Samsung The Frame review: A beautiful mix of art and tech

Televisions have indeed come a long way from those CRT models with bulky bodies. And from flat-screen displays, Samsung took things up a notch further with its The Frame series of televisions that also double as pieces of art.

It clearly boasts a unique design and features to attempt and to marry both art and technology in one package. How do these fare? We find out.

Design

There’s a lot to talk about with The Frame’s look. It is, after all, crafted with a design-first approach. Offering a handful of thoughtful design features, The Frame isn’t just a TV you put in a room but an art piece worth looking at and talking about.

One of its most prominent offerings is the magnetic, customizable bezels. Samsung does away with the conventional design of TVs and gives users a choice on how they want their TV to look like. There are four colors to choose from namely white, brown, beige and black.

Samsung’s decision to go for neutral colours is a great decision since its easier to fit in most color schemes. Additionally, the bezels easily attach and detach using magnets so if you ever feel like switching out colors, it’s really easy to do so.

To mimic the look of an actual photo or art frame, the device can be mounted flush against the wall meaning it lays flat with no gaps unlike a regular TV. One downside of this, however, is that the TV will be unable to swivel so users who need more flexibility in their viewing angles may not find this appealing.

Additionally, Samsung also provides a regular stand inside the box or an optional Studio Stand as an unmounted option. Keeping true to its art-first mentality, the Studio Stand is made to look like an easel so when you prop The Frame up, it looks like a beautifully framed piece of art.

One of the things that can easily ruin a setup is wires. They can be very unsightly and can easily make things look cluttered or out of place. The Frame is able to minimize its wires by using what Samsung calls the One Invisible Connection. Instead of having the HDMI, USB, and other connectivity ports at the back of the TV like most, The Frame connects to the included One Connect Box instead.

This device houses all of the connectivity ports and can be stored separately from the TV. The only wire you’ll find on The Frame is a single almost invisible cable that connects to the One Connect Box so whether it’s mounted or on the Studio Stand, it’s barely seen. It’s really quite impressive how Samsung was able to create a system where the device need only a single cable to connect to different types of ports so props to that!

We found this to be a very useful feature not just because it makes it a lot easier to hide wires but also because it also makes it easier to plug in all sorts of things. Whether it’s a flash drive or HDMI cable, we were really happy not having to stick our arm behind the TV and blindly look for the port we need.

The Frame and its design really shines when the device is put into Art Mode but let’s talk about that later on.

Picture quality and performance

The Frame comes in three sizes — 32 inches, 55 inches, and 65 inches for its largest. All sizes now support Samsung’s Quantum Dot LED or QLED technology which promises brighter, more vibrant images compared to OLED panels. True to its word, The Frame really does churn out impressive picture quality with rich saturation balanced by just the right amount of contrast.

The screen isn’t glossy at all and we didn’t experience any glare when watching. Image sharpness is also very notable and overall movement in most scenarios are really smooth.

The Frame offers multiple modes to suit all kinds of content. The device does support standard dynamic range but you’ll want to opt for high-dynamic-range or HDR when you can. In this mode, colors really stand out and watching becomes much more immersive.

Being film enthusiasts, we also found ourselves loving The Frame’s Filmmaker mode. With this feature enabled, the device does away with digital enhancements and, instead, preserves the look, colors, and movement of the movie so it’s shown the way the filmmakers intended it to be seen.

We also hooked up our PlayStation 4 to see how The Frame would handle gaming. Unsurprisingly, HDR and its Game Mode noticeably enhanced the overall viewing experience. We enjoyed consistently smooth gameplay with barely any instances of lag or stutter. We can only imagine how current-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X would fare but we’re sure it would look pretty amazing.

Needless to say, picture quality on The Frame is nothing short of impressive. The only thing we found lacking was its limited viewing angles. Upfront, you get great images but if you’re stuck watching from an angle where the TV is skewed, you won’t get the same experience. This is most likely due to the fact that it’s also meant to be appreciated like a painting that you’re standing directly in front of.

As for audio, there’s nothing too exceptional to mention. The Frame is loud enough to fill up a small- to medium-sized room and is clear enough for the most part of our experience.

Of course, if you’re rather particular about audio, it’s still best to attach a separate system. Luckily, doing so won’t ruin The Frame’s aesthetic as you can use the One Connect Box to organize your cables away from the TV.

Now let’s talk about one of The Frame’s main features, Art Mode. When activated, The Frame acts like, well, a frame, and can showcase various artworks from Samsung’s Art Store or even personally uploaded photos.

The Art Store boasts over 1,000 available and original art from all over the world including some from prominent museums like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam or the Saatchi Gallery in London. You do only get a handful of free options and the rest can be accessed through a paid subscription.

If you don’t feel like springing for a subscription, you can also easily upload and display your photos as well. This can be done either through a USB flash drive or even by uploading directly from your phone through the Samsung SmartThings app. It’s really convenient.

We loved how The Frame’s Art Mode was able to instantly brighten up any room. Putting in one of the art pieces made the device look like a simple unassuming frame holding up a prominent piece of artwork. It never fails to impress guests once they find out it’s actually a TV as well.

One of our favorite things to do is to play high-resolution videos of a roaring fireplace or aquarium and we feel instantly transported into a calmer environment.

Features

Being a Samsung TV, The Frame is also loaded with notable features that make using the device a lot easier. It’s equipped with a brightness sensor that intelligently senses ambient light and adjusts the TV’s brightness to an optimal level. There’s also a motion sensor that automatically switches The Frame to Art Mode when it senses the user leave the room or area.

These might sound like small features but they make everyday living with The Frame a totally different experience from just having a regular TV, no matter how large it may be.

Let’s not forget that The Frame is also a Samsung smart TV meaning users have access to various smart features and apps as well.

Connecting it to the Samsung SmartThings app unlocks mobile mirroring for both Android and Apple devices, gesture-controlled remote controller, and integration with other SmartThings-enabled devices. It also comes with popular apps like Netflix and YouTube pre-installed.

Additionally, The Frame also comes with Samsung’s smart assistant Bixby built-in. You can use voice commands to wake Bixby and ask it to perform actions such as searching for a new show or film or even controlling volume or changing channels.

Creature Feature

In our reviews, The Modern Creatures aims to find special features in a device that make it worth having — something that gives it a slight edge from the rest of the competition. And with Samsung’s The Frame, there’s no denying it would have to be its design.

The market may be smaller for users who would want a TV created for interior design but for those who are looking for a gorgeous-looking TV, The Frame is a great choice. Interchangeable bezels mean you can change up the look of the room and still have The Frame easily blend in and the device’s Art Mode is undoubtedly a wonderful use for the device’s elegant build.

Final Thoughts

No one can deny that The Frame is a beautiful piece of technology and that would have to be its strong point. As a standalone TV, you could probably get similar features and performance at a lower price but, again, this device wasn’t created for the casual user.

If you’re the kind of person who appreciates beautiful and functional things, you will appreciate The Frame. Samsung took the time to develop thoughtful solutions like the One Invisible Connection to help elevate and separate The Frame from all other TVs.

It offers beautiful picture quality thanks to the QLED panel technology and works well for watching shows, playing games, or even just mirroring your phone.

Audio is loud enough and has a clear, audible sound performance. Although, an external, dedicated speaker system is always an option. User interface is also pleasing and easy to navigate and the varied features allow for ease of use and a pleasant, overall entertainment experience.

Plus, we found it to be a really effective conversation starter.

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realme 6i Review: A budget gaming phone with quick charging USB-C

05/13/2020

During our time with the realme C3, it’s been established that the company is serious in offering a sub-PhP 6K phone that can deliver uninterrupted gaming performances. With its gaming-focused processor and a massive battery, it pretty much got the bases covered except for one small issue — its long charging time due to its micro-USB implementation.

realme

CHECK OUT: realme 6i Unboxing and Hands-on

Now that the realme 6i has been officially launched in the Philippines, it still boasts of its gaming capabilities, multiple-camera setup, and ample battery capacity but now promises a faster charging time. This is our realme 6i review.

Design

Back panels that sport a reflective shine have become quite popular for smartphones and it’s the same case for this phone’s plastic back. While the more affordable C3 comes with a pattern that mimics the sun’s rays, the 6i opts for straight vertical lines that sort of move around depending on how the light hits it.

Additionally, it has a matte finish which is easily a plus for me since it doesn’t attract fingerprints easily.

Housing a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display, it has a resolution of 1600 x 720 with a waterdrop notch which we’ve seen on previous realme phones. On the right, we have a solo button for both lock and power while the volume buttons sit on the left side of the phone.

Turn it around and we see four cameras slightly protruding off the surface and, just to the right of it, the fingerprint scanner. Its SIM tray can house two SIM cards plus it has an additional microSD slot to add to its storage.

Down below, we pleasantly find a USB Type-C for charging, 3.5mm audio jack towards the left, and speakers on the right. The realme 6i comes in two colors: White Milk and Green Tea — obviously, this one here is the Green Tea variant.

Software

Running on Android 10 with realme’s UI, the interface is simple and similar to Android’s native look so the experience is very straightforward.

Just like with the C3, swiping down on the home screen will take you to your notifications and settings.  Icons are fully customizable with the ability to change from round to square and even adjust their transparency. The original icons can also be customized with your own photos or icons.

Animations and transitions are smooth and navigating through the phone is effortless. Additionally, there’s support for Dark Mode, dynamic wallpapers, native screen recording with internal and external audio, and tap to lock.

Camera

The realme 6i’s quad-camera system consists of a 48-megapixel main sensor, 8-megapixel ultra-wide, 2-megapixel macro, and another 2-megapixel sensor for portrait photography. This is one more camera added to the C3 to be able to capture better scenery using a wide-angle lens.

After a couple of days of shooting what was around our condominium’s compound, I’d say the cameras work together to be able to capture a wide variety of subjects.

For casual snaps, I used its main camera. When I needed to bring out more details on a small subject, its macro shooter comes in handy. For landscapes, nothing beats a wide-angle lens. And finally, if I want a bit of bokeh effect on my shots, the depth-sensing camera is always available.

Images produced by its main camera have good details in them. HDR works well when there are light and dark areas in your shot and its Chroma Boost pulls out extra vibrance for your photos.

For close-ups, its macro sensor is able to produce sharp photos with noticeable details. As for its depth-sensing camera, it was a hit-and-miss especially when it comes to tracing out the hair of the subject you’re shooting. Sometimes the photo comes out decent, but other times you see a bad trace when separating hair from the background.

Meanwhile, its wide-angle mode is probably my favorite among its different shooting modes. Capturing landscapes is simply more interesting when you have a wide-angle lens.

Situated in the display’s notch is a 16-megapixel front camera. Again, it comes with software features to tweak unwanted elements. The app can make your skin smoother, have your face shape slimmer — the whole AI beautification thing, basically. Some might be keen on using it but like other beautification effects, it doesn’t look too natural when you go overboard with the filters.

Performance

Internally, the realme 6i houses a MediaTek Helio G80 octa-core CPU paired with up to 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. With this combination, daily usage for the 6i has been a smooth sailing affair. Browsing through social media pages and reading articles also benefit from its tall display since more lines can fit the screen.

After taking photos using its quad-camera setup, importing and editing them in apps like Adobe Lightroom or Google Snapseed were easily handled by the phone.

Gaming

We also ran popular titles on the 6i to test its gaming capabilities. Kicking things off with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, our gameplay was uninterrupted and graphics were rendered from the get-go until after a couple of online matches. The fast-paced racing game Asphalt 9: Legends ran smoothly with minimal to no hiccups. There were some slight lags once in a while but not noticeable enough to affect the outcome of the match. PUBG Mobile, on the other hand, was also handled like a boss.

We also ran other games like Pokémon Go and TapTap Music to test its accuracy for location via GPS and touch response, respectively. After a few hours of playing, we’re confident to say the phone is able to accurately pinpoint our location and touch response was on point.

When we were using the realme C3 for its review, we found that it can handle resource-heavy games with no interruptions as long as you have no other heavy apps running in the background. Whenever this happened, the phone would be lagging and touch inputs are delayed. This is not the case for the realme 6i at all. Even with multiple games running, jumping from one game to another provided a smooth experience thanks to its G80 CPU.

One thing we noticed, though, was that the phone gets warm with prolonged gaming. This is nothing new for a smartphone and temperature doesn’t really go too high. Although you’ll definitely feel it get warm.

Battery

As for the battery department, it’s got a large 5000mAh capacity that also supports reverse charging. We played games on it non-stop and it was able to stay on from around 7AM until past 5PM where it hit more than 10 hours of continuous gaming between Asphalt 9, Mobile Legends, and Pokémon Go.

As mentioned earlier, it now rocks a USB-C port with support for 18-watt charging to lessen the time it takes to fully charge the device. From 0-100%, it took one hour and 52 minutes as compared to the realme C3’s 3-hour charging time via micro-USB.

Creature Feature

In our reviews, The Modern Creatures aims to find that one special feature of a device that makes it worth having — something that gives the product a slight edge from among its peers. For the realme 6i, it would be the implementation of USB-C.

It’s not new that smartphone brands today are offering powerful performances for an affordable price. Of course, they have to cut corners to be able to lower the price and most of the time, charging time suffers since many in this price range only offer micro-USB connectivity to power and charge their device.

With the realme 6i’s USB-C, charging time has been sped up significantly. While there may always be the convenience of power banks, a faster charging time simply translates to the ability to focus more on other tasks at hand.

Conclusion

Overall, the realme 6i is a very strong contender in the sub-PhP 10K smartphone category. It’s got a straightforward UI, a capable array of cameras, powerful gaming performance, and a battery life that lasts long and charges faster than its peers. Probably the least element that we like about it is its design which is a bit simple for us. But then again, the designer of this phone has that simplistic trademark that he maintains.

The two variants for the 6i starts at PhP 7,990 with 3GB RAM plus 64GB of internal storage. The other model, which has 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage, is priced at PhP 9,990. Plus, to celebrate its launch, realme is having an introductory flash sale on May 15 and May 20 for both variants as well as the realme fitness Band. The 3GB/64GB variant will have a special discounted price of PhP 7,940 while the 4GB/128GB variant will be at PhP 9,490. Both phones will be available through realme’s official shop on Lazada.

At the end of the day, the realme 6i s a well-balanced phone with very little trade-offs. And with its really competitive price points, I’d say that realme has come up with a gaming phone that’s hard to resist.

You may also check out our video version of this review:

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