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Samsung announced its newest portable projector ahead of its First Look showcase at CES 2026, but you might have been a little confused as to whats changed. The company says the Freestyle+ is nearly twice as bright as the 2022 Freestyle projector, rated at 230 ISO lumens, which was pretty underwhelming. The new Freestyle+ can output at 430 ISO lumens. If this is the first youre hearing of ISO Lumens, its an internationally standardized rating for projectors, intended to standardize manufacturers' claims of brightness. It still looks very similar to its predecessors, with 160 degrees of rotation that makes it easy to set up in most homes, Airbnbs or meeting rooms. Samsung added support for Q-Symphony, allowing you to connect it to the companys soundbars, if you conveniently have one nearby. While the sound quality of its built-in speaker was hard to test in the middle of a post-keynote trade show floor, youll probably want to augment the built-in speaker, if only because its so small. Vision AI, mentioned several times during Samsungs CES keynote, is also built into the portable projector. You can summon Bixby to adjust settings and whatever youre watching. Based on the demos I saw, youll need to speak into the remote to access Bixby. Other improvements bring the projector into 2026, with keystone correction and focus. The Freestyle+s AI OptiScreen can calibrate projections to different wall surfaces and colors to improve visibility even on your most vivid walls. Mat Smith for Engadget The updated 3D Auto Keystone corrects distortion even when projecting onto uneven or non-flat surfaces, such as corners, curtains or angled walls. Its hard to put into words, but pointing the Freestyle+ to a corner, or at an undulating curtain, and watching the image morph and contort was almost hypnotic. The premise is that you can point this at any area of your home (or even, say, the side of a tent), and the 3D Auto Keystone will flatten the image in seconds. Theres also Screen Fit, which automatically adjusts the image to match a projector screen size. The Freestyle+ can project up to a 100-inch 1080p image, at maximum. However, Wall Calibration might be the most technically impressive in a device this size. It detects and analyzes the color of the projection surface and recalibrates the images color tone to minimize the effect. It can even detect and match a wall pattern to reduce visual interference, which worked well in person. The Samsung spokesperson used the aforementioned Bixby voice commands to calibrate the screen. If theres still something to address, its that this portable projector must be plugged in to operate. When that can be either a power bank or a wall outlet, it seems a bit cheeky to call it portable. Samsung typically announces prices and launch dates once the CES dust has settled, but it's set to arrive in the first half of 2026. Previous iterations cost around $900, but early impressions suggest its a versatile, petite projector. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-freestyle-plus-projector-hands-on-ces-2026-060840386.html?src=rss
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Amid endless AI hype and a guest visit from the CEO of Hartford Steam Boiler (?!), Samsung had a big surprise for us tonight at CES 2026: A massive 130-inch Micro RGB TV. Its so large, its suspended by a large metal stand that surrounds the entire screen, which also lets you tilt the screen just a bit. (For the Samsung diehards, its basically a reinvention of its timeless gallery stand from 2013.) I imagine bringing this TV home would be like Bart Simpson adopting his beloved elephant Stampy: Your pets would be terrified, and your family would probably be annoyed at this television dominating so much of your home.But boy, it sure looks amazing in person. Just like LGs Micro RGB set, its using an evolved form of Mini LED technology that allows for far better color accuracy and richness. As I fought through the crowds of Samsungs CES First Look event to catch a glimpse of it, I couldnt help but notice how everyone just looked a bit stunned, like the monkeys from 2001 seeing the monolith for the first time.Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV from the side.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetSamsung representatives were clear that this Micro RGB set was only a concept of what the company could do with the technology, its not an actual product it plans to ship. In another demo, Samsung took the 130-inch screen and mounted it directly on a wall (below). Of course, it still looked stunning. I also learned that if you wanted to wall mount the timeless gallery stand concept, you actually have to mount the entire stand to the wall, since its part of the TVs speaker system.Samsung didnt have too many details about the technical aspects of the 130-inch Micro RGB TV, but it did shout buzzwords at us during its announcement. its powered by the companys Micro RGB AI Engine Pro processor, which includes Micro RGB Color Booster Pro and Micro RGB HDR Pro technology, using AI to enhance dull tones and refine contrast, delivering vivid color and subtle detail across bright and dark scenes alike for realism and picture fidelity.Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV mounted in a wall.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetThe Micro RGB set also sports the companys Glare Free technology to reduce reflections, and it supports HDR 10+ Advanced and the companys Eclipsa Audio. It can also tap into Samsungs Vision AI Companion for conversational search, as well as Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity.But of course, those details really dont matter, because you wont be able to buy the 130-inch Micro RGB TV in its current form. We were impressed by last years 115-inch model, but its $30,000 price didnt make it feasible for anyone but the ultra-rich. And those folks would be better off investing in Samsungs own Micro LED sets, which offer the benefits of OLED that Micro RGB does not. (Sure, those TVs start at $110,000, but for thats not exactly a huge leap for those with deep pockets.) Samsung's 130-inch Micro RGB TV from the rear.Devindra Hardawar for EngadgetThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-brought-an-absolute-beast-of-a-130-inch-micro-rgb-tv-to-ces-2026-060245387.html?src=rss
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In addition to its annual soundbar updates, Samsung debuted two new home speakers at CES 2026. The Music Studio 5 and 7 are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi units designed to blend in with your home decor thanks to their minimalist look. They certainly dont look like your typical speakers, and Samsung has packed them with features that it says will ensure optimal sound quality from each one. The Music Studio 5 has a four-inch woofer and two tweeters, and a sound profile thats optimized by AI Dynamic Bass Control. The design is an interesting interplay between a circle and a square, but the speaker delivers crisp, clear sound even in the roar of a CES demo area. The Music Studio 5 will also come in a smattering of colors, which could lend a pop to a bookshelf. Controls line the top edge, including one-touch access to Spotify.Samsung Music Studio 7Billy Steele for EngadgetIf youre looking for something more robust, the Music Studio 7 is a 3.1.1-channel unit thats capable of four-direction spatial audio and high-resolution listening. Samsung says you can enjoy tunes at up to up to 24-bit/96kHz and the speaker can be used as part of a turntable setup. The sound here is more robust as I heard noticeably more bass from the 7 than on the 5. The various control buttons are up top here as well, positioned near the front of the speaker for easy access. You can also use up to four Music Studio speakers as a surround sound setup in your living room. I listened to a brief demo where Samsung was using four Music Studio 7 units in a makeshift home theater. This combo provided great immersion, with lots of detail in the directional sound in the clips being broadcast on the connected TV. Samsung also says you can use up to 10 Music Studio speakers for audio only.The company didnt announce any pricing details yet, but thats likely to come just before the Music Studio speakers are available for purchase. That date is TBD as well. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/samsung-music-studio-5-and-7-hands-on-unique-speaker-designs-debut-at-ces-2026-052009007.html?src=rss
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