I did not like frame TVs before attending a housewarming of one of my friends. It was a genuine painting on the wall, no huge box, no glare, just art. He touched the remote, Netflix appeared, and that was all. I had also tried a TCL NXTFRAME six months later after trying it on the Samsung model, which is so famous. This is what you need to know before purchasing one.

What makes Frame TVs not the same as regular screens?

Frame televisions are not regular flat-screen televisions. They are made to match your wall when no one is around. The secret here is a matte anti-glare finish, which is canvas-textured, and QLED technology.

The first thing to consider when I switched on my TCL was the matte finish. The sunshine in my window did not reflect. It was more like a screen than framed art.

Are Frame TVs QLED or OLED?

The Frame television by Samsung, the TCL NXTFRAME, and the Hisense CanvasTV are the most popular frame televisions operated by QLED, rather than OLED.

Why? Owing to burn-in protection. Assuming you display the same Starry Night for hundreds of hours every day, an OLED display can retain a ghost image. The quantum dots in QLED do not carry out such a risk. QLEDs are also significantly brighter, which is useful in instances where the sun is shining on the screen.

Only OLED frame televisions are the Gallery series by LG, which is ideal for watching movies with black colors. The glossy surface reflects and does not appear on an actual canvas but like a TV.

QLED is ideal with art. OLED is more suitable when watching movies in a dark room.

Samsung Frame vs. TCL NXTFRAME: The Showdown I Did.

I took three weeks to contrast them in one of our local showrooms.

Samsung advantage: That Art Store has no rivals in it; its collection includes over 2,500 works by artists such as Rothko to wildlife photographers. The matte finish is like real canvas; you cannot feel like you are touching a screen. A 65-inch Samsung Frame is available at 136,000 to 177,900 rupees in India.

TCL’s advantage: You save a lot. TCL is yet to sell in India, but imports are about 70,000 to 90,000 rupees for a 65-inch. The Pro models have Bang & Olufsen sound that beats the one built into Samsung, and the matte finish is 90 percent as praiseworthy. If you’re considering TCL models, check out our guide on the best TCL TVs to consider in different price ranges.

TCL was my preference due to the money I needed for furniture. In case appearance and price do not matter, Samsung can be recommended.

Frame TV Pro: Is It Worth Getting the Upgrade?

The Frame TV Pro was released by Samsung in 2025. It addresses the greatest flaw of the conventional model, which is the low black levels.

Neo QLED, which is mini-LED backlighting, is used in the Pro. It means that it is in the dark rooms that movies appear better. It also features a One Connect box, which is wireless; thus, no power cord is visible, and it has a 144 Hz refresh rate in gaming.

Worth the extra money? Yes, if you play video games and spend a lot of time in front of TV. For gamers debating between displays, our article on TV vs gaming monitor for PS5 can help you decide. In the case of a screen, 90 percent of the time, do not put it in.

Cost-Effective Budget Alternatives That Do Not Suck.

Is 120,000 or higher not within your reach to spend on Samsung? Two solid options:

Hisense CanvasTV: It is a good price. It is equipped with a teak bezel (Samsung offers it as a premium at a higher price), 144 Hz, and a 55-inch model will cost around 83,000 rupees in India. The artware is slower, though it functions.

DIY frames at Deco TV Frames: DIY any frame on any cheap TV. The bad thing is you are putting up a shiny screen that is sticking out of the wall. It looks like a TV, not real art. If you’re working with a regular TV, learn how to turn your TV into a smart TV for added functionality.

Frame TV vs OLED: Which Wins in Your Space?

It’s not just black and white.

Pick a matte QLED frame TV if:

You would like an art mode that would appear truly realistic at all times.
The room has a lot of natural light.
You worry about burn-in.

Pick an LG OLED Gallery if:

The quality and art authenticity of the movie are more important than the quality of art itself.
The room in which you live is darker and reflects less.
You switch content frequently; therefore, burn-in risk is reduced.

I had tried both for an hour in a Best Buy. The picture was more appealing in the OLED, and the art illusion was maintained in the QLED. For more comparisons, see our detailed Vizio vs Samsung TV guide.

From January 2025 onwards in India, a pricing reality check.

How much you’ll pay:

Samsung The Frame (2025 Model):

43‑inch: 89,000–110,000 rupees
55‑inch: 113,000–136,000 rupees
65‑inch: 136,000–177,900 rupees
75‑inch: 222,000–304,000 rupees

Hisense CanvasTV:

55 inch: approximately 83,600 rupees (in stock scarcely)
65 inch: unofficially priced in India.

TCL NXTFRAME: Not Indian market sales; import price fluctuates.

Samsung custom bezels: 8,000-15,000 rupees, depending on designs.

What I Should Have Done Differently (Real Talk).

Given the option, I would purchase the custom bezels of Samsung. My TCL was supplied with a plain black frame. It would have been terrific to change the bezel, which could have been different in the fall, white in summer.

Also, get a motion sensor. The TV is automatically awakened by a sensor by Samsung. My TCL does not have any, hence I am forced to set the art mode manually. If you need help with Samsung connectivity, our guide on connecting Samsung smartphone with Samsung smart TV can be useful.

Worth buying Frame TVs?

Absolutely for me. The TCL TV transformed my living room to no longer look like a tech bro’s when my visitors enter. Frame TVs have unified functionality and design. Their screen is indeed an amazing 4K that folds down like a work of art when it is not used.

Once you have your Frame TV set up, you’ll want to explore streaming options. Check out our guides on free streaming apps for smart TV and best free streaming apps for smart TV to maximize your viewing experience. For ongoing maintenance, our smart TV app management guide will help keep everything organized.

Manage expectations. The matte finish is additional as well as the wall-tight mounting. In case you are just sitting in front of the screen and never apply the art mode, acquiring a standard QLED will save you about half of the price.

Frame TVs are a reality should you require technology that does not command attention but rather should not alter the appearance of the room in any way. They are a gimmick to make your room look like you hired a design expert when it is nothing more than an intelligent television that can pass as a Picasso.

Hisense Canvas on a budget style in India. Samsung Frame if you can pay. TCL NXTFRAME in case you can import it. They are all better than a dull black square on your wall.

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