik). The Freestyle then also becomes a console with the right subscription and paired controller.

We also noticed that

• The built-in microphone can be muted with a button on the side.
• The projector heats up during operation, but it doesn’t get hot. A fan noise could not be heard in the short test.
• The included remote control looks cheap. The pressure points of the keys are very spongy.
• The projector can be controlled via remote control, touch sensor buttons on the top and voice. Alexa and Bixby are available for this.

Conclusion: Buy or wait for The Freestyle (2023)?

If you only want to use your mini projector in your own four walls and don’t mind the power cable that protrudes through the living room, The Freestyle is a decent projector for uncomplicated home cinema fun. The second generation primarily brings minor improvements, but is said to cost around 1,000 euros again at market launch. So it’s not really worth the wait.