Samsung refreshes Freestyle projector with higher ISO brightness but few details ahead of CES
Samsung has announced a refreshed model of its Freestyle portable projector, touting a significant increase in measured brightness while withholding key specifications and pricing ahead of the CES trade show.
The new Freestyle Plus is described by Samsung as delivering 430 ISO lumens, a figure the company says equates to "nearly twice the brightness of the previous generation." The claim is notable because earlier Freestyle models listed 550 lumens on their spec sheets, highlighting how manufacturers’ brightness claims can vary depending on the measurement standard used.
Projector makers have commonly reported lumen figures that are difficult to compare across different brands. In recent years, that practice has come under scrutiny. Epson, in particular, has pursued legal action that has prompted other manufacturers to adopt a more consistent measurement: ISO lumens.
Several companies have restated their brightness measurements in ISO lumens following that shift. Among those named by industry observers are Anker, Yaber, AAXA, Xgimi, AWOL Vision and Dr. J. Using an ISO-standard metric aims to provide buyers with a clearer sense of how an image will perform against ambient light.
Samsung’s move to list the Freestyle Plus at 430 ISO lumens aligns with that broader industry trend toward standardization. However, the company’s own claim that the new model is nearly twice as bright as its predecessor creates a discrepancy with the older 550-lumen spec sheets and underscores how different measurement methods can yield divergent numbers.
The Freestyle Plus retains much of the original model’s physical and functional design. It continues to offer 1080p resolution and keeps the rotating barrel that allows users to tilt and position projection without the need for complex mounting. An integrated speaker and Wi‑Fi streaming capabilities remain part of the package.
Samsung has equipped the Freestyle Plus with a suite of automatic image-adaptation features that are increasingly common in portable projectors. These include keystone correction, autofocus, and a screen-fit function. The device can also calibrate its image based on the color and patterns of walls or ceilings, a convenience intended to simplify setup and improve image quality in non-ideal projection surfaces.
Portability remains a focus, but the Freestyle Plus continues to omit an internal battery. Samsung says the projector can be paired with some external power banks to extend its usability on the go, but the lack of a built-in battery differentiates it from certain rivals in the portable projector market.
Beyond the ISO-lumen figure and a description of retained hardware and software features, Samsung has not released detailed technical specifications for the Freestyle Plus. The company also declined to provide a preorder date or retail pricing in the lead-up to CES.
The absence of pricing information may be consequential for potential buyers. The original Freestyle, a 1080p portable projector that launched in 2022, carried a suggested retail price of $899. That price point was criticized at the time as being high relative to competing products, and the figure was set before recent tariff developments described by industry observers as a factor in supply-chain and pricing dynamics.
With the Freestyle Plus, Samsung appears to be focusing its messaging on a measured brightness metric and incremental feature refinements rather than a full redesign or a dramatic shift in positioning. The company’s decision to adopt ISO lumens for its headline brightness figure follows an industry move toward standardized reporting that aims to make product comparisons more meaningful for consumers.
Final details on performance, battery options, availability and price will likely become clearer after Samsung provides more information at CES. Until then, prospective buyers must weigh the stated ISO-lumen improvement against the continued absence of full specifications and launch details.
Key Topics
Samsung Freestyle Plus, Iso Lumens, Measured Brightness, Portable Projector, 1080p Resolution, Keystone Correction, Autofocus, Screen-fit Function, No Built-in Battery, External Power Bank Compatibility, Integrated Speaker, Wi-fi Streaming, Projector Brightness Standardization, Ces Announcement, Projector Pricing And Availability