Jan 04, 2026
3 min read
Smarter and bolder - exactly what you need
Samsung's new Freestyle+ portable projector nearly doubles brightness and makes the image look better on any surface.
Smarter and braver is what is needed
- Samsung opens the freestyle portable projector
- It's still 1080p with 180 degree angle flexibility
- The upgrade includes almost twice the brightness of the previous model, and automatic wall upgrade
Samsung has introduced the third generation version of its super popular Freestyle portable projector.The new model is called Freestyle+ and it uses the Freestyle 2 as well as recent budget rivals like the XGIMI MOGO 4.
Samsung's goal with The Freestyle projector is to make it look good - plus always, no comfort is expected - with a combination of beautiful and bright image transitions.
Samsung says the new model delivers 430 ISO lumens, which is almost double the 230 ISO lumens of the previous model, which is good to hear, as average brightness is one of its predecessor's problems (though it's still high among our best portable projectors).
This means that these images will have darker colors and will look clearer overall in rooms where the lighting is not too dim, making the images overall more useful and versatile.
But Samsung has also added other useful automatic features to help you take better photos. In addition to automatic key correction and autofocus, an automatic wall calibration function has been added. This means that, according to Samsung, the projector "analyzes the colors and patterns on the projection surface to provide a clear display with minimal visual distraction."
It also helps with image clarity and color accuracy if the wall is white or light (I'm not sure it helps if the wall is a deep navy).
There's also a Screen Fit feature that's useful if you're using a projector screen: Samsung says it "automatically adjusts the image when using a compatible projector screen accessory."
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Is that enough of an improvement?
Other than the above changes, upgrading seems to be easy in The Freestyle +.It includes a new version of Samsung's smart TV software, which is still packed with options for streaming apps, and now includes the AI-powered Bixby voice assistant to "enable more natural interactions, conversations and content on screen."
Samsung hasn't highlighted any other changed elements, but it's clear there could be more than what's been revealed so far.I'll be seeing the projector at CES 2026, so I'll know all the secrets (if any).
In particular, I was hoping to see improvements in internal audio.Samsung only mentions that the Freestyle+ includes the same "360-degree sound" as the previous model, but the Xgimi MoGo 4 really surprised me recently with the depth and power of its sound, so I'm hoping for an improvement in that department.
We're also seeing more mobile devices — again, including the MoGo 4 — with built-in batteries.Samsung has always offered the option of adding batteries to the Freestyle range, but competitors are lowering the price with built-in batteries, not asking you to pay more for actual use.
As for pricing, there's no word on that yet, although the previous model launched for $799 / £649.There's also no release date, although new Samsung AV products usually come out between February and April.We may hear more on both fronts at CES.
We'll be covering this year's CES extensively and bringing you all the big announcements. Visit our CES 2026 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home devices and the latest in artificial intelligence.
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Matt is the managing editor of the entertainment department, which means he's responsible for convincing our team of writers and reviewers to watch the latest TV shows and movies on great TVs and listen to great speakers and headphones.As you can imagine, this is no easy task.Matt has over a decade of experience in tech publishing, having previously led TV and audio coverage for our colleagues at T3.com, and before that he edited T3 Magazine.Over his career, he has also contributed to places as diverse as Creative Bloq, PC Gamer, PetsRadar, MacLife, and Edge.His specialty is TV and film nerd, and he goes to the movies three times a week.He's always happy to explain the benefits of Dolby Vision over a drink, but he may need to use props, such as when explaining the sideline.
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