Samsung‘s The Frame TV aims to kill two birds with one stone – function as a conventional TV for watching shows and movies, and double as a digital photo frame for displaying art and images when not in use. This hybrid functionality allows The Frame to seamlessly blend into your living space.
However, while The Frame seems great in theory, it does have some significant downsides that you should consider before buying. Here are the six biggest complaints about Samsung‘s The Frame TV.
1. High Price Tag
The number one complaint about The Frame TV is its premium price point. For example, the 65-inch model costs $1,999, while a comparable 65-inch Samsung QLED TV costs around $1,000. You‘re paying nearly double for The Frame‘s ability to display art.
Additionally, The Frame uses QLED display technology rather than superior OLED. So you can purchase a top-of-the-line 65-inch LG C2 OLED TV for $1,500 and get better picture quality than The Frame.
Ultimately, you must decide if the added cost is worth it for the visual appeal and "artwork" functionality. For most buyers, a cheaper TV with better display quality makes more sense.
2. Art Store Subscription Fees
While The Frame lets you display personal photos for free, if you want curated artwork, you need to subscribe to Samsung‘s Art Store. Subscription fees have increased from $4.99 per month to $6.99 or more.
There are also annual subscription options costing over $80 per year. So displaying nice artwork on The Frame‘s screen doesn‘t come cheap.
Additionally, Samsung‘s Art Store has a surprisingly limited collection, lacking artwork from legendary artists like Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock. The variety leaves much to be desired.
3. Difficult and Precise Mounting
Mounting any TV on the wall takes some work, but perfectly mounting The Frame is especially challenging.
To pull off the intended aesthetic, you need to mount The Frame much higher than a regular TV. It should be around eye-level when standing. This makes for a more natural art viewing height.
Getting The Frame to sit completely flush to the wall is also key for it to look like a framed piece of art. But the included wall mount has no pivot or extendable arm to make small adjustments.
All these mounting requirements mean precisely measuring and drilling holes for The Frame takes extra time and effort. Paying for professional installation is highly recommended.
4. External Control Box and Special Wiring
The Frame TV comes with the One Connect Box – an external control unit that houses ports for connecting devices so there‘s only a single thin cable running to the TV.
This helps maintain The Frame‘s sleek art-like aesthetic. However, it requires running a cable through your wall directly to the TV‘s mounting location. For renters or those without the DIY confidence, this can be a frustrating extra step.
Making matters worse, the included proprietary cable connecting The Frame to the One Connect Box is only 16 feet long. This may not be enough cable depending on where you place the control box. Extending the cable requires a complicated process instead of simply using a longer generic HDMI cord.
5. Visible Screen Glow
One downside to The Frame trying to function as wall art is that the screen still glows when displaying artwork. This spoils some of the illusion The Frame attempts to create.
Since the display relies on backlighting like any LCD screen, you‘ll notice the black background exhibits some glow or gray overcast depending on the ambient lighting. This becomes especially noticeable in a dark room.
OLED TVs can achieve true black levels by turning pixels completely off. So an OLED TV with some artwork or photography on display would more closely resemble an actual framed canvas or print.
6. Picture Quality Tradeoffs
Finally, while The Frame uses QLED display technology capable of colorful and vibrant images, its picture capabilities fall short of other premium Samsung TVs.
Reviewers have noticed luminosity and backlight uniformity issues on The Frame models. This means slight blotches or clouding is visible on uniform backgrounds.
The Frame also seems to sacrifice off-angle viewing capabilities in favor of the straight-on image accuracy required for art display. So if viewing The Frame from sharp angles, expect more washed out colors and contrast.
It‘s clear some image quality concessions were made to balance conventional TV functionality with digital photo frame capabilities. The end result is a product that does neither job exceptionally well.
Alternate Choices to The Frame TV
Given all the drawbacks to Samsung‘s The Frame TV covered so far, you may want to consider the following alternate options:
Samsung The Serif TV – Another QLED Samsung TV designed specifically to look like home décor thanks to an unconventional shape and kickstand. Pricing is similar to The Frame but offers better TV functionality.
Samsung The Premiere Projector – For over $6,000 you can get a projector that creates a 120-inch image right on your wall. No mounting and wires required. Handles TV duties as well.
LG C2 OLED TV – As mentioned earlier, LG‘s latest OLED TVs beat out The Frame in price and performance if you simply want an future-proof television rather than a digital photo frame.
Buy a Great TV + Nice Canvas Print – Get the best of both worlds by purchasing a top-performing OLED or QLED TV from LG or Samsung for under $2,000 combined with a high-quality large format canvas print of your choosing to adorn your wall.
The Frame TV – Who It‘s For
If having a TV that can instantly switch into art display mode intrigues you, then Samsung‘s The Frame is certainly a conversation starter. When powered off, it convincingly resembles a modern art piece hanging on the wall.
Just know that this novelty comes at a steep price – both for your wallet and in terms of usable TV performance. Perfectionists wanting to flawlessly replicate the look of framed artwork may also find The Frame‘s slight but visible screen glow unacceptable.
However, if you love the concept and aren‘t concerned with the premium cost or expecting best-in-class image quality, The Frame delivers an innovative design unlike any other television. Just be sure to factor in the extra installation work and potential subscription fees.
With the right expectations and setting, Samsung‘s The Frame can introduce an artsy touch to your living space that impresses guests. But more budget-focused buyers are better served with a flagship LG OLED or Samsung QLED TV.
Hopefully weighing The Frame‘s pros and cons helps determine if it aligns with your needs or if you‘re better off with a dedicated premium television. Let us know if you have any other questions!