Samsung The Frame LS03D

The Frame / LS03D

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”85”

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Panel technology: LCD VA | Brand: SAMSUNG | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Tizen | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

6.9

Overall rating

Samsung The Frame LS03D (2024) is not just an ordinary TV that you place in the corner and forget about after two days. Right away, it’s clear that the manufacturer aimed for more than just displaying movies. First, the "Art" mode grabs attention – with just a few clicks, we can turn The Frame into a digital gallery, showcasing works that, combined with the matte screen, really resemble a real painting in a frame. Speaking of frames, we have the option to customize its colour to perfectly match our interior. Additionally, in the package, we’ll find a wall mount, which allows the TV to be hung virtually “flat”, enhancing the impression of engaging with a piece of art rather than a typical screen. The matte display provides great protection against light reflections, and paired with high brightness (650 cd/m²), it performs well even in full sunlight. On top of that, we have a VA panel with quite decent contrast and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, so watching sports or playing dynamic titles looks really smooth and pleasing to the eye. Adding to this are the gaming features – VRR, ALLM, and HGiG – indicating that Samsung also thought about console and PC fans. As a result, Samsung The Frame can serve as both a picturesque decoration for the living room and a rather sensible gaming monitor. The mentioned One Connect is another handy gadget – it allows us to hide all cables in one place, requiring only a thin cable connecting the TV to that magic box. If we like order, this is a solution designed for us. Another advantage is the Tizen system – easy to use, fast, and full of apps. While it may not have absolutely everything (e.g., the Tidal app), it still offers a wide range of options when searching for additional streaming platforms. Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. The lack of local dimming is noticeable in dark scenes, where the blacks become less distinct. We also have to remember that there’s only one HDMI 2.1 port, so if we want to connect more devices at 4K and 120 Hz, we might feel limited. Besides, the viewing angles are rather average, so it’s better if the most important viewer (that’s us) sits directly in front of the TV. For Dolby Vision lovers, it won’t be the ideal choice either, as The Frame LS03D only supports HDR10 and HDR10+. Additionally, the sound – like in most slim TVs – is average, so it’s worth considering a soundbar if we care about clearer bass and a deeper sound. Despite these weaker points, The Frame still makes a great impression. It’s striking, stylish, and versatile – suitable for both watching the latest hits and displaying reproductions of paintings on the wall. If we value an extraordinary appearance, high brightness, and want to play something with low input lag, then this model will be a perfect choice. And while it may not be the leader in cost-effectiveness nor a technological "monster" in terms of picture quality, it has something that is simply likable. It’s a piece of equipment that stands out with its unique character and can fit into any interior, attracting attention both in TV mode and digital art gallery mode.

Advantages

Unique design and "Art" mode – the television perfectly blends into interiors and serves as a digital picture frame
Matte screen – effectively reduces light reflections
Customisable television frames – adjusting the look to fit the interior
Dedicated wall mounts included (Value approx. AUD 400) – the television can sit almost flat against the wall
High brightness (650 cd/m²) – excellent visibility even in well-lit rooms
VA panel – decent contrast
Good motion fluidity – 120Hz*
Supports VRR, ALLM and HGiG – full package of gaming features
Smooth tonal transitions – one of the best results in this category among tested televisions
One Connect module – minimises cable clutter, ensuring tidiness
Tizen system – responsive, intuitive

*Does not apply to the 43 and 50-inch variants (60Hz)

Disadvantages

No local dimming – affects the quality of black, especially in dark scenes
Average viewing angles – the image loses quality when viewed from a greater angle
Average sound quality – flat sound without depth
Limited number of HDMI 2.1 ports – only one port supports full 4K@120 Hz
No Dolby Vision – the television only supports HDR10 and HDR10+

Movies and series in UHD quality

6.9
Classic TV, YouTube

6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

6.2
Gaming on console

8.2
TV as a computer monitor

7.6
Watching in bright light

6.5
Utility functions

7.0
Apps

9.3
Sound quality

5.8

TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Samsung The Frame LS03D Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review Samsung The Frame LS03D Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

4,200:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

4,800:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

5,100:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

5,300:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

3,850:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Samsung The Frame uses a VA panel, which provides quite a high contrast on its own. In our tests, the results ranged from 4000 to 5000:1, which will be perfectly sufficient for most users. However, the lack of local dimming becomes apparent, especially on more demanding test patterns. In dark scenes, it can be noticed that the black has a slight navy hue. During the day or in a well-lit room, this won't be a problem, but during an evening viewing, more demanding viewers may feel a slight dissatisfaction.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.2/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.0%, Bt.2020: 68.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung The Frame LS03D Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

679 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

663 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

712 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

698 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

726 nit

Samsung The Frame LS03D really does well with brightness. Results at the level of 700 nits make bright elements on the screen look impressive and detailed, whether they illuminate the entire screen or appear as tiny points of light on a dark background. In more demanding scenes, like the fourth sequence from the film Sicario 2, the blacks perform moderately, but we have already discussed this in the section on contrast. However, when it comes to brightness – this television definitely holds its own. An additional advantage is the quantum dot coating, which is QLED technology. Thanks to this, the coverage of the colour palette has been improved, although The Frame does not stand out in this regard compared to the competition.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

We checked how Samsung The Frame performs with the most demanding scenes from films. In the case of Mr, the material mastered at 2800 nits, the picture looked really good. Details in the darker areas were slightly brightened, but overall it still appeared solid. The sun in the background didn’t merge into one blob, although we’ve seen TVs that handle this better.

On the other hand, the second scene from the film Billy Lynn pleasantly surprised us. The colours were beautifully rendered, and bright light effects like fireworks looked really impressive. The overall impression of the scene was very good, although again, the uncrushed blacks stood out due to the lack of local dimming.

It’s also worth mentioning the dynamic tone mapping feature. By default, as with most Samsung TVs, we recommend keeping it in static mode. Turning on the active option caused excessive brightening of the screen, which spoiled what was already a good-looking effect.

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung The Frame LS03D supports two popular HDR formats: HDR10 and HDR10+. At first glance, they only differ by the "plus" in the name, but the difference in picture quality is really noticeable. HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata, which means that brightness and contrast are adjusted on the fly, scene by scene. As a result, the image has more detail in both bright and dark areas, and overall it looks simply better and more natural than static HDR10.

Unfortunately, traditionally for Samsung, there is no support for Dolby Vision here. This is a significant drawback because Dolby Vision is currently the most popular HDR format on streaming services like Netflix or Disney+. Of course, the lack of Dolby Vision does not mean that the TV won't display such content. It will simply do so in HDR10 format, which in practice can mean slightly less detail in more demanding scenes.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.7/10

This is one of the best televisions we've had the opportunity to test in terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions. Any potential imperfections are so minor that you really have to strain your eyes to notice them. They are subtle enough that we only deducted a symbolic fraction of points in this category. Undoubtedly, this is one of the greatest advantages of this model. It's possible that such a good effect is partly due to the matte screen coating, which gently masks any irregularities in colour gradation. The smoothness of tonal transitions in Samsung The Frame LS03D is at a level that will satisfy even exceptionally demanding users. Kudos to LS03D!

Review Samsung The Frame LS03D Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.1/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

It's time to check how Samsung The Frame LS03D copes with older, lower-quality materials. We already know that the smoothness of tonal transitions is at a very high level, so we were curious to see how the TV would handle smoothing them out.

The noise reduction feature in the “Standard” setting does its job well – tonal transitions are noticeably smoothed out, and the image doesn’t lose too much detail. However, it’s worth noting that this effect also smooths out film grain, so its usage will be a matter of individual preference.

When it comes to image scaling, the TV performed really well too. The tested image came out solid – the model was accurately represented, with clear details. The branches in the background, although slightly frayed in places, generally look natural and do not stand out as a flaw.

Blur and motion smoothness

6.4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 42%

To start off, it’s worth noting that the model we tested in the 55-inch size, along with the 65, 75, and 85-inch versions, is equipped with a 120 Hz panel. Unfortunately, the 43 and 50-inch variants of this series only offer 60 Hz panels, which is worth considering when making a purchase. In terms of improving motion fluidity, the TV offers a feature called “Image Clarity.” This is a classic motion smoother that gives users the ability to adjust using two sliders:

Blur Reduction – this controls image sharpening during dynamic scenes. The higher the value, the less blurring occurs during fast camera moves or moving objects. However, setting it too aggressively can make the image look unnatural and resemble a “soap opera.”

Judder Reduction – this slider affects the smoothness of frame playback, especially in materials with lower frame rates, such as movies (24 fps). Higher settings can smooth out motion but can also lead to excessive “plasticity” of the image.

Both sliders operate on a scale from 0 to 10, allowing for precise adjustment of the effect to personal preferences. It’s a good idea to experiment with the settings to find the perfect balance between fluidity and a natural look for the image. We recommend setting them as shown in the picture.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Motion blur on the Samsung The Frame LS03D falls... average. It’s not something that stands out during everyday viewing of series or films, but in more demanding scenes, you can notice slight imperfections. During our test with the classic "ufo," we observed a slight blur, particularly on darker backgrounds. This doesn't spoil the overall impression, but a trained eye will certainly catch it. It's worth noting that we tested the variant with a 120 Hz panel (55 inches). Larger versions – 65, 75, and 85 inches – also benefit from this technology, so the effect will be similar. In smaller models (43 and 50 inches), which have a 60 Hz panel, motion blur may be more noticeable, especially during fast shots in sports or games.

Console compatibility and gaming features

8.8/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 120Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: No
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

The Frame LS03D in the 2024 version is equipped with four HDMI ports, but only one supports the 2.1 standard with a bandwidth of 40 Gb/s. This is important information if we plan to connect more than one device that requires a 4K@120 Hz signal – for example, two consoles or a console and a gaming PC.

In terms of features for gamers, The Frame truly has a lot to boast about. We have ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and HGiG. It’s worth mentioning that HGiG has been very well implemented here, which is particularly important as the television does not support Dolby Vision in games (which is only available on Xbox consoles). In this case, HGiG turns out to be a better standard for gaming.

Samsung hasn't forgotten about features that enhance the gaming experience. Game Bar is an expanded panel for gamers that allows quick adjustment of screen settings without having to dig through the television menu. We can even change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to the panoramic 21:9, which can be a significant advantage for some gamers.

However, Samsung's biggest ace up its sleeve is the Game Motion Plus feature. This is a special smoother dedicated to games that adds additional frames of animation without significantly affecting input lag. The effect is really noticeable – the image seems much smoother, which will be particularly appreciated by fans of dynamic titles.

In summary – Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that offers a solid set of features for gamers. Although the limitation to one HDMI 2.1 port may be a downside, the rest of the solutions make gaming on this television a truly enjoyable experience.

Input lag

10/10

When it comes to latency, The Frame LS03D truly impresses. 13 ms with 60 Hz content and 8 ms at 120 Hz are results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Such low values make the reactions to controller movements almost instantaneous. In dynamic games like shooters or racing, every fraction of a second counts – here, Samsung LS03D performs superbly.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 13 ms	2160p60: 13 ms
1080p120: 8 ms	2160p120: 8 ms
2160p60: 13 ms
2160p120: 8 ms

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 8ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 120Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Using a computer on The Frame is truly a pleasant experience. The fonts are clear and well-reproduced thanks to the 4:4:4 chroma support. There's no blurring or fuzziness that often occurs in cheaper TVs. Of course, if someone is really scrutinising small texts, they might notice minimal imperfections, but that’s really a minor issue that doesn’t interfere with daily tasks. It's also suitable for gaming on PC. The 120 Hz panel, support for G-Sync, and really low input lag ensure that games run smoothly and without delays.

Viewing angles

3.3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 75%

The viewing angles on the Samsung The Frame LS03D are average, which is typical for a VA panel. And here lies a bit of a hitch – this television is supposed to serve as a display for images and artworks, which are not always viewed straight on. When viewed at an angle, colours begin to lose their intensity, and blacks turn into shades of grey. It isn’t a level that completely ruins the viewing experience, but if the television is set up in a spot where it will often be watched from the side, the effect may be noticeable. It’s a shame, because better viewing angles in a television designed for such a purpose would be a great advantage.

TV efficiency during daytime

6.5/10

Matrix coating: Matte

Reflection suppression: Very Good

Black levels during daytime: Poor

Samsung The Frame has been equipped with a matte panel that effectively manages to reduce direct light reflections. This means that even in a brightly lit room, the image remains clear, and reflections do not interfere with viewing. Of course, as is often the case with matte finishes, there are trade-offs – colours lose some of their intensity, and black appears more washed out during the day. Fortunately, the television compensates for this with a brightness level of 650 cd/m². This ensures that the image is bright, sharp, and easily visible even in a well-lit room.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung The Frame LS03D : 645 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: 1120

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: QLED

TV features

7/10

System operacyjny: Tizen
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes

Review Samsung The Frame LS03D TV features

Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that stands out from other models and is difficult to describe in a conventional way. Of course, it has all the standard Smart TV features thanks to the Tizen system. The system is responsive, comprehensive, and offers a wide selection of applications. The remote control supports voice commands in Polish, and we can connect additional devices via Bluetooth – just like in many other televisions. But that's not the essence of this model.

The biggest strength of Samsung The Frame is its design. The "Art" mode allows you to display thousands of high-resolution images, which, combined with the matte screen, look truly exceptional. The effect is surprisingly realistic and hard to compare to any other television.

The frames may not be the thinnest on the market, but they can be customised in terms of colour and style to perfectly match the interior. (Sold separately) And although the frames themselves are not ultra-thin, the entire construction is sleek and elegant. The wall mount, which is included (valued at about 400 PLN), is also worth noting. It allows the television to be mounted almost flush against the wall, with no gap, which further emphasises the "picture" effect.

And what about the cables? Samsung thought of that as well. The Frame is equipped with a One Connect module – this is an external box that connects all devices. Only one nearly invisible cable goes to the television, which carries both the signal and power. The box can be easily hidden in a cabinet or behind furniture, ensuring that nothing disrupts the aesthetic of the interior.

Samsung The Frame LS03D is more than just an ordinary television – it is a thoughtfully designed decorative element that combines modern Smart TV functionality with exceptional design and practical solutions. Although it lacks typical functions such as USB recording or PiP, it is not a model created with a conventional approach to television in mind. LS03D the frame is a television that is easy to love for its innovation, originality, and how well it fits into any interior.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.5/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The built-in media player in Samsung The Frame handles most popular video and audio formats without any significant issues. Video files, even those with our added subtitles, play smoothly and without interruptions. The same goes for audio files – there are no major surprises here either. The handling of photo formats is somewhat less impressive. The built-in player has certain limitations and does not support all possible types of graphic files. However, nowadays most people use wireless photo transfer, so for many users this won't be a major problem.

Apps

9.3/10

Sound

5.8/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

The sound on Samsung The Frame is… well, quite average. The slim design of the TV, while impressive, doesn’t leave much room for decent speakers. As a result, the sound is flat and lacks dynamics – just like most TVs in this category. Samsung is clearly aware of this, as they have a special S series of soundbars designed specifically for their “lifestyle” TV line, which includes The Frame.

Art Mode: The Frame transforms into a gallery displaying selected artworks when not in use as a television. With access to the Art Store, you can choose from thousands of artworks or display your own photos.
Matte Screen Coating: The anti-reflective matte coating reduces light reflections, providing comfort while viewing even in bright rooms.
Customisable Frames: The ability to personalise the look of the television with interchangeable frames that can match your interior style.
Quantum Dot Technology: Quantum dot technology delivers 100% colour intensity, offering vibrant and realistic hues regardless of brightness levels.
Pantone Validated Certificate: The Frame has obtained the Pantone Validated ArtfulColor certification, confirming accurate colour reproduction according to strict Pantone standards.
One Connect Box: The external module allows for connecting all devices to the television using a single, nearly invisible cable, keeping the area around the television tidy.
Adaptive Picture Function: The television analyses the lighting in the room and the video content, automatically optimising brightness and contrast for the best visual experience.
Active Voice Amplifier (AVA): This function identifies ambient noise and automatically raises the volume of dialogue to ensure it is clearly audible even in loud environments.
Ambient+ Mode: Allows for displaying information on the screen such as weather, time, or adjusting the background to match the wall colour when the television is not actively in use.
Smart TV with Tizen System: An intuitive and responsive operating system offering access to popular streaming apps and smart functions.

Samsung The Frame test – exceptional functionality

As indicated by the The Frame test, the television stands out with its innovative combination of elegance and practicality. With the "Art" mode, the device displays artworks, resembling a picture in a frame, which enhances its stylish finish. Furthermore, the Samsung The Frame test showed that the matte panel effectively eliminates reflections, which increases viewing comfort even in bright rooms. If you're interested in more details, check out other TV tests to compare Samsung The Frame 55 with others.

Samsung The Frame – image quality

Samsung The Frame test shows that the device offers satisfactory image quality, although the lack of advanced local dimming may affect the sharpness of dark scenes. However, with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and brightness of 650 cd/m², the television performs excellently with dynamic content. It's worth noting that The Frame Samsung features a stylish design, making it an ideal choice for lovers of modern interiors. The The Frame test also highlighted the presence of gaming features such as VRR and ALLM, making it appealing for gamers.

Samsung The Frame LS03D

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Samsung The Frame test – exceptional functionality

Samsung The Frame – image quality