Samsung’s portable projector with 180 tilt didn’t show me any blank walls, no problem

At first glance, I was fascinated by Samsung’s portable projector The Freestyle. From its clean aesthetics to the vibrant color of the picture, I was fascinated by the whole experience.

But maybe it was a honeymoon episode, I dipped my toes in the projector. Will I still hold my feelings once I dive deeper into freestyle?

Guess the glasses

Let’s take a look at the highlights of The Freestyle.

The main thing that stands out is the 180-degree tilt that makes it not only possible but also easy to project images on any surface, including the roof.

Another reason is portability. With its small footprint and manageable weight, the projector is hassle-free to move around.

Because it’s a smart projector, apps like Netflix and YouTube are also easily accessible after connecting to Wi-Fi, which is great for those without HDMI cable.

You can also connect your phone or tablet to it via Bluetooth to stream content that is not available in Samsung’s built-in smart TV features.

The auto-keystone and auto-focus features also make the viewing experience enjoyable, as I think of the days when you would end up looking at diagonal images with your head tilted because your teacher could not get the settings correctly. (Only me?)

While the audio quality of the versatile speaker isn’t going to replace a full-fledged sound system anytime soon, it does its job rather well. The Smart Assistant feature that Bixby supports is a welcome bonus for hands-free moments.

Freestyle can project images from 30 inches to 100 inches. The maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) and it has only 550 lumens of brightness, which surprised me.

Most projectors boast over a thousand lumens. Given the vibrancy of The Freestyle speculation, I assumed it would be there too, so I was pleasantly surprised by its output.

Vibrant visual but questionable quality

In fact, despite my repeated use of The Freestyle, I still can’t help but admire the vivid visuals. Movie Picture mode especially enhances contrast and color, which helps when watching dark mood movies.

As for the mood, I also found the surrounding modes to be a great addition. Samsung offers a variety of pictures and videos that you can load to bring some plot to your wall. Congratulatory message from the virtual window, The Freestyle wants to be included in various events.

Despite the beautiful colors, on closer inspection, the picture quality is not so great. Maybe I’m too used to 4K resolution, but I like it when it comes to videos Crispy.

I’d rather watch a clear video on my phone than a blurry video on the big screen Honestly, I’ll rely on how the projectors work, so it’s not the only freestyle flaw.

However, from time to time I noticed that The Freestyle would lose its image quality, so I had to adjust the focus manually. Which brings me under control.

Taking control

Adjusting the settings manually is easy enough, and that’s fine because I’ve had problems with not only auto-focus but also auto-keystones, as helpful.

But my problem is with the remote controller. As mentioned in my first impression of The Freestyle, at least the controller is chic.

I mentioned earlier how the controller would sometimes register a single output as double, but the more annoying problem is how it can be completely jammed, we can’t change anything on-screen.

We’ve found a simple way to overcome this problem, though, by sticking to the volume toggle. Or just turn everything on and off again. Modern problems, not so modern solutions.

If all else fails, the projector can be connected to the SmartThings app so you can control it from your phone.

Some win, some Aaron

I was actually thinking of getting a projector last year, but I realized that I didn’t have much white space at home for that, which meant my projected display had to be quite small. With Freestyle, I always have the option to use it on my ceiling.

However, my concerns have come true since my first impression — the hinges have become loose due to how much I have used the 180-degree tilt.

But there is a simple solution. I literally threw money (in the form of currency) into the problem and it worked. Specifically, I used a coin to tighten the screws. So, not a big deal in the end.

Speaking of money, Freestyle itself retails for RM 4,999.

Just to give you an idea, one of the projectors I was considering last year was the BenQ GV1. It is a mini portable and wireless projector with auto-keystone and smart TV components.

Its 15-degree tilt loses against the Freestyle and is capable of only 200 lumens and an 854 × 480 native resolution. But it retails for RM 1,688 and could be a worthy trade-off for anything. The wireless nature of this projector was also a plus point.

Although The Freestyle’s portability was central to product marketing, I find that its wired nature loses its purpose.

For those who really want to use it outside where there is no socket nearby, you can still plug it into a portable charger, but an extra component to carry it.

Judgment

Undoubtedly, the steep price of freestyle may be a hindrance for some, but its numerous smart features can justify it for others.

The 180-degree tilt is certainly a big selling point, and in terms of functionality, it gets the job done smoothly.

While an update from Samsung can solve the minor issues we face with remote and focus, Freestyle promises a fun time for all occasions, whether it’s for personal entertainment or group gatherings.

• Learn more about Samsung The Freestyle here.
• Read more VP verdicts here.

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