At their core, fridges are comparatively easy units. If you are the sort of individual to view each further function as a part that would probably go improper, primary iceboxes are most likely the variety you go for. But for these on the different finish of the spectrum, Samsung’s newest Bespoke Refrigerators with AI inside have extra bells and whistles than you may assume attainable — together with an elective 32-inch display screen.
Editor’s notice: The mannequin we examined for this evaluation got here out in the second half of 2025 and will proceed to be on sale all through 2026. Hardware will stay the identical, the solely modifications will are available in the type of an OTA software program replace slated for later this 12 months that can add assist for Google Gemini, improved meals recognition/labeling and extra.
Samsung / Engadget
Samsung’s top-of-the-line fridge is just about unbeatable for tech-savvy homeowners in search of one thing that may be each a digital hub and a strong sensible house equipment.
Pros
- Big 32-inch show
- Beverage Center with built-in water pitcher
- AI-powered ingredient monitoring
- Sleek design
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited AI meals recognition
- Touch enter could possibly be extra responsive
Design: As glossy as a fridge may be
If you are into fake classic home equipment like Smeg’s retro-inspired fashions, Samsung’s choices won’t be for you. For everybody else, the Bespoke household does minimalist design higher than virtually every other line of fridges on the market. Granted, the counter-depth French Door AI mannequin I examined is a little bit of a departure because of an enormous 32-inch display screen embedded in its right-side door. That stated, there are a ton of configurations, together with the alternative of a smaller 9-inch panel or fashions and not using a show in any respect. The latter seems to be like a giant rectangle, however in a manner that Dieter Rams would most likely admire (I’m simply guessing, I haven’t got his contact data). Other choices embrace setups starting from four-door fashions to side-by-side two-door variants or perhaps a single-panel upright mannequin.
Glare is one in all the tiny downsides of a fridge with a glass entrance. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
On my evaluation unit, the contemporary meals part is a contact smaller (16.5 cubic ft) than you may count on from a fridge this dimension, although I’ve by no means actually felt restricted by the quantity of obtainable storage. Samsung does a very good job of optimizing inside area by offering a variety of adjustable cabinets, together with a sliding one on the proper aspect that makes it straightforward to retailer taller gadgets with out fully sacrificing flat area for others. The cabinets are additionally spill proof and made out of tempered glass, in order that they resist scratches and simply look a bit nicer than these produced from lower-quality supplies. I additionally admire how Samsung discovered a spot between the two crisper drawers for the water filter, as an alternative of simply sticking it in the prime nook like a number of opponents.
Even with the FlexZone drawer stealing some area, the predominant part of this Bespoke mannequin nonetheless options 16.5 cubic ft of storage. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
Meanwhile, in trade for a barely smaller predominant cupboard, this mannequin has what Samsung calls a FlexZone drawer, which is likely to be my second favourite factor about this fridge. It’s completely designed for storing issues like 12-ounce cans and juice containers, and as somebody who at all times likes to maintain a few chilled Coke Zeros on standby, it is tremendous handy. That stated, taller bottled drinks might must be saved on their sides, which does not really feel fairly as environment friendly. But actually, you’ll be able to put something you need in there and when you’ve got younger youngsters like me, it is a wonderful place to maintain refrigerated children’ snacks. My four-year-old can go in there on his personal with no need assist from an grownup to succeed in stuff larger up. Samsung even provides you the potential to set a distinct temperature for the FlexDrawer, which is a pleasant contact.
The elective FlexZone drawer is wonderful for stashing drinks or having a refrigerated part that is straightforward for teenagers to succeed in. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
Additionally, alongside with some rivals from LG, this fridge additionally has contact sensors at the backside of every door that allow you to open them with a lightweight faucet. While I nonetheless choose to simply seize the built-in handles (that are situated each above and under every door), it is a good inclusion, notably on a fridge that does not have large handgrips bolted to the exterior. My one small gripe with Samsung’s exterior design is that its prime is not fully flat because it dips down in again. Admittedly, this hasn’t stopped me from storing stuff like sheet pans and roasting trays above the fridge, however it could be nicer if issues have been absolutely stage up there.
Water and ice shelling out: Samsung’s Beverage Center reigns supreme
I’ve already gone on document about how Samsung’s Beverage Center is the greatest new function to land on any fridge in years, so with out belaboring the level, however I’ll fortunately wax poetic about it once more. Instead of getting a water dispenser put in smack dab on the exterior of the door, Samsung opted to cover issues behind an exterior flap on the left aspect of the fridge. This accomplishes a number of issues. Not solely does it really feel a bit extra hygienic as a result of the spigot is not subjected on to all the germs swirling round the kitchen or a cough or sneeze from anybody passing by, it additionally simplifies the fridge’s exterior design. This may sound a bit bizarre, however I’ve at all times thought that placing water dispensers on the exterior of a fridge was type of like putting in a bathe in the center of a room. It’s simply type of awkward. Furthermore, by opening the Beverage Center’s door, you even have entry to one in all the fridge’s inside cabinets, which makes it fast and straightforward to seize issues like ketchup, mustard or every other sauces you may want for a meal. My spouse stashes her matcha there, so it is available very first thing in the morning.
Samsung’s Beverage Center is one in all the greatest fridge improvements and years. It consists of each a water dispenser and a built-in pitcher that refills itself robotically. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
But the most essential factor is that proper subsequent to the spigot, there’s additionally a built-in water pitcher that robotically refills itself after each use. This means there’s just about at all times 40+ ounces of ice-cold water (relying on the particular mannequin) you can pull out and pour. This lets you replenish everybody’s cup in seconds like a server at a restaurant, as an alternative of blocking the complete fridge whilst you slowly prime off every glass individually. To me, it is the distinction between an energetic course of the place you’ll be able to dictate your individual tempo versus having to face there whereas the machine takes its candy time. Plus, in the event you like infusing your water with fruit or tea, there is a built-in basket filter for that too. The Beverage Center is a really helpful innovation and one in all Samsung’s greatest benefits over its rivals, and as a result of the firm patented it, it’s going to be years earlier than opponents can come up with copies.
The prime shelf in the freezer additionally comprises the ice maker, which comes with an included scoop and the potential to make two distinction sorts of cubes. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
As for ice, the mannequin I’m testing can produce two differing types: common cubes and smaller pebbles. There’s additionally an included scooper and a devoted shelf for storing it. Now I’ll admit that the smaller pebbles aren’t fairly nearly as good as what you get from a standalone nugget-style icemaker, however in my expertise they’re greater than adequate for anybody who likes selection of their frozen water. My small critique for Samsung is that I’ve heard the ice trays on different fashions come with sliders which have precise ball bearings as an alternative of plastic rails and I want the latter have been a regular inclusion on each mannequin. There’s by no means a lot friction that something would get correctly caught, it could simply be good if issues slid a bit extra easily.
The display screen: A welcome addition to a digital life-style
The fridge’s 32-inch show can be utilized to jot down memos or draw, alongside with a ton of different features. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
Of course, one in all the greatest potential objections about Samsung’s newest fridges can also be one in all its greatest strengths: their elective shows. With the continued intrusion of screens into our day by day lives, I’m not right here to let you know that you just want yet one more. However, though I used to be skeptical at first, I’ve grown to actually admire having one on the fridge and I’d argue that until you are skipping the function totally, the bigger 32-inch panel is what you need.
The predominant cause is that, not less than for my household, a lot of what we do is already digital. Things like calendars, buying lists, recipes and household images already reside on my cellphone and with the ability to share all of that with the fridge immediately by way of Wi-Fi is a serious plus. Frankly, it is simpler to add an image to the fridge’s show than it’s to print one out and submit it, which matches double for Samsung’s Bespoke line since its glass entrance means magnets do not stick. Even although I have already got a wise show in our kitchen, the dimension of Samsung’s display screen, alongside with assist for a handful of essential apps, have turned the fridge into a greater household hub than anything we personal. Because there’s a lot area, there’s room for images, memos, the climate, filter standing and a full 30-day calendar — the latter of which has considerably improved my household’s planning and coordination.
You may even watch TV or YouTube movies proper on the fridge’s show. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
The fridge runs Samsung’s Tizen OS, which is principally the firm’s light-weight tackle Android, so it is tremendous straightforward to make use of. You can swipe left and proper so as to add further widgets to your display screen, play music and even watch movies (YouTube, Samsung TV Plus, and so on.) in the event you’re so inclined. That stated, generally I want the display screen was a bit extra responsive, as a result of though I do not assume it is a dealbreaker, after having reviewed a number of generations of the firm’s telephones, I do know Samsung can do higher. There are additionally some settings from its handsets that I want would get ported over to its fridges — like a devoted darkish mode. When I seize a glass of water later at night time, the very last thing I want is the complete show blasting my kitchen like a pair of hi-beams.
AI Inside: A piece in progress with advantages as we speak
With seemingly each tech firm making an attempt to shoehorn AI into its newest merchandise, it is simple to roll your eyes at the concept of including that right into a fridge as effectively. And I believe even Samsung would admit that its efforts to combine machine studying into the Bespoke line are a piece in progress. I’ve discovered that whereas it actually is not important, the AI options discovered right here generally is a helpful bonus in the proper conditions.
Bespoke fashions with AI function a digicam mounted to the prime of the fridge that may acknowledge and take photos of the meals you place inside. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
AI Vision is the headline function in Samsung’s bundle, which makes use of machine studying and a digicam mounted to the roof of the fridge to robotically acknowledge and document gadgets you place inside. However, there are some limitations. Currently, Samsung’s AI can detect 37 completely different meals gadgets like contemporary fruit and veggies, alongside with an extra 50 sorts of packaged items like yogurt. Furthermore, the digicam solely information what goes into the fridge’s predominant cupboard, so something you place in the FlexZone drawer, freezer or both door will not get recorded. Regardless of whether or not an merchandise is acknowledged or not, the fridge will then take a photograph of the merchandise (and tag it with the title of the meals if it may be correctly recognized). You can then view a listing of all the things in the fridge by way of a devoted tab on its display screen (assuming your mannequin has one) or out of your cellphone by way of Samsung’s GoodThings app. From there, you are able to do issues like set names for something uncategorized or add an expiration date, although I want the fridge would do this final half by itself.
The fridge makes use of AI to robotically observe meals that it will probably acknowledge and applies labels to the corresponding picture. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
In follow, this implies you simply put gadgets in the fridge such as you would usually and let the AI kind issues out by itself. You can at all times undergo the predominant checklist to see when you’ve got a selected merchandise or let the fridge robotically delete issues if you take them out. That stated, the AI would not get issues proper each time, as a result of whereas Samsung’s programming does clear issues out after a sure period of time, you’ll nonetheless must delete meals manually every so often. Thankfully, for gadgets in the door, the fridge can present you a reside feed of what is there, so in the event you’re at the retailer and cannot bear in mind when you’ve got milk or not, you’ll be able to merely pull out your cellphone and see for your self.
Because the digicam is mounted to the prime of the fridge, you won’t get the clearest image or it’s possible you’ll find yourself with your hand overlaying a part of the meals as the fridge takes an image as you place gadgets inside. Even so, that is nonetheless greater than sufficient for me to have the ability to inform what one thing is simply by a small icon. I’ve discovered that Samsung AI Vision legitimately makes it simpler to grocery store by permitting me to see what meals I’ve at a look, no matter whether or not I’m at house or at the retailer.
Samsung additionally makes use of AI to recommend recipes primarily based on components you have already got in the fridge. You may even particular issues like meals preferences and dietary restrictions. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
On prime of that, the fridge additionally has built-in meal planning capabilities. This means you’ll be able to ask the fridge to return up with a dish primarily based on components you have already got, and it is surprisingly good. Not solely do you might have the potential to specify preferences and dietary restrictions, there’s all kinds of recipes it will probably select from. On a number of events, I even discovered that when requested to recommend a recipe, the fridge got here up with dishes I already had in thoughts. Alternatively, it would spotlight if you’re lacking gadgets for a possible dish, so you’ll be able to seize them the subsequent time you are at the retailer. This is one in all the most useful options, as a result of usually at the finish of the week, I discover myself with a handful of leftover components. So when the fridge makes use of that data to recommend recipes that use these gadgets, it helps cut back meals waste.
Sadly, the weakest a part of Samsung’s AI is Bixby. In addition to being overeager when listening for voice prompts, which ended up inflicting a number of inadvertent triggers, Samsung additionally put the Bixby icon close to the backside left nook of the display screen. That’s proper subsequent to the sensor and deal with for the door, leading to much more undesirable summons. After utilizing this fridge for 4 months, I want Bixby would simply go away, and it appears Samsung agrees. Sometime later this 12 months, the firm is including assist for Google Gemini, which ought to ship a large improve to the fridge’s voice-controlled capabilities.
A phrase on adverts
You can disable adverts that present up on the fridge’s cowl display screen, although that will even do away with the information and climate widgets. Thankfully that does not affect that widgets on the fridge’s predominant house display screen. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
Last fall, to the dismay of many, Samsung introduced that it was including adverts to its Family Hub fridges, together with Bespoke fashions with built-in shows. Now nobody likes being taunted with commercials, particularly after they’re on costly home equipment situated in the busiest room of their house. Thankfully, I’ve discovered that these adverts solely present up on the Cover Screen, which solely seems after nobody has used the fridge shortly, type of like a screensaver on a desktop. Furthermore, you’ll be able to disable these adverts totally. The draw back is that doing so additionally eliminates the rotating information and climate widgets that seem on the house display screen. But in my expertise, that is simply high-quality, as a result of I do not want what’s successfully the fridge’s lock display screen to have that a lot occurring. Plus, if you open the fridge or contact its display screen, it immediately reverts to the predominant house menu, which incorporates its personal set of widgets you can customise how you want.
Some fast notes and observations
For some cause, the door to the Beverage Center would not delicate shut like the remainder of the doorways do. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
The Bespoke fridge’s display screen does gather smudges, however so does chrome steel, and it would not actually affect viewability. And on white glass fashions like my evaluation unit, the easy design makes it simpler to wash and keep than typical metal-clad rivals.
The door to the Beverage Center would not soft-close such as you’d usually count on on a fridge. It’s extra of a clack, which is not a nasty factor by itself, although I hope Samsung modifications its design to match the different doorways on future fashions for consistency’s sake.
Because the fridge runs Tizen and not full Android, there aren’t practically as many selections for widgets. For instance, there is a widget for Spotify and Amazon Music, however not YouTube or Apple Music. There’s additionally solely a single possibility for climate and a widget for pinning your favourite web sites, however little or no alternative relating to devoted information choices. In my testing, the GoodThings integration labored higher on Samsung telephones in comparison with normal Android handsets, however your expertise might differ.
If you’re so inclined, you’ll be able to create buying lists immediately on the fridge and then organize them from companions together with Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart and others.
Wrap-up
AI in a fridge may sound ridiculous, nevertheless it permits for some genuinely helpful options, even when the tech suffers from rising pains. And whereas this may sound preposterous, I believe Samsung ought to really double down on the tech by including much more cameras, so the fridge has extra angles and viewpoints to select from as its algorithms evolve. The potential to robotically observe what goes in and out of the fridge makes it simpler to each store and plan meals, and that is simply in the early levels of the tech.
That stated, obsessing over AI is form of in addition to the level as a result of even with out it, Samsung’s Bespoke French Door fridge is a first-class icebox. For tech-savvy folks, its large display screen helps simplify and manage our digital lives whereas concurrently permitting the fridge to be useful in methods you won’t have even thought of. It’s additionally well-built and exquisitely designed to slot in seamlessly with different trendy units, which feels refreshing contemplating how usually home equipment really feel like they’re lagging years or a long time behind devices like telephones and laptops. And I can not overstate how a lot I like Samsung’s Beverage Center, which in my view, is so good it is value going with a Bespoke fridge only for that one function.
In the finish, the two greatest elements you may want to think about are worth and your urge for food to digitize your kitchen, and by extension, your life. Starting at $3,500 for AI-equipped Bespoke fashions, Samsung’s top-of-the-line fridges are removed from low-cost. Thankfully, variations with out machine studying may be had for a lot much less. But extra importantly, it’s important to be prepared to embrace expertise’s function in your house. You might not agree or wish to pay this a lot for options like this simply but, however Samsung’s Bespoke AI 4-Door French Door fridge has satisfied me there is a pleased house for smarter iceboxes.
