Allison Murray/ZDNET
There is a saying that goes one thing like, “Do not repair what is not damaged.” I firmly consider in that — particularly on the subject of tech merchandise and their sometimes-pointless updates.
Nonetheless, after experiencing the not too long ago upgraded era of the Samsung Freestyle 2, this transportable projector could have taken the cake for one of the best tech gadget I’ve tried up to now in 2023.
Overview: Samsung The Freestyle: A well-rounded projector, in and out
However first, what are the modifications? There aren’t many important variations between the unique mannequin and the second-generation projector, however listed below are a number of price noting: Sensible Edge Mixing that permits you to use two Freestyle projectors to make one large picture with assist for widescreen content material at a facet ratio of as much as 29.3:9, a photo voltaic distant as an alternative of a battery-operated one, elevated reminiscence for quicker efficiency, and probably the most notable distinction — the Samsung Gaming Hub.
Whereas I am no gamer, my husband is an off-the-cuff one, so I put him to the take a look at to do that function out. What’s very cool in regards to the Samsung Gaming Hub is you do not want a bodily console to play a recreation, however simply the Freestyle 2, web entry, and recreation controller.
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You may need to subscribe to cloud streaming like Xbox, GeForce Now, Luna, and others, however there are additionally free video games you possibly can play proper off the bat.
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Samsung Freestyle 2
The Samsung Freestyle 2 projector options upgrades like Sensible Edge Mixing and Samsung Gaming Hub integration that make it a worthy improve over the earlier era.
My husband was capable of play Rocket League with a free membership to GeForce Now, and different free video games like Fortnite have been additionally out there. The general gaming expertise will rely in your Wi-Fi connection, however the graphics have been crystal clear, and the Freestyle 2 loaded the video games quick with just about no glitches.
It was a novel expertise to have the ability to play video games outdoors or solid them to our ceiling whereas mendacity down with out being tied to 1 particular room or a specific gaming console.
Allison Murray/ZDNET
Now, except for the gaming side, the Samsung Freestyle 2 can be a high quality projector. It’s tremendous simple to arrange and get going — all you want is a Wi-Fi connection. And also you need not lug an extension wire round since its transportable battery simply connects to the gadget, letting you utilize it just about anyplace (which was good for our yard).
It comes preloaded with many streaming companies like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and extra, so you possibly can signal into your accounts shortly and begin streaming.
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By far, what impressed me probably the most was the sound: It comes from the built-in, 5W 360-degree speaker, and for such a small speaker, it packs a punch. Throughout a really windy outside nighttime streaming of a film, we may hear the sound clear and loud, nearly as if we have been indoors and the sound was surrounding us.
The Samsung Freestyle 2 impressed me with each picture high quality, the flexibility to auto-focus — whether or not it was projecting onto a slanted ceiling or a projector display screen — and the general expertise of setup and streaming. To me, know-how ought to make issues faster and extra accessible, and this gadget does simply that — particularly with its portability side.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
If you happen to’re a gamer and wish the flexibility to play a wide range of titles with no console, the Samsung Freestyle 2 is a good choice that permits you to play video games whereas tenting, outside, actually wherever.
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Nonetheless, if you happen to’re shopping for a Samsung Freestyle for the film expertise, the first-generation’s specs are comparable sufficient to this new mannequin you could save a number of hundred bucks whereas getting the highest projector.
No matter mannequin you select, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a conveyable or outside projector, that is, in my view, one of the best one in the marketplace.