Looking to turn your living room into a virtual art gallery? Technology now enables televisions to double as digital canvases, displaying brilliant artwork or photography. And two models at the forefront of this emerging product niche are the Samsung Frame and Hisense M1.
As the innovator that sparked the art TV revolution back in 2017, the Samsung Frame remains the dominant player. But fresh competition comes from Hisense and its flashy new M1 unveiled at CES 2023.
So how do these feature-laden screens compare? What types of performance and functionality can you expect from each? This comprehensive guide will decode exactly what separates the Samsung Frame and Hisense M1 to assist you in selecting the best art TV solution.
Art Display Tech Explained
Today‘s art-oriented televisions essentially blend elements of traditional TVs with those of digital picture frames. When powered off or in dedicated display modes, they showcase various artwork, photography, or even personal images much like a high-tech canvas.
Quantum dot displays commonly found in models like the Samsung Frame allow them to render colors, contrast, and clarity at a level rivaling actual printed works. Matte screens mitigate glare for gallery-like finish.
Samsung Frame Overview
As the first commercially available art television back in 2017, the Samsung Frame stands today as the most mature, polished option.
It leverages Samsung‘s QLED quantum dot enhancement technology for Vivd colors and solid brightness, though blacks suffer slightly compared to OLED. A proprietary matte display combats glare and reflections that can detract from artwork viewing.
Special motion sensors automatically activate Art Mode when users enter the room. You can subscribe to Samsung‘s Art Store granting access to over 1,200 iconic paintings and photographs or upload your own images.
Beyond still images, animations, backgrounds, and slideshows offer engaging visuals. Customizable bezels ship with The Frame allowing you to tailor the exterior to your room‘s aesthetics.
Hisense M1 Art TV Intro
Seeking to challenge Samsung‘s dominance in this niche space, Hisense unveiled its first art television concept at CES 2023 – the Hisense M1.
Slated for release later this year, the M1 aims to leapfrog The Frame on technical capabilities while undercutting it substantially on pricing.
Key components will likely mimic technologies integrated into Hisense‘s 2023 premium U9H televisionIncluding:
- Mini LED backlighting with over 1,500 dimming zones
- Quantum dot color for over a billion hues
- 120hz native refresh rate for smoothed motion
Like The Frame, a customizable bezel surrounds the M1‘s display for coordinating with decor. The screen produces artwork and imagery when not actively used as a television.
Now, let‘s explore how the flagship Frame stacks up against this impending M1 challenger by multiple performance metrics:
Image Quality and Color
As televisions crafted to mimic actual artwork hanging on a wall, display characteristics like color accuracy, contrast, brightness and more prove vital to recreating this physical gallery experience digitally.
Both models leverage quantum dot technology for widened color gamuts but in distinct implementations.
| Samsung Frame | Hisense M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Backlighting | Edgelit LED | Mini LED (full array) |
| Quantum Dot | QLED Film | Quantum Dot Sheet |
| Peak Brightness | ~350 nits | ~1,500 nits |
| Black Level | Greyish blacks | Deep inky blacks |
| Viewing Angle | Average | Excellent |
| Glare Handling | Low with Matte Finish | Unknown |
In side-by-side evaluations, the Hisense M1‘s Mini LED backlighting earns it substantial wins in multiple picture quality elements like peak luminance, localized dimming control for truer blacks, and vastly superior viewing angles thanks to 792 separate backlighting zones.
However, reflections and glare represent the Achilles heel of most displays. Samsung designed The Frame specifically around combating these artifacts with its matte coating. So when environmental factors like bright ambient room light or sunlight from windows arise, The Frame would likely outclass the M1‘s standard glossy coatings for showcasing fine artworks.
Comparing Smart Platforms
While art modes clearly take precedence in these television‘s design ethos, their underlying smart platforms still contribute significantly to the overall user experience for tasks like streaming movies, web browsing, and casting content from phones.
Both leverage sophisticated, modern operating systems purpose-built around simplicity and customization.
The Samsung Frame runs the brand‘s intuitive Tizen platform. Redesigned for 2022, Tizen introduces a "watching bar" for quickly accessing apps while also surfacing curated recommendations. Samsung‘s ecosystem also handily integrates IoT devices like Galaxy phones and tablets.
By comparison, the M1 implements the immersive Google TV interface centered aroundsurfaced content suggestions and profiles. Google TV offers comparable app support with the addition of handy Google Assistant voice commands.
In terms of core functionality like app breadth, speedy navigation, and casting connectivity, Tizen and Google TV essentially fight to a draw. But those already embedded within Samsung‘s ecosystem gain some perks on The Frame.
| Samsung Frame | Hisense M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Platform | Samsung Tizen | Google TV |
| Voice Assistant | Bixby w/Alexa & Google option | Google Assistant |
| App Selection | Robust with most majors | Comparable to Tizen |
| Casting Support | Samsung devices have slight edge | Works great with Android/Chromecast |
Sizing Options Compared
A vital point of differentiation between these two art-centric televisions arises with their sizing flexibility. Samsung offers far more variety to accommodate rooms of all shapes and sizes.
The Frame scales from a 32-inch bedroom TV up to a colossal 85-inches. In-between, popular sizes like 55 and 65-inches suit most living spaces nicely. You can even opt to orient it vertically for a painted portrait simulation.
Conversely, Hisense announced just a solitary 65-inch M1 so far. Like most displays, horizontal landscape positioning remains standard.
| Samsung Frame | Hisense M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes Available | 32, 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 in | 65 in (for now) |
| Orientation | Landscape or portrait | Landscape only |
| Depth | 1 inch | 1.08 inches |
Installing your art screen in a bedroom? Samsung gives you more freedom to fit the space with a smaller unit.
Physical Design & Ambient Integration
As televisions emulating hanging wall art, adapting to room aesthetics represents a core design principle. Both Samsung‘s Frame and Hisense‘s M1 take physical customization to the next level.
Interchangeable bezels attach magnetically around the borders of each set. Available in an array of materials like wood finishes, metal trims, and fabric textures, you can tailor their appearance completely to surrounding furnishings.
The Frame mounts nearly flush at just 1-inch deep. The M1 projects outward slightly further at 1.08 inches. However, both integrate far easier onto walls than traditional bulky TVs.
When powered down, these minimized dimensions alongside anti-reflective coatings convincingly emulate real artwork.
For those averse to wall mounting, The Frame supports specialized easels and stands. Hisense hasn‘t indicated M1 stand options yet.
Art Mode Platform Comparison
Shifting into their dedicated Art Mode, these TVs transform into high-tech canvases pulling content from integrated libraries and cloud platforms.
The Frame once again leverages Samsung‘s first-mover advantage when it comes to art mode functionality.
An Art Store subscription unlocks 1,500+ iconic paintings and photos to display. Ten pieces get refreshed monthly. You also can upload your photos or private art collection via USB or mobile.
Motion detection automatically switches into Art Mode whenever you enter the room. You can program personal image slideshows, incorporate animated elements, and manually trigger Art Mode via remote.
Details remain relatively scarce surrounding the M1‘s art platform. We know it‘s designed to resemble a floating wall mural with backlighting when displaying paintings or photography.
Whether Hisense plans to implement an online art store or simply have users curate personal galleries natively represents a huge unknown. Lacking Samsung‘s more mature art mode ecosystem could place the M1 at a disadvantage.
| Samsung Frame | Hisense M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| First Party Art Store | Yes, subscription optional | TBD |
| Motion Activation | Yes, built-in sensor | TBD |
| Personal Photos | Yes, via USB and mobile | TBD |
| Animated Art | Yes | TBD |
Here‘s hoping Hisense commits similar resources into developing the M1‘s art platform further before launch.
Pricing Breakdown
For most buyers, financial considerations ultimately steer final purchasing decisions. The Samsung Frame unquestionably caters more to premium shoppers given its cutting-edge conception of the art TV space.
At $1,999 for the 65-inch model, The Frame clearly appeals to early tech adopters less sensitive to lofty price tags. Smaller configurations still run over $1,500 while the largest 85-inch trails near a staggering $4,000!
As the challenger, Hisense will almost certainly price the M1 far more competitively once fully unveiled. Industry analysts expect it to come in around $1,500 at 65-inches – saving you $500 over Frame equivalents and likely even less during promotions. Hisense has extensive expertise developing high-value TV innovations.
Remember, The Frame does currently have an extensive feature advantage from Samsung‘s years refining its art-oriented software and services. Those represent value too.
| Samsung Frame | Hisense M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| 65-inch Cost | $1,999 | Est. $1,500 |
| Total Sizes | 7 sizes | 1 size (for now) |
| Release Status | Buy Now | Launching Later 2023 |
Regardless of budget, keep your specific priorities around art mode functionality versus visual performance in mind.
Presenting My Professional Opinions
Given my years reviewing television technology for publications like CEPro, Dealerscope, and Twice, readers often ask my personal advice on display dilemmas like the art TV showdown between Samsung and Hisense.
The Frame clearly stands tall as the most mature, complete art television solution available today. Between the gorgeous quantum dot visuals calibrated expressly for art, built-in storefront, and robust smart ecosystem, Samsung dominates this niche space currently.
But for buyers able to wait beyond 2023 when Hisense unleashes its M1 challenger, its next-generation mini LED display tech makes this impending option also extremely enticing.
Hisense made serious waves across the broader television industry over the last few years rivaling top-tier brands with offerings like:
- Their bright, 120hz U7H Quantum Dot models
- Mini LED-powered U8H delivering stunning blacks
- Budget-friendly VIDAA sets like the A6H
Leveraging that heavy R&D investment into a specialized art-minded television like the M1 likely results in their most impressive creation yet – at least on a technical specs basis.
I predict extensive art mode feature parity still gives Samsung an edge there. But serious home theater buffs wanting a single display to master both while futureproofing visual performance can‘t go wrong patiently waiting on the Hisense M1‘s arrival later this year.
And remember – prices always drop over time! Early Frame adopters paidballoon rates back in 2017. Current promos slash hundreds off. The same will happen for the M1.
The Bottom Line
Evaluating art-centric televisions like the category-defining Samsung Frame and the incoming Hisense M1 challenger ultimately requires assessing priorities around visuals, installation flexibility, smart functionality, price and availability.
Both support subscription or user-supplied artwork galleries alongside customizable trim options for blending into living spaces when powered off.
But key decision points include:
- Release Timing – Buy Frame now or wait for M1?
- Display Quality – Samsung QLED vs. Hisense Mini LED
- Art Mode Ecosystem – Frame more mature platform currently
- Budget Constraints – M1 the value play, Frame more premium
For shoppers able to purchase soon, The Frame warrants its premium price tag with industry-leading art mode capabilities and versatile sizing. Interior designers love its rotational layout too!
But await the M1 if eyeing cutting-edge contrast and brightness from Hisense‘s latest innovations. Cost-conscious art lovers will welcome its value positioning as well.
Either way, both the enduring Samsung Frame and the upcoming Hisense M1 masterfully modernize turning your living room into a gorgeous smart art gallery!
I‘m happy to offer any personalized advice comparing these compelling displays. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Now go wow your guests with a beautiful new canvas!
