Samsung's The Frame TV has become very popular for one simple fact — when you're not actually using it to watch TV, instead of looking like a giant black rectangle in your living room, it looks like art, better blending into your decor. It's popular with folks who care about design, though it's always been criticized for not quite matching the picture quality of regular TVs at the same price.
Samsung's response? The Frame Pro. It's a higher-end version of the TV meant to fix some of those performance issues while keeping the lifestyle appeal intact. Both TVs still have that gallery-style, ultra-slim design, but there are some technical differences that make The Frame Pro a better-performing TV.
The Frame vs The Frame Pro: Design and connectivity
The design is still the main reason you'd buy either of these TVs. They're built to disappear when you're not watching them, looking like framed art instead of technology. Both have an ultra-slim profile for flush wall mounting, customizable bezels in different finishes, and an anti-reflective matte display that looks like canvas or paper.
The standard Frame comes in more sizes though: 43", 50", 55", and 65", at least for the 2025 model. The Frame Pro only comes in larger sizes — 65", 75", and 85" — which might immediately rule it out if you need something smaller or don't have the space.
There's also a difference in how they handle connectivity. The standard Frame uses a wired One Connect box, consolidating all your inputs into one external unit that connects to the TV with one nearly invisible cable. The Frame Pro has a Wireless One Connect box, eliminating visible cables completely. That means it can sit nearby without having to connect directly to the TV, making its placement a little more versatile than the wired option.
The wireless solution is cleaner, but it comes with a trade-off — the Pro relies entirely on wireless connectivity (except for one port) with no wired option. For most people, that won't be an issue, but if you're in an environment with a lot of wireless interference or need low-latency connectivity, it's worth considering. On the plus side, the Pro makes installation much simpler since you don't have to worry about hiding cables or running them through walls.
The Frame Pro does have one wired port — a Micro HDMI 2.1 input, which is largely there for low-latency gaming. You may or may not want to use it, and if you do, it's up to you if you want to keep something permanently connected — but doing so would obviously defeat the purpose of a Wireless One Connect box.
The Frame vs The Frame Pro: Performance
Performance is where these two models start to diverge a little more. The standard Frame uses Samsung's QLED technology with between 500 and 600 nits of peak brightness — fine for normal viewing, but potentially underwhelming in bright rooms or for HDR content. The Frame Pro improves on this, hitting up to 1,000 nits of brightness.
Here's the thing though: While Samsung markets the Pro as having "Mini-LED" technology, the implementation is a bit misleading. Unlike traditional Mini-LED TVs that have thousands of tiny LEDs across the entire back panel for precise light control, The Frame Pro only uses Mini-LEDs in its edge-lighting system.
That means while light control is better than the standard model, it still doesn't match what you'd get from true full-array local dimming, or what you'd expect at all from a TV that's branded as "Mini-LED." It makes sense Samsung might have to compromise to keep that slim profile — Mini-LED backlighting generates a lot of heat, and most Mini-LED TVs require a little more cooling that what the slim Frame Pro can offer.
The Pro still performs better in bright rooms though. With around double the peak brightness of the standard model, it delivers much more vibrant images in well-lit spaces. HDR content in particular looks punchier and more dynamic, with highlights that pop a little more. That makes the Pro a lot more versatile for all-day viewing in rooms with plenty of natural light.
One thing to note is that the edge Mini LED arrangement might result in less uniform brightness compared to traditional full-array backlighting. You might notice subtle variations in brightness across the screen, especially in very dark scenes, though it's less noticeable than with the standard Frame.
Both versions support a 144Hz refresh rate for smoother motion in sports and gaming, though the Pro has slightly cleaner motion handling thanks to its more powerful processor. The difference is subtle during normal viewing but might be noticeable during fast action or competitive gaming.
It's also worth noting that the smaller models of The Frame only support up to 60Hz (43" and 50" models). Neither of the two TVs support Dolby Vision (like any other Samsung TV), but they do both support HDR10+.
The Frame vs The Frame Pro: Features
The processing is another upgrade. The standard Frame uses Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, which handles basic upscaling and image enhancement well enough. The Frame Pro steps up to the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor — the same chip in Samsung's flagship S95F OLED — bringing more sophisticated AI-driven picture optimization.
This processing upgrade enables features exclusive to the Pro. Auto HDR Remastering can transform standard content into more vibrant HDR-like visuals, and the improved upscaling delivers cleaner, more detailed images when you're watching non-4K content. These improvements are particularly noticeable with cable TV, streaming services with variable quality, or older content.
Art Mode, the signature feature of The Frame series, also benefits from the Pro's better display. The increased brightness and contrast make displayed artwork look more realistic, especially in well-lit rooms. Shadow details and subtle gradations in paintings and photographs look more authentic, enhancing the illusion that you're looking at actual framed art.
The Pro also supports Samsung's SmartThings Calibration Pro feature, letting you use your compatible smartphone to do basic picture calibration. It's a user-friendly way to get more accurate colors without professional calibration.
Both models support that 144Hz refresh rate for gaming and sports content, ensuring smooth motion no matter which version you choose. That said, the Pro's better processing and additional HDMI 2.1 ports make it the better choice for serious gamers or households with multiple gaming consoles.
Verdict
The Frame Pro is a better TV than the standard Frame, delivering improved picture quality across almost every metric. That said, it's important to keep things in perspective — neither model will give you the absolute black levels of one of the best OLED TVs or the peak performance of Samsung's flagship non-lifestyle TVs at similar prices.
Consider the standard Frame if you need a smaller screen (43"-55"), you're on a budget, or you're mainly using the TV in dimmer rooms where the Pro's brightness advantage wouldn't be as noticeable. It's still a great choice if you prioritize design over absolute performance.
The Frame Pro makes more sense if you have a larger wall that can accommodate bigger screen sizes, you have a bright living space where the extra brightness will make a real difference, you'll be watching movies and gaming regularly, or the wireless connectivity provides meaningful installation benefits.
Neither model is ideal if you're mainly looking for OLED-level black depth or flagship performance over lifestyle design. If picture quality is your top priority, traditional TVs at similar prices will deliver better performance — though you won't get the distinctive art display capabilities that make The Frame series unique.
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