Get ready to rethink your home entertainment setup because Samsung just unveiled its latest innovation at CES 2026, and it’s raising eyebrows—in a good way. The Freestyle Plus, the newest iteration of Samsung’s compact cylindrical projector, is here, and this time, it’s packing something everyone’s talking about: AI. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Samsung touts its AI features as groundbreaking, many of them are actually standard fare for projectors in 2026. So, is this a game-changer or just a buzzy upgrade? Let’s dive in.
The Freestyle Plus retains the sleek, gimbaled design of its predecessors, allowing you to effortlessly aim the projector in any direction to cast images on virtually any surface. Plus, its 360-degree speaker ensures the audio experience remains consistent, no matter the angle. Sounds impressive, right? But this is the part most people miss—while the hardware is familiar, Samsung’s focus is on its AI suite, dubbed AI OptiScreen. This includes automatic keystone correction and screen fit, features that, while handy, are hardly unique in today’s portable projector market.
One standout feature is the real-time focus adjustment, which continuously tweaks the image sharpness. But here’s the question: Is this a practical improvement, or just AI for the sake of AI? Another addition is Wall Calibration, which adjusts the image based on the wall color—a neat trick, though it’s often a manual feature on other devices. And then there’s the Vision AI Companion, which promises natural, conversational interactions. But let’s be honest—do you really need an AI assistant in a projector? Or is this just Samsung flexing its tech muscles?
Speaking of flexing, there’s a catch. To access streaming features, you’ll need a Samsung account, which feels like an unnecessary hurdle. And while we’re on the topic of limitations, the Freestyle Plus’s brightness is a head-scratcher. Rated at 430 ISO lumens, it’s not exactly a powerhouse, especially for a device positioned as a premium option. For context, the first-gen Freestyle I reviewed in 2022 was underwhelming at 550 lumens, and this doesn’t seem like a massive leap forward. Sure, Samsung claims it’s twice as bright as the previous generation, but is that enough?
The Freestyle Plus is set to launch globally in the first half of 2026, though pricing remains a mystery. Given the original Freestyle’s $900 tag and the second-gen’s $800 price point, expect something in that ballpark. But before you commit, consider alternatives like the TCL PlayCube, which offers brighter performance and a built-in battery. So, is the Freestyle Plus worth the hype? That’s for you to decide. What do you think—is AI in a projector a must-have, or just a gimmick? Let’s debate in the comments!
