In an exciting development for instant photography enthusiasts, Fujifilm has unveiled an upgraded version of its Instax Mini LiPlay, initially released in 2019. The latest iteration, known as the Instax Mini LiPlay Plus, retains many beloved features of its predecessor, such as the ability to take digital photos and print them instantly on Fujifilm’s Mini film. Additionally, it continues to allow users to pair their photos with short audio clips. Notably, the new model showcases a more contemporary, boxy design and introduces a second rear-facing wide-angle camera, enhancing the ease of capturing selfies using its LCD screen.

The redesign of the camera includes a larger 3-inch LCD display, offering a more comfortable viewing experience. Despite this upgrade, the LiPlay Plus maintains the same image resolution as the original, with both front and back cameras capturing at 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, as reported by Digital Camera World. A fresh addition is the layered photo mode, which allows users to merge images from both cameras into a single frame. Unlike traditional double exposure, this feature stacks two photos using one of four available templates.

One of the standout features of the LiPlay Plus is its ability to record audio snippets that complement the images. These recordings can be played back directly on the camera or via the Instax Mini LiPlay mobile app. For a unique twist, audio clips can be linked to printed photos through a QR code, which Fujifilm assures will remain accessible for up to two years. However, it is worth noting that the audio duration has been reduced from 10 seconds in the original version to just 3 seconds in the new Plus model.

The accompanying app offers various functionalities, including image editing, the application of filters, and the addition of stickers and frames. It also facilitates the sharing of images from the LiPlay Plus to a smartphone and allows printing of photos taken with a mobile device. Furthermore, users can employ their smartphones as a wireless Bluetooth remote, simplifying the process of capturing group shots with the front-facing camera without needing to stretch their arms to fit everyone in the frame.