Polaroid’s Hi-Print 3×3 Turns Phone Snapshots Into Instant Square Prints And A Display Frame

Polaroid has just released one of those portable devices that allows you to snap a 3-inch square photo with your phone, quickly print it, and hold it up for everyone to view, all in under a minute. The good news is that you can get your hands on this handy device for around $120, called the Hi-Print 3×3.

Users simply take the printer out of their pocket or bag and link it to their iPhone or Android phone via the free Polaroid Hi-Print app, which is completely wireless and free. Once connected over Bluetooth, anyone can simply select a photo, add a few stickers or text from the 150 or so templates that are pre-installed, and hit “print”. Each print measures 3 inches on each side, is square, and has no white borders, which keeps things seamless.

Inside the device, a special dye-sublimation technique, known as Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer technology (D2T2), does the job. Heat transfers the image to proprietary paper held in cartridges that can be easily swapped out. When the print is finished, it comes with further protection in the form of a water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and scratch-resistant transparent coating that keeps it going even when left in direct sunlight. To top it all off, it has a peel-and-stick backside, allowing you to just slap it onto a wall, scrapbook, or anything.

This thing is neither too big nor too small, but rather a compact little package that measures 4 inches wide, 5.2 inches tall, and 1.2 inches thick, while weighing just 13.8 ounces. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery can power dozens of prints on a single charge, so you don’t have to worry about getting stranded at a party and wondering where the nearest power outlet is. Best of all, once you’ve printed all of your images, simply flip open a piece on the front panel, insert a new one, and the thing transforms into a mini display, a great little freestanding frame that you can place on a shelf or a desk with no effort. Available now, priced at $120.