Samsung Family Hub Refrigerators to Display Ads in Pilot Program
Key Points
- Samsung is piloting ads on the Cover Screen of Family Hub refrigerators in the US.
- Ads appear only when the display is idle and not during Art Mode or photo albums.
- Users can dismiss specific ads, which will not reappear during the campaign.
- Samsung has not confirmed if the ads can be turned off entirely during the pilot.
- The initiative is described as a way to enhance everyday value for customers.
- Jeong Seung Moon previously said Samsung had no plans for ads on smart displays.
- Family Hub fridges are premium appliances, typically priced between $1,800 and $3,500.
- The pilot reflects a shift toward monetizing Samsung’s smart appliance ecosystem.
Samsung is rolling out a software update for its Family Hub smart refrigerators in the United States that will show advertisements on the Cover Screen when the display is idle. The move is part of a pilot program aimed at adding value for home appliance customers. Ads appear only when the fridge is not showing content such as Art Mode or a photo album, and they can be dismissed, though they will not reappear for the duration of the campaign. Samsung has not clarified whether the ads can be disabled entirely during the pilot.
Samsung Introduces Advertising on Family Hub Refrigerators
Samsung has begun a pilot program that adds advertising to the Cover Screen of its Family Hub smart refrigerators sold in the United States. The update, reported by Android Authority, enables ads to appear when the fridge’s display is idle, such as when no content like Art Mode or a personal photo album is being shown.
According to a statement from Samsung, the initiative is intended to "enhance everyday value for our home appliance customers." The company emphasizes that advertisements will not interrupt active modes like Art Mode, and users can dismiss specific ads, which will not reappear while the campaign runs.
Details of the Pilot Program
The advertising is displayed on the Cover Screen, which serves as the default view when the refrigerator is not actively presenting other content. Samsung has not indicated whether users can opt out of the ads entirely during the pilot period. The pilot’s scope regarding which models are included remains unspecified.
Jeong Seung Moon, Samsung’s head of R&D for digital appliances, previously told The Verge that the company had no plans to introduce ads to its smart home displays. The current rollout suggests a shift in strategy for the Family Hub product line.
Consumer Implications
The Family Hub refrigerators are premium appliances, typically priced between $1,800 and $3,500. The introduction of ads may affect consumer perception of the value proposition, especially for buyers who expected an ad‑free experience. While Samsung portrays the program as a value‑adding measure, the lack of a clear opt‑out option could be a point of contention for some users.
Overall, the pilot reflects Samsung’s broader effort to monetize its smart appliance ecosystem, aligning with trends in connected home technology where hardware is leveraged for additional revenue streams through advertising.