Thinking about upgrading your living room’s aesthetic with a TV that doubles as art? The Samsung Frame series is renowned for its unique ability to blend seamlessly into your decor, displaying stunning artwork when not in use. If you’re eyeing a new Frame TV, you might be wondering about the differences between the latest model and its predecessor.
This year, Samsung has refined its popular Frame TV. We’re diving deep into the nuances between the Samsung Frame 2022 and the Samsung Frame 2021 models. From subtle design tweaks to potential performance enhancements, understanding these distinctions is key to making the right choice for your home.
Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a tech-savvy homeowner, this comparison will help you decide if the 2022 model offers a compelling upgrade over the already excellent 2021 version. Let’s explore what sets these two generations apart and which one might be the perfect fit for your artistic vision.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Samsung Frame 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | QLED | QLED |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| HDR Support | HDR10+, HLG | HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart TV Platform | Tizen OS | Tizen OS |
| Art Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Matte Display | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | Yes (Dolby Digital Plus) | Yes (Dolby Digital Plus) |
| Connectivity | HDMI (3), USB (2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | HDMI (3), USB (2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Sound Output | 40W | 40W |
| Dimensions (w/o stand) | Slimmer bezels, thinner profile | Slightly thicker bezels, thicker profile |
| Color Accuracy | Improved color volume | Good color volume |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Screen Technology and Panel
- Samsung Frame 2022: Features a Matte Display with anti-reflective properties, significantly reducing glare and reflections. This enhances viewing comfort in bright rooms, making artwork and content appear more natural. The panel offers excellent color accuracy and contrast.
- 2021: Utilized a glossy screen that was more prone to reflections and glare, especially in well-lit environments. While it offered good color reproduction, the reflective surface could detract from the viewing experience.
- Winner: 2022
Art Mode and Content
- Samsung Frame 2022: Boasts an expanded Art Store with a wider selection of curated artwork. It also introduces new AI-powered features for art curation and display optimization, ensuring the chosen art looks its best. The overall presentation of art is more refined.
- 2021: Offered a good selection of artwork through its Art Store and allowed users to display their own photos. However, it lacked the advanced AI curation and optimization features found in the newer model.
- Winner: 2022
Sound Quality and Features
- Samsung Frame 2022: Upgraded to Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) for more immersive audio. This technology uses AI to track on-screen objects and direct sound accordingly, creating a more dynamic and realistic soundstage. It also supports Dolby Atmos.
- 2021: Featured Object Tracking Sound (OTS), which was a good step forward in audio immersion. It provided decent directional audio but didn’t offer the same level of sophistication or the full Dolby Atmos support as the 2022 model.
- Winner: 2022
Design and Aesthetics
- Samsung Frame 2022: Features a slimmer bezel design, making it appear even more like a framed piece of art. It also offers a wider range of customizable bezel options in various finishes and colors, allowing for better integration into home decor. The overall profile is sleeker.
- 2021: Had a slightly thicker bezel compared to the 2022 model. While still designed to look like art, the bezels were more noticeable. Customization options for bezels were available but perhaps less extensive.
- Winner: 2022
Smart Hub and User Interface
- Samsung Frame 2022: Introduces the new Smart Hub, offering a more intuitive and streamlined user interface. It consolidates all smart features, apps, and settings into a single, easy-to-navigate dashboard, improving overall user experience.
- 2021: Utilized Samsung’s Tizen OS, which was functional but could feel a bit more cluttered. The organization of apps and settings was good but not as refined or centralized as the new Smart Hub.
- Winner: 2022
Connectivity and Ports
- Samsung Frame 2022: Generally includes updated HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting higher refresh rates and bandwidth for gaming and future-proof connectivity. It also maintains robust Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.
- 2021: Typically featured HDMI 2.0 ports, which were sufficient for most content but lacked the advanced capabilities of HDMI 2.1 for high-end gaming or future devices.
- Winner: 2022
Processor and Performance
- Samsung Frame 2022: Equipped with a more advanced Quantum Processor 4K, offering enhanced AI upscaling, improved picture processing, and smoother overall performance. This leads to better image quality and quicker response times.
- 2021: Used a capable Quantum Processor 4K, but it was an earlier iteration. While it delivered good performance, the 2022 processor provides a noticeable upgrade in terms of picture refinement and processing power.
- Winner: 2022
Gaming Features
- Samsung Frame 2022: Benefits from HDMI 2.1 support for features like 4K@120Hz, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), providing a superior gaming experience with smoother visuals and reduced input lag.
- 2021: Offered good gaming features with ALLM, but typically lacked the full HDMI 2.1 suite, meaning it might not support the highest frame rates or VRR found on the latest consoles and PCs.
- Winner: 2022
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Design & Aesthetics | Samsung Frame 2022 |
| Picture Quality | Samsung Frame 2022 (Slight edge) |
| Smart Features | Tie |
| Value for Money | 2021 |
| Art Display Experience | Samsung Frame 2022 (Slight edge) |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both the Samsung Frame 2022 and 2021 models utilize QLED display technology, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast for a premium viewing experience.
- 4K Resolution: Both televisions boast a 4K Ultra HD resolution, ensuring sharp and detailed images that are perfect for watching movies, TV shows, and even displaying digital art.
- Art Mode: The signature Art Mode feature is present on both models, allowing users to display a wide variety of artwork when the TV is not in use, transforming it into a decorative piece.
- Smart TV Functionality: Both the 2022 and 2021 Frame TVs run on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, providing access to a comprehensive range of streaming apps and smart home features.
- Matte Display: A key shared feature is the matte display, which significantly reduces glare and reflections, making it ideal for use in brightly lit rooms and enhancing the art display experience.
- Connectivity Options: Both models offer a similar array of connectivity options, including multiple HDMI ports, USB ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, ensuring seamless integration with other devices.
Samsung Frame 2022 Vs 2021 Buying Guide
Picture Quality and Performance
While both models offer excellent picture quality with vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to QLED technology, the 2022 Frame boasts a slightly improved anti-glare matte display. This enhancement reduces reflections even further, making artwork and content appear more lifelike and natural in bright environments. For discerning viewers who prioritize an immersive viewing experience, the 2022 model offers a subtle but noticeable upgrade in clarity and realism, especially in well-lit rooms. (See Also: Nest Cam Vs Ring )
Design and Aesthetics
The core design philosophy of The Frame remains consistent: to blend seamlessly into your home decor as a piece of art when not in use. Both the 2021 and 2022 models offer customizable bezels, allowing you to match your TV to your interior style. The 2022 version introduces a slightly slimmer profile and a unified stand design, contributing to an even more minimalist and sophisticated look. If a truly unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing television is your priority, the refined design of the 2022 model edges out its predecessor.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Both televisions run on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, providing access to a wide range of streaming apps and smart home integrations. The 2022 Frame benefits from an upgraded processor, leading to smoother app navigation and faster overall performance. Additionally, the 2022 model supports newer Wi-Fi standards for more stable and quicker wireless connections. For those who rely heavily on smart features and demand the latest in connectivity, the 2022 Frame offers a more future-proof and responsive experience.
Art Mode and Content Library
The standout feature for both models is Art Mode, which transforms the TV into a digital art gallery. The 2022 Frame expands upon this with an even larger and more curated selection of artwork available through the Samsung Art Store, including collaborations with more renowned galleries and artists. The improved motion clarity in the 2022 model also makes animated art pieces look smoother and more dynamic. If maximizing the art display capabilities and accessing a broader artistic range is important, the 2022 Frame provides a richer Art Mode experience. (See Also: Lose It Vs Weight Watchers )
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Samsung Frame 2022 If…
- You prioritize the most refined aesthetic with the slimmest profile and smallest bezels for a truly seamless integration into your wall decor.
- You want the absolute latest iteration of Samsung’s Frame TV technology, even if the core features remain largely the same.
- You are looking for subtle improvements in color volume and overall picture processing that may offer a slightly more polished visual output.
Buy 2021 If…
- You want the core Frame TV experience – the art display, QLED picture quality, and smart features – at a potentially more accessible price point.
- You are not overly concerned with the absolute thinnest profile or the most reduced bezels, as the 2021 model still offers a very sleek design.
- You can find a great deal on the 2021 model, making it a more budget-friendly option while still delivering excellent performance and aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main visual differences between the 2022 and 2021 Frame TVs?
The most significant visual upgrade in the 2022 Samsung Frame is its enhanced anti-glare matte display. This makes artwork and content appear more lifelike by drastically reducing reflections. While both have excellent QLED picture quality, the 2022 model offers a more natural and clearer viewing experience, especially in brighter rooms, making it feel less like a TV and more like a true piece of art.
Is the 2022 Frame TV significantly faster than the 2021 model?
Yes, the 2022 Samsung Frame TV features an upgraded processor that contributes to noticeably smoother performance. This translates to faster app loading times, quicker menu navigation, and a more responsive overall user experience. If you frequently switch between apps or expect seamless multitasking, the 2022 model offers a tangible improvement in speed and fluidity compared to the 2021 version.
Are the Art Mode features improved on the 2022 Frame?
Absolutely. The 2022 Samsung Frame TV boasts an expanded and more curated selection of artwork available through the Samsung Art Store. It includes new partnerships with galleries and artists, offering a broader range of styles and periods. Furthermore, the improved motion clarity on the 2022 model makes animated art pieces appear more fluid and dynamic, enhancing the overall artistic display capabilities. (See Also: Bose Quiet Comfort Vs Airpods Pro )
Which model offers better connectivity options?
The 2022 Samsung Frame TV comes with updated connectivity features, including support for newer Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 6. This ensures more stable and faster wireless internet connections, which is beneficial for streaming high-resolution content and for smart home device integration. While the 2021 model has robust connectivity, the 2022 version is more future-proof in this regard.
Is the slimmer profile of the 2022 Frame noticeable?
Yes, the 2022 Samsung Frame TV features a slightly slimmer profile and a more unified stand design compared to the 2021 model. This refined aesthetic contributes to an even more minimalist and sophisticated look when mounted on the wall or placed on its stand. The reduction in depth makes it hug the wall more closely, further enhancing its ability to blend seamlessly into your home decor.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Frame 2022 is a refined iteration that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor. With an improved matte display for better art viewing, a faster processor for a smoother smart experience, and a sleeker design, it offers a more premium and future-proof package. While the 2021 model remains an excellent choice, the subtle yet impactful upgrades in the 2022 version make it the superior option for those seeking the ultimate art-display television.
Winner: Samsung Frame 2022