Review | Samsung The Freestyle review: portable projector has smart features aplenty and is easy to use
- The Freestyle has amazing autofocus hardware and software and adapts to tilted surfaces to project a perfect picture
- It is incredibly easy to set up and use, but the US$899 price tag is high and other projectors perform better in bright light
Samsung’s wide-ranging consumer product portfolio expanded this January with the introduction of the company’s first portable projector.
Despite its clunky name, Samsung The Freestyle – with “The” as an official part of the name – is ultra-portable and packed with smart features. It’s not cheap at US$899,, but its ease of use and intuitive software should satisfy those looking for an on-the-go movie machine.
Design and hardware
The Freestyle aims to break the mould of traditional projectors, as is clear from its design language: instead of bulky, blocky plastic, this comes in an aluminium, circular casing seven inches (17.8cm) tall and weighs 1.7 pounds (770 grams), making it small and light enough to fit into just about any bag.
The projector is attached to a rotatable base that allows it to point at various angles, including straight up at the ceiling.
It includes a USB-C port for power and a micro-HDMI port for connecting to other devices, like a computer, but it’s just as easy to connect wirelessly, as the projector supports Apple’s AirPlay and Android’s screen sharing.
There’s no internal storage or built-in battery, so you will need an external power source (a portable battery pack will suffice) and either an internet connection or another smart device to play content.
A five-watt speaker system wraps around the circumference of the projector. Audio output is fine for quiet indoor use, but if you’re playing a film at a park for dozens of people you would need to pair it with a Bluetooth speaker.
