Samsung The Frame 2020 vs The Frame 2021 TV comparison 2022/08

Samsung has been producing the lifestyle TV “The Frame” since 2018. Usually there are smaller changes to the respective models every year. If you take a closer look at the device, you will quickly notice, that the main focus of Samsung’s The Frame is on the design. As QLED TVs, the TVs from “The Frame” series have a decent picture with a limited viewing angle. At the same time, the TV looks like a painting hanging in a gallery and it can still display great artwork even in power-saving mode with the Art Mode. But is that all? How much has the Design TV improved within a year? Is it worth switching to the new model? These questions are answered here in the comparison The Frame 2020 vs The Frame 2021!
Samsung The Frame
Samsung The Frame
vs
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Samsung The Frame 2020 and The Frame 2021 compared – Which TV is better?

Reflections Icon
Reflections
Image quality in bright environments and dealing with reflections
50%
Samsung The Frame 55"
47%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle
Picture quality when sitting at an angle to the TV - Also relevant when sitting very close in front of a large TV.
39%
Samsung The Frame 55"
39%
Samsung The Frame 55"
SDR Image Quality Icon
SDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in SDR, i.e. anything that is not HDR.
78%
Samsung The Frame 55"
74%
Samsung The Frame 55"
HDR Image Quality Icon
HDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in HDR, so everything from HDR, HDR10, HLG to HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.
64%
Samsung The Frame 55"
58%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series
Use of the TV for movies, series & documentaries - be it as stream, BluRay or in the TV program.
70%
Samsung The Frame 55"
68%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Gaming Icon
Gaming
Gaming performance of the TV especially for responsive games with focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X
91%
Samsung The Frame 55"
93%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Sports Icon
Sports
Suitability for watching soccer, Formula 1, Olympics and more, even with several persons
67%
Samsung The Frame 55"
65%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Equipment Icon
Equipment
Smart TV features, connections and general equipment of the TV
73%
Samsung The Frame 55"
73%
Samsung The Frame 55"
Samsung The Frame 55"
Samsung The Frame 55"
Rating v2.5
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Samsung The Frame 2020

The 2020 model


Edge LED
Edge LED
VA Panel
VA Panel
Samsung The Frame

Samsung’s The Frame 2020 is a solid TV, where the focus is mainly on the design. However, that is not all. The TV also has a good image, especially in dark environments, and its motion handling in particular is really good. HDMI 2.1, VRR and FreeSync are also part of the basic equipment. As a QLED from Samsung, it has the typical picture quality and also the typical problems, such as a limited viewing angle.

Samsung The Frame 2021

The new Samsung The Frame 2021


Edge LED
Edge LED
VA Panel
VA Panel

The Frame 2021 is the latest version of the series from Samsung. Something has changed in the technology, especially in the sound. With Q Symphony and Object Tracking Sound, The Frame 2021 finally has more bass power. In addition, good things like the great motion handling have been kept. However, well-known problems like the limited viewing angle remain. The design immediately shows that the TV is thinner than last year’s model and looks even more like a picture.

Detailed comparison: Samsung The Frame 2020 or The Frame 2021

Samsung The Frame
Samsung The Frame 55"
Reflections Icon
Reflections Comparison

Slightly worse reflections with the 2021 model

The Samsung The Frame 2021 has a slightly worse reflection behavior than its older version. Due to a lower brightness, with a maximum brightness of 520 Nits compared to 570 Nits and a lower contrast, the TV has a harder time reacting to image reflections. As a result, the picture reflects more easily on the screen in a very bright environment.

50%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
8131 :1
Max. Brightness
570 Nits
Video technologies
47%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
5600 :1
Max. Brightness
520 Nits
Video technologies
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle Comparison

Both Samsung with similar viewing angle

The design of the two TVs is very similar. The newer model is thinner, but still uses a VA panel without an ultra-wide-angle layer, which still limits the viewing angle. Other TVs, such as the Samsung Q90T, use this layer and can thus artificially widen the viewing angle. In “The Frame” series, there wont be such a layer, which does not seem to directly benefit the look of a picture.

39%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
narrow
VA Viewing Angle
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
39%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
narrow
VA Viewing Angle
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
SDR image Icon
SDR image Comparison

Small deficits in Contrast for The Frame 2021

Looking at the SDR picture, it is noticeable that the Samsung The Frame 2020 performs slightly better than the newer model. The picture quality is not bad, but the 2021 performs a bit worse because the contrast and brightness are lower than from the older version. Color coverage is also a bit lower, and as a result, the picture quality isn’t quite as nice. However, both TVs provide a decent picture after all.

78%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Edge LED
Edge LED
Local Dimming
Contrast
8131 :1
DCI-P3
ca. 83%
Energy consumption SDR
140 kWh / 1000 Hours
74%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Edge LED
Edge LED
Local Dimming
Contrast
5600 :1
DCI-P3
ca. 78%
Energy consumption SDR
103 kWh / 1000 Hours
HDR image Icon
HDR image Comparison

A back step in HDR for the new Samsung

The first differences become noticeable in the HDR section. As in the SDR picture quality, the newer model performs worse here. This is because, the contrast is one of the most important features for HDR. However, since the contrast ratio of the new model is 5600:1 the HDR display suffers as a result. So, if you were already bothered by the HDR display on the last model, you will unfortunately not necessarily find your dream TV in the new model either.

64%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Edge LED
Edge LED
Local Dimming
Contrast
8131 :1
Max. Brightness
570 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 83%
REC 2020
ca. 62%
Energy consumption HDR
151 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
58%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Edge LED
Edge LED
Local Dimming
Contrast
5600 :1
Max. Brightness
520 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 78%
REC 2020
ca. 58%
Energy consumption HDR
174 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series Comparison

The Frame 2021 slightly worse Picture Quality

The poorer picture quality is a cutting point in this category, which means that The Frame 2021 scores somewhat lower, even though some work was done on the sound of the device this year. With Q Symphony and Object Tracking Sound, Samsung’s improvements have been incorporated into the TV. However, not only the sound is crucial for a great movie experience, but much more the picture, and that was simply a bit better in the older version.

70%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.2 Channels with 20 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
68%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
4 Channels with 40 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Gaming Icon
Gaming performance Comparison

Both Samsung with a low Input Lag

Both TVs show a decent gaming performance. Besides 120 Hz panels and a very short response time, both devices also have VRR and FreeSync. The difference is mainly in the input lag. The Frame 2021’s lag of ~10ms is about 5ms lower than the 2020 model’s. An HDMI 2.1 input is also available on both devices, so you can get the best out of your new Playstation 5 or Xbox Series X.

91%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 3.8ms
HDMI 2.1
1x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 15.0ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
- not available -
93%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
HDMI 2.1
1x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 10ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 6ms
Sports Icon
Sports performance Comparison

The Frame 2020 with a lower response time

Both TVs are good in sports presentation. However, The Frame 2020 has a slightly lower response time with 3.8 ms. The 2021 model has a response time of 4.0 ms. So you can see that the difference is marginal and not really noticeable to the eye. All in all, the presentation of sports is solid and it is worth to watch on both models equally.

67%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 3.8ms
DCI-P3
ca. 83%
65%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
DCI-P3
ca. 78%
Equipment Icon
Equipment Comparison

Slightly more modern features with Tizen 6.0

The newer model has a slightly more modern configuration than the previous year’s model. With the Tizen 6.0 processor, The Frame 2021 uses the latest processor of its kind. The handling is still very simple and clearly arranged. The ports have not changed, despite the thinner design. The new device is compatible with the Google voice assistant and still has an Alexa integrated. You could also mention “My Shelf” among the features, which Samsung designed especially for the 2021 model to integrate it even better into the living space.

73%
Operating System
Tizen 5.5
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.2 Channels with 20 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
3
HDMI 2.1
1
USB 2.0
2
USB 3.0
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Ci+ 1.4
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight
One Connect Box
73%
Operating System
Tizen 6.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
4 Channels with 40 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
3
HDMI 2.1
1
USB 2.0
2
USB 3.0
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Ci+ 1.4
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
kompatibel
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight
One Connect Box
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Our conclusion:
A step in the wrong direction

The comparison of The Frame 2020 vs The Frame 2021 shows that Samsung has done the design fans a big favor with their new The Frame. They have made the TV thinner and designed an accessory called “My Shelf”, which allows the TV to integrate even better into a living room. With a much thinner frame, you immediately get the feeling you’re looking at a picture. There were also setbacks in picture quality, in that the TV has less contrast than its older model and can’t get quite as bright at the same time. As a result, the picture suffers, especially in HDR. However, the sound quality has been improved through Q Symphony and Object Tracking Sound.

These points do not make up for the bad performance in the technical field. For design lovers, a change would be worth, since the TV is now even thinner and also makes all cables disappear with the One-Connect-Box. The gallery look can still be maintained with new frames, and you get a TV that delivers a good picture, but still has a somewhat weaker display than the older Version.

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Samsung The Frame 2020
67%
Samsung The Frame
  • Motion Handling
  • Brightness ~570 Nits
  • Viewing angle
  • No Dolby Vision
  • No DTS
Samsung The Frame 2021
65%
Samsung The Frame
  • Motion Handling
  • Q Symphony
  • Object Tracking Sound
  • Viewing angle
  • No Dolby Vision
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