Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV

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77%
23%
91%
Art Mode Experience
84%
Picture Quality
93%
Design & Aesthetics
88%
Matte Screen Finish
79%
Smart TV Platform
76%
Alexa Integration
54%
Refresh Rate & Motion
81%
Wall Installation
67%
One Connect Box
82%
Remote Control
61%
Audio Quality
68%
Value for Money
83%
Long-Term Durability
More

Overview

Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV isn't really competing with other televisions — it's competing with the art on your walls. Samsung built this for people who hate the idea of a black rectangle dominating a carefully designed living room when nothing is playing. The central concept is Art Mode: rather than going dark, the screen shifts to displaying curated artwork when you step away. It's a 2021 model that ships with a One Connect Box, Slim Fit Wall Mount, and a solar-powered remote. Worth knowing upfront: the customizable bezels that make it look like a genuine framed canvas are sold separately.

Features & Benefits

The Frame TV's most talked-about feature is its motion-activated Art Mode, which uses a built-in sensor to detect when you enter the room and automatically surfaces artwork on screen. Through the Art Store, you can access over 1,400 pieces from established and emerging artists — though that requires an ongoing subscription fee worth factoring into your total cost. On the picture side, the QLED panel covers the full DCI-P3 cinema color space, so HDR films look rich and vibrant without that oversaturated, plasticky quality some displays suffer from. Alexa is baked in, and hands-free activation works reliably for controlling smart home devices without reaching for a remote.

Best For

This Samsung art TV makes the most sense for people who genuinely care about how their living space looks, not just what refresh rate their display runs at. If you've ever wished your TV disappeared into the wall like a framed print, this is the closest thing available. It also suits anyone already running Alexa-connected devices throughout their home, since everything ties together with minimal setup friction. One group this clearly doesn't suit: gamers. The 60Hz panel is a real limitation at this price tier compared to competitors, so if fast-motion gaming or sports content is high on your list, you'll want to look elsewhere before committing.

User Feedback

Buyers of this lifestyle display tend to split into two camps. Those who love it consistently praise the matte anti-reflective screen — it genuinely mimics a canvas texture and holds up well in bright, window-heavy rooms. Long-term owners also note that Samsung's software updates have kept the Tizen platform feeling reasonably current. On the critical side, the most common frustration isn't the hardware but the cost structure: bezels that complete the framed look cost extra on top of an already premium price, and the Art Store adds yet another subscription. The One Connect Box draws mixed reactions too — appreciated for clean cable routing, but criticized for adding bulk of its own.

#QLED TVs
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Pros

  • The matte anti-reflective screen genuinely mimics a canvas finish, holding up well even in bright, window-heavy rooms.
  • Art Mode with motion-sensor activation works reliably — the display shifts to artwork automatically without any manual input.
  • The QLED panel covers the full cinema color space, producing HDR visuals that feel rich without looking oversaturated.
  • Alexa integration is responsive and practical, especially for homes already running multiple smart devices.
  • The included Slim Fit Wall Mount allows the Frame TV to hang flush against the wall, avoiding the gap that standard TV mounts leave.
  • The SolarCell remote charges via indoor light, which means no hunting for batteries after months of use.
  • AI-based 4K upscaling handles non-native content well, making older shows and streaming content look noticeably cleaner.
  • Tizen OS has received consistent software updates, keeping the smart platform feeling current well past the 2021 launch.
  • The One Connect Box consolidates all external cables into one connection point, reducing wire clutter behind the screen.

Cons

  • The 60Hz refresh rate is a real limitation at this price tier, especially compared to rivals offering 120Hz panels.
  • Customizable bezels that complete the framed art look are sold separately, adding unexpected cost after purchase.
  • The Art Store requires an ongoing subscription fee on top of an already premium upfront investment.
  • The One Connect Box, while useful for cable management, adds its own physical footprint that needs to be hidden or accommodated.
  • Motion handling during fast-action sports or gaming sessions is noticeably softer than higher-refresh competitors.
  • Buyers wanting OLED-level black depth and contrast will find the QLED panel falls short in very dark viewing environments.
  • At nearly 50 pounds, wall installation is genuinely a two-person job and may require professional mounting for safe setup.
  • The Art Store library, while large, skews toward a particular aesthetic — not every buyer will find content that suits their taste.

Ratings

Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV has been scored across 13 categories by our AI system after parsing thousands of verified global purchases, actively filtering out incentivized reviews, duplicate accounts, and bot-generated feedback. The results reflect a candid picture of where this lifestyle display genuinely impresses and where real buyers have run into frustration. Both the highs and the recurring pain points are represented without softening.

Art Mode Experience
91%
Users consistently describe Art Mode as the feature that justifies the purchase — not just a gimmick, but something they interact with daily. The motion sensor activation feels natural; buyers report walking into their living room to a painting rather than a black screen, which changes how the TV integrates into the home.
A portion of users find the Art Store library skews toward a particular modern and abstract aesthetic, leaving those with more traditional tastes with fewer compelling options. The subscription cost, layered on top of an already premium purchase, generates recurring frustration in long-term owner reviews.
Picture Quality
84%
The QLED panel's full DCI-P3 color coverage translates to HDR films and 4K streaming content that looks genuinely cinematic in normal living room conditions. Colors stay accurate and punchy without veering into the oversaturated territory that cheaper panels often suffer from.
In very dark viewing environments, the lack of per-pixel dimming (unlike OLED panels) means blacks can look more like very dark grey, which affects perceived contrast in nighttime scenes. At this price, buyers who prioritize absolute black depth may feel shortchanged compared to OLED alternatives.
Design & Aesthetics
93%
This is the category where this Samsung art TV separates itself entirely from conventional televisions. Buyers routinely describe guests mistaking it for a framed canvas, and the low-profile wall mounting reinforces that impression convincingly. The matte finish plays a major role in selling the illusion.
The core frustration is that achieving the full aesthetic requires purchasing bezels separately, which feels like an incomplete product out of the box for buyers who expected the framed look to be included at this price point. Bezel availability and color matching can also vary by region.
Matte Screen Finish
88%
The anti-reflective matte coating is one of the most practically praised aspects in real-world feedback — buyers in bright apartments or rooms with multiple windows report a dramatically better daytime viewing experience compared to glossy screens they previously owned. It also reinforces the canvas-like appearance in Art Mode.
In low-light or dark room setups, the matte layer can slightly reduce perceived sharpness and peak brightness compared to glossy panels, which some videophile buyers notice during detailed dark scenes. It is a deliberate design trade-off that most users accept, but purists looking for maximum clarity in a dedicated dark home theater may prefer otherwise.
Smart TV Platform
79%
21%
Tizen OS covers all major streaming platforms reliably, and Samsung has pushed consistent software updates to this 2021 model that keep the interface feeling reasonably current. App loading times are fast, and the home screen layout is intuitive enough that most users rarely feel frustrated navigating it.
The platform is more advertisement-heavy than some competitors, with Samsung-promoted content appearing in the home screen that not all users can fully remove. A small but vocal group of buyers also notes that occasional software bugs required factory resets to resolve, which disrupted saved settings.
Alexa Integration
76%
24%
For households already running Alexa-connected lights, thermostats, and speakers, the built-in integration is genuinely convenient — switching inputs, adjusting volume, or triggering smart home routines without picking up a remote works reliably in day-to-day use. Hands-free activation performs well at normal room distances.
Buyers who prefer Google Assistant find the workaround solutions clunky and unsatisfying, and Bixby (Samsung's own assistant) draws lukewarm reactions for its limited third-party compatibility. The hands-free wake word occasionally triggers from TV audio content, which some households find disruptive.
Refresh Rate & Motion
54%
46%
For standard streaming content — dramas, documentaries, films running at 24fps — the 60Hz panel performs without any noticeable issues, and casual viewers rarely cite motion as a complaint in this usage context. Sports watched at lower frame-rate broadcasts are generally acceptable to non-enthusiast viewers.
Buyers who also game or watch high-motion sports content regularly are the most vocal critics of this panel's limitations. At a price tier where 120Hz QLED competitors exist, the 60Hz ceiling feels like a meaningful compromise, and input lag in gaming scenarios reinforces that this TV was not designed with performance use cases in mind.
Wall Installation
81%
19%
The included Slim Fit Wall Mount is purpose-built for this panel and makes achieving a near-flush wall installation more straightforward than sourcing a compatible third-party bracket. Buyers who wall-mount frequently note that the process is cleaner than standard TV installations, with the One Connect Box handling all external device cabling separately.
At nearly 50 pounds, the physical installation genuinely requires two people, and several buyers without prior mounting experience describe a stressful setup process. The One Connect Box also needs its own mounting or concealment solution, which adds a step that buyers expecting a completely tidy installation sometimes overlook.
One Connect Box
67%
33%
The concept is well-received in principle — routing all HDMI, USB, and optical connections through an external box means the screen itself stays cable-free, which directly supports the clean wall-art look. Buyers with multiple external devices appreciate being able to manage everything at the box level without touching the mounted screen.
The box itself is larger than some buyers anticipate and requires its own hiding spot, which can undermine the clean aesthetic it is meant to enable. The single cable that connects the box to the panel has also been flagged in some reviews as a point of failure that is expensive to replace outside of warranty.
Remote Control
82%
18%
The SolarCell remote charges from ambient indoor light and in practice, the vast majority of long-term owners report never needing to replace a battery or plug it in. The slim, minimalist design suits the premium aesthetic of the television, and key placement is comfortable for everyday navigation.
Some buyers find the minimalist button layout frustrating when trying to quickly access specific inputs or settings without hunting through menus, especially compared to remotes with dedicated shortcut buttons. Responsiveness from across a large room can occasionally require re-pointing the remote, particularly at wider angles.
Audio Quality
61%
39%
Built-in speaker output is sufficient for casual news and talk content, and the HDMI ARC passthrough for connecting a soundbar is straightforward and reliable. Buyers who add a separate audio system consistently report a satisfying overall setup with no compatibility headaches.
On its own, the built-in speakers lack the bass depth and surround presence that the panel's visual quality deserves, and buyers who watch films or music content without an external audio solution frequently cite audio as the weakest link. At this price point, most reviewers expect the audio baseline to be more competitive.
Value for Money
68%
32%
For buyers who genuinely use both the display and Art Mode as a daily part of their home, the value calculation is more defensible — they are effectively getting a large-format art display and a premium TV in a single device. Long-term owners report sustained satisfaction when the aesthetic purpose remains central to their use.
The true cost of ownership — including separate bezels, an Art Store subscription, and premium installation accessories — adds up significantly beyond the already high base price. Buyers primarily evaluating on pure display performance per dollar will find technically superior or equivalently capable panels at lower prices from competing brands.
Long-Term Durability
83%
Verified long-term owner feedback is encouraging — panel degradation or hardware failure reports are not a common theme, and the 2021 model appears to hold up well through years of daily use including extended Art Mode operation. Samsung's continued software support for this model generation also extends its functional lifespan meaningfully.
A small subset of buyers report issues with the One Connect cable connection degrading over time, resulting in signal interference that required cable replacement. Warranty support experiences are mixed, with some buyers reporting efficient resolution and others describing lengthy replacement processes for components like the One Connect Box.

Suitable for:

Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV is genuinely built for a specific kind of buyer, and those buyers tend to love it. If you're a design-conscious homeowner who has spent real time and money making a living room or bedroom look a certain way, the idea of a big black screen dominating that space when it's off is probably already bothering you. This is the TV for that person. It also fits naturally into households where the television is a shared, communal centerpiece — families or couples who want ambient art running in the background rather than a dormant screen. Art enthusiasts who'd enjoy a rotating digital gallery across 1,400-plus works without buying a separate display will get genuine daily use out of Art Mode. And if your home already runs on Alexa, the hands-free integration here is practical rather than gimmicky.

Not suitable for:

Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV is a harder sell for anyone whose primary concern is raw display performance rather than how the TV looks on the wall. The 60Hz refresh rate is the clearest example: at this price point, competing QLED and OLED panels offer 120Hz, which makes a noticeable difference for console gaming, fast sports content, and anything with quick motion. Dedicated gamers should look elsewhere without much deliberation. Budget-focused buyers will also want to factor in that the premium price is really just the starting point — matching bezels, an Art Store subscription, and potentially upgraded mounts all add to the real cost of ownership. If you're primarily after the best possible picture quality per dollar with no interest in the lifestyle angle, there are technically stronger options available at a similar spend.

Specifications

  • Screen Size: The panel measures 65 inches diagonally, making it a strong fit for medium to large living rooms viewed from 8 to 12 feet away.
  • Display Type: Uses Samsung's QLED (Quantum Light-Emitting Diode) technology, which relies on a quantum dot filter over an LED backlight to produce color.
  • Resolution: Native 4K UHD resolution at 3840 x 2160 pixels, with AI-based upscaling applied to lower-resolution content via the Quantum Processor 4K.
  • Refresh Rate: The panel runs at a native 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for most streaming and casual viewing but falls short for competitive gaming or high-frame-rate sports.
  • HDR Support: Supports Quantum HDR, enabling expanded brightness and contrast on compatible HDR content from streaming platforms and physical media.
  • Color Volume: Covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space — the same standard used for cinema projection — delivering accurate, vivid color across HDR and standard content alike.
  • Smart Platform: Runs Samsung's Tizen OS, which provides access to major streaming apps, a built-in app store, and regular over-the-air software updates.
  • Voice Assistant: Alexa is built in with both button-activated and hands-free modes; Google Assistant and Bixby are also accessible depending on setup preferences.
  • Art Mode: A built-in motion sensor detects room occupancy and automatically displays artwork from the user's personal collection or the Art Store subscription library.
  • Art Store: The Art Store offers access to over 1,400 curated works from established and emerging artists, available through a paid subscription service billed separately.
  • Connectivity: Supports both wired (HDMI, USB) and wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) connectivity, with the One Connect Box serving as the central hub for all external inputs.
  • Dimensions: Without stand, the set measures 10.3″ deep x 57.4″ wide x 34.2″ tall, designed to sit flush against a wall when paired with the included Slim Fit Wall Mount.
  • Weight: The panel weighs 49.6 pounds without stand, which is within standard range for a 65-inch display but makes solo wall installation impractical.
  • Included Items: The box includes a One Connect Box, Slim Fit Wall Mount, SolarCell Remote (model TM-2180E), and printed and electronic user documentation.
  • Customizable Bezels: Optional decorative bezels in wood and metal finishes are available to mimic a picture frame aesthetic, but these are sold separately and not included in the box.
  • Aspect Ratio: Standard 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, consistent with modern broadcast, streaming, and home video content formats.
  • Power Source: Mains-powered with a 1 Lithium Polymer battery included for the SolarCell remote, which also charges via ambient indoor light during normal use.
  • Audio: Built-in speakers are included; the set supports external audio passthrough via HDMI ARC and optical output for connecting soundbars or AV receivers.

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FAQ

They are sold separately. The Samsung The Frame 65-inch QLED Smart TV ships with a standard border, and the wood or metal finish bezels that give it the full picture-frame look are optional accessories you'd need to purchase on top of the base price. It's one of the more common surprises buyers mention after unboxing, so it's worth budgeting for them upfront if the framed aesthetic is the main reason you're buying this TV.

Art Mode uses a built-in motion sensor to detect when someone is in the room, so it activates automatically when you walk in and can power down when the room is empty. You can also set a schedule or brightness level so it dims at night. The TV doesn't stay on in full brightness all day — Samsung designed the mode to run at lower power consumption levels to make it practical for extended daily use.

The subscription is optional. You can upload your own images and photographs through the SmartThings app and display them in Art Mode for free. The Art Store subscription unlocks the curated library of over 1,400 professional artworks, but plenty of owners skip the subscription entirely and rotate their own content instead.

Honestly, not at this price point relative to competitors. The 60Hz refresh rate is the main limitation — most serious gamers look for 120Hz panels, which allow for smoother frame rates and lower input lag in supported titles. If gaming is a significant part of how you use a TV, you'll find better-suited options at similar or lower prices. The Frame TV is built around the viewing and display experience, not gaming performance.

The One Connect Box is an external hub that houses all your HDMI, USB, and other input ports. Instead of plugging devices directly into the back of the TV, everything connects to the box, and a single thin cable runs from the box to the screen. It keeps the wall installation cleaner and makes swapping devices easier. You do need it — all the inputs run through it, so there's no option to bypass it.

With the included Slim Fit Wall Mount, the panel sits about an inch from the wall surface — noticeably flatter than a standard TV bracket installation. It won't be perfectly flush like a picture nailed directly to drywall, but the gap is small enough that from normal viewing distance, it reads as flush. Most buyers find it meets their expectations for a wall-art look.

It's a trade-off, but most users find it worth it. The anti-reflective matte finish eliminates the mirror-like glare you get from glossy panels in bright rooms, which actually improves perceived picture quality during the day. In a dark room, a glossy panel might edge it out for pure punch, but for typical daytime or mixed-light environments, the matte finish is a genuine practical advantage.

Alexa is the primary built-in assistant and the one Samsung officially promotes on this model. However, Bixby (Samsung's own assistant) is also accessible. Google Assistant is not natively built in, though you can work around this to some extent by connecting a Google Home device and using routines. For straightforward smart home control, the Alexa integration works well without any extra setup.

Based on verified buyer feedback, the 2021 Frame TV has held up well over time and has continued to receive Tizen OS updates that keep the interface and app support current. Samsung has a reasonable track record for supporting its premium TV lines with software patches for several years post-launch. Hardware durability reports are generally positive, with no widespread issues noted among long-term owners.

It works well in practice. The remote charges from both indoor ambient light and direct sunlight, and most users report never needing to replace or plug it in under normal usage conditions. If the remote is stored in a dark drawer for extended periods it can drain, but in day-to-day use on a coffee table or armrest, indoor light is sufficient to keep it charged.