Samsung The Frame TV review 2021: The latest model is a work of art

Samsung's new TV model The Frame is the must-have for your home.  (Samsung)
Samsung's highly-coveted TV model The Frame is the must-have for your home. (Samsung)

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The Frame is a Samsung TV that literally doubles as a work of art. If you’ve been looking for a new smart television that stands out from the crowd, this lifestyle offering could be just the ticket. I’ve been living with one for a few weeks, and can confirm it's well worth looking at, even when there’s nothing on.

The Frame comes in a variety of sizes. The 32-inch version (QE32LS03T) is an HD screen, and is currently on sale at Curry’s for £449.

Buy it: SAMSUNG The Frame QE32LS03TCUXXU 32" | £449 (Was £499) from Currys PC World

SAMSUNG The Frame QE32LS03TCUXXU 32
SAMSUNG The Frame QE32LS03TCUXXU 32

The rest of The Frame 2021 range are all 4k HDR models. You can choose from 43-, 50, 55-, 65- and 75-inch screen sizes, starting from £999.

I auditioned the 55-incher, which Currys PC World sells for £1499.

Buy it: SAMSUNG The Frame QE55LS03AAUXXU 55" | £1,499 from Currys PC World

 SAMSUNG The Frame QE55LS03AAUXXU 55
SAMSUNG The Frame QE55LS03AAUXXU 55

Straight from the box, The Frame looks a little smarter than the average flatscreen. Slim at 25mm, it has a uniform depth which means it can be hung flush to the wall using Samsung’s Slim Fit wall mount. It’s also designed to be accessorised.

Samsung sells a variety of picture frames which snap to the bezel using magnets, making the set look exactly like a painting. There’s a variety of colours and styles available, from £64. Alternatively, The Frame can sit on a neat (optional) tripod stand, something very different from the usual TV pedestal.

Buy it: SAMSUNG 32" Customisable Frame Bezel | £64 (Was £69) from Currys

SAMSUNG 32
SAMSUNG 32

Of course to really bring home that National Gallery vibe, you’ll need to display some art.

While most folks will use Samsung’s smart TV platform, Tizen, to watch catch-up TV or streaming services (something it does very well), Tizen also has an Ambient Art Mode.

This kicks in when the telly is on stand-by. The screen displays stylish art and mood enhancing visuals (you choose). If you fancy some Van Gogh or Rembrant on your wall, you can even subscribe to Samsung’s Art Store service (£3.99 a month), where you’ll be able to peruse 1400 works of art, from old masters to contemporary works.

Alternatively, you can upload your own photography to The Frame, using the SmartThings app. Even my holiday snaps looked great on this UHD screen.

The only lead from the TV is a single ‘invisible’ fibre optic cable, which really helps with installation. This unobtrusive cable delivers power, as well as sound and vision, to the TV from a separate One Connect box, about the size of TV recorder. All your other gear, set top box or disc player, connects directly to this.

Picture quality is beautiful, with rich vibrant colour, high contrast HDR and razor sharp detail; perfect for displaying Caravaggio, but pretty good for watching Corrie on too.

The Frame is undeniably a premium screen, but it is a cut above the rest. And you can’t really moan, when you have the Mona Lisa hanging on your wall.