Samsung’s new Freestyle+ will be twice as bright, but one big question remains

Ahead of CES 2026, which runs from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, Samsung has unveiled its newest portable projector: the Freestyle+.

The Freestyle+ is Samsung’s third-generation Freestyle projector, and the company is highlighting several meaningful upgrades over the previous Freestyle 2nd Gen, which launched in 2023. Chief among them are a significant bump in brightness and a range of AI-driven improvements.

According to Samsung, the Freestyle+ can deliver up to 430 ISO lumens of brightness, nearly double the 230 ISO lumens offered by the Freestyle 2. For a projector this small and portable, that’s a big jump and should make a noticeable difference, especially in rooms that aren’t completely dark. Like past Freestyle models, the Freestyle+ also features 180-degree rotation and a 360-degree speaker, making it adaptable to the space you’re in.

While the brightness boost is impressive, the big unanswered question is pricing. Samsung hasn’t revealed how much the Freestyle+ will cost or an exact release date, though it is confirmed to launch in the first half of 2026.

“The Freestyle+ reflects Samsung’s vision to create displays that adapt naturally to how people live and move between spaces,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung, in a press release. “By combining true portability with intelligent AI that optimizes both the viewing environment and the content itself, The Freestyle+ makes it easier to enjoy a consistent, high-quality experience wherever you are.”

Samsung is leveraging AI to make the Freestyle+ easier to set up

The Freestyle+ can use AI to automatically fix image distortion and adjust to your space

It is 2026 now, after all, so it’s no surprise that AI plays a significant role in the Freestyle+. Samsung is positioning its “AI OptiScreen” technology as a core feature of its newest portable projector, describing it as “AI-powered screen optimization technology that automatically adjusts the picture to different spaces.” The idea is simple: you can drop the projector into just about any room and start watching, with AI handling the necessary picture adjustments based on the wall or surface you’re projecting onto. AI OptiScreen is made up of four main features: 3D Auto Keystone, Real-time Focus, Screen Fit, and Wall Calibration.

3D Auto Keystone automatically corrects distortion when projecting onto uneven surfaces, while Real-time Focus continuously adjusts the projector’s focus as it moves or rotates, helping maintain a clear image without blur or visual noise.

If you’re using a compatible projector screen, Screen Fit automatically aligns the projected image to match the screen, saving you from spending time manually tweaking the setup. Finally, Samsung says that Wall Calibration “analyzes the color or pattern of the projection surface and minimizes visual distractions for clearer viewing.”

It’s worth noting that previous-generation Freestyle models did offer automatic screen adjustment features, like autofocus and auto leveling, but this is the first time AI has played a role.

Samsung hasn’t shared an exact release date or pricing for the Freestyle+ yet, but it says it plans a phased global rollout in the first half of the year.

Moving on to audio, the Freestyle+ includes a 360-degree speaker that Samsung says is tuned to deliver rich sound despite its compact size. It also supports Q-Symphony, allowing the Freestyle+ to work in sync with compatible Samsung soundbars for a fuller audio experience.

The Freestyle+ also comes with built-in entertainment options like Samsung TV Plus and Samsung Gaming Hub, meaning you don’t necessarily need to connect an external media player to start using it.

Samsung hasn’t shared an exact release date or pricing for the Freestyle+ yet, but it says it plans a phased global rollout in the first half of the year. For reference, the previous-generation Freestyle 2nd Gen is regularly priced at $800 in the US, so the new Freestyle+ could be priced somewhere in that range, though we’ll hopefully learn more when CES kicks off next week.