Portable projectors are not new, but Samsung’s The Freestyle piqued our interest from the second it was first unveiled at CES back in January.
This swivelling barrel-shaped device is small but rammed with tech. It’s capable of projecting a 1080p image of up to 100in, while handy features such as automatic focus and keystone correction ensure your films stay sharp and straight.
The Freestyle has its own built-in speaker for 360° sound and the same software as Samsung’s smart TVs, so all the streaming apps you need are right there when you turn it on. Best of all, if you aren’t near a mains socket it can also be powered by a USB battery pack, making it a true go-anywhere gadget. And as it tilts up to 180°, it’s easy to place.
But with a price that makes it anything but easy to afford, is The Freestyle a must-have for on-the-move AV fans?
Stand by your can
The vast majority of projectors are plain rectangular boxes, and that’s fine. But The Freestyle is different – and that’s reflected by its design. Looking like a jumbo tin of beans or the world’s largest can of Coke, it swings freely through 180° on a stand with a circular baseplate (1).
A can for all seasons
On the side you’ll find a USB-C port for power if you’re plugging into the wall (2), and next to that is a micro HDMI socket that allows you to attach external devices such as games consoles. With extensive native app support, this gives you a lot of scaled-up entertainment options.
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