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Reviewed / Hisense / Samsung / Leigh Harrington
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Screens are a part of daily life, and if you long for a screen-free space, the kitchen of the (not-so-distant) future won’t be it. Screens of all sizes are becoming commonplace on kitchen appliances. From fridges with interactive touchscreens to ranges with video displays, connected appliances now offer more capabilities than ever before. They’re also increasingly equipped with AI technology and smart-home integrations.
At CES 2025, several large technology companies that also specialize in home entertainment and computing, like Samsung, LG, and Hisense, announced upgrades to the technology in their kitchen appliances—some with the promise of connected appliances making life easier and safer.
Samsung
Samsung debuted a connected refrigerator with a 9-inch touchscreen.
In 2024 we tested the Samsung Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator. We found its food recognition tech spotty but enjoyed its ability to display recipes and connect to the Samsung AI Induction Range to communicate temperature and time settings. This year, Samsung expanded its AI capabilities to recognize fridge contents that are about to expire and suggest recipes to use them up. The fridge will also be able to order replacements when you’re running low.
If a fridge with a full-size screen isn’t appealing, Samsung also introduced a sleeker version with a 9-inch screen that delivers a similar experience but without the billboard effect of the Family Hub.
In addition to connectivity, Samsung has also added AI to the inner workings of its latest fridge models, which enables them to sense when the door is open and kick on a cooling boost to maintain consistent temperatures.
The latest iteration of AI in Samsung ovens can detect food placed inside and suggest cooking parameters.
Samsung has also upgraded its recipe recognition in its Bespoke AI ovens and ranges. The new double wall oven can detect food that’s placed in the oven and suggest cooking times via AI recognition. The connected app will also allow users to enter their own recipes and will learn from frequently cooked recipes to suggest when a dish should be added.
Since AI and connectivity raise concerns about privacy and security, Samsung made a point to present Samsung Knox, the highest level of security from the IoT Security Rating Program, which keeps all information safe. All Samsung WiFi-enabled appliances use it.
LG Signature
LG Signature appliances merge sleek aesthetics with smart technology.
The latest LG Signature French-door refrigerator upgrades from LG’s existing Smart InstaView Mirror technology to a transparent T-OLED screen in the upper right door. This new technology blends the expected InstaView capability of a window, which allows users to see the fridge contents without opening the door, with a touchscreen display. LG says, “It can also display mesmerizing hologram-like visuals, blending the virtual with the real in a sublime fusion of art and high technology.”
The refrigerator also features an AI camera to recognize food stored in the fridge, manage contents, and suggest recipes based on inventory and preferences through the ThinQ Food management system.
The LG Signature Smart InstaView Over-the-Range Microwave also debuted at CES this week. The microwave is equipped with three built-in cameras for monitoring cooking in real-time and capturing time-lapse video. With its prominent over-the-range placement, this new microwave is not only for cooking but for entertainment with its 27-inch Full-HD touchscreen display with InstaView, built-in speakers, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It also provides access to the LG ThinQ Smart Home Dashboard, allowing users to control all LG AI appliances and compatible Matter and Thread devices.
Hisense
Hisense debuts ConnectLife upgrades and AI that will enhance its latest refrigerators.
Hisense announced upgrades to its ConnectLife platform and integration with new appliances. The ConnectLife platform aims to bring intelligent cooking features to the kitchen. Its Dish Designer, developed in collaboration with Microsoft using Azure AI Studio, is an AI-powered recipe assistant that suggests personalized recipes based on available ingredients, dietary restrictions, and preferences.
The ConnectLife Meal Planner enables families to plan their weekly meals with the same AI-powered suggestions. Hisense says, “The Meal Planner can leverage Dish Designer’s capabilities to customize recipes for different family members’ preferences.”
One new appliance that will feature ConnectLife is the Jumbo Side-by-Side Refrigerator with a touchscreen display on the fridge door. Hisense says, “The smart screen, powered by ConnectLife, transforms the refrigerator into a connected hub for streaming media, accessing recipes, and managing smart devices.”
Hisense is also introducing new refrigerator technology with its FreshVault French Door Refrigerator, which features a vacuum-sealed drawer that Hisense says, “creates a low-oxygen environment to keep meat fresh for up to five days while keeping the fridge 99.99% bacteria-free.”