We compared the original The Freestyle projector with the R$300 “clone”.

We compared the cheap projector “from AliExpress” with the original Samsung model to show the differences

FreeGameGuide decided to compare two projector models that, at least in design, are very similar: the Freestyle 2023 and the MagCubic. The first is a device launched by SAMSUNG which is already in its second generation, while the second is a “Chinese clone”, which has become increasingly popular on AliExpress thanks to its cheaper price.

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The proposal is the same, but the execution is very different in each model. Although they are visually similar, there is a “gap” of distance between their performance. I’ve been testing both models side by side for the past few weeks and now I’ll show you what’s different in each.

• See offers for The Freestyle on Magazine Luiza
• See offers for The Freestyle on Mercado Livre
• See offers for The Freestyle on Amazon
• See offers for MagCubic HY300 on AliExpress

Image quality

For starters, both are limited to Full HD resolution. The Chinese model is even advertised as “4K”, but it is far from providing this definition. Therefore, know that both provided, at most, a resolution of 1080p.

As for image quality, the difference is visible. Samsung’s The Freestyle is much more attractive. The distance between the definition provided by the two projectors is notable. In the South Korean model it is possible to capture the details of the image well, with an experience close to that seen on televisions, for example, considering, obviously, that it is not a 4K image.

Not that MagCubic is bad. On the contrary, it also offers good image definition – excellent, by the way – for its price range. In the photo below you can see the difference between the two. In the projection above you can see the quality of the MagCubic, while in the projection below that of the Freestyle. The two projections are synchronized at the same time in a live American football game.

But the advantages of the Samsung model are not just about definition. The projection brightness is much higher, and in the images below, you can see that the difference is noticeable. This allows you, for example, to see the “TV” even if the room is not completely dark. The same is no longer possible with MagCubic, which struggles to display content when there is a lot of light in the environment.

Not to mention the MagCubic’s leak, I did like one aspect of its projection: When the screen size is reduced in the device’s settings, its projection beam illuminates only the area that contains an image. In Freestyle there is still a “frame” around the throw.

It may seem silly, but it makes quite a difference when we watch movies in “total” darkness. It is important to point out that this is not a problem in Freestyle projection, but if I have to give a point to the MagCubic, it certainly leads the way in this aspect.

In the gallery below, you can see more image examples comparing the two.

Sound quality

Unsurprisingly, this is another place where The Freestyle wins hands down. The overall sound quality and volume of the MagCubic are quite low. You can also watch series and movies and listen to them via native voice, but the experience is weak. You will probably need an external sound system for maximum comfort.

In Freestyle, not only is the volume loud, but it is also well distributed, thanks to the device’s 360-degree audio. The volume eliminates the need for a separate speaker and also provides good audio power. Of course, a soundbar improves the experience, but it’s not necessary if you only want to use the native setup.

Adjusting focus and angle

The Freestyle has another advantage when it comes to adjusting focus and angle, as it does so precisely and automatically. As soon as you turn it on and point it at the wall, the adjustment takes care of itself. If you want, you can tweak both manually and make them more to your tastes, but, during the weeks I’ve been using the Samsung projector, I’ve only had to do this two or three times.

The MagCubic also automatically adjusts the angle, but, while using the projector, this was not done correctly once: every time I repositioned the device I had to manually adjust the framing in the device settings.

The focus does not have an automatic adjustment, and you have to do this using a small “scroll” on the top of the device. In fact, this was something I really liked about the projector. Instead of going into system settings, like Freestyle, I can just physically adjust it. This allows for better focus control.

But it’s important to point out that, even with the best defined focus setting on both devices, The Freestyle has a greater advantage, as the image is more defined and less blurry.

Extra interface and features

As for the interface, the MagCubic is advertised as a projector that runs Android TV. In fact, however, it has an interface based on Googlebut without the actual look of an Android.

In any case, it has access to the main streaming apps, for example Netflix and Prime Video and even lets you download some apps from the Play Store. But, if you want a more robust and complete interface, we recommend using a streaming device, such as a Fire TV Stick or Chromecast, for example.

Freestyle offers a more complete system. With Tizen you have the standard interface of Samsung TVs and access to various streaming applications, with intuitive software that eliminates the need for a TV Stick or TV Box.

Additionally, it also supports Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which lets you enjoy cloud gaming via Xbox Game Cloud services or NVIDIA GeForce Now without console.

Is the difference between The Freestyle and MagCubic really that big?

The MagCubic has captured so much public attention for two reasons: the first is that visually it is very similar to the Freestyle; and the second is the price. While the new The Freestyle costs around R$3,500, the MagCubic sells for R$300 to R$400.

Therefore, it is quite natural to expect that the difference between them is large. And this happens in practice. Samsung projector is better in terms of image, brightness, sound, focus, framing and operating system.

Finally, it’s important to point out that the MagCubic does what it says very well and, for a R$300 device, it’s very good. But I conclude with a phrase that describes this dispute well: one “breaks a game” and the other, really, is good.

• See offers for The Freestyle on Magazine Luiza
• See offers for The Freestyle on Mercado Livre
• See offers for The Freestyle on Amazon
• See offers for MagCubic HY300 on AliExpress

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.