Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) vs Haier K85F

Direct comparison

The Frame / LS03FAU

Info

K85F / K85FUX

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

7.0

5.4

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.8

    5.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.5

    5.2

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.4

    4.6

  • Gaming on console

    8.4

    6.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.2

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    6.3

    4.1

  • Utility functions

    7.2

    5.5

  • Apps

    8.7

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.0

    4.8

Advantages

  • Matte display excellently reduces reflections

  • Customisation options for the screen thanks to interchangeable frames + art mode

  • Free accessories in the form of a wall mount + OneConnect module

  • High native contrast

  • Decent brightness

  • High refresh rate - 120/144Hz

  • Many features for gamers - VRR, ALLM, Gamebar, proprietary motion smoother working in games

  • Low input lag, excellent for gaming

  • Surprisingly good media player via USB

  • High contrast and decent black levels (VA panel)

  • Good text readability in PC monitor mode

  • Presence of gaming features: ALLM and VRR

  • Access to numerous applications thanks to GoogleTV

Disadvantages

No like
  • Missing HGiG mode – makes precise HDR adjustments on the console difficult.

  • No DTS support – requires additional hardware for some films on Blu-ray discs.

  • Paid picture mode

  • Catastrophic image quality in HDR mode

  • Low quality of workmanship and fitting of materials

  • Slow, stuttering and poorly translated Google TV system

  • Very poor sound quality from the built-in speakers

  • Problematic remote control (and no batteries included)

  • Poor viewing angles

  • Low brightness and weak anti-reflective coating

  • Low colour gamut coverage

Our verdict

Samsung The Frame 2025 is a television unlike any other – and although competition has emerged for it, it still does it best. The matte panel, flush mounting with the wall, and a single thin cable thanks to the One Connect module make the device resemble a picture more than any other screen. The Art Store app continues to offer the best scans of artworks on the market (even if they are subscription-based), and with interchangeable frames, we can adapt the TV to the interior almost like a piece of furniture. As for the picture itself, since we are also talking about an ordinary television, there are no major changes, but there are also no disappointments compared to last year’s model LS03D. The Frame still offers high native contrast and solid brightness at 600 nits, which combined with the matte finish provides very comfortable daytime use. The colours are not as vibrant as in glossy screens, but against the backdrop of competitive matte constructions, they perform the best. A novelty is the 144 Hz refresh rate, although in practice, mainly PC gamers will benefit from it. Indeed, in terms of gaming features, The Frame has nearly everything: low input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, automatic game mode (ALLM), Game Bar, and a unique motion smoother designed for games. Unfortunately, not everything is as perfect as it might seem. Why? Because the HGiG mode is missing, which has suddenly disappeared from the latest version of the Tizen system. Samsung really should respond to this, as for many gamers it is a key element in choosing a screen. And we fully understand that. Even though LS03F The Frame 2025 does not bring greater revolutions, it is still a unique television that, apart from its appearance, offers quite solid picture quality and extensive gaming features. It’s a pity that year after year we also receive new compromises.

The debut of the Haier brand in the European television market with the K85F model feels hurried, and after thorough testing, it seems almost unfinished. Analyzing this product leads us to a fundamental conclusion: its biggest problem is not the quality of the panel used. This, considering the price segment, is simply average, with the typical advantages of VA technology in the form of high contrast and equally typical disadvantages, such as poor viewing angles. What truly disqualifies this model as a home entertainment centre is the glaring lack of engineering refinement and, above all, software development. The list of shortcomings is long and starts from the very first contact with the device. Sloppy assembly, which could have been avoided during quality control, a poorly optimised and badly translated Google TV system, or annoying issues with basic functions like pairing the remote – all contribute to the picture of a product that seems to have been released to market without due diligence. The catastrophic image quality in HDR mode, resulting not only from low brightness but also from a complete lack of intelligent adaptation to the signal, only adds to this disappointing picture. However, it turns out that this model has a surprising second face. One needs to look at it not through the lens of a home television, but rather as a large and inexpensive display for special tasks. Then its shortcomings become less important, and unexpected advantages come to the fore: a fantastically working media player with USB, remarkable font readability from a PC, and access to a vast application database. In this role – as a screen in a conference room, hotel lobby, or simple advertising player – the Haier K85F performs surprisingly well. For the typical user looking for a reliable and simply well-functioning television for the living room in 2025, however, the Haier K85F is a proposal that is incredibly difficult to recommend with a clear conscience. It is a product full of contradictions, which fails in its primary, intended function on too many fronts.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps)
4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Premium
BuildQuality-Budget
Stand type
Legs
Legs
Bezel color
Changeable Frame
Black
Stand
Height adjustment
Fixed
Flat design
Yes
No
Accessories
Stand, Wall bracket, One Connect Box
Stand

Contrast and black detail

6/10

5.6/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,800:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,750:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

14,900:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,500:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,300:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

3,550:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,200:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,350:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,400:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

3,500:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail
Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail
Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

The year 2025 promises to be quite interesting when it comes to lifestyle televisions. Why? Because Samsung has prepared two versions of the iconic model The Frame – one standard and the other with the addition of “Pro”. In this review, we take a look at the version without “Pro”, which – as we shall see shortly – is quite significant. The standard model LS03F lacks any local dimming technology, unlike its more expensive sibling. This is important because it affects not only the overall picture quality but, primarily, how this television handles black levels.

The VA panel used in The Frame 2025 has a high native contrast – and this obviously works to its advantage. In the tested film scenes, details in the dark areas of the image were well visible, nothing blended together, and there was no formation of a uniform black/white blob. For the average viewer, this will be more than sufficient. But of course, not everything is perfect. The absence of local dimming means that the black levels on this television are not perfectly deep – they resemble dark navy rather than tar. Additionally, in our tested unit, we noticed slight blooming in the right part of the screen, but this could simply be the “quirk of the specimen” rather than a rule. Theoretically, one could try to improve the perception of black by backlighting the screen – for example, with an LED strip – but in the case of The Frame, this is rather impossible, as this television is meant to sit flush against the wall like a picture. So to achieve a better black visible to our eyes, we are forced to watch the LS03F with the lights on. That’s the charm of this technology.

Well then, let’s get to the point, which is how the Haier K85F handles black levels and contrast. The key information is that the television uses a VA panel, which has a significant impact on the image quality in dark scenes. It is precisely because of this that the contrast is really solid – our measurements showed values around 5000:1, which is much better than that of popular IPS panels.

However, one must remember that we are talking about equipment from the lower price range. Therefore, one cannot expect any advanced technologies, such as local dimming. The backlighting works across the entire surface of the screen all the time. How did this look during viewing? We took the film “Oblivion” with its cosmic landscapes for a test, and also checked classic black bars in other productions. The effect was quite decent. The black had good depth, but it was not perfectly pitch black – a subtle, navy blue glow could be seen, indicating that the panel's backlighting was still active.

HDR effect quality

6/10

3.4/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 91.5%, Bt.2020: 72.2%
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 61.4%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

642 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

589 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

574 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

584 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

631 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

217 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

212 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

278 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

250 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

273 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) HDR effect quality
Review Haier K85F HDR effect quality

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) HDR effect quality
Review Haier K85F HDR effect quality

Static HDR10

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) HDR effect quality
Review Haier K85F HDR effect quality

HDR luminance chart:

Haier K85F

HDR luminance

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

HDR luminance

The Frame LS03F is a television that can surprise with its brightness. The maximum luminance reaches around 650 nits, which already looks impressive on paper. But as we know, laboratory tests are one thing, and real film scenes are quite another. When watching HDR materials in natural conditions, The Frame 2025 maintains very good results. In most film scenes, the peak brightness remained at around 550–650 nits. This is a sufficient value to feel the difference between standard picture quality and that of HDR – bright highlights, reflections on water, or moonlight are presented clearly and spectacularly.

It is also worth remembering that the LS03F is a QLED television, which translates into solid colour saturation. The coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space reaches about 92%, allowing for vibrant, intense colours in HDR content. This is not the level of top premium models, but for a lifestyle screen, the result truly deserves recognition.

Let’s now turn to one of the hottest topics in the world of televisions, namely the quality of HDR effect. In the case of the Haier K85F model, we must unfortunately make it clear: if you are looking for equipment to watch content in a wide dynamic range, you should avoid this model at all costs. The main problem is its very low peak brightness, which during our tests barely reached 250 nits. To give you a better idea of what that means – such a value is fine for watching standard SDR content, but it is absolutely insufficient to showcase any real benefits of HDR. The image simply lacks the "power" to generate bright, striking highlights. All our measurements and tests on specialist patterns only confirmed this. As if that weren't enough, the television also struggles with colour reproduction. In this budget build, we won't find any technologies to expand the colour palette, such as quantum dot layers (marketed as "QLED"). As a result, the coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space, which is crucial for HDR materials, is only around 80%. In practice, this means that the image will not only be dark but also devoid of the vibrant, saturated colours that the director wanted to show us.

Factory color reproduction

7.1/10

3.8/10

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Factory color reproduction
Review Haier K85F Factory color reproduction

Factory Mode

After calibration

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Factory color reproduction
Review Haier K85F Factory color reproduction

Factory Mode

After calibration

When it comes to image quality straight out of the box, even in Filmmaker mode, which is supposed to be the closest to reference, there were issues. We noticed clear deviations in white balance in both HD and 4K HDR content. The image was heavily skewed towards red and blue, giving the screen a characteristic pinkish tint. This effect was most noticeable in bright scenes – for example, in shots with a lot of white, where neutral light should naturally dominate. At such moments, the screen clearly took on pink tones, which is also visible in the attached comparison photo. As for the brightness characteristics – it wasn’t as bad as one might expect with such colour inaccuracies. The analysis of the gamma curve and EOTF showed a slight brightening of the image compared to the reference, but not enough to drastically ruin the viewing experience.

Well, how does the television perform with colours straight out of the box, without any interference from our side? The Haier K85F offers a full range of picture modes, such as Dynamic and Eco, but for anyone who wants to watch films according to the creators' intentions, only one really matters: Film mode. That is where we focused our tests, and unfortunately, its name has little to do with reality. The picture in the factory settings is very far from what we could call cinematic fidelity and requires numerous adjustments. Let's start with the white balance, which has a noticeable deficiency of red. In practice, this means that the entire image has a cool, bluish tint. The situation is even worse regarding brightness management, namely the gamma curve (for SDR) and EOTF (for HDR). Their graph resembles a real rollercoaster, which has a disastrous impact on the viewing experience. This results in unnatural dimming of SDR content, causing details in shadows to be lost, and in the case of HDR – excessive brightness, which further exacerbates the issue of clipping. Such a combination, namely too cool white combined with chaotic brightness and excessive blue saturation, results in significant errors in colour reproduction. Our measurements on the specialist ColorChecker chart revealed errors (Delta E) regularly reaching and exceeding values of 8-9. Put simply, errors above the threshold of 3 are already easily noticeable to the naked eye, so such a result means that the colours on the screen are simply heavily distorted.

Color reproduction after calibration

8/10

6.2/10

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Color reproduction after calibration
Review Haier K85F Color reproduction after calibration
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Color reproduction after calibration
Review Haier K85F Color reproduction after calibration

After calibration, the movie mode has gained a completely new quality. The issue of the pink tint, which had been clearly visible before, especially in bright scenes, has been effectively eliminated. Colours now look much more natural, and the white balance no longer dominates the rest of the image. It is no longer the same exaggerated "box picture" – everything now has coherence and a cinematic character. Additionally, the tendency of the television to slightly brighten scenes, previously visible in the EOTF curve analysis, has been partially corrected. Of course, this is within the limits of what the design allows without local dimming – one cannot speak of perfect brightness management here. Nevertheless, the final effect was definitely closer to what one might expect from a mode called Filmmaker.

Well, is there anything that can be done about this picture? Can professional calibration save the situation? The answer is both yes and no. It must be clearly stated that there are certain limitations we cannot overcome. The constraints of the design itself, meaning simply a poor panel and its narrow colour coverage, make it impossible to expect a reasonable HDR effect – we won't mislead you on that. The biggest beneficiary of our adjustments is undoubtedly the SDR mode, and it is indeed for watching such content, after calibration, that this television starts to make sense. We managed to somewhat tame the white balance. Although the television only offers basic 2-point adjustment (rather than precise 20-point), so it's not perfect, we successfully eliminated that unpleasant, cold "chill" in the picture. Above all, however, we noted a significant improvement in brightness management. The gamma curve, which previously resembled a rollercoaster, looks like an almost perfectly straight line after calibration. This is a sign that the television can finally display images without artificially dimming or brightening them. The conclusion is simple: even with such a cheap television, professional adjustment of the settings can achieve a lot and extract the maximum potential from it.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9/10

7.6/10

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Smoothness of tonal transitions

In terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions, the LS03F maintains a high standard – just like last year’s models. The television did not encounter any issues when testing more challenging film scenes, where noticeable transitions between shades of colour can easily occur. The colour gradation is very good here – both in the lighter and darker areas of the image. We did not observe the typical banding effect or other disturbances that could be distracting while watching films. If we were to nitpick, in the most demanding scenes – with subtle transitions and delicate gradients – minor imperfections can be detected. But only if one approaches the screen very closely and begins to analyse the image from a distance not intended by the manufacturer.

It’s time to address a matter that goes unnoticed by many, but can be very irritating to the discerning (and not just) eye. We are talking about the fluidity of tonal transitions, or how smoothly the screen displays transitions between very similar shades of a single colour – for example, on a clear blue sky. We must admit that in this category, the Haier K85F performs quite decently considering its price. In bright scenes, such as the aforementioned sky or vast landscapes in the film "The Martian", there are no strong, distinct bands. Indeed, if you look closely, you will notice minimal imperfections, but generally, the effect is more than satisfactory. However, the situation changes when darker scenes appear on the screen, such as murky corridors in games or night landscapes. Here, banding, or the posterisation effect, becomes much more visible. Transitions in shadows and greys are no longer as smooth and can irritate the more sensitive eye. It’s not a level that would completely disqualify the television, but it’s clear that this is an area where costs have been cut.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6.7/10

4/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
No
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
No

Smooth transition function

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier K85F Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

LS03F has been equipped with the NQ4 processor, which is responsible for improving image quality – particularly in lower quality materials. In practice, this works surprisingly well, especially when it comes to older content and recordings with lower resolution. Activating the "noise reduction" function yields noticeable effects. The TV effectively smooths tonal transitions and removes digital noise that can appear in darker areas of the image. Compared to previous generations, there is a clear advancement – previously, this function often smoothed everything too much, including details that it shouldn't remove. In this year's model, smoothing still occurs, but in a much more acceptable manner. Textures of materials, skin, and fabric details are no longer subdued as strongly as before – the image retains more naturalness. However, this does not change the fact that film grain is still removed by the TV, which may not appeal to everyone. On the other hand, it is no longer as aggressive an intervention as in previous models. It is also worth mentioning that the LS03F may struggle with very weak signals – for example, from VHS tape recordings or low-resolution video. In such cases, we noticed slight clipping of the image at the edges – so-called overscan. This can lead to a situation where a small part of the image (e.g., subtitles at the bottom edge) gets cut off.

Let's move on to digital processing and image scaling, specifically how the Haier K85F handles lower resolution signals, such as those from standard television. Right from the start, we encounter an extremely annoying and completely incomprehensible issue – overscan that is enabled by default. This means that the television artificially enlarges the image, cropping its edges, and this happens on every source, even 1080p. To see the full frame, you have to dig through the screen settings each time and manually switch the format to "expand to 16:9". It's a detail, but it's devilishly frustrating. The very act of scaling content to 4K resolution can be summed up in one word: acceptable. And that's about it. The image processor does not strip details from the picture, nor does it generate jagged edges or other artifacts. It simply does its job, without any fireworks. It's alright, but nothing more. However, the biggest and most noticeable shortcoming in the digital processing section is the absence of a smooth tonal transition feature. This is an algorithm that could significantly reduce the annoying banding effect we mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not provide such a solution, condemning us to watch the imperfections of the panel and low-quality materials in full view.

Blur and motion smoothness

6.9/10

4.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
-
BFI function 120Hz
No
-
Brightness drop with BFI
43%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

The new feature in The Frame for 2025 is a display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Yes – in a television that is mainly associated with displaying works of art, you can now not only watch Van Gogh but also comfortably play on a console or follow dynamic sports events. This is a definite step towards greater versatility. In the case of Samsung films, as usual in models with a display rate of 120 Hz and above, it allows you to adjust motion smoothness according to your preferences. You can set a more cinematic reproduction while maintaining frame rate or opt for full motion smoothing. The range of options is broad, allowing you to tailor the effect to your own taste – whether the viewing experience is meant to resemble classic cinema or a show on a modern theatre screen.

*this part of the test refers to the LS03FAU model in sizes 55 and 65 inches, which is equipped with a 144Hz panel, while sizes 43 and 50 inches have 60Hz displays, and thus perform much worse in terms of motion smoothness.

The matrix in the K85F model operates at a native refresh rate of 60 Hz, which right from the start sets certain expectations regarding image fluidity. However, we must admit that we were very positively surprised when we found two separate sliders for motion control in the settings menu: one labelled as "Motion Blur Reduction" and the other "De-Judder". Such generosity in this price segment is an absolute rarity, as typically manufacturers offer at most one shared option. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm waned as quickly as it appeared. It soon became clear why Haier was so "generous" – the slider responsible for motion blur reduction is simply a dummy. Its adjustment brings absolutely no visible effect on the screen, so only one of the two options works.

Console compatibility and gaming features

8.2/10

4/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 144Hz
    48 - 60Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    No

As we mentioned earlier – although The Frame is likely to display images and works of art most of the time, Samsung recognised that a Van Gogh enthusiast could just as easily be an avid gamer. And it must be admitted that The Frame 2025 has almost everything needed to become a full-fledged gaming television.

On board, we find support for ALLM (Automatic Low Latency Mode) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) thanks to the implementation of one HDMI 2.1 port. The television handles lower resolutions at higher refresh rates effortlessly and features an advanced Game Bar – already known from other Samsung models – which allows for a quick preview and change of the most important gaming-related settings. For this, it earns extra points from us. The proprietary motion smoother Auto Motion Plus Game is also worth mentioning, which – it is worth emphasising – operates without increasing input lag. Samsung remains the only manufacturer that has managed to implement this feature in a practically invisible manner in terms of delays. The effect? Much better fluidity in games, especially those that struggle to maintain a stable 60 frames per second. This solution can realistically improve the gaming experience in more demanding titles – particularly on consoles, which do not always manage full fluidity, especially in AAA games.

As for the downsides – the lack of Dolby Vision is already considered standard in Samsung televisions, so there is not much to particularly criticise here. However, there is a different issue entirely. In the latest version of the Tizen system, the HGiG option has disappeared. Literally – it is not there. This is a significant hindrance when configuring the console for proper HDR content display in games. It is hard to understand why such a decision was made, but one thing is certain – this should be fixed as soon as possible. We are talking about a brand that has set standards for gaming on televisions for years. If HGiG returns – and we hope it will – The Frame LS03F can confidently aspire to be called a genuine gaming television. Not just as a decoration on the wall, but as equipment that truly provides joy in gaming.

Let's move on to features for gamers, although we must emphasise at the outset that this is more of a proposal for the "casual" ones. The manufacturer boasts in the specifications about the presence of HDMI 2.1 ports, which looks impressive on paper, but in reality, it is largely a marketing ploy. What good is a modern port if the heart of the television is a panel with a refresh rate of 60 Hz? It physically cannot display a signal at 120 frames per second, even at lower resolutions, which deprives the HDMI 2.1 port of its most significant advantage. It's a shame. (That’s why we mark it as HDMI 2.0 in our tests). Another curious peculiarity is the television's reaction to attempts to calibrate HDR from the console level. Changes to brightness settings cause very unnatural image behaviour, which might suggest an incorrect implementation of the HGiG standard. To be honest, however, one shouldn't worry too much about this, because as we've mentioned numerous times, we simply do not recommend using any HDR content on this screen. However, to avoid being too negative, the Haier K85F also has two significant and unexpected advantages. The first is the presence of ALLM, or Auto Low Latency Mode, which switches the television to low latency mode as soon as it detects a connected console. The second, even bigger surprise, is support for VRR, or Variable Refresh Rate. While it works within a very modest range of 48-60 Hz, its mere presence is commendable. As a result, the image in games can experience less "tearing," which significantly improves the gaming experience.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
13 ms
1080p120
8 ms
2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
8 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
2160p120 DV

In terms of input lag, Samsung maintains a high level – and a very high one at that. The LS03F, like most of this year's models from the brand, achieves a score of 8 ms for 4K content, which is practically a reference value. This result allows for gaming even in the most dynamic titles without delays and with full responsiveness. Well done!

We must, however, give Haier its due – there is one parameter in which this television absolutely shines and embarrasses many more expensive models. We are speaking about input lag, or signal delay. Our measurements showed an impressively low result of just 13 ms. This is a huge plus that makes gaming controls lightning-fast and incredibly responsive. In this regard, the K85F performs excellently.

Compatibility with PC

8.2/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Average
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
8ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
144Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
Yes
No
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Compatibility with PC
Review Haier K85F Compatibility with PC

The collaboration of The Frame 2025 with a computer is not a significant problem. Let's start with gaming, as this is where this model demonstrates its strengths – support for 144 Hz signal, low input lag, and compatibility with G-Sync technology (for NVIDIA cards) make it hard not to regard it as a fully-fledged gaming monitor. It is one of the more interesting "PC gaming" televisions available on the market in this category.

When it comes to everyday work, the situation looks equally good. The Frame handles chroma 4:4:4 without any issues, resulting in good font readability and overall user comfort. We only noticed minor problems with dimming very thin lines and dark details on a light background – this effect may occur especially when working with small interface elements. However, in practice, with a 55-inch diagonal screen and standard office working distance, it will be difficult to realistically notice this problem. Nonetheless, it is worth keeping this in mind if the television is to serve as a monitor not only for entertainment but also for precise work with graphics or text.

And what if you tried using this Haier as a monitor for your computer? Here, to our great surprise, the television performs remarkably well. For office work – it is ideal. This is all thanks to its proper support for what is known as chroma subsampling 4:4:4. In plain terms: every, even the smallest letter on the screen is sharp, without annoying coloured outlines or blurring. Of course, let's be straightforward – this is not equipment for PC gamers. 60 Hz is too little for them. But if you simply need a large screen for text work, browsing the internet, coding, or displaying presentations, the K85F will excel in this role. This is one of its strongest and, to be honest, most unexpected applications.

Viewing angles

3.5/10

2.8/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
70%
67%

As could be expected from a VA panel, the viewing angles on The Frame 2025 are at best mediocre. The image loses saturation and contrast when moved off-axis. It's a pity because we are talking about a model that displays digital artworks in standby mode – and it is precisely in such moments that wide viewing angles would make the most sense, enhancing the experience of engaging with a real image rather than just its screen imitation.

Perhaps in the future, manufacturers will decide to introduce special coatings or modified versions of VA panels that improve this aspect – because for lifestyle televisions, it would have real significance not only in terms of functionality but also aesthetics.

At almost the very end of the assessment of the panel itself, we left the viewing angles, which unfortunately are one of its biggest weaknesses. However, it must be honestly admitted that this is no surprise – it is simply a natural and commonly known characteristic of VA-type panels. In the specimen we tested, interestingly, the brightness of the image did not drop dramatically when we moved away from the centre of the screen. The real problem, however, lies in the colours, which start to fade instantly. A slight change in position on the sofa is enough for the colours to lose their saturation and become washed out. In this respect, the Haier K85F presents a rather mediocre level, typical for this technology.

Daytime performance

6.3/10

4.1/10

Panel finish
Matte
Satin
Reflection suppression
Very Good
Average
Black levels during daytime
Poor
Good
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Daytime performance
Review Haier K85F Daytime performance
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Daytime performance
Review Haier K85F Daytime performance

Panel brightness

Average luminance SDR

Haier K85F: 276 cd/m2

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F): 596 cd/m2

One of the most characteristic elements of The Frame is its matte display – and it must be said that Samsung has really refined this aspect. From our experience, it is one of the best solutions for suppressing light reflections, especially direct ones. If screen reflections can be irritating, it will be difficult to find a better display in this budget than the matte panel used in Samsung TVs. Of course, this comes with a certain compromise. In very bright sunlight, colours may appear slightly washed out, and the image loses a bit of depth. However, it is something we consciously accept when choosing a matte screen – something for something. In practice, the colours and contrast on Samsung's matte screen are still better than on Chinese designs such as the TCL NXT Vision or Hisense Canvas TV. If effective suppression of reflections and the desire to use the television also as a "digital picture" in bright rooms is a priority, then there is hardly a better choice.

The Frame achieves around 600 nits of brightness, which combined with the matte finish allows the television to perform well in brightly lit daytime conditions. It may not be at the level of flagship models, but in everyday use – in a living room with plenty of light – it handles it without any problems.

And how does the television perform in confrontation with daylight, for example in a brightly sunlit living room? Unfortunately, we do not have good news here. As we have already established, it is a television with relatively low brightness, which becomes a serious drawback when faced with sunlight. The situation is further worsened by the screen coating used. Instead of effectively suppressing reflections, its satin structure tends to unfavourably scatter them. In practice, this means that the reflection of a window or lamp turns into a large, blurred, milky halo, which degrades contrast and effectively hinders viewing. The conclusion is therefore clear: if the television is to be placed in a bright room, the K85F model will not be a good choice.

Panel details

Backlight Type
QLED
White LED
Software version during testing
T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7, E2500007, BT-S
UKN2.241219.053
Image processor
mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV Panel details
Review Haier K85F TV Panel details

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

Haier K85F

TV features

7.2/10

5.5/10

  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 40Gbps
    4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features

Classic Television Features

In terms of classic features, The Frame does not stand out particularly from the competition. There are no options for recording to USB or PiP (picture-in-picture) functionality, which may be disappointing for some users. On the other hand, the television allows for simultaneous use of speakers and headphones, which can be useful – especially for older users. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is quite readable, and despite the lack of conventional buttons on the remote, we were able to access teletext. In everyday use, the basic functions operate smoothly and without significant complaints.

Smart System – Tizen and Applications

The Frame 2025 runs on the Tizen system, which has long been regarded as one of the most refined Smart TV solutions on the market. This system is designed with the idea that devices are more than just a television – and it has been constructed with that spirit in mind. Tizen offers full integration with external devices – supporting both Apple AirPlay and Miracast. With the SmartThings app, it is possible to control not only the television but also other devices within the smart home framework. Since last year, Samsung has also been developing its own voice assistant with support for the Polish language, which significantly facilitates operation. However, the greatest strength of the Smart system in The Frame remains the Art Gallery application. Although access to it is paid (in the form of a subscription), it offers the best scans of works of art available on the market – referring to scans, not ordinary photographs. As a result, the effect of a digital painting hanging on the wall is markedly better than in any other lifestyle television.

GoogleTV on Haier K85F

The heart of the television is the Google TV system, which in theory should be its huge advantage. Access to thousands of applications and a wealth of features are promises we are familiar with. Unfortunately, in Haier's execution, it is one of the worst implementations of this software we have encountered. The system runs painfully slowly, and the interface is notoriously unresponsive. However, the real nightmare is the incorrect and often downright comical translations of some menu options, making it difficult at times to understand what is even being referred to. To make matters worse, during our testing, we were unable to activate the AirPlay function, which simply did not work.

Classic features on Haier K85F

Let's move on to the classic features and connections, as this is where the story gets even more interesting. The rich array of ports is definitely a plus, including four HDMI ports and a rarely seen mini-jack headphone output. Unfortunately, the television does not offer either USB recording or PiP mode. However, the real ordeal begins with the remote control. Our first attempts to pair it via Bluetooth to activate radio frequency (RF) control and voice functions ended in total failure. After dozens of attempts, we were sure it was just a manufacturing defect. And here's the surprise: after a long struggle, we discovered that the remote could be paired, but it had to be done from the native Google TV settings, completely bypassing the non-functioning Haier overlay. This is a perfect example of how terrible software can ruin basic functionality. Oh, and one more thing. In the box... there weren't even any batteries for the remote.

Playing files from USB

9.1/10

9.4/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

During testing, we did not notice any major issues with playing files from a USB memory stick. The television handled both video materials and photos well. Of course, there are some exceptions – for example, a lack of support for the HEIC format (used by Apple devices) – but it is difficult to consider this surprising. One positive aspect is the full support for high-resolution photos – the television displays files with a high number of megapixels without any problems, which may be particularly significant for those looking to treat The Frame as a digital frame as well. However, during testing, we noticed a limitation regarding subtitles – the television only correctly handled files in .txt format. It is worth keeping this in mind and ensuring that the downloaded subtitles for films are saved in this format; otherwise, they may simply not display.

After all our complaints about the unfinished software, the moment came when we experienced absolute shock. It turns out that in this buggy and slow-operating system there is a function hidden that works almost perfectly and puts industry veterans to shame. We are talking about the built-in media player for files from USB drives. It is a true multimedia powerhouse that played virtually every video format we threw at it – from the most popular to the completely niche. Haier, a newcomer in the TV market, has achieved something that many manufacturers with decades of experience have struggled with for years. Who knows, perhaps it was originally intended to be a reliable player for conference rooms? Regardless of its origin, the result is excellent!

Apps

8.7/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Sound

6/10

4.8/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    83dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    No
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    No

For such a slim television, the sound is quite good. It is full, sufficient for everyday viewing, but without much excitement – typical for flat constructions. There is little bass, although at times it can be heard. The speakers in a 2.0.2 arrangement have a total power of 40 W (in the 55+ inch version). Unfortunately, the television does not support the DTS format, so for films with that sound, one has to rely on external equipment, such as a home cinema. A soundbar can be connected, and thanks to the Q-Symphony feature, the television plays along with it. Samsung also offers visually matched models for The Frame like S700D or S800D, but they are sold separately. (This shouldn’t surprise anyone😉).

When it comes to sound, the review will unfortunately be very brief. The biggest advantage of the built-in speakers of the K85F is really just that they are there and produce sound. Other than that, the sound is completely flat, devoid of any bass, and simply anemic. Yes, on the TV's box, we will find the Dolby Atmos logo, but when faced with the physical capabilities of these drivers, it is a feature that exists only on paper. The verdict can, therefore, only be one: when planning to purchase this television, you should immediately add a soundbar to your budget.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

83dBC (Max)

75dBC