Frame TVs are a unique and stylish invention that perfectly blend high-end television technology with the timeless elegance of framed artwork. The seamless design allows these TVs to convincingly masquerade as a tasteful painting or photograph hanging on your wall when not in use for watching content. With the press of a button, the display springs to life, transforming from an eye-catching piece of home decor into a fully-functional smart TV.
As impressive and conversation-starting as frame TVs can be, they may not be the ideal choice for every home and budget. Despite the "wow factor", there are several compelling reasons why you might want to think twice before rushing out to buy one of these pricey designer televisions. As an expert in consumer electronics and home entertainment, I‘ll walk you through the top 7 reasons to potentially avoid jumping on the frame TV bandwagon.
How Frame TVs Work
Frame TVs achieve their unique aesthetic through the use of a few key design elements and technologies:
- Extremely thin profiles of 1-2 inches to mimic the depth of a typical picture frame
- Customizable, interchangeable bezels that attach magnetically to change the look
- Matte, anti-reflective LCD screens that reduce glare to better emulate a physical artwork
- Built-in light sensors that adjust the display‘s brightness to match ambient lighting
- Dedicated art modes with access to galleries of famous artworks and photography
- In-wall cable management systems to hide ugly wires and achieve an uncluttered look
By combining all of these design choices, frame TV manufacturers are able to create a device that approximates the look and feel of real framed art, but with the added benefit of doubling as a fully-functional television when desired.
Frame TV Market Share and Sales Stats
Despite their growing popularity and buzz, frame TVs still represent a very small portion of overall TV sales. According to market research firm Omdia, Samsung‘s The Frame TV lineup, which debuted in 2017 as the first frame TV, has sold a cumulative 1 million units globally as of 2021. While those numbers are respectable, they pale in comparison to the tens of millions of regular LED and OLED TVs sold each year.
In terms of market share, frame TVs likely account for less than 1% of all TVs sold. The vast majority of consumers still opt for traditional TV designs that prioritize factors like screen size, resolution, peak brightness and smart features over aesthetics. Frame TVs remain a niche, luxury-oriented category that appeals to a small subset of design-conscious, art-loving buyers.
Top 7 Reasons to Avoid Frame TVs
1. Sky-High Price Tags
The number one reason many consumers shy away from frame TVs is the hefty price premium compared to regular TVs with equivalent screen sizes and features. Popular models like Samsung‘s The Frame series and LG‘s GX Gallery series often cost 30-50% more than their non-frame counterparts.
| Screen Size | Samsung The Frame | Samsung Q60A QLED (No Frame) | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65-inch | $1,999 | $1,099 | $900 (82% more) |
| 75-inch | $2,999 | $1,499 | $1500 (100% more) |
As you can see, the price gap between frame and non-frame TVs is substantial, especially as you move up in screen size. Expect to pay nearly double for a frame TV compared to a well-equipped standard model.
2. Tacked-On Subscription and Artwork Costs
Another downside to consider is that displaying artwork on your frame TV isn‘t as simple as selecting an image and pushing a button. Samsung‘s Art Store, which lets you browse and select from a library of over 1,400 pieces by famous artists, requires a paid monthly subscription of $5 per month. That‘s an additional $60 per year on top of your existing streaming service bills.
You also have the option to purchase individual artworks outright, but they don‘t come cheap. Most pieces cost between $20-25 each, so decorating your virtual gallery can quickly get expensive. While there are some limited free artwork selections and the ability to display your own photos, a big part of the frame TV experience is accessing the works of renowned artists, which gets pricey.
3. Limited Selection and Brand Options
While frame TVs are gaining popularity, they are still a niche subcategory without a wide selection of brands or models to choose from. Samsung‘s The Frame series and LG‘s GX Gallery series are the two main players, with only a couple models and screen sizes offered by each:
| Brand & Model | Available Screen Sizes |
|---|---|
| Samsung The Frame | 32, 43, 50, 55, 65, 75-inch |
| LG GX Gallery OLED | 55, 65, 77-inch |
If you‘re looking for a specific screen size like a 40 or 85-inch, you‘re out of luck. There also aren‘t any budget-oriented frame TV options to choose from, as the technology is still relatively new and controlled by a couple of major brands.
4. Digital Art Doesn‘t Always Replicate the Real Thing
As much as frame TV brands try to emulate the look of real framed artwork, the illusion isn‘t always 100% convincing due to the inherent qualities of an electronic display.
Dr. Michael Reuben, an art history professor at NYU, notes that "while frame TVs are a clever design innovation, they don‘t fully capture the depth, texture and ‘aura‘ of an original artwork. Digital reproductions, even on a 4K screen, tend to flatten the image and lose some of the artist‘s intended detail and impact."
Even the most well-calibrated screens can‘t fully replicate the in-person experience of viewing a painting in a gallery or museum. And the matte, anti-glare screens used on frame TVs tend to mute colors and soften details compared to glossy screens. Up close, most viewers will quickly be able to tell they are looking at a TV screen and not an actual framed print or painting.
5. Bezels Reduce Screen Size and Immersion
Another potential downside of frame TVs‘ stylized designs are the thicker bezels around the screen compared to the razor-thin edges found on many current regular TVs.
While the chunky, customizable bezels are necessary to sell the illusion of a picture frame, they also reduce the available screen real estate and field of view when watching content. The Frame‘s bezels are nearly 2 inches thick, which reduces the 65-inch model‘s screen size to around 60 inches. Over the past decade, most TV makers have worked to shrink bezels to create a more immersive, edge-to-edge viewing experience that frame TVs disrupt.
6. Wall-Mounting Isn‘t Always Practical
An important practical consideration with frame TVs is that they are designed exclusively for wall-mounting, without the legs or stands included with more traditional TVs.
This wall-centric design makes sense aesthetically to mimic a framed painting, but can pose installation challenges. Frame TVs require drilling into studs or masonry and precisely hiding the wiring inside the wall, a job that often requires a professional installer.
Renters may be prohibited from drilling holes or mounting heavy electronics on walls. Older homes may have fragile walls unable to support a frame TV‘s weight. And if your room doesn‘t orient seating directly toward the wall, a wall-mounted frame TV may be impractical compared to a stand-mounted regular model.
7. Limited Mainstream Appeal
At the end of the day, frame TVs are a niche, specialized product category without universal, mainstream appeal. They will likely only attract a small subset of consumers who highly prioritize aesthetics, entertain guests frequently, and have a large disposable income.
Vincent Teoh, a professional TV reviewer from HDTV Test notes that "frame TVs are a cool concept, but won‘t be a fit for the vast majority of TV shoppers. Most consumers care far more about picture quality, screen size, and smart features than having the thinnest profile or bezel. The cost premium is also hard to justify for anyone on a remotely limited budget."
For the average buyer, a frame TV‘s unique benefits won‘t outweigh the added costs and practical limitations compared to a similarly-priced regular TV. Most shoppers tend to focus on core factors like resolution, HDR performance, viewing angles, and smart platform rather than aesthetics.
Unless you are a dedicated art enthusiast looking to make an interior design statement, a frame TV may be an unnecessary luxury that doesn‘t offer a compelling value or set of features. You‘ll often get a better viewing experience investing in a larger screen or higher-end OLED/QLED panel than paying a premium solely for style.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Frame vs Regular TVs
To help illustrate the differences between frame and regular premium TVs, here is a quick head-to-head comparison of two popular 65-inch models:
| Specification | Samsung 65" The Frame (2022) | LG C2 65" OLED (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999 | $1,799 |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Display Type | QLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Tizen | webOS |
| Thickness | 1 inch | 1.8 inches |
| Bezels | 1.8 inches (customizable) | 0.1 inch |
| Wall-Mount | Flush with One Connect Box | Flush |
| Unique Features | Art Mode, Interchangeable Bezels | Evo OLED Panel, Gallery Stand |
As you can see, the frame TV costs $200 more than a comparable 65-inch OLED, despite the OLED having a better display panel, Dolby Vision support, and a nearly bezel-less design. You pay a significant premium for The Frame‘s art mode and thicker, swappable bezels rather than getting a better viewing experience for movies, shows and gaming.
Consider These Alternative TV Options Instead
If you‘ve decided a frame TV isn‘t the right fit for your needs and budget, here are a few highly-rated alternative options to consider:
For a premium viewing experience: LG C2 Series OLED. This stunning 4K display offers perfect black levels, vibrant colors, and a 120HZ refresh rate for under $1,800 for a 65-inch model. It‘s a favorite among cinephiles and gamers alike.
For a balance of performance and value: TCL 6-Series Roku TV (R635). This affordable QLED TV boasts impressive contrast, Dolby Vision HDR support, a built-in Roku interface and VRR for smooth gaming for around $1,000 for a 65-inch screen.
For a budget-friendly pick: Hisense U6G Android TV. You get 4K resolution, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, built-in Google Assistant and a good selection of ports and gaming features for an incredibly low price under $500 for a 50-inch model.
The Bottom Line
While frame TVs are undeniably stylish and distinctive, their high prices, added subscription costs, limited model selection and niche appeal mean they aren‘t the best choice for most consumers. Unless you have a very specific aesthetic vision and a generous budget, you‘ll likely get more bang for your buck with a traditional LED, QLED or OLED TV designed for maximum performance and value rather than style.
By prioritizing screen size, HDR capabilities, smart features and overall picture quality over ultra-thin profiles and digital artwork, you‘ll be able to enjoy a truly premium viewing experience without breaking the bank or limiting your decor. Frame TVs are a clever concept, but most shoppers will be better served by sticking with tried-and-true regular TV designs until the prices come down and the technology becomes more mainstream.
