Samsung The Freestyle+ Portable Smart Projector: Full Review

The Samsung The Freestyle+ is a battery-compatible portable projector that projects 1080p HDR10+ video onto any flat surface from a palm-sized cylindrical body. It runs Samsung Tizen OS with built-in streaming apps and connects to SmartThings, Alexa, and Bixby. The device rotates 180 degrees to project on walls or ceilings without any manual keystone adjustment.

I've tested portable projectors for several years, and the Freestyle+ sits in a specific niche: it's for people who want real smart TV functionality in a portable form, not just a Bluetooth speaker that happens to throw an image.

How Bright Is 550 ANSI Lumens in Practice?

550 ANSI lumens is not a lot. I'll be direct about that. Competing projectors from LG and BenQ offer 1,000 lumens or more at similar prices. The Freestyle+ is usable in a dark room, and the auto-keystone feature means setup takes under 30 seconds. But if your bedroom gets morning sun or you want to use it outdoors during daylight, you'll find the image washed out.

For a darkened living room, bedroom ceiling projections, or backyard movie nights after dark, 550 lumens works fine. Just don't buy it expecting to use it in a bright conference room.

SmartThings Integration

The Freestyle+ connects directly to SmartThings without a hub. You can trigger it from routines: "When I say 'movie time,' turn off the lights and start the projector." That integration works reliably in my testing. The device also supports Alexa and Bixby voice commands, so you can start apps, adjust volume, or switch inputs hands-free.

One useful feature: the Freestyle+ supports SmartThings sharing, so anyone in your SmartThings home can control it without needing your Samsung account credentials.

Battery and Power Options

The Freestyle+ itself does not have a built-in battery. The "+" in the name refers to battery compatibility via Samsung's own battery base accessory (sold separately, around $199). The battery base attaches to the bottom of the projector and provides approximately 3 hours of runtime at full brightness. Without the battery base, you need AC power from the included USB-C cable.

That's an important distinction if you're buying for cord-free use. Budget for the battery base if portability matters to you.

Audio Quality

The built-in 5W speaker is adequate for a quiet room. Don't expect room-filling sound. Samsung's SpaceFit Sound Pro feature adjusts the audio based on the room acoustics, which helps at low and mid volumes. For movie nights, pairing it with a Bluetooth speaker makes a noticeable improvement. The Freestyle+ connects to any Bluetooth speaker, including Samsung Galaxy Buds or a UE Boom.

Who Should Buy It

The Freestyle+ makes sense if you want a smart streaming device that can project on walls or ceilings and you'll primarily use it in controlled lighting. If you already own Samsung TVs and SmartThings devices, the integration is seamless. The auto-keystone and rotation features make it genuinely easy to set up anywhere.

Skip it if you need bright daytime projection or if you want a single device with a built-in battery included in the base price. At its price point, the image quality and brightness are the trade-offs you accept for the size and smart features.