Spoločnosť Xiaomi has a number of different gadgets in its portfolio. Let's imagine today Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer, a handy pocket photo printer that doesn't even need a color cartridge.
In the newsroom, we decided to test this interesting gadget so that we could evaluate for ourselves how effectively it uses its ZINK technology, what the quality of the photos is and what equipment it actually offers.
Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer: Where to Buy?
Products Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer Depending on the region, you can also find it in some e-shops with the designation Mi Pocket Photo Printer or Mi Portable Photo Printer. Depending on the region and version of the product, it is also necessary to select a server in the application.
We purchased the global version of the product, which works on the European server of the Xiaomi Home application. The product was available at the seller at the time of writing the review Banggood directly in the Czech warehouse.
Packaging and accessories: Necessary base
The novelty in the form of a pocket mini-printer will also arrive at your home in a compact box. It offers a funny picture of the photo, the name of the product and also the basic technical specifications.
After unpacking the box, inside is the printer itself, packed in a protective package, a short charging microUSB cable, the basic packaging of ZINK photo papers, as well as brief instructions for use.
Layout of the device elements: Minimalist design is a matter of course
The printer from the Chinese manufacturer's workshop comes in a glossy white color version and contains a minimalist design, with a slight tendency to catch grease and fingerprints.
The dimensions of this printer are really compact, they stopped at a value of 124 x 85 x 24,6 millimeters. Its weight is then 181 grams, thanks to which this device is directly built for carrying and use on the road.
At the top there is a hole for discharging the printed photo, a product label and also an LED that signals the current printing.
The front of the Xiaomi logo is on the front, and the entire front of the printer is movable and extendable. After ejection, the roller and the space for placing the calibration sheet as well as the ZINK photo paper are revealed. You will also enjoy the located Reset button as well as brief information on the direction of paper storage.
The underside of the device is home to connectivity. There is a physical button for turning the device on or off, a microUSB charging connector and a pair of LEDs. One of them indicates the capacity of the battery and the other then wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
The back of the device is also shiny and relatively prone to scratches when handled carelessly. However, it contains four small plastic anti-slip protrusions for better stability and also protection.
That's all, the printer is relatively simple in design. However, its processing with glossy ABS plastic materials is high quality. We did not notice any imperfections, cracking, on the contrary, the only disadvantage is the mentioned capture of grease or fingerprints due to the glossy finish. However, given the low selling price of the product, this choice is understandable.
ZINK printing technology: No cartridge
Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer offers free ZINK (Zero Ink) photo printing. This technology is used by many other manufacturers and has been on the market for several years. Although printing larger photos would be inefficient in this way, it is perfect for printing compact images.
The printer does not need any ink cartridge for its operation. The key to success is hidden in a special impregnated ZINK type photo paper, which is also sold by Xiaomi. This paper loaded in the printer turns into a color photo when exposed to heat. It only takes a few seconds.
However, you must buy these photo papers separately, the manufacturer offers various advantageous packages of 10/20/50 pieces. The added value of these photo papers is the possibility of peeling off the back wall, so you can create unique stickers according to your own ideas.
Quality and size of photos
At the outset, we must define that this is not a product designed to print professional photography. Rather, it is a practical and portable accessory for making quick memories of a trip or creating creative stickers.
The photo made on ZINK photo paper with the possibility of peeling off the back wall has dimensions of 2 x 3 ″. One photo is taken in 45 seconds, with the printer first ejecting the calibration paper and then the photo itself. You will find the side on which you need to place the calibration and photo paper shown not only on the printer itself, but also on the photo paper package.
The print resolution stopped at 313 x 400 pixels, which in itself indicates the basic quality of the photo. Don't expect as clear details as an SLR, photos are comparable to popular Instax pieces and can be a problem with text as well. However, relatively faithful colors will please, we noticed the problem only when changing the shade of the sky in light blue.
When it comes to creating stickers from photos, we were really pleasantly surprised. The procedure is practically the same. All you have to do is upload the relevant JPG / PNG file to the application, print it, then peel off the back of the photo and stick the sticker anywhere. The adhesive surface is quite strong and the producer probably thought of making various commemorative albums from trips.
Last but not least, we must highlight the print speed, often the photo was printed even before the declared 45 seconds had elapsed, and also the noise level of the print was relatively low and did not disturb the surroundings, just as the Chinese manufacturer itself declared.
Mobile application: Xiaomi Home
The well-known Xiaomi Home application provides connection to a mobile phone via Bluetooth technology. We connected the global version of the printer with a smartphone on the European application server. However, the connection required a repeated refresh of the application.
Through the application, not only the connection itself is available, but also the option to select a photo / group of photos. You'll also enjoy editing photos before printing, creating collages in different layouts as needed, and a host of other modes. There is also the possibility of setting up automation with other products from the Xiaomi ecosystem.
In addition to the aforementioned photo printing and the creation of collages, an interesting mode of dividing a photo into several photo papers will please, which will allow you to create an interesting jigsaw puzzle of photos or stickers. There is also a mode for portrait photos with a lot of filters or sharing the device with friends directly through the application.
Other modes include the mentioned AR mode and Sound Photo mode. In this case, you can enrich the captured photo with an audio or AR (video) track.
Setting up this pair of modes is relatively easy and takes place via a mobile phone and an application, as well as scanning the resulting photo. After scanning a photo taken in this mode, you can watch the corresponding additional audio / video track start.
Battery life and microUSB charging
The compact printer is equipped with a very good battery with a total capacity of 500 mAh. Compared to smartphones, it may seem small at first glance, quite the opposite.
The printer must include all printing technology in its compact size, including the location of the calibration paper and photo paper. The capacity is enough for up to 20 printed photos, while the decreasing capacity is signaled by the printer with the appropriate LED diode.
On the other hand, charging is relatively slow and freezes the older microUSB connector. However, you will find a microUSB cable vs. standard USB-A, which will solve your problem with an older and now less important connector.
Price and product availability
Printer Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer is also available on the local, Slovak and Czech markets in official distribution. However, if you want to save some euros, the printer is also available at popular international retailers.
In this case, its price moves just below the 50 level € / 69 USD. You can also find spare refills of ZINK photo paper here, depending on the number of pieces, their price ranges from 8 to 18 € / 9-21 USD.
Final rating: Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer
Pocket photo printer with markings Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer will please many travelers. It is not intended for professional photo printing, on the contrary. Its services will be appreciated by all those who want to keep pleasant memories in smaller photographs with a pleasant option of making stickers.
However, due to the low price of the product, we can recommend its purchase, we were satisfied with the use of this printer and it is really suitable for occasional photography. We also appreciated its compact dimensions, which you can use on the road, but also the low price of the device itself.
