Katarzyna Petru
Have you ever thought that an image projected onto a wall or tabletop could respond to touch? That you could swipe through pages, play games, or paint without touching a physical screen? Until recently, that sounded like a science fiction movie script to us as well. Everything changed when the gear that made us reconsider this entire category of devices landed on our editorial desk. Before you is the Samsung The Premiere 5 – a projector that is something much, much more. Join us for our unboxing and first impressions!
What’s in the box of The Premiere 5?
Upon opening the minimalist packaging, the device itself is revealed. The design immediately indicates its belonging to Samsung’s "lifestyle" product family – it’s modern and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to the projector, the package includes the necessary cabling and a remote. It’s time to connect the equipment and see what its magic is all about.
Magic on the Kitchen Bench
Let's start with the feature that makes The Premiere 5 so unique. Imagine this situation: you're in the kitchen, and a recipe is displayed on the bench. Your hands are dirty with flour, and you need to scroll through the page. Instead of dirtying your phone or tablet, you just wave your hand over the bench. The image obediently scrolls the content. After a few moments, such control feels surprisingly natural. However, this flexibility is not just for work. When you need to take a break because the dough needs to rise? The same bench can, in literally a few seconds, turn into a board for a quick, relaxing game like Candy Crush. Moreover, a coffee table or a piece of wall can transform into a digital canvas. This is a great option for kids who can paint without worrying about paint stains, but we admit – it was a lot of fun for us as well.
Projector in Full
Alright, the interactive features are really clever. But they wouldn't matter much if the Premiere 5 failed in its basic role. Thankfully, that's not the case. First and foremost, it's an ultra-short throw (UST) projector. This means it doesn’t require any complicated ceiling mounts. You just need to place it about 22 centimetres from the wall to get a sharp, 60-inch image. When we push it back to just under half a metre (exactly 43 cm), it becomes quite a solid 100 inches. Importantly, we don’t have to worry about setup – the image geometry and focus adjust automatically.
Image Quality, Sound and Smart TV
The heart of the device is a triple laser, which the manufacturer claims has a lifespan of 20,000 hours. In practice, this means years of peace without worrying about replacing the lamp. The image has a Full HD resolution and a brightness of 560 lumens, which is more than sufficient in rooms with controlled lighting (e.g., with the blinds drawn or in the evening). And the sound? The built-in 10W speakers are simply there and functional. They are enough for a quick watch, but let’s not kid ourselves – for a movie session, it’s better to connect an external soundbar. Fortunately, this is made possible by the eARC port or the built-in Bluetooth.
Besides the image itself, we also have a complete smart system here. The whole thing operates on the well-known and loved Tizen OS from Samsung. Access to key streaming applications (Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, etc.) is guaranteed. Integration with other devices through SmartThings is, as is typical with Samsung, ridiculously simple. For gamers, a motion smoothing feature called Game Motion Plus has even been added.
Who is this equipment for?
After spending a few days with The Premiere 5, we know one thing: it certainly doesn't target home theatre purists looking for reference-quality 4K in a specially prepared room. This projector should be treated similarly to its cousin, The Freestyle. It is a device for someone who values versatility, creativity, and clever solutions woven into everyday life. It’s a proposal for those for whom flexibility and ingenuity are just as important as the image quality itself. It's an intriguing hybrid that on one hand delivers a large image for films, while on the other opens up completely new, interactive possibilities.
We are very curious about what you think of this hybrid approach. Do you see a place for it in your homes? Let us know in the comments!
