A few years ago, Samsung introduced a series of smart refrigerators under the "Bespoke" brand, powered by Bixby and featuring a large screen on the door. Jokes soon circulated suggesting that a Bespoke refrigerator could simply be placed in the living room—serving as a TV—so that when hunger struck, one wouldn't even need to run to the kitchen for food.
While it may have seemed quite unusual at first to see a refrigerator equipped with a large screen and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, by 2026, the use of AI is no longer a rarity; it has become the norm for most consumers. During a visit to Hanoi this week, I had the opportunity to see the Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub, which has received the latest Tizen 10 update.
With this new update, the refrigerator’s AI system has been further enhanced with a variety of useful features designed to simplify daily life and reduce waste—a particularly welcome addition in an era of rising living costs.
The "AI Vision" system utilizes the refrigerator’s built-in cameras to identify stored items. The AI monitors the quantity of food in real-time, eliminating the need to open the door. A demonstration showed that the system automatically updates the inventory—adding items when they are placed inside and subtracting them when they are removed.
AI Vision can recognize various types of items, such as fruits, soft drinks, and bottled goods. For food stored in plastic containers, users simply need to attach a label—for instance, "durian"—and the system will remember the contents of that container.
According to Samsung, this feature allows you to check the contents of your refrigerator instantly. For example, if you are at the supermarket and unsure whether you still have enough eggs, onions, or soy sauce, you can simply check the inventory via the SmartThings app to see what needs to be purchased. The system can also track household consumption patterns, allowing owners to monitor whether the family is maintaining a balanced diet or successfully adhering to a specific nutritional regimen. Furthermore, AI Vision can provide alerts regarding ingredients that may have been stored for too long. It can also suggest recipes based on the items currently in storage, helping you use them before they expire or spoil.
Much like on Samsung TVs, Bixby on the Bespoke refrigerator has become even more useful. You can ask questions about the weather, news, or nearby restaurants, and it will provide the answers. The "Now Brief" feature—previously available only on phones and tablets—has now been brought to these smart refrigerators.
Samsung’s smart refrigerators also serve as a smart home hub; for instance, they can identify who is at the door via a video doorbell or notify you when a laundry cycle is complete.
Finally, through the latest software update, Samsung has introduced "Home Appliances Remote Management" (HRM). This feature alerts you if an issue is detected with your home appliances—for example, if a refrigerator or air conditioner fails to reach its intended temperature. HRM can assist owners by running diagnostics, suggesting potential solutions, or—as a final step—providing an easy way to contact Samsung customer support.
