I must admit, I really do like instant cameras. They have a novelty value that you just don’t get in other areas of technology, sparking a similar level of nostalgia for me as flip phones do.
There are various different options, however, so choosing one is actually harder than it first seems. The Instax Mini LiPlay is less what I would call “instant” than the likes of the Instax Mini 12, for example.
The hybrid camera gives you a little bit more control over what is printed before it just appears forever documented in film, but does that take away from what instant cameras are all about?
On the one hand, the Mini LiPlay lacks some of the fun instant cameras are known for, but on the other hand, it stops you from wasting film and instead, you get exactly the prints you want.
As a simple hybrid instant camera, the Instax Mini LiPlay is great and if you’re looking for a versatile tech gift, there’s a lot to love here.
Instax Mini LiPlay: At a glance
Instax mini LiPlay
Cons
Key specifications
| Battery life | 100 prints |
|---|---|
| Flash | Auto or optional flash |
| Print development time | 90 seconds |
| Power | USBC |
| Dimensions | 4 x 10.3 x 14.5cm |
| Weight | 255g |
| Colours | Black, Bronze, Gold, Green, White |
Instax Mini LiPlay: Design and setup
If you can name me one person that has time in their life to set up tech for an hour then I’d very much like to meet them. Luckily, the Instax Mini LiPlay doesn’t fall into this camp and is simple to set up.
It’s not quite as plugandplay as the Instax Mini 12, but there are a number of extra features on this instant camera that makes it worth the extra 10 minutes of setup time.
The design is a little slimmer and more streamlined than the Instax Mini 12 too, with a lot more going on. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though. I love how simple the Mini 12 is, but you get a screen on the Mini LiPLay, the ability to store photos, the ability to record audio and three preset buttons for your favourite frames.
It still brings retro vibes and there is a good selection of body colours, but you miss out on a rotating lens that I very much enjoy on the Mini 12. It does offer a significantly more streamlined flash that is also controllable however, and there is a selfie mirror next to the lens, which is very helpful. The reduction in bulk compared to the Mini 12 also means it is a little easier to carry around, though it’s still not fitting in your jeans pocket.
Instax Mini LiPlay: App
The Instax Mini LiPlay companion app is where this instant camera takes a step up compared to the Instax Mini 12. It allows you to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth (it’s nice and easy to do), so you can access and print your entire photo library, effectively making this instant camera a portable printer too.
There’s no way of accessing social media photos you’ve posted, unless they are saved in your photo library, but you can add filters and frames to any of the photos in your photo library through the Instax Mini LiPlay app.
You can also use the app to transfer images from your phone to your Mini LiPlay camera (it can store 45 without a microSD card and 850 per 1GB microSD) and you can set the shortcut buttons on the camera through the app too.
The Mini LiPlay app is basic, but basic is fine when it comes to functional apps like this, especially when it brings so much more to a device.
Instax Mini LiPlay: Performance
I said at the start of this review that you do lose a little bit of the fun that comes with instant cameras when you have the ability to take the photo again and see it before it’s printed, and I stand by that.
It is better not to have a flash that always fires no matter what though, and I love that you can print photos from your smartphone to give them to friends and loved ones.
Some of the detail gets lost when you print from your smartphone so keep that in mind, while the images shot on the Instax Mini LiPlay aren’t hugely detailed either, especially not in low light.
Images overall can be a little overexposed, though it is worth noting you can control the exposure on the camera, giving you a little more control compared to other instant cameras.
The Mini LiPlay charges through USBC too, so you don’t need to find batteries, and the preset buttons are great if you have a couple of particular favourite frames.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Instax Mini LiPlay
The Instax Mini LiPlay is a great instant camera if you’re looking for something with a little bit more flexibility than simply pointing, shooting and whatever you shoot printing immediately.
The screen allows you to see what image you’ve taken and decide whether that’s worthy of the £1+ price it costs to print it out, and it’s nice that you can add a bit of creative flair with the various frames and filters available.
The mini prints are a lovely size too, there is a range of different film options to choose from and the Mini LiPlay is good fun to use (even if not quite as fun as the Mini 12).
But the fact that you can print a photo you’ve just taken, take it again and print that instead, or pick one from your smartphone if you prefer, makes the Mini LiPlay a good versatile instant camera that’s very recommendable.
Britta O’Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She’s covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple’s Vision Pro headset, she’s gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10year stint as deputy editor of Pocketlint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she cofounded The Disconnekt and she’s EditoratLarge for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You’ll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
