French door refrigerators have become the default choice for American kitchens, and these two represent distinct philosophies about what a refrigerator should do. The LG LFXS28968S is a large, well-built cooling machine that keeps food cold reliably. Samsung's Family Hub RF28R7351SR adds a 21.5-inch touchscreen to the door and markets itself as a smart-home hub. The question is whether you want a refrigerator with a screen, or a really good refrigerator.
LG LFXS28968S
The LG LFXS28968S is the more reliable cooling appliance; the Samsung Family Hub is worth considering only if the smart-hub features genuinely fit your household's workflow.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | LG LFXS28968S | Samsung RF28R7351SR Family Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 28.6 cu ft | 28.0 cu ft |
| Fresh Food Zone | 19.4 cu ft | 18.5 cu ft |
| Ice Makers | Dual | Dual |
| Door-in-Door | Yes | No |
| Smart Screen | No | 21.5" touchscreen |
| Interior Cameras | No | 3 cameras |
| MSRP | ~$2,499 | ~$3,299 |
Cooling Performance and Temperature Consistency
Consumer Reports gave the LG LFXS28968S strong marks for temperature consistency across all compartments — the fresh food zone held steady within 1–2°F of set point across multiple tests. LG's Linear Cooling technology monitors temperature every 0.5 seconds and makes micro-adjustments to maintain freshness, which translates to measurably longer produce life in Consumer Reports' food-storage tests.
The Samsung RF28R7351SR is a capable cooler but Consumer Reports found slightly more temperature variation in the door bins — not egregious, but real. The Family Hub's electronics and touchscreen add heat load to the door, which may contribute to the slightly warmer door-bin temperatures measured in testing.
Both offer dual ice makers — one in the freezer drawer and one in the upper-right fresh-food compartment. This brings us to the most important reliability consideration in the category.
Ice Maker Reliability — Be Honest With Yourself
This is the elephant in the French door category. Yale Appliance reliability data consistently places Samsung French door refrigerators among the highest service-call models they sell, with ice maker failures accounting for the majority of calls. The RF28R7351SR's in-door ice maker has a documented failure pattern — the ice maker sits in a frigid compartment that can accumulate ice around the mechanism, requiring manual defrost or service.
LG has had its own compressor recall issues on certain 2019–2021 French door models, though the LFXS28968S specifically uses LG's Linear Compressor which has fared better in service data. LG extended warranties on affected compressor models, and the current generation has a meaningfully better track record.
If you want ice and are buying a French door refrigerator, read the current service data before committing. Both brands have had problems. LG's current generation is currently ahead on this metric.
The Family Hub Screen — Worth It?
Samsung's 21.5-inch touchscreen on the RF28R7351SR can display a family calendar, let you see inside the fridge via three interior cameras (from your phone), stream music, show recipes, and serve as a SmartThings control panel. It's a genuinely impressive technical feat.
The honest assessment from owners on r/Appliances: the screen is cool for about three weeks, then most families use it as an expensive whiteboard for pinning photos. The interior cameras are useful when grocery shopping. The calendar feature works best if your whole household uses Samsung phones. Android and iPhone users with Google Calendar can make it work but it requires configuration.
The Family Hub adds approximately $500–$700 to the price versus a non-Hub Samsung equivalent. If you're a Samsung ecosystem household — Galaxy phones, SmartThings devices, Samsung TV — the integration is more compelling. For everyone else, it's a premium you probably won't fully use.
Capacity, Layout, and Price
The LG LFXS28968S offers 28.6 cu ft total — 19.4 cu ft fresh food, 9.2 cu ft freezer. The Samsung RF28R7351SR offers 28 cu ft total. Both are large enough for a family of 4–5 with weekly grocery shopping.
LG's door-in-door design on the LFXS28968S is a legitimate convenience feature — a secondary door within the main door lets you grab frequently accessed items (drinks, condiments) without opening the full refrigerator. It reduces cold-air loss and is one of the more practical innovations in the category.
MSRP: LG LFXS28968S runs around $2,499. Samsung RF28R7351SR lists at $3,299 with the Family Hub screen. That $800 premium is purely for the smart features. If you strip Samsung's Family Hub to a comparable non-Hub 28 cu ft model, prices align closely.
LG LFXS28968S Strengths
- Better temperature consistency in Consumer Reports testing — produce stays fresh longer
- Door-in-door design reduces cold-air loss for frequently accessed items
- Lower current service rate than Samsung French door refrigerators per Yale Appliance data
Samsung RF28R7351SR Family Hub Strengths
- 21.5-inch Family Hub touchscreen with family calendar, interior cameras, and SmartThings hub
- Three interior cameras let you see inside the fridge from your phone while grocery shopping
- Samsung ecosystem integration is genuinely useful for Galaxy/SmartThings households
LG LFXS28968S Weaknesses
- LG compressor recalls on 2019–2021 models created brand trust issues, though current models fare better
- ThinQ app is useful but some features require creating and maintaining an LG account
- LFXS28968S is a 2018-era model still in circulation — newer LG models have updated layouts
Samsung RF28R7351SR Family Hub Weaknesses
- Ice maker failure rate among the highest in French door category per Yale Appliance service data
- $800 Family Hub premium has poor ROI unless you're deep in the Samsung ecosystem
- Slightly higher temperature variance in door bins compared to LG per Consumer Reports
Best For
- a: Most households wanting a large, reliable French door refrigerator without smart-feature complexity or price premium
- b: Samsung ecosystem households — Galaxy phones, SmartThings devices — who will actively use the Family Hub screen daily
FAQ
How wide is the LG LFXS28968S? Will it fit a standard 36-inch refrigerator cutout?
Yes — the LFXS28968S is 35.75 inches wide and fits a standard 36-inch cabinet opening with the recommended 1/4-inch clearance on each side. Depth with handles is 35.5 inches, so allow for door-swing space.
Can the Samsung Family Hub screen be turned off if I don't want it?
Yes, the screen can be set to sleep mode or turned off completely. The refrigerator works identically with the screen off — it's a pure add-on, not integral to cooling.
What's the warranty on LG's Linear Compressor?
LG covers the Linear Compressor for 10 years on parts. Labor is 1 year standard. Given LG's compressor recall history on earlier models, always register your appliance at purchase so you receive recall notices.