Samsung expands its portable cinema with AI
At CES 2026, Samsung announced an evolution of its popular compact projector line with The Freestyle Plus. The new model keeps the familiar 360-degree portability and vibrant picture, but adds a wave of AI-powered features designed to simplify setup, boost image quality, and enhance everyday use. Samsung positions The Freestyle Plus as an evolution rather than a revolution, leaning on AI to automate routine tasks while preserving the device’s lightweight, plug-and-play appeal.
What’s new: AI features that matter
The Plus designation signals several AI-driven improvements. Users can expect smarter auto-calibration, where an onboard processor analyzes room lighting, screen size, and distance to optimize brightness, contrast, and color accuracy without manual fiddling. The result is a better-ready display in a few seconds, whether you’re in a bright living room or a dim home theater corner.
Samsung also adds on-device AI that assists with focus and framing during video calls or streaming mirroring. The Freestyle Plus can automatically crop and adjust the image to fit the screen while maintaining the actor or presenter in the frame, which is particularly useful for portable setups at meetings or small gatherings.
Smart streaming and voice control
Voice control remains a core part of The Freestyle experience, but the Plus model expands the AI assistant’s capabilities. You can search content, switch inputs, or adjust playback through natural language prompts. The AI can also suggest content based on viewing history and ambient context, with a lightweight recommendation engine designed to run on-device to preserve privacy and reduce lag.
Ambient intelligence and energy efficiency
Ambient awareness is another focus area. The Freestyle Plus uses AI to detect ambient light and noise levels, automatically adjusting the projector’s brightness and audio volume for a comfortable listening and viewing experience. The system prioritizes energy efficiency, throttling features when the device is on battery power and re-engaging them when plugged in.
Design and portability remain intact
Samsung has kept the Freestyle’s iconic cylindrical form and 360-degree projection style. The Plus edition continues to be a compact, travel-friendly projector that can fit into a bag or large pocket. For many users, the portability remains the main selling point, with AI merely enhancing the convenience rather than complicating setup.
Connectivity and ecosystem
As part of Samsung’s broader ecosystem, The Freestyle Plus integrates with smartphones and smart-home devices. Expect seamless screen sharing from Galaxy devices, tighter integration with Samsung’s Mini-Apps for quick content access, and improved compatibility with streaming services. The AI layer is designed to work in concert with these features, not as a standalone gimmick.
What this means for buyers
If you’ve loved the Freestyle for weekend movie nights or spontaneous presentations, The Freestyle Plus offers meaningful upgrades without sacrificing portability. The AI improvements address common pain points—calibration time, remote control complexity, and content discovery—making the device more approachable for casual users while offering enough smart features to entice tech enthusiasts.
Availability and expectations
Samsung revealed The Freestyle Plus at CES 2026 with a tentative shipping date set for the first half of the year. Pricing details were not public at launch, but the company stressed that the Plus would sit competitively in the same segment as its predecessor, with a focus on value through AI-driven convenience.
