Prynt
Prynt Pocket: the instant photo printer that can be added to the iPhone
Aprox. 101€ - see price -
See specificationsThe start-up Prynt had launched its first instant mobile phone printer, the Prynt Case, thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that had made a real splash and had enabled it to raise more than $ 1.5 million. We are testing here the Prynt Pocket, the second more compact version with a revised and corrected handling. A success?
Positive points
Well designed and well constructed product.
Easy to use.
Honest print quality.
Reasonable photo cost.
Efficient and user-friendly application.
An extra touch of creativity thanks to augmented reality.
Bad points
Connectivity limited to the Lightning port (therefore to the iPhone) at the moment.
Produces bulky hair.
Color drift still fairly marked on the prints.
Fairly thin paper (but self-adhesive).
Our review
Ergonomics
Like the Prynt Case, the Prynt Pocket is an accessory designed to transform your smartphone into a complete instant camera, and it benefits for this from a design and careful finishes. Available in four colors (graphite, gray, lavender and mint), it has an adjustable base to accommodate the phone and thus adapts to different sizes of smartphones. Please note, the Prynt Pocket is currently only compatible with iPhone 5S and above (classic or "more" models); an Android version is under development.
The Prynt Pocket connects to the iPhone via a Lightning port. Here, neither Bluetooth nor Wi-Fi to configure; the use is simplified, even if it means connecting the Prynt Pocket each time you want to start (or restart) an impression).
We were talking about a careful design and finish: indeed, the Prynt Pocket also acts as a handle for shooting. In addition to its coating offering good adhesion, it has a trigger and a small zoom wheel. What, by the way, improve the grip of an iPhone in the exercise of the photo. The Prynt Pocket is also well thought out when it comes to recharging Zink "films", which is done via a small removable child cartridge to install.
This neat design overall, but which still clashes in connectivity and compactness compared to other Zink portable photo printers better armed in these areas (such as the HP Sprocket), responds to a mobile application which, for once, could not be more complete. In addition to the shooting mode, it obviously allows you to go and draw in its various image directories or on online services such as Instagram or Snapchat for printing. Photos that can be edited and personalized using essential filters, texts and other emojis. Well organized and beautifully presented, this Prynt application is a joy to use.
One of the peculiarities of Prynt is to offer to play with your photos in an additional dimension, based on the concept of augmented reality. This only works with photos taken through the "Camera" function of the Prynt application, but by moving the subject for a few seconds at the time of shooting, you can then animate your images by scanning them with the sensor on his smartphone. What add an extra layer of creativity. It's a bit of a gimmick, but some members of the Prynt community who share their creations on the app's mini social network make these short "augmented" video clips amazing and often refreshing things.
Image quality
The instant prints offered by the Prynt Pocket therefore use Zink (Zero Ink) technology. Not using ink, it exploits layers of photosensitive amorphochromic crystals which are activated by heating heads. In less than a minute, the 5 x 7.6 cm (or 2 x 3 ") photos appear on very thin paper. The latter lacks rigidity for our taste, but has the advantage of having one side self-adhesive, which allows you to transform your prints into as many personalized stickers.
As always, we used a colorimetric probe to measure the drift in color rendering. The average delta E stands at 11, which is a bit better than with the HP Sprocket (11.4). The best color is pale magenta (4.7), while green is very far from the desired green (23.3). Recall that delta E measures the difference between the expected theoretical colors and the restored colors; below 3, the human eye is no longer able to detect a difference, 0 corresponding to a perfect color.
To the eye, the colors of the prints seem less saturated and more natural with the Prynt Pocket than with the HP Sprocket. The definition is however identical (313 x 400 dpi at best); sharpness is therefore required and the images are quite precise given the format of the photos, even if certain details are smoothed compared to the rendering on the screen of the smartphone.
Conclusion
The Prynt Pocket is not a portable photo printer like the others. First, it is reserved for the time being for iPhone holders; it is also quite expensive for a Zink portable printer. But she has the knack of transforming your smartphone into an instant camera in a different way, by relying on a successful application panel and a complete creative experience. If you only want to print in Zink, we advise you to turn to other similar and more accessible products, but if you like the overall concept of Prynt, then you know what you have to do.
Specifications
Reviews
Everything was fine with this one
I purchased a Prynt Pocket a few months ago, and the product was deficient. So I had to return it and purchased a new one. Everything was fine with this one, but recently all my photos are printed with two back lines on them. I have tried to contact Customer Support from Prynt but no one has replied to me. Customer service is a nightmare. In the meantime, I am stuck with this product and cannot even return it. Extremely unsatisfied.
Fast shipping, great packaging, and Awesome product!
I've been following Prynt since their kickstarter a few years back, but was always hesitant to buy it. I didn't know how the quality of the picture would turn out or if it was worth forking over $ 150 .. but once I heard that they were releasing another version that was SMALLER and BETTER, I was intrigued and decided to buy it.
Pros:
- I got my package in about 5 days with no hassle and the packaging it came in was pretty neat and the instructions were fairly simple to follow.
- I was able to learn how to use it and print a photo within 10 mins.
- The app was super helpful and the navigation was pretty intuitive.
- The product itself was very sturdy and you can tell the quality just by holding it. It had a nice grip all around and nothing felt flimsy or easy to break. - The best part was the picture quality + the ability to add videos. This feature of scanning a photo was always interesting to me and definitely one of the highlights.
Cons:
- I just wish I could use it without taking my phone case off!
- I like that this new version is smaller, but it doesn't really fit in your pocket.
Amazing Prynter - "WHEN IT WORKS!"
I have never written a negative review before, and I am saddened to have to do so now. I am hoping that the company sees this review and responds to me, as my efforts to chat via the Prynt app, as well as my follow-up email have yet to be answered.
Here are the issues I have been having with the device and support:
1. paper feed issue
2. account login issue
3. unlimited paper management issue
4. customer service issue
I have had this awesome little printer for almost a year. I used it frequently for the first few months, then packed it away anticipating a move. Once I unpacked it two weeks ago, I began using it much more frequently.
ISSUE 1: Paper Feed Issue - Since the first few times I used it, I began running into a paper feed issue, and received the error message in the photo. I had found a few work-arounds to keep printing, but they are time consuming, and involve resetting the app every time; removing and reinserting the paper, only adding a 'few' sheets as directed; and reinserting the blue card with the paper.
After being packed away for the better part of 6-months, the printer is still doing the same thing, only much more frequently. I messaged the support team via the app chat on 10 Aug. 2018, and have still heard nothing back. So, I followed up with an email on 13 Aug. 2018, and still nothing more than a reference back to the FAQ page.
ISSUE 2: Account Login Issue - Once I unpacked the printer and began using it again, I realized that I didn't have the proper login info for my account, and contacted customer service for assistance. Still have not heard back.
ISSUE 3: Unlimited Paper Issue - I had signed up during the company's first offer of the unlimited paper plan, and wanted to check on that subscription, and payment method. There is no area on the website to find this information, and I contacted the company; and still have not heard back.
ISSUE 4: Customer Support Issue - Clearly, after the three aforementioned issues, I have yet to receive a response from the company regarding any issues. It has been 11-days since the text contact; and 8-days since the email follow up.
I would love to change my review to 5-stars, and I am hopeful that perhaps there may just be a software glitch in their communications, and that my issues can easily be remedied.
I would like to utilize the 1-year warranty, which is slated to expire on Sep 1, 2018; so I am hoping they contact me before then.
The photos show (1) the continual error message; and (2) what the printer feed looks like after the error message with the paper stuck.
Say goodbye to privacy - beware....
Say goodbye to privacy. I ordered the product, charged it loaded with "film" and took a few shots. Pretty cool but I should have known something was up when they asked me to register. It doesn't tell you anywhere but EVERY PHOTO YOU TAKE is uploaded to their "secure server". I found this out by finally getting a response from their support people. Sorry I want to choose what I store in the cloud. Product return started just now ...
UPDATE - I still stand by my views that our pictures shouldn't, by default, be sent to anyone's cloud. Yet I am impressed by the companies willingness to reach out to customers that disagree with their features and engage in a dialogue. I am hopeful they will reconsider their design but I am encouraged by any company that actively engages thier customers. If I was rating their customer responsiveness I would give 5 stars. That action bodes well for their future.
Prynt Pocket is fun and easy to use!
When I first tried using the Prynt Pocket, I was a little confused on how to adjust it to my phone size and how to load in the photo paper, but then the little manual that comes inside the box helped me out. I opened up my Prynt app and there were more instructions that were more clear on how to use the Prynt Pocket. Now, it's so simple for me to use and I love printing out lots of photos with my Pocket! The photo paper is also about 50 cents a piece so it's a lot cheaper than Polaroid.
Fun to use and easy to setup
Compared to the other Zink printers on the market, I chose this one for the originality. The shutter button and the clamp mechanism to hold the phone make it feel like a vintage camera.
Using the app, the setup is easy even though there is quite a few steps to follow before printing your first picture.
The print quality is decent for this kind of printer. It's instant photography after all. I was asked by the app to update the printer and the quality seemed better after that. I hope that more updates like will come!
Overall I like this product because even though it's not perfect it brings something new and fun to your photos.