Samsung Electronics has finally launched an upgraded Freestyle portable projector and it brings some long overdue upgrades, including AI enhancements and higher brightness, but we’re not entirely sure that it improves on the portability of earlier versions.
The original Samsung Freestyle projector debuted in 2022 and was followed by a second model a year later, but there has been nothing in the intervening years since then. So the third generation, called The Freestyle+, has been a long time coming, and it brings some interesting upgrades that ought to make it more competitive versus some of the newer rival models launched in the last couple of years, such as the Xgimi MoGo 4, JMGO O3 and the Leica Cine Play 1 Plus.
Samsung’s main claim is that The Freestyle+ will make big screen pictures look even better than ever thanks to higher brightness and a range of new smart image adjustments.
The new model cranks up the brightness to 430 ISO lumens, which is a big improvement that almost doubles the 230 ISO lumens output of the second-generation model. That’s a welcome update, because the low brightness of the previous model was always one of its major weaknesses, despite it often ranking as one of the better portable projectors on the market. The problem with such low brightness is that use is strictly limited to dark environments, which generally means waiting until sunset. Admittedly, 430 ISO lumens still isn’t really enough to enjoy strong daytime visuals, but it might make things more watchable if users make the effort to block out every source of sunlight and set up The Freestyle+ in a darker corner.
Higher brightness should also translate to bolder, punchier colours, making viewing more enjoyable as well as more flexible.
Picture quality should also benefit from Samsung’s new AI OptiScreen technology, which incorporates automatic keystone correction, auto-focus and a new automated wall calibration feature that analyzes the colour and pattern of the wall or projection surface. The idea is to optimise the picture for whatever wall is being used in order to minimise the visual distractions and ensure clearer viewing, Samsung said.
We’re not sure how useful this will prove for surfaces painted a deep navy blue, but for walls that are off-white or only lightly coloured, it’s likely to make a difference. There’s also a new “screen fit” feature for those who prefer to use a proper projection screen – according to Samsung, this will automatically adjust the image to match the screen, getting things such as the aspect ratio just right.
Samsung also mentioned an updated Tizen operating system that adds Bixby AI voice assistant smarts, enabling more natural conversational interactions with the projector, as well as the addition of Q-Symphony support, which makes it compatible with Samsung soundbars.
Samsung has not yet revealed The Freestyle+’s full specifications, and sadly there’s no mention of a built-in battery with this model. While the company sells a battery add-on option for its earlier Freestyle projectors, it requires users to pay more for true portability. That’s unlike many of its rivals, such as the MoGo 4, which come with an integrated battery to make them truly portable from the get-go.
Samsung said The Freestyle+ will launch in the U.K. and other markets in the first half of the year, but there’s no exact launch date and no pricing information available yet. However, we hope to learn more about it later this week once CES 2026 kicks off.
With any luck, users will be able to buy the Freestyle+ for a sub-£1,000 price tag. The original Freestyle cost £999 at launch, while the second-generation model was available for just £899 when it first hit the shops, and is now available for just £429.
