The Instax Link Wide produces large instant prints, has a functional and sleek design and offers lots of editing options - but it does not come cheap.
Should I Buy The Instax Link Wide?
Pros
- Large, glossy prints
- Lots of filters and editing options
- Refined design
Cons
- App needs optimising
- Costs rack up over time
- Slow Micro-USB charging
Our Verdict
Price When Reviewed
- $149.95
Fujifilm's Instax lineup has numerous instant printers and cameras available. However, many of them support the ‘Mini’ photo format – prints that are the size of a credit card.
If you still want that portable photo experience without sacrificing on size, then the Instax Link Wide printer may be the one for you. This portable printer uses images that are twice the size of those produced on Mini devices, and offers numerous customisation options.
But how does the picture quality compare to rivals such as Polaroid? I have spent some time with this product to give you my thoughts.
Design And Build
- Portable and lightweight
- Stand included
- Micro-USB charging port
The Instax Link Wide comes in a choice of two colours: Mocha Gray and Ash White. The matte plastic exterior has a diagonal pattern textured finish that gives the printer some flair. Unlike some previous Instax products, this does not feel childish or toy-like.
Though it produces larger prints than other Instax products, the Instax Link Wide is still portable. At a weight of 340g and 33.7mm thick, it can fit into a bag without a hitch. Plus, it comes with the included stand, so it can be placed around the house whilst still looking neat. You also get a wrist strap for using it out and about.
The power button is located front and centre on the Instax Link Wide. This lights up different colours to indicate when the printer is connected, charging and printing.
On the bottom of the device there is a Micro-USB port for charging, and the accompanying cable comes in the box. The printer takes around two hours to charge from flat to full, which is on the slow side.
Instax claims that the device can last up to 100 prints on a single charge, but this does depend on how long you are leaving the device powered on for (such as if you are editing before printing).
Features And Photo Quality
- Uses Instax Link Wide app
- Prints are high quality with a glossy finish
- Filters and edits are available
To print images on the Instax Link Wide, you will need to download the Instax Link Wide app, which is available on iOS and Android. There is a short wait for the photos to synchronise with the printer, but the actual printing speed is quick at around 12 seconds, with photos taking around 90 seconds to develop.
Prints from the Instax Link Wide are large, bright and glossy, whilst still retaining that vintage feel that you would not get from a standard photograph. The colours are not quite as impressive as what is produced on the Polaroid Hi-Print which uses a dye-sublimation printing process, but the details are still crisp and true to the original image.
With the app, you can add filters, create collage prints, add various stickers, text, place photos into templates and even add QR codes which can link to websites, audio recordings, locations, and hidden messages. The sketch, edit and print mode allows you to take a photo of a hand-drawn sketch, and then layer it onto another image.
Some of these features were a little gimmicky for me, but I imagine that younger users will get use out of them.
Whilst the app is simple to use, the interface is not great. The text is on the small side and there is some wasted space. In addition, it is also one of many apps for Instax products – things would be much simpler if the company just had a singular app that allows users to connect multiple products in one place.
Value For Money
At a price of £129.99/$149.95, the Instax Link Wide is not the cheapest instant printer on the market – but the trade-off here is the larger sized photos that it produces.
You can currently buy the Instax Link Wide from Amazon, Fujifilm, Jessops and Currys in the UK, and Amazon, Best Buy and Target in the US. If a retailer is out of stock, check the Instax website for a more detailed list of stores to choose from in your area.
When purchasing an instant printer, you should also consider the cost of the film on top. You can buy a pack of 20 Instax Wide prints for £16.99/$18.99 from Amazon. This clocks in just slightly more expensive than the smaller Instax Mini prints, and those costs will mount up over time.
If you want an instant camera that supports the Wide film format, then check out our review of the Instax Wide 300. Other rival instant printers to consider are the Polaroid Hi-Print, and Instax’s hybrid camera and printer, the Instax Mini Evo.
Verdict
The Instax Link Wide is not the cheapest instant printer on the market. However, the prints it produces are large, colourful and of a decent quality, making them perfect for displaying and scrap-booking.
The design means that it is suited for both being kept on a desk or used whilst travelling, and the app makes printing and editing easy for all users. Overall, the Instax Link Wide is a true contender in the instant printer market.
Specs
- 139x127.5x33.7mm
- 340g
- Lithium-ion battery
- Micro-USB charging
- Printing speed approximately 12 seconds
- Print size - 86 x 108mm
- Uses Instax Wide Film
- Printing levels – 256 levels per colour (RGB)
- Stand, strap and USB cable included
- Bluetooth 4.2
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