It’s been a year and a half since Samsung debuted its distinctive Bespoke fridge in Malaysia, offered in a number of different colours (though not as wide a variety as in other countries) that were designed to make it easier to match the colour scheme of a particular kitchen. This uniqueness extended to the fridge’s available configurations, which were limited to either a single-door version or one with a bottom-mounted freezer.
But with Malaysian households being used to having a top-mounted freezer (even though a bottom-mounted one is probably better for your back), the Bespoke fridge was always a hard sell. Which is why Samsung has relented by releasing a more conventional version with the freezer at the top, which has just been launched alongside the latest Neo QLED TVs.
The new Bespoke fridges are available in three sizes, with either 404-, 427- and 476-litre capacities. Interestingly, both the 404- and 427-litre models are priced at RM3,199; the 476-litre one costs an additional RM200 at RM3,399. As such, they are all more than RM1,000 cheaper than the original Bespoke, which starts at RM4,599. All three variants come with an impressive 20-year compressor warranty.
As before, Samsung Malaysia is bringing in specific SKUs rather than letting buyers pick and choose different colours for the fridge and freezer doors. The smallest 404-litre unit is only available with Blue fridge and White freezer glass doors, while the 427-litre model can be had with either Peach, Vanilla or White fridge glass doors, all paired with a White freezer door.
Alternatively, buyers can purchase the 427-litre variant in a Charcoal and White matte finish inspired by terracotta. Meanwhile, the largest 476-litre model is only offered with a Pink fridge glass door, mated to either a White or Vanilla freezer door.
Judging by the sizes (even the smallest model is larger than any of the original Bespoke variants), the new top-freezer model is meant to be a standalone model, whereas the previous fridges had a modular design that allowed users to combine two or more units. Nowhere is this more evident than in the doors, which ditch the unique reversible design in favour of a conventional right-hinged one.
The more straightforward configuration has likely enabled Samsung to use a more space-saving design, freeing up an additional 20 litres. The fridge utilises SpaceMax technology that packs urethane insulation in the walls, allowing them to be made thinner without compromising energy efficiency.
Samsung has also given the new Bespoke fridge an Optimal Fresh+ compartment, which has a dedicated setting for meat and fish that allows them to be stored for up to seven days. You can double that with the Soft Freeze mode that coats foods with a thin layer of ice to prevent freezer burn, as well as negate the need to defrost them afterwards. Alternatively, the Power Cool mode can be used to blast cold air to cool drinks faster.
Additionally, the new Bespoke fridge gains some smart home capabilities through embedded WiFi, linked to Samsung’s SmartThings app. Users will be able to set the temperature and enable the Power Cool mode remotely, on top of setting expiry date reminders for various items in the fridge. They’ll also be able to monitor energy consumption costs and set daily, weekly or monthly targets. If the fridge is using too much electricity, an AI Energy Mode is able to reduce energy use by as much as seven per cent.
For those who don’t need the smart home stuff, the fridge is also available in full black, which looks identical despite technically not being part of the Bespoke collection. It’s only offered without WiFi and is priced at RM2,599 for the 404-litre model and RM2,799 for the 427-litre variant.
