Samsung The Frame LS03FA Review: Art-First Design With Strong Gaming on Larger Sizes
Samsung’s 2025 The Frame LS03FA is a 4K QLED lifestyle TV designed to blend into a room as framed artwork. Its matte screen, included Slim Fit Wall Mount, Art Mode and separate One Connect Box distinguish it from conventional televisions. The 55- and 65-inch models are also the strongest gaming choices because they have native 120Hz panels, VRR, FreeSync Premium and support up to 4K 144Hz through HDMI 4. The 43- and 50-inch versions are limited to 4K 60Hz and lack the listed VRR support.
Video summary
Tech Steve unboxes and demonstrates the 55-inch Samsung The Frame, including its adjustable feet, included wall mount, SolarCell remote, wired One Connect Box and optional decorative bezel. He highlights the matte screen’s ability to soften reflections and observes that the picture looks best from directly in front, with some color loss when viewed from the side. Sports appeared bright, vivid and natural in Standard mode, although dark areas did not have the deepest black levels. Movie mode produced a more natural presentation, while the AI setting used content and room-light information to make automatic adjustments. Gaming checks showed 4K at 120Hz and 1440p at 120Hz from an Xbox, along with ALLM, VRR and Samsung’s Game Bar controls. The demonstrated settings were factory picture modes without a custom calibration.
Tech Steve Takeaway
Buy The Frame primarily for its décor-friendly installation, matte finish and Art Mode. Choose the 55- or 65-inch version if gaming matters because those sizes add native 120Hz panels, VRR and 4K 144Hz PC support. The 43- and 50-inch versions make more sense for compact rooms where the artwork-like design matters more than high-refresh gaming.
Picture quality
The 4K QLED display uses Dual LED backlighting and Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor. On the demonstrated 55-inch model, colors appeared vivid without making white areas look excessively artificial. Standard mode worked well for bright sports, while Movie and FILMMAKER MODE offered a more natural presentation. Dark scenes did not produce the deepest black levels, so the LS03FA’s main picture advantage is its balanced color and low-glare presentation rather than high-end black-level performance. The matte finish diffuses direct reflections more effectively than a glossy screen, although faint reflections can remain.
HDR performance
The LS03FA supports HDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive and HLG. HDR10+ Gaming is available on the 55- and 65-inch versions. The demonstration showed HDR content across AI, Dynamic, Standard, Eco, Movie and FILMMAKER MODE, but no numerical HDR brightness measurement was taken. Dolby Vision is not supported.
Gaming performance
Gaming capabilities vary significantly by size. The 55- and 65-inch models use native 120Hz panels and accept up to 3840 x 2160 at 144Hz through HDMI 4 from a compatible PC. They also support VRR, FreeSync Premium, ALLM and HDR10+ Gaming. The demonstrated 55-inch model accepted 4K 120Hz and 1440p 120Hz from Xbox. Samsung’s Game Bar provides quick access to refresh-rate information, aspect-ratio options, aiming points, minimap zoom, Dynamic Black EQ and gaming picture controls. The 43- and 50-inch versions are limited to 4K 60Hz and do not receive Samsung’s listed VRR or FreeSync Premium support.
Motion handling
The 55- and 65-inch versions provide the strongest motion performance through their native 120Hz panels and verified 4K 144Hz input capability. This makes them better suited to sports, current-generation consoles and compatible gaming PCs. The 43- and 50-inch models use 60Hz panels and cannot match the larger sizes for high-frame-rate motion.
Sound quality
Audio hardware differs by size. The 43- and 50-inch models use 20W, 2-channel systems with Object Tracking Sound Lite. The 55- and 65-inch models step up to 40W, 2.0.2-channel systems with Object Tracking Sound. Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony, Adaptive Sound and Active Voice Amplifier Pro are supported across the series. Q-Symphony can combine the TV speakers with a compatible Samsung soundbar.
Smart TV experience
One UI Tizen supplies the smart-TV interface, while Samsung Vision AI combines automated picture, sound and personalization features. Art Mode displays artwork or personal photos when regular viewing stops. Integrated motion and brightness sensors can adjust Art Mode according to room presence and ambient light. Art Store Streams offers a rotating complimentary selection, but unrestricted access to Samsung’s full Art Store catalog requires a paid subscription. AirPlay, Chromecast, Bixby and Amazon Alexa are supported, and the TV works with Google Assistant.
Calibration notes
The demonstration used Samsung’s factory settings without a custom calibration. Dynamic emphasized brightness, Standard retained a vivid presentation, Eco reduced energy use, and Movie provided a more natural cinematic image. FILMMAKER MODE is also available. The AI mode can automatically adjust the picture using the content and ambient-light sensors.
What we like
- Matte anti-reflection finish softens room glare and helps artwork resemble a physical print
- Included Slim Fit Wall Mount and approximately one-inch cabinet depth support a close-to-wall installation
- Art Mode displays curated artwork or personal photos when regular viewing stops
- Wired One Connect Box moves HDMI and other source connections away from the display
- 55- and 65-inch models offer native 120Hz panels, VRR, FreeSync Premium and up to 4K 144Hz PC input
- Four HDMI inputs and eARC provide flexible connectivity
- Height-adjustable feet offer two screen positions
What to consider
- 43- and 50-inch models are limited to 4K 60Hz and lack the listed VRR and FreeSync Premium support
- Only HDMI 4 accepts 4K 144Hz on the 55- and 65-inch models
- Black levels are not as deep as those of premium self-emissive displays
- Dolby Vision is not supported
- Full access to the Art Store requires a paid subscription and network connection
- Decorative frame bezels are optional purchases
- The wired One Connect Box requires placement near the TV or inside compatible furniture
Tech Steve verdict
Samsung The Frame LS03FA is best for shoppers who want a television to function as part of the room’s décor. Its matte screen, approximately one-inch cabinet depth, included close-fitting wall mount, optional bezels and Art Mode create a more convincing framed-art presentation than a conventional glossy TV. The separate One Connect Box also keeps source-device connections away from the display, although it still requires a wired connection and somewhere to place the box. The 55- and 65-inch models are the clear choices for gamers because they combine native 120Hz panels with VRR, FreeSync Premium and up to 4K 144Hz input through HDMI 4. The 43- and 50-inch versions retain the same artwork-focused design but are limited to 60Hz and are better suited to bedrooms, offices and décor-focused installations. Movie enthusiasts prioritizing the deepest black levels or Dolby Vision should consider alternatives, while buyers prioritizing low glare and an art-gallery appearance will find The Frame’s design compelling.
Size-by-size buying guide
Only verified size-specific measurements are displayed. Recommended distance uses a 30°-40° field-of-view range for mixed TV and cinematic viewing.
| Size / model | Panel / finish | Refresh | Dimming zones | Peak HDR | VESA | Feet width | Viewing distance | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43"QN43LS03FAFXZAMSRP $899.99 | QLED LCD with Dual LED backlightingAnti-Reflection Matte Display | 60 Hz native | — | — | 200 x 200 | 25.5 in | 4.9-6.7 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 50"QN50LS03FAFXZAMSRP $1,099.99 | QLED LCD with Dual LED backlightingAnti-Reflection Matte Display | 60 Hz native | — | — | 200 x 200 | 28.6 in | 5.7-7.8 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 55"QN55LS03FAFXZAMSRP $1,299.99 | QLED LCD with Dual LED backlightingAnti-Reflection Matte Display | 120 Hz native Up to 144 Hz at native resolution | — | — | 200 x 200 | 34.1 in | 6.3-8.6 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 65"QN65LS03FAFXZAMSRP $1,799.99 | QLED LCD with Dual LED backlightingAnti-Reflection Matte Display | 120 Hz native Up to 144 Hz at native resolution | — | — | 400 x 300 | 41.1 in | 7.4-10.1 ft | Check price ↗ |
Exclusive technology
Art Mode
Displays artwork or personal photos when regular television viewing is stopped. The integrated motion and brightness sensors can manage the art display according to room presence and ambient light.
Art Store and Art Store Streams
Provides access to Samsung's downloadable art catalog. Art Store Streams supplies a rotating complimentary selection, while unrestricted catalog access requires a paid subscription.
Anti-Reflection with Matte Display
Uses a low-glare, subtly textured screen finish intended to reduce visible room reflections and give displayed artwork a print-like appearance.
Modern Frame Design
Combines an approximately one-inch-deep display, included close-fitting wall mount and optional interchangeable bezels to resemble framed artwork.
Samsung Vision AI
Samsung's collection of AI-assisted picture, sound and personalized smart-TV features. Feature availability varies by model and content.
4K AI Upscaling
Uses the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor and Samsung processing formulas to scale lower-resolution sources toward the panel's 4K resolution.
Dual LED
Adjusts the backlight's color-temperature characteristics according to the displayed material. Samsung identifies this as the series' lighting technology.
Motion Xcelerator 144Hz
Allows the 55- and 65-inch variants to accept up to 3840 x 2160 at 144Hz through HDMI 4 from a compatible gaming PC. The 43- and 50-inch variants are limited to 4K 60Hz.
Wired One Connect Box
Places the HDMI, USB, network, antenna and optical connections in a separate box linked to the display by a One Connect cable.
Object Tracking Sound
Processes sound to correspond more closely with movement on screen. The 55- and 65-inch versions use OTS, while the 43- and 50-inch versions use OTS Lite.
Q-Symphony
Allows the TV speakers to operate with a compatible Samsung soundbar rather than automatically being disabled.
Specifications
Audio
Connectivity
Design & Installation
Gaming
General
Picture
Size Details
Smart Features
Specifications
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