At the present, it’s impossible for someone to not have a photo. Whether they took it themselves, or someone took it for them, for sure, they own at least one. The fact that cameras can easily be accessed now greatly supports the previous statement.
The problem, however, is that no matter how easy it is to capture photos and save their digital copies, producing and preserving physical copies can be bothersome. Fortunately, the latest technological innovations made a solution for this.
Today, we’re going to talk about a product that serves this specific purpose, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer.
What is the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer?
First, let us discuss what the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer is exactly. It has quite a long name so I will refer to it as the Fujifilm Smartphone Printer in the following sections.
To better acquaint yourself with the product at hand, let’s use comparisons. You probably have heard of Instax in the past, also a product of Fujifilm. It comes in different models, much like iPhone who has succeeding versions.
If you are not yet familiar with it, though, it is an instant camera that automatically develops the taken picture in Polaroids after capturing. The downside of Instax cameras is that it is a bit expensive and runs on limited films, which are also pricy. It is a one-shot print so it will definitely be a bummer if your shot looks bad.
The above disadvantages are solved by the Fujifilm Smartphone Printer. Although it also runs on film, its settings make it more efficient to use.
This printer makes it possible for you to print any photo you’ve taken from your phone. The process is controlled by an application to which you can access a lot of customization controls. The app can be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play.
Aside from the app, you are also required to connect the printer to your phone through Bluetooth which helps provide more accessibility compared to other printers that require WiFi.
Product Design and Specifications
For this section, we are going to delve deeper into the product’s appearance:
Design and VariationsThe Fujifilm Smartphone Printer has a minimalistic design. It’s light in weight but the company assures its durability. It has a rectangular shape with soft edges and has an aesthetic feel to it. It is available in the following colours:
- Dark Denim
- Ash White
- Dusky Pink
- Beige Gold
Note that the Beige Gold variation is a limited edition and will not be available for as long as the other three. In my opinion, this has the classiest design because of the combination of both colours.
The others are also pleasing, though. The touch of god just hits different compared to the default where the frame matches the printer’s body.
The available colours make it easy for it to appeal to different sets of audiences.
- Branding
The printer’s branding is simple. It has a silver “Instax” printed in the middle of the product enclosed in an oval frame. The colour of the frame varies from the variation you chose.
For Dark Denim, it is in a navy blue colour, almost like the body but a wee bit darker. Ash White, on the other hand, has a silver frame. The Dusky Pink has it in a combination of pink and violet, somehow creating a reflective colour. And lastly, Beige Gold has it in gold.
On the right side of the product, located just beside the branding, is a coverable USB port for battery charging. The cover can assure you that the port will not be exposed to dust and other microorganisms.
Keep in mind that branding serves a dual purpose. It serves as the switch button and the reprint button. The reprint function will be discussed more later on.
- Back Design
The back part of the product is equipped with only the film storage. A small release latch is placed at the top part to access and replace used film.
One film cartridge can hold up to 10 standard Instax mini-films, credit card size is most recommended.
Here are the other specifications that you need to know about:
- Recording Method: 3-Color Exposure; OLED
- Image Size: 2.4×1.8in
- Printing Resolution: 12.5 dots/mm
- Compatible Formats: JPG, PNG, HEIF
- Printing Capacity: 100 Prints
- Average Printing Time: 12 seconds
- Charging Time: 80-120 minutes
- Product Dimensions: 3.5×1.3×4.9in
Fujifilm notes that the current specifications may still change in the future if improvements are found to be needed.
Product Features 350
Moving on, here are the features of the Fujifilm Smartphone Printer:
- Reprint
The Reprint feature will allow you to reprint the last photo you printed. This is designed to make duplicate prints easier and faster rather than having to click the same buttons all over again.
Like what is stated before, this can be done through the branding button of the product and pointing the printing down at the same time. Note, however, that once the printer is turned off, the data regarding the previous prints will start over.
- Ergonomic Functions
Reprint is one of the ergonomic functions of the printer. Here are the other ergonomic shortcuts that you can do:
- Upright Standing Printer – Standard Print Mode
- Laying down the printer, power button on the top side – Fun Mode
- Printer Tilts – Zoom Adjustment
These functions refer to those that simply require the user to move the item in a specific direction to complete a function.
- Instax Mini Link App
With the printer’s bespoke application called Instax Mini Link App, you can control the printing modes (see succeeding features), the image type and size, the image’s appearance like the filters, effects, and frames.
Here are the printing modes that you can try out:
- Simple Print – standard and plain polaroid images
- Video Print – capture stills from previously recorded videos and print out said images
- Instax Camera Print – use device camera as an alternative to Instax cameras and automatically print out captured images; preserves the feel of physical cameras
- Frame Print – will add frames to your photos to make it look more artistic; a frame library is accessible in the app
- Collage Print – this will enable you to print out several photos at once in only one film; too many photos aren’t recommended as it may not be too visible due to the small size of the films
- Split Print – allows photos to be cut into two parts, still in one film
- Match Test – prints game quiz results along with the chosen photo
- Party Print – can connect up to 5 friends, all of which should have the same application installed, will let each participant submit a photo for the collage
Mastering the application is the key to making the most out of the features of the printer. You don’t have to worry about complications because it has a simple and guided interface for the ease of the users.
Summary: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer Review
On a last note, you should be reminded before purchasing that the smartphone printer is just a printer and not a camera itself. This is where most buyers erred in reviews.
All in all, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer is one of the best products that you can purchase. May it be for a hobby, for work, or just random wants, it will surely be a scene-stealer in photo technologies.