There is no denying the durability of Samsung’s The Frame. The company struck gold in 2017 when it launched the TV that blends into your interior decor and displays artwork when not in use. As popular as the model became, it wasn’t ideal for all the other things you need a TV for, like watching shows, movies, or games. Of course, there have been several imitators over the past five years, some of which of the competition here at CES 2025.
Samsung hopes to win over even more customers with its new The Frame Pro. This new model has two significant improvements that should make it a much better TV and not just an alternative to the black rectangle that takes up space when you’re not using it. First, and perhaps most importantly, The Frame Pro now features a Neo QLED display – the same Mini LED technology that powers the company’s premium QN900 series TVs.
The edge reports that Samsung’s use of mini LEDs on The Frame Pro doesn’t work like it does on most TVs. Typically, there are dimming zones behind the screen for precise control of which sections should be brightened and which should be darker or black. Samsung hasn’t done that on this model, instead relying on a row of mini LEDs at the bottom of the Frame Pro and promising some degree of local dimming.
At CES, Samsung’s demos focused on showcasing art on The Frame Pro more than any content that would have confirmed the mini LED approach. But, side by side with a still image from film, the Frame Pro was brighter, with more detail and deeper blacks than the existing Frame. You can also tell the difference by watching the same piece of art on both TVs next to each other. Details like texture and features stand out more from the matte screen on The Frame Pro, making the artistic TV even better at its core function. Additionally, Samsung claims to have increased the refresh rate to 144Hz to improve the gaming experience, and the 2024 frame also supports variable refresh rates for smoother gaming. So it stands to reason that The Frame Pro would as well.
The Frame Pro’s second big upgrade is a new Wireless One Connect Box similar to what LG has been pushing for its M-series TVs for years now. Samsung’s version is much smaller, looking more like a gaming console than a cube, and it relies on Wi-Fi (up to Wi-Fi 7) to wirelessly transmit content and audio from connected streaming equipment and game consoles. The company claims you can place it in a cabinet without interference and at distances of up to 10 meters.
The Wireless One Connect Box will replace the larger One Connect Box which still required a single cord connecting The Frame. This should provide more versatility in where customers place the TV, as it doesn’t need to be physically connected to a box to receive the signal from the HDMI inputs.
The Frame Pro should be a significant upgrade over The Frame given the Neo QLED panel, but we’ll have to wait and see if this holds true under “regular” TV use. And of course, it will cost more than the current frame which starts at $600 for the 32-inch size.
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