Samsung The Frame (2021): 65" QN65LS03AA + 4-Year Accidental Damage Warranty Expired

We recently bought the 2021 65" Frame from Costco for our new house and have a quick review:

1. This was not my first choice as the picture quality isn't spectacular, but it was purchased for the previously mentioned wife approval factor. It sits (high) above our fireplace and when our new neighbor came over the other day, she commented on how we also decided to not put a TV above the fireplace and instead hung a picture. Success!

2. I had our builder run a smurf tube (I think 1.5" diameter) into the basement where I have a 42U network rack. I had to remove the plastic shroud on the connector jacket to fish through the tube to the separate Samsung One Connect box, but it fit. I had to also position the box on the 2nd highest rack space (it takes up a little more than 1RU if you want to use this approach). All my other components are in the rack, so there are no wires visible anywhere on the mantle or around the fireplace.

3. The mount…has issues. It is workable and not as challenging as the TV reviews on Samsung's site suggest, but the major issue I had is that each mount is <16" wide so wouldn't be connected to 2 studs. Since I didn't have my builder put a bunch of blocking behind the drywall, I had to add a couple pieces of plywood to give me something to secure the mount to with the plywood secured to the studs with lag screws. As such, my TV sits off the wall an extra 3/4" more than it should, but it is still very tight to the wall.

4. The picture quality is pretty good but not great — far from an OLED like the LG GX.

5. The Art mode is convenient and fun to pick different art out with the kids. Different lighting conditions do present challenges and breaks the simulated experience of it just being art, but sometimes it is really convincing. Looking forward to picking art specifically for guests when they come over. (Costco includes a credit for 20 months or so to the art store.)

6. The ads in the interface are annoying.

7. The Airplay and WiDi features have been very easy to use and equally convenient. (We are still furnishing the house so have been sharing screens from a laptop or phone while we shop for items)

8. The sound is surprisingly serviceable. Don't get me wrong, it's not going to stand in for even a soundbar with a sub, but it's good enough for family movie nights, morning news, and casually watching shows.

9. I've only played a few games of Mario Kart against my kids on it and it has a game mode, but it's not anything I've really noticed a benefit with. Mostly I find the game mode annoying that they have to make the interface so garish because "GaM3rZ" or some stupid reason.

10. The app selection seems pretty limited to your basic streaming apps. We've set up Hulu, Disney+, AppleTV, and have used the browser to watch OTA news via HDHomeRun on the network.

11. I don't care for the remote, but I'm not sure why. Coming from a Harmony with touchscreen (900? Elite?), the remote seems really limited or the layout is just not terribly friendly.

FWIW, we are coming from a 55" 1080p Vizio P-Series and had a Samsung sound bar with wireless sub/surround (again for wife acceptance) that has been relegated to the basement. Looking forward to doing the home theater over the next year or so to meet my nerd acceptance factor!

My understanding is the 2021 Frame is pretty similar to the Q70T. Before someone asks, "why would anyone pay such a high premium for just a fancy mount/bezel?" the answer is simple: wife acceptance factor.

This is the only correct answer. We have a 43 and 55 and I still don't get it.