We love our TV, we need our TV. But for the aesthetically minded among us, incorporating TVs into our home décor can be…a challenge. Samsung solves this dilemma with The Frame TV. The brand has a line of products that seamlessly transform TVs into works of art when closed, and this spring, Samsung launched a Frame speaker that looks like just another picture frame on a gallery wall.
Until this year, Samsung didn’t have much competition since it launched The Frame in 2017. Now, TV leaders Hisense and TCL are entering the space with new lifestyle TVs.
Image source: Hisense
Meet HiSense CanvasTV
Hisense CanvasTV will be launched in July 2024, offering an immersive art mode. Art Mode on CanvasTV, like The Frame, displays a series of preloaded artworks as well as personalized photos when not in use. So instead of showing you the boring black screen you’re used to, CanvasTV displays a beautiful image of your choice.
While immersive art modes are a big draw of The Frame-style TVs, they’re also very good at their primary function. CanvasTV uses 4K QLED technology and uses Hisense’s Hi-Matte technology for anti-glare viewing. Plus, it has surround sound effects, eliminating the need for an additional sound system. It’s also Google TV, providing access to your favorite streaming apps.
Mix and match speed of light
It is available in 55-inch and 65-inch models. CanvasTV comes with a teak frame, but other frames can be purchased. The best part about Hisense CanvasTV is that it’s much cheaper than Samsung’s The Frame. The 65-inch Hisense CanvasTV is priced at just $1,299.99, while Samsung sells the same size model for $1,999.99.
Image source: TCL
The latest competitor-TCL NXTFRAME TV
Just this week, TCL announced the NXTFRAME TV. Like The Frame and CanvasTV, it’s all about blending decor with the functionality of the TV. The NXTFRAME TV has an ultra-thin design (apparently the thinnest TV ever made) with a depth of just 1.1 inches (1.2 inches on the 85-inch model). It mounts flush against the wall, blending into your gallery and comes complete with a carefully curated art library. It also has a personal photo gallery mode and AI art capabilities, which is an interesting choice considering that AI art has always been controversial.
TCL has also entered into a licensing partnership with Bang & Olufsen to provide Bang & Olufsen’s audio for the NXTFRAME TV Pro model. Like other available Art TVs, it’s powered by 4K QLED with a matte anti-glare screen. It comes in four sizes: 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches and 85 inches. Like TVs from Samsung and Hisense, it comes with a replaceable wood frame.
The 55-inch and 65-inch NXTFRAME TVs are expected to be available now, but are still listed as coming soon on TCL’s website. The 75-inch and 85-inch models will be available in September. The 55-inch model starts at $1,499.99, which is exactly the same price as Samsung’s 55-inch The Frame. However, as model sizes increase, TCL’s NXTFRAME TVs are cheaper than Samsung’s, saving you hundreds of dollars.
