From there, you can have fun with the main focus manually to get a perfectly sharp image. I would suggest carrying this out if you’re leaving it somewhere for an extended amount of time as the auto-focus often isn’t as sharp as it can be with manual adjustment, however it still does a very damn good job and when you’re just moving it from area to area, you’d become more than happy with the end result it throws out. I had been genuinely surprised with a few from the angles it was in a position to accommodate for but still give a near perfectly rectangle image. Using other portable projectors has led to needing to have the device directly in front of where it’s projected. Moving The Freestyle in the kitchen to watch something on your wall whilst moving dinner, then towards the bedroom was as easy as moving it into another room and plugging it in. You can even point The Freestyle at the ceiling and it'll automatically project and adjust.
As far as power goes, unlike another portable projectors Samsung’s The Freestyle doesn’t have a battery built in, counting on power from the USB-C adaptor. You can connect a USB-C PD battery pack to provide power if you’re wanting to go outside. I managed to get about 2-3 hours out of a 26,000MaH power bank, and there’s no drop in brightness like when you’re normally running off battery power. Samsung can also be releasing basics which will act as an electrical bank as well as a lightbulb socket connector that will permit you to project at your ceiling or onto a table. With regards to connections on the device you’ve got the USB-C connector (for power) as well as Micro HDMI port, so you’ll need a Micro HDMI to HDMI adaptor for connecting a gaming console or even the like (roughly $10).
Samsung has rated the brightness of The Freestyle at 550 LED Lumens which is difficult to rival other projects which use the ANSI measurement. I’d say it’s about on par with what I’ve experienced with other portable projectors. Throughout the day, you’re likely to have the ability to use it at shorter distances to the wall, using the device really shining when the lights venture out. Obviously don’t be prepared to have the ability to utilize it outside in the center of your day. The projector also supports HDR. You’re most likely not going to see the huge benefits compared to something like a Samsung QLED, but it’s still nice to possess. Whilst I wasn’t able to test drive it due to the pre-release nature, the projector also has a Smart Calibration feature which utilizes your mobile phone in order to adjust the projector’s brightness and colour settings based on our wall and surrounding environment.
The Freestyle has a All over 5W speaker built in as well as the capability to connect to other speakers via Bluetooth. I had been really surprised at how loud and clear this thing could possibly get. If you’ve got a good Bluetooth speaker, you’ll want for connecting it, but if you’re outside watching a movie or in bed, then you’ll definitely be impressed with the volume being released.
Something I’ve really struggled with when using other projectors is connectivity utilising apps. Whilst other portable projectors need you to connect another streaming device because they’re missing the kind of Netflix or Australian streaming services, exactly what you’ve come to expect on your Samsung TV is here now. That includes big players like Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video but additionally smaller Australian apps like Binge, Kayo, Stan, 7 Plus, 10 Play and 9now. The UI can be a little bit slow at times, but hopefully this really is something which could be improved with updates.
You’re in a position to utilise Apple AirPlay to transmit an indication out of your Apple device direct to the projector and if you’ve got a Samsung TV, there’s a nifty little feature called TV Access where one can send signal from your TV, whether that function as the antenna connection or perhaps a HDMI tool and even take control of your TV directly with the projector. It’s obviously not going to be the primary way you watch anything, but when you simply wish to watch FTA TV in your bedroom, it’s certainly adequate. There’s also Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby built in to be able to control the projector and other products in your house.
When it comes to gaming, this probably isn’t likely to become your next-gen PS5/Xbox Series X driver, but it’s more than fine for connecting the Nintendo Change to if you’re seeking to play Mario Kart on the 100″ screen outdoors or on absolutely any wall. Just like any Samsung TV, there’s a Game Mode that will improve latency and there’s even the capability to fully adjust the look and get really nitty gritty in to the settings. By right now it doesn’t accept a 4K signal, so if you're using your PS5/Xbox Series X, you’ll need to make sure it’s outputting at 1080p.
There’s another features which you probably won’t be using daily but they are nifty to have. Ambient Mode allows you to project a number of varying image/videos onto your wall/ceiling. Included in this are items like a neon Happy Birthday sign, or a fireplace on your wall, or stars that project onto your ceiling or even sceneries that may behave as windows. The included lens cap may also make the projector behave as a good light to create ambience. I’m really excited to see how Samsung evolve this over time.
All-in-all, I can really see Samsung’s The Freestyle being a hit among different demographics, whether that be somebody who wants another screen within their bedroom, or some people that have people over often and wishes to project something outdoors. The truth that it’s very easy to make use of and comes built-in with everything else that you'll require causes it to be a winner, using the cost probably going to be the sole thing that's a deterrent for most at $1,299 AUD, but obviously future iterations and sales bring made that first move quite quickly.
