Is This the Smartest Fridge Ever? A Deep Dive into the Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside

Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside

The modern smart home has a new centerpiece, and it’s not another speaker or display. It’s the refrigerator. For years, the concept of a “smart fridge” has been a bit of a running joke in the tech world—a solution in search of a problem. But Samsung’s latest offering, the Bespoke 29 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Flex French Door Smart Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside, is a serious attempt to change that narrative. We’ve spent the last few weeks with this stainless steel behemoth, and we’re ready to tell you if the future of the kitchen has finally arrived.

First Impressions: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Before we even get to the tech, it’s worth noting that this is a beautiful appliance. The “Bespoke” in the name refers to the customizable door panels, a feature we’re seeing more of and are big fans of. While our review unit came in a classic stainless steel, the option to swap out colors and finishes is a welcome departure from the one-size-fits-all approach of most appliances. The four-door design is sleek and modern, with recessed handles that contribute to a clean, minimalist aesthetic. This is a refrigerator that will undoubtedly elevate the look of any kitchen it graces.

The Main Event: The AI Family Hub+

The star of the show is, without a doubt, the massive 32-inch touchscreen that Samsung calls the AI Family Hub+. This isn’t just a glorified tablet slapped on a fridge door. It’s a comprehensive command center for your kitchen and your life. The screen is bright, responsive, and surprisingly intuitive to use. Here’s a breakdown of what it can do:

• Family Communication: The digital whiteboard is a fun and practical way to leave notes for family members. You can also share photos and videos directly from your phone, turning your fridge into a dynamic digital picture frame. The shared calendar functionality is a game-changer for busy families, syncing everyone’s schedules in one central location.
• Entertainment: Why should the living room have all the fun? The Family Hub+ can stream music from popular services like Spotify, and you can even mirror content from your Samsung TV. This means you can keep up with the game or your favorite show while you’re cooking.
• Smart Home Control: With a built-in SmartThings Hub, this refrigerator can act as the command center for your entire smart home. You can control lights, thermostats, and other connected devices right from the fridge door. It also has Alexa built-in, so you can use your voice to control your smart home, get the weather, and more.
• Meal Planning and Recipes: The Family Hub+ integrates with Samsung’s Food app, which boasts a massive library of over 160,000 recipes. You can find recipes based on your dietary needs and preferences, and the app will even help you create a weekly meal plan.

AI Vision Inside: A Glimpse into the Future (with some caveats)

This is where things get really interesting. The AI Vision Inside feature uses a camera to identify what’s inside your fridge. In theory, this is a revolutionary idea. Imagine being at the grocery store and being able to see if you’re out of milk with a quick glance at your phone.

In practice, the AI Vision Inside is a bit of a mixed bag. It can recognize up to 33 different fresh food items, and it does a decent job of it. However, it’s not perfect. We found that it sometimes misidentified items, and it can’t see anything in the door bins or the freezer. You can manually add items to the inventory, but that defeats the purpose of the AI.

That being said, when it works, it’s incredibly useful. The refrigerator can automatically add items to your shopping list when you’re running low, and it can even suggest recipes based on the ingredients you have on hand. This is a feature with a ton of potential, and we’re excited to see how it improves with future software updates.

Beyond the Smarts: How it Performs as a Refrigerator

With all this talk of AI and touchscreens, it’s easy to forget that this is, first and foremost, a refrigerator. And on that front, it excels. The 29 cubic feet of space is more than enough for a large family. The FlexZone, a compartment that can be converted from a refrigerator to a freezer, is a brilliant touch of versatility. The Beverage Center, with its autofill water pitcher and internal water dispenser, is a convenient and well-designed feature. And the dual ice maker, which produces both cubed ice and smaller “ice bites,” is a crowd-pleaser.

The Verdict: A Smart Investment for the Tech-Forward Household

The Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex French Door Smart Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside is not for everyone. It’s a premium appliance with a premium price tag. But for those who are all-in on the smart home and want a refrigerator that does more than just keep food cold, it’s a compelling option.

The AI Family Hub+ is a genuinely useful tool for managing a busy household, and the AI Vision Inside, while not perfect, is a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the kitchen. If you’re looking for a refrigerator that is as smart as it is stylish, this is the one to beat.

The Tech Review Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Pros:

• Stunning, customizable design
• The AI Family Hub+ is a powerful and intuitive command center
• Excellent performance as a refrigerator with versatile storage options
• Seamless integration with the SmartThings ecosystem

Cons:

• AI Vision Inside can be inaccurate at times
• Premium price tag