Samsung launches The Freestyle+ AI smart projector in the US

Four hundred dollars more than the model it sits beside on the shelf: The Freestyle+ reached US retail on July 17 at $1,199.99, while the second-generation Freestyle, which launched at $799, remains on sale. The new portable Full HD projector combines 3D Auto Keystone, wall calibration, obstacle avoidance and real-time autofocus with Samsung's smart platform.

Samsung quotes up to 430 ISO lumens, HDR10+ support with PurColor processing, and a projection size of up to 100 inches. ISO lumens are not directly comparable to the ANSI or CVIA ratings used by some rival brands, so the brightness figure is best read against other Samsung projectors rather than across the market. The package also includes a 360-degree speaker design with dual passive woofers, Gaming Hub, Samsung TV Plus and support for compatible USB-C battery options or Samsung's optional battery base.

Automated setup is the product

The Freestyle+ was first revealed ahead of CES 2026; July's news is its market launch, roughly six months after the unveiling. Samsung's focus is on making a projector less dependent on a perfect white wall or a permanent installation, using sensor-led image correction and a compact body for more spontaneous viewing.

Real-time autofocus uses an ultrasonic motor Samsung says cuts refocus time when the projector is moved or rotated, while Wall Calibration reads the colour of the surface it is projecting onto and adjusts image colour and brightness to compensate rather than relying on a neutral screen. An eye-protection mode dims the lens automatically if a person or pet crosses the beam at close range, a safety feature that matters more on a device meant to be picked up and repositioned casually.

The projector runs Samsung's Tizen-based smart platform, giving access to Samsung TV Plus, Gaming Hub for cloud gaming and Q-Symphony pairing with compatible Samsung soundbars and wireless speakers. Apple AirPlay 2 support and direct screen mirroring from Galaxy devices round out the connectivity, positioning the Freestyle+ as a companion device for phones and tablets rather than one built primarily around a set-top box or console.

What the extra $400 buys

Samsung's case for the price difference rests on the setup automation, the brightness increase and the new Vision AI features rather than a change in fundamental image technology. The Freestyle+ is still a single-chip DLP design with a stated maximum image size of 100 inches, the same ceiling as its predecessor.

Whether that premium is worth paying will depend on how much a buyer values walking into a room, propping the projector up at an angle and getting a usable image without manual keystone or focus adjustment. Three things would settle it: how much sharpness Wall Calibration and 3D Auto Keystone cost in practice, input lag in Gaming Hub, and how the battery-base runtime compares with a USB-C power bank.

Sources

• https://the-gadgeteer.com/2026/07/18/samsung-freestyle-plus-easier-setup-still-needs-outlet/
• https://www.engadget.com/2217299/samsung-freestyle-plus-projector/
• https://www.gizmochina.com/2026/07/19/samsung-freestyle-plus-projector-launched-specs-price/
• https://www.samsung.com/us/projectors/the-freestyle/the-freestyle-portable-projector-sku-sp-lff3hlaxxza/
• https://www.techradar.com/televisions/home-theater/projectors/samsung-the-freestyle-second-gen-review