There is a saying, “Don’t fix what isn’t broken.” I’m a firm believer in that — especially when it comes to tech products and their sometimes meaningless reviews.
However, after facing the new improved generation of the Samsung Freestyle 2this portable projector may take the cake for the best tech gadget I’ve tried so far in 2023.
Update: Samsung The Freestyle: A well-rounded projector, inside and out
But first, what are the changes? There aren’t many significant differences between the original model and the second generation projector, but here are a few to note: Smart Edge Blending that allows you to use two Freestyle projectors to create one large image supported by widescreen content in a certain area. ratio up to 29.3:9, solar remote control instead of battery, increased working memory faster, and the most noticeable difference — Samsung Gaming Hub.
Although I am not a gamer, my husband is, so I challenged him to try this feature. What’s great about the Samsung Gaming Hub is that you don’t need a portable console to play the game, just the Freestyle 2, internet access, and a game controller.
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You’ll need to subscribe to cloud streaming like Xbox, GeForce Now, Luna, and others, but there are also free games to play right there.
ZDNET recommends
Samsung Freestyle 2
The Samsung Freestyle 2 projector features improvements like Smart Edge Blending and Samsung Gaming Hub integration making it a worthy upgrade over the previous generation.
My husband was able to play The Rocket League with a free GeForce Now membership, and other free games like Fortnite were also there. The overall gaming experience will depend on your Wi-Fi connection, but graphics were crystal clear, and the Freestyle 2 loaded games quickly without errors.
It was a unique experience to be able to play games outside or throw them on our roof while sleeping without being tied to a certain room or a certain gaming console.
Now, aside from the gaming aspect, the Samsung Freestyle 2 is indeed a quality projector. It’s super easy to set up and go — all you need is a Wi-Fi connection. And you don’t need to cover the extension cord since its portable battery easily attaches to the device, allowing you to use it almost anywhere (which was a good thing in our backyard).
It comes preloaded with many streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and more, so you can quickly sign in to your accounts and start streaming.
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By far, what impressed me the most was the sound: It comes from a built-in, 5W 360-degree speaker, and for such a small speaker, it packs a punch. During a windy outdoor movie broadcast at night, we heard a loud and loud sound, almost as if we were indoors and the sound was all around us.
The Samsung Freestyle 2 impressed me with both the image quality, the ability to focus automatically — whether it was from a slanted ceiling or a projector screen — and the overall setup and streaming experience. To me, technology should make things faster and more accessible, and this device does just that — especially with its portability.
ZDNET shopping advice
If you are a gamer and want the ability to play various titles without a console, the Samsung Freestyle 2 is a great option that allows you to play games while camping, outdoors, literally anywhere.
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However, if you buy Samsung Freestyle for movie experience, i the first generation the details are similar enough to this new model that you can save a few hundred bucks while getting a high quality projector.
Regardless of which model you choose, if you are looking for a portable or outdoor projector, this is, in my opinion, the best on the market.
