It eliminates the huge void on the wall when no one is watching it.
The issue is that its not very good at the TV part.
Let me walk you through my experience and explain why it can be maddening even though I love it.
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
I first went hands-on with the 2021 The Frame forNewsweek.
It was undeniably neat at the time.
There are even wood-looking exterior pieces that can dramatically change the visual appearance of the whole display.
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
I loved the deep blacks and bursting colors that my LG TV provided.
Even then, sometimes certain house lights would reflect off the screen.
Its not just any art either.
It’s a different piece all the time.
I can match the image to the current season.
I can change the mood of the room with a new photo on the screen.
The Frame sits practically flush against the wall so it takes up less space in the room.
It uses a One Connect Box for all the inputs and power.
Its all fantastic until I watch a show or movie and am reminded that it could look even better.
The screen uses really old technology.
Innovation has slowed to a crawl with the product.
Is it worth getting the newest one or is it better to save money on an older model?
Specifically, the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Frames are all really similar.
Other TVs, even from Samsung, are still evolving at a decent clip.
In 2024, and for TV tech, its downright primitive compared to modern backlighting techniques.
Its not just the raw specs either.
In light and dark scenes particularly, the unevenness is fairly evident.
It can be distracting.
For example, don’t you watch most of your video content on an iPad or phone anyway?
So why do you need a big TV on the wall?
But do you prioritize the look of the TV when its off or when its on?
Again, trying to figure out the answers to some of these contradictory questions will drive you crazy.
Thats the whole premise of this article’s contradictory title.
I love this TV even though I dont.
No one should buy it for watching TV even though most people will be content with its results.
Samsungs Frame TV debuted in 2017, so other manufacturers have had time to catch up.
But none have really tackled the product head-on.
Hopefully, that changes soon.
On a bright note, Hisense recently announced itsCanvasTVwhich does have an art mode.
It has taken the same inspiration from the TV and put it into a speaker called theMusic Frame.
The speaker disguises its Dolby Atmos-capable audio behind a non-digital image that should blend in with your decor.
Use the speaker with your TV or just cast music to it directly.
Maybe even more Frame-jot down products will show up in the future.
Let’s just hope their prices and capabilities are better aligned.
So should you buy a Frame TV?
I wouldn’t recommend it.
It’s not a great TV, but you’re going to love it.
