My Love Affair with a Compact Foldable Projector at MWC 2025
If you’re tired of watching movies on your phone’s small screen, Aurzen has a new product that might change your viewing experience. At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, I got a chance to see the Aurzen Zip Projector, a compact trifold mini projector that’s so small you can easily carry it in your pocket or bag.
Aurzen Zip Projector Overview
The Zip Projector is designed in a square shape, measuring around 3 inches tall and wide, while being just 1 inch thick. Its size makes it comparable to popular folding phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or the Motorola Razr. When unfolded, the projector not only allows for a good image projection but also stands on its own, eliminating the need for a separate stand. It has a weight comparable to an iPhone 16 Pro Max, so you can easily pack it and barely feel it in your bag.
Features of the Aurzen Zip Projector
This mini projector can project movies, photos, and social media apps onto a screen as large as 80 inches. You have the option to mirror your smartphone’s display, or you can connect the projector to an HDMI dongle for displaying content from a TV, laptop, or gaming console. The Zip Projector works seamlessly with various operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
Image Quality
The projector’s resolution is currently capped at 720p, but Aurzen has plans to upgrade it to 1080p in the next version. During a demo, the colors appeared vibrant when projecting stained glass windows, indicating that the image quality is commendable, but an upgrade would further enhance the viewing experience. The projector provides a brightness of 100 ANSI lumens and includes two 1-watt speakers for audio.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the drawbacks is the projector’s battery life. You can expect about 1.5 hours of usage on a full charge. This means you’ll need to choose shorter movies unless you have it plugged in. The 5,000 mAh battery charges in approximately 1.5 hours using 25-watt charging.
Content Options
Currently, you can only mirror content from Netflix on the Zip Projector. However, Aurzen announced that they are looking to expand compatibility to additional streaming services in the future. If you want to project anything else, you’ll need to use the HDMI dongle, which is an extra cost of about $100.
Watch this: First Look at Aurzen’s Zip Projector Tri-Fold
Innovative Design
While portable projectors are not a new concept, the foldable design of the Zip Projector is a standout feature. This innovative approach has been explored by several companies, aiming to make gadgets more compact while delivering impressive performance.
Pricing and Availability
The Aurzen Zip Projector is currently available for preorder on Kickstarter, with shipments expected soon. The starting price is about $300, but there are add-ons like a $130 magnetic charging stand that can extend the projector’s battery life to 3 hours. You can also purchase a $40 magnetic mount that allows you to attach the projector to any smooth surface for better viewing angles.
Versatility for Various Settings
Although the Zip Projector is marketed as a travel-friendly solution, I believe it can be a suitable alternative to expensive projectors and TVs at home. It can easily facilitate outdoor movie nights or business presentations, whether you’re at home or on the go.
Personal Uses
Personally, I envision using this mini projector for some fun movie marathons, perhaps a Harry Potter series projected from this pocket-sized device. It opens up so many possibilities for entertainment, and I’m excited about its potential.