Samsung Premiere 9 (LPU9D): A High-End UST Projector That Almost Nails It

Size Matters (and So Does Placement)

One of the biggest selling points of UST projectors is how little space they need. The Premiere 9 can throw an image between 100 and 130 inches with just a few inches of clearance. A 100-inch screen only needs 4.4 inches from the wall, while a 130-inch screen needs 9.4 inches. That’s pretty convenient, though keep in mind that perfect placement is key—mess it up, and you’ll be fiddling with alignment and focus for a while.

Laser-Powered Brightness and Color

The RGB triple laser light source is where this projector flexes. Samsung rates it at 3,450 ISO lumens, which means it holds up decently even in rooms that aren’t pitch-black. Delivering 154% of the DCI-P3 color volume is great for vibrant, lifelike images, and Samsung has taken steps to minimize laser speckle and those annoying rainbow artifacts some projectors struggle with. That said, out-of-the-box color accuracy might need tweaking—calibration is recommended for cinephiles who want the best possible image.

4K and AI Upscaling

It’s 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), but what makes it interesting is the 4K AI Upscaling. Lower-resolution content gets a processing boost, which helps make old HD movies look sharper. AI-driven upscaling isn’t always perfect, but it’s better than just stretching pixels.

Surprisingly Decent Built-in Sound

Projector audio is usually an afterthought, but Samsung actually put some effort into it. The Premiere 9 has a 40W 2.2.2-channel system with Dolby Atmos, up-firing speakers, and built-in woofers. For casual watching, it’s better than most built-in projector speakers. It even has Object Tracking Sound (OTS), which moves audio around to match on-screen action. If you have a Samsung soundbar, Q-Symphony syncs everything up for an even bigger soundscape.

Smart Features and Gaming Potential

Like Samsung’s TVs, this projector runs on Tizen OS, giving you easy access to Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more. There’s also the Samsung Gaming Hub, meaning you can stream Xbox Game Pass or Amazon Luna without needing a console.

For gaming, there’s Game Mode, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), but there’s a catch—it’s limited to 4K at 60Hz thanks to HDMI 2.0 ports. If you’re a hardcore gamer looking for high refresh rates, this might not cut it.

The Dolby Vision Snag

HDR support is solid with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, but there’s no Dolby Vision. That means content encoded in Dolby Vision (which is a lot of premium streaming content these days) will either play as HDR10 or, in some cases, SDR. It’s a noticeable omission at this price point.

The Setup: ALR Screen or Bust

Samsung provides distance guides, and there’s digital keystone correction, but manual adjustments are recommended for the best image. If you’re serious about picture quality, an ALR (ambient light rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors is a must. Yes, you can project onto a plain wall, but you’ll be losing a lot in terms of contrast and sharpness.

So what do we think? A Premium UST Option (For a Price)

The Samsung Premiere 9 delivers on the big-screen, big-color promise, with impressive brightness, solid sound, and smart features that make it a great all-in-one solution. The lack of Dolby Vision and HDMI 2.1 is a bit of a letdown, and at around $5,800 or € 5.500,-, it’s not cheap. But if you want a high-end UST projector that nails ease of use and cinematic quality, this one’s worth considering—just make sure to budget for a good screen to get the most out of it.