Samsung complemented its audio equipment lineup at CES 2024 with the Music Frame — a smart speaker inspired by The Frame smart TV and versatile enough to be used independently or paired with Samsung's Q-Symphony soundbars. It is now available for purchase, and Samsung even lets you buy a second Music Frame at a discount.
I must admit that after Samsung first announced the Music Frame speaker in January, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially, I loved it. Then, I felt disappointed by it. Now, I'm warming up to it again. But ultimately, I hope Samsung will eventually release a Music Frame Pro. Here's why.
I want a Music Frame Pro with a screen
Initially, because Samsung claimed that Music Frame was inspired by The Frame, many people – including myself – were left with the impression that the smart speaker is equipped with a screen.
I later found out that wasn't the case and that the album covers and photos on the Music Frame are as analog as they can be. They're cardboard.
I was quite disappointed by this realization, but now that I have made peace with the reality of the situation, I feel more and more attracted to the Music Frame. It grew on me, and I understand the benefits of its simpler design. A screen would've probably increased the price without changing the speaker's audio capabilities, and maybe the current incarnation was the best way to introduce this new product to the world.
Nevertheless, I still feel like the Music Frame left a void that Samsung will have to fill eventually. I can't help but imagine what a Music Frame Pro version with a screen would be like. One capable of displaying album cover art automatically as it pulls metadata from your music or music streaming services.
To be clear, I don't think it would be a good idea to replace the current screenless Music Frame with a screened version. There's no need for the Music Frame to become more expensive, and the Music Frame is good enough for an entry-level model.
However, I would like to see a Music Frame Pro variant with a screen joining the lineup. I'm aware it would probably inflate the price by quite a lot, especially if Samsung uses a quality OLED panel with a matte finish, which would probably be ideal for the best results. But as long as the screenless model remains an option, I think a Pro variant should happen for anyone who wants one.
Maybe next year? Here's hoping Samsung will expand on the lineup at CES 2025, if not earlier.
