Is a TV that displays art worth it? Here is my honest Samsung Frame TV review from the perspective of a home decorator who didn’t want to lose the decor space above the mantel.
You’ve probably seen the picture-frame-style TV around the web: when it’s not in use it displays artwork instead of a black screen. I’ve lived with the Samsung Frame TV for over a year and I’m sharing a straightforward review: is the Frame TV worth it?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes—and here’s why.
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We’ve owned our Samsung Frame TV for more than a year and it has become our household favorite—even though we have two other TVs. I waited to share this review because I wanted to live with it and test it in everyday life. It still lives up to the hype for us.
Beyond the usual TV features, what sold me on the Frame TV was art mode: when the TV is idle it shows curated artwork or your own images. As a decorator, I didn’t want to sacrifice the mantel area to a black rectangle. The Frame TV lets that space remain beautiful and functional.
Table of contents
- Our Story of Buying the Frame TV
- Putting a TV above the Mantel in the New House
- Decorating around the Frame TV on a Mantel
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Frame TV
- How do you get art on the TV?
- What size digital art works on the Frame TV?
- Do you have to have the Connect Box out in the open?
- Does it turn completely off? Does it emit light when off?
Our Story of Buying the Frame TV
We originally bought the TV that displays art while living in our previous house. We wanted to upgrade from an old, small non-smart TV and my husband requested something larger than our 32″ set. I wanted an upgrade that wouldn’t destroy my mantel styling—so the Frame TV was an obvious choice.
We chose the 55″ Frame TV. The picture quality is modern and crisp (4K UHD with good color and contrast), which is a noticeable step up from our decade-old set. But more important to me was that when it’s idle the TV displays artwork in a realistic, framed presentation rather than a dark rectangle.
The Frame TV’s design helps it pass for art: it can be mounted flush to the wall and it uses a separate connect box that links to the display with a very thin cable. That slim profile and the available magnetic bezels make the TV feel more like a framed piece than a traditional television.
Every Frame TV comes with a no-gap wall mount. To achieve a truly gapless mount you need a flat wall and ideally a recessed outlet; our setup has a slight gap we disguised with mantel trim and it’s barely noticeable.
Putting a TV above the Mantel in the New House
The age-old question: should you put a TV above the mantel?
When we moved, our new living room layout and a large sectional left us little choice but to place the TV above the mantel. As a decorator, I worried about losing prime decorating space—but the Frame TV softened that compromise. It looks intentional and visually pleasing when set to art mode.
We kept the TV’s black bezel because it blends with our navy walls, but magnetic bezels in other tones are available if you prefer a different framing look. We also ran the TV cord behind the wall and tucked the connect box in a cabinet so everything is hidden from view; the Frame TV’s “invisible” connection allows the box to be out of sight but still functional.
Mounting the TV was a two-person job. We installed it ourselves, but if you’re not comfortable with heavy lifting or precise wall mounting, hiring a professional is a good choice.
Decorating around the Frame TV on a Mantel
One common concern is how to style a mantel with a TV above it. The advantage of the Frame TV is that you can change the image to match seasons, holidays, or your current decor palette. I often display pairs of decorative trees during winter or keep the mantel relatively simple so the TV “art” remains the focal point.
If you enjoy switching up your room’s look, changing the TV’s artwork is an easy way to refresh the mantel without extra clutter. I’ve considered adding sconces to the wall moulding on either side to frame the display in a classic way—an easy future upgrade for more balanced styling.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Frame TV
How do you get art on the TV?
A few artworks come preloaded, but you’ll likely want more variety. Samsung offers an Art Store subscription for curated pieces, or you can upload your own images. I find art on sites like Etsy or buy Frame TV–specific files, and I also use photos I’ve taken.
To upload your own images, download the SmartThings app, ensure your phone and TV are on the same home network, and follow the app’s prompts to add images to the TV’s art collection. I keep a “TV art” folder in my phone’s photos app for easy access and rotation.
What size digital art works on the Frame TV?
For a perfect fit without a mat, resize images to 3840×2160 pixels (4K). If images are smaller, the TV may add a digital mat or border. Many sellers who create Frame TV art will provide correctly sized files; otherwise, you can resize images yourself to fill the screen edge-to-edge.
Do you have to have the Connect Box out in the open/behind glass?
No. The connect box communicates via radio frequency to the TV, so it can be hidden inside a closed cabinet nearby. You don’t need glass-front doors or special vents for the remote to work—remote signals and the wireless link function fine with the box tucked away.
Does it turn completely off? Does it emit light when off?
Yes, it can turn completely off. In regular operation the TV will enter art or ambient mode, but motion and light sensors can turn it fully off when nobody is present or when the room is dark. You can also turn it off manually with a long press of the power button. When off, the screen is black with only a small status light that disappears if you use a magnetic frame.
Overall, we’re very happy with our Samsung Frame TV. It gives us modern picture quality while preserving the look of our mantel and allowing rotating artwork that complements our decor. If you’re balancing style and function—especially for a TV above a fireplace—the Frame TV is an excellent option.
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