Kodak Mini 3 Retro Review, Pros and Cons

Kodak Mini 3 Retro is among the Kodak printer family that brings your photo printing experience to the next level. The wireless photo printer features the latest technology to produce beautiful looking and high quality prints.

The retro style was released earlier this year and it seems to be a new favorite among photo enthusiasts and photographers. I am about to dive deeper to reveal anything you wish to know about this mini printer, so you’d better check this out.

Travel-Friendly Design

To meet your needs for easy printing on the go, Mini 3 Retro boasts a compact and sturdy layout. The streamlined design makes it slip easily into your bag yet feels comfortable to grip. The rounded edges give a sleek appearance aside from making it safe when stored with other devices.

As with other instant photo printers, this product has minimal controls on its body. It houses a power button on one side and cartridge slot on the other side. There is also an output slot where printed photos go through it as well as a micro USB port where you can charge the device.

Aside from its ergonomic design and minimal controls, unique retro nuance is another thing that gets my attention. There is a big logo of Kodak with stripes and P300R code, which is the name of the product. This model is available in 3 color variants: Black, White, and Yellow.

Featuring 4Pass Print Technology

It goes without saying that dye-sublimation is one of the best imaging methods for photo printing aside from zero ink technology. The Mini 3 Retro features 4Pass dye-sublimation printing technology that promises brilliant photo quality.

Coming with 4Pass printing means the device moves the paper back and forth over the printhead. During the first three sets, it prints CMY ink colors on the paper. The fourth set coats the paper with a clear coating to give extra protection.

This print technology gives beautiful and vivid prints with layered colors. More importantly, it has laminated protection that prevents your images from fading or degrading. It also features waterproof and fast dry prints, just like its counterpart the Kodak Smile Classic.

Kodak Mini 3 Print Speed

The Mini 3 Retro is a portable printer that won’t make you wait. For the best experience of printing on the go, this gadget allows you to print photos in less than 50 seconds. This fast print speed is significantly faster than its competitor that takes a little longer to print a photo.

As a comparison, Sprocket Plus from HP is rated at 58 seconds per photo while Hi-Print from Polaroid takes around 60 second to complete a photo. There is also Sprocket Studio that requires around 2 minutes to print. According to this, it’s not hard to say that Mini 3 Retro offers a promising print speed.

Kodak Mini 3 Supported Print Sizes

This model is designed to print 3 x 3-inch photos with high-end quality. This size is suitable to print Instagram photos—simply pick your favorite photos, edit if necessary, and print from Mini 3 Retro. Once printed, you can stick the print on any surfaces.

What makes it better? This mini photo printer supports border and borderless printing which can be tackled with one paper. Without the need for replacing photo paper, you can opt to print border or borderless photos.

Whether you want to make scrapbooks or celebrate beautiful moments in life, Mini 3 Retro can be the best device you could ask for. Print your favorite snapshots and enjoy the pics anywhere and anytime.

Kodak Mini 3 Print Results

The Mini 3 Retro promises excellent output quality, thanks to dye-sublimation technology. This imaging method produces prints with accurate and vibrant colors, making it an ideal choice for businesses and creative projects.

The overall result is comparable to printers with zero ink technology, even though I should say that dye-sub offers better print results. As the photos are printed in ribbon layers, it produces impeccable details with beautiful colors. Not to mention it shows minimal graininess.

High quality output is not the only thing you’ll get from this pocket printer. The laminated protection makes it water and smudge resistant, which means your prints won’t fade or degrade even up to 100 years. The results may vary depending on your environment and storage.

Cartridges and Consumables

Designed with dye-sublimation technology, this printer uses ink-paper cartridge to deliver life-like and impressive prints. A built-in cartridge slot is housed inside the casing, but it can be easily retracted for cartridge replacement.

The Mini 3 Retro is compatible with ICRG-330, ICRG-360, and ICRG-390 cartridges. The replacement cartridges are available in different packs consisting of 30, 60, and 90 sheets.

How about the running cost? Based on the marketing material, this gadget spends around 30 cents per photo, which is best value for money. However, the costs may vary according to the package of cartridge that you use.

Battery and Power

Great portability design paired with a powerful battery gives you the best experience of printing on the go. This pocket printer supports cordless printing, thanks to a Lithium ion battery that allows you to print anywhere and anytime.

The battery has enough capacity to print up to 25 photos, but it can be shorter or longer depending on file size. You will need to charge the battery for around 90 minutes before the next use. Simply plug micro USB cable into the port and wait until it is fully charged.

For additional information, each package of this product includes a Mini 3 Retro printer, a micro USB cable, User’s Guide, and an 8-sheet cartridge. This means you don’t need to purchase the cartridge separately before using it for the first time.

Connectivity and Software

Bluetooth is a standard connectivity that lets you establish a reliable connection between mobile devices and the printer. It also supports wireless printing right from your Android or iOS smartphones and tablets.

Before using the device, be sure to download Kodak apps from Google Play Store or App Store. Once downloaded, use the app to browse your gallery, edit photos, and print directly from your mobile phone. For the best experience, make sure to run the latest version of Android or iOS.

If you never used a pocket printer previously, you’ll not find difficulties using Kodak app. It comes with easy setup and configuration so that you won’t need to spend time learning about it. This is another I like about this gadget.

Things get better as it supports plenty of editing features. You can easily enhance photo by adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation. It also promises easy printing for your favorite pics and snaps from smartphone.

Kodak Mini 3 Retro Pros and Cons

I know that it’s always hard to make a decision. The Mini 3 Retro seems an ideal gadget to enjoy the most memorable moments through photos. But it can’t be denied that it has a few drawbacks which make it less attractive to purchase. Do you need help? The compilation of pros and cons below will do.

Kodak Mini 3 Retro Pros

• Great Portability

Whether you are inside or outside, the Mini 3 Retro lets you bring a personal studio everywhere you go. Thanks to a compact and sturdy design that makes it easy to port. Slip the gadget into your bag and get new printing experience from almost anywhere.

• High-end Photo Results

Compared to analog products, this pocket printer promises high quality output. Featuring dye-sub print technology and laminated protection, you can enjoy not only vibrant and accurate colors but also extended longevity up to 100 years.

• Easy to Use with Kodak App

Kodak app makes the printer easy to use, even for beginners. All you have to do is download Kodak app from Google Play Store or App Store. It also comes with editing features that let you enhance photos before printing.

• Affordable Print Cost

While most pocket printers struggle with high running cost, the Mini 3 Retro is an exception. It costs about 30 cents per photo, which is significantly more than other printers that spend around 70 cents.

Kodak Mini 3 Retro Cons

• Doesn’t Support Window and Mac Computer

If you plan to connect the instant printer to a desktop computer, I’m afraid you have to take it down. This gadget doesn’t support Windows and Mac OS. So far, the manufacturer doesn’t release software for laptops or PCs.

• Lack of Wi-Fi

The pocket printer doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct. Instead, it only relies on Bluetooth to connect with mobile devices. If you expect a stable and robust connection via Wi-Fi, this is not your cup of tea.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the Kodak Mini 3 Retro makes you feel like having a personal photo studio everywhere you go. With easy setup, you can print high-end photos from Instagram or gallery right from your smartphone. The support for Kodak app allows you to make the best out of the photos.

Despite it only supports Android and iOS, this pocket printer can be a perfect companion during your travel. With a powerful battery and dependable print technology wrapped in a compact design, the Mini 3 Retro is worth the thought.