instax mini Link smartphone printer, Dark Denim

Product Information

However, you’re not always after the most petite little prints and if you want something that’ll fit better in a photo album, on a pinboard or within a scrapbook, we think it’s well worth looking at the Instax Link Wide. In essence, it’s similar to any other Instax model on this list, but just a bit bigger and capable of churning out larger reproductions of your precious snaps. The best smartphone printers make it easy for you to print directly from your mobile phone. It doesn’t matter if your smartphone runs on android or iOS, as long as it does not run on an ancient version of the OS, it should be able to work with the printer. Connectivity This printer has a trendy pop-open design and a slim profile. Due to its compact design and durable poly resin case, you can easily take it around with you and expect it to serve the purpose for which you bought it - printing. It is rechargeable, so you need not worry about needing to have access to a power outlet whenever you need to print.

Before you do anything, however, you'll want to load the Instax Mini Link with film. As with all other Instax products, this is a very easy process that takes just a few seconds. Then you can push the power button on your printer to release the shutter - if you have your phone set up on a tripod and want to take a group shot, this can be quite useful. You can also zoom in and out by turning the printer upside down.

You've got a couple of different printing modes to choose from. The 'Simple Print' mode is probably the one you'll use most often. This does exactly what you'd expect it to do - creates a simple and straightforward print. By far the most intriguing yet kinda useless feature exclusive to the new Instax Mini Link 2 isa motion-control element called "InstaxAir" where users can create light-painting style images by moving the printer around in the air as if it were a Nintendo Wii remote. InstaxAir works by holding down and lightly pressing the button situated at the top left corner of the printer.

You'll want to assess the connectivity options. If you want a hassle-free printing experience, use a portable printer that offers wireless connectivity and support for protocols like Apple AirPrint.You can connect the printer to computers and smartphones through USB or Bluetooth, but since there's no Wi-Fi connectivity, you can't use Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, and other connection that rely on Wi-Fi. The slim, portable design means you can easily take it around with you. The embedded rechargeable battery also makes it easy for you to use the printer without needing to look for a power outlet whenever you want to print. You can also have collage prints on the app, making it possible for you to merge multiple photos into one. The tile prints feature also means you can get a larger version of your photos by printing up to 9 sections and placing them together. These printers operate wirelessly, using WiFi or Bluetooth technology –or, in the case of the Kiipix, using a mirror! What paper do these printers take? No, these portable printers are designed to work with smart devices such as your phone –and, in the case of the Instax Mini LiPlay, to print directly from its integrated camera as well. Do I need a physical cable to connect to the printer?

The Instax Mini Link includes a variety of different modes, including a standard printing mode, a party mode, and the ability to use the printer as a remote release for your smartphone (ideal for group shots). The printing technology in use means you get vibrant photos as the dyes deeply penetrate the paper. A final protective layer protects the photos from water, scratches, and fading. With an average printing speed of 1ppm, you can get a photo printed in just a minute. Hence, it comes in handy in those moments when you need instant photo printing. We’ve enjoyed printing out our top snaps with this model, and it’s super easy to use via the app. It is a bit of a shame that it still charges via the now-outdated Micro USB port rather than USB-C (the newer Mini Evo has transitioned to the newer USB-C connector) but that’s more of a minor downside than a dealbreaker.

Fun Mode

It uses Zink paper, which means you don't have to add ink, but on the downside this means the picture quality isn't the best," says Tom May in our review. "Still, if you just want to hand out mementos at a social event, it's still a good choice, and it would make a fun gift for kids too." Unlike the wider one, we think this is slim and light enough to stash in your bag and bring on your travels, and the bigger square size works well for a wide range of shots including landscapes, portraits, close-ups and more.

The main difference is in the type of printing method. Instax models use the same instant photo paper present in the brand’s instant cameras for a real film look, there are several models out there that use Zink (or “zero ink”) paper tech. This is photo paper that takes on colour in a process that uses crystals and heat, but this is notable for a slightly poorer image quality. The Polaroid Hi-Print is a little different than either approach, using dye-sublimation for accurate colours. Print speed Overall, if you're a particular fan of Instax prints and want a fun and easy to use product, it's very good at what it does - but it doesn't come cheap.

The latest portable smartphone printer from Instax has a host of new motion features, but does it offer enough of an improvement on the original model?

Digital cameras and smartphones mean you can view your photos on a screen immediately after the photo is taken. Instant photo printing means you can get a hard copy of those photos within a short period of taking the photo. As such, you shouldn't expect perfect colours and bags of detail. On the whole, colours are generally pretty vibrant, with some colours perhaps displayed a bit better than others. Images can also be sent directly from your digital camera straight to the Mini Link 2 printer using Bluetooth, but only if you own a Fujifilm X-S10. For other digital camera devices you'll need to first send images from your camera to your smartphone using a compatible app, recommended by the camera manufacturer, and then print them via the Instax app selected from your smartphone gallery.