Katarzyna Petru
Have you ever thought that the image projected on a wall or countertop could react to touch? That you could scroll through pages, play games, or paint without touching a physical screen? Until recently, it sounded like a science fiction movie script to us too. Everything changed when equipment that forced us to reconsider this entire category of devices landed on our editorial desk. Before you is the Samsung The Premiere 5 – a projector that is 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, we are greeted by the device itself. The design immediately reveals its affiliation with Samsung's "lifestyle" product family – it is modern and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to the projector, the set includes the necessary cables and a remote control. It’s time to connect the equipment and check out its magic.
Magic on the Kitchen Counter
Let’s start with the feature that makes The Premiere 5 so special. Imagine this situation: you’re in the kitchen, a recipe is displayed on the counter. Your hands are dirty with flour, and you need to turn the page. Instead of dirtying your phone or tablet, you simply wave your hand over the counter. The image obediently scrolls the content. After a few moments, such control feels surprisingly natural. However, this flexibility is not just for work. When it’s time to take a break because the dough needs to rise? That same counter, in literally a few seconds, turns into a board for a quick, relaxing game of something like Candy Crush. Moreover, the coffee table or a piece of the 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 too.
Projector in Full Swing
Alright, the interactive features are really clever. But they wouldn’t matter much if The Premiere 5 failed in its fundamental role. Fortunately, that's not the case. First and foremost, it is an ultra-short throw projector (UST). This means it doesn’t require any complicated ceiling mounts. Just place it about 22 centimeters away from the wall to get a clear, 60-inch image. When we move it back to just under half a meter (exactly 43 cm), it turns into a pretty solid 100 inches. Importantly, we don’t have to worry about setup – the image geometry and sharpness 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 lamp replacement. The image has a Full HD resolution and a brightness of 560 lumens, which is more than enough in rooms with controlled lighting (e.g., with closed curtains or in the evening). And the sound? The built-in 10W speakers simply exist and work. They are sufficient for watching something quickly, but let's not kid ourselves – for a movie session, it's better to connect an external soundbar. Fortunately, this is possible with the eARC connection or the built-in Bluetooth.
Besides the image itself, we also have a whole intelligent system here. The whole thing runs on the well-known and liked Tizen OS from Samsung. Access to key streaming applications (Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, etc.) is ensured. Integration with other devices through SmartThings is, as is typical for Samsung, incredibly 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 does not aim at home theater 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 is an offer for those for whom flexibility and ingenuity are as important as the image quality itself. It is a fascinating hybrid that on one hand delivers a big image for movies, and on the other opens completely new, interactive possibilities.
We are very curious about what you think of such a hybrid approach. Do you see a place for it in your homes? Let us know in the comments!
