In-depth review
Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Polaroid Now+ Generation 2: app manual controls, double exposure, autofocus lenses and i-Type film costs.
Polaroid Now+ Generation 2
The connected Polaroid with app manual controls and lens filters.
Our verdict
The Now+ Gen 2 is the most expressive instant camera in this guide and the least forgiving. Its app unlocks manual exposure, aperture priority, remote and light-painting modes that no rival offers, on the largest, most characterful film. It rewards shooters who learn Polaroid film behaviour and punishes casual snapping with expensive, moody failures. Choose it deliberately.
What we like
- Bluetooth app unlocks manual mode, aperture priority and light painting
- Two-lens autofocus switches between portrait and landscape ranges
- Double exposure mode built in without any hack
- Works with i-Type and 600 film, USB-C rechargeable
What to watch out for
- Polaroid film is temperature-sensitive and needs shielding from light as it develops
- Most expensive film per shot in this guide
- App features depend on keeping a phone nearby and charged
What owners report: Polaroid Now+ Generation 2
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Creative shooters praise app unlocked manual control and light painting on real Polaroid film
- Built in double exposure gets used constantly at parties and concerts
- The two lens autofocus switching ranges quietly removes a focus chore from handheld shooting
Common complaints
- Film needs shielding from light as it develops and dislikes temperature extremes, which new owners learn the hard way
- It carries the priciest film habit in this class, so casual shooting feels expensive
- The creative app modes depend on a charged phone being part of the session
Who it is for
Creative photographers who want manual control and double exposures on genuine Polaroid film and accept its cost and temperament.
Controls and the app
On the body you get autofocus, double exposure, self-timer and flash control. Connect the Polaroid app and the camera transforms: full manual shutter and aperture, aperture priority, light painting and a remote trigger. The included clip-on lens filters add colour effects in-camera. No Instax body offers anything comparable.
Film behaviour
i-Type film is battery-free in the pack, which keeps it slightly cheaper than 600 film, but both demand respect: shield prints from light for the first minutes, keep packs cool, and expect 10 to 15 minutes for full development. Colour shifts with temperature are part of the Polaroid signature - a feature for artists, a flaw for documenters.
Handling and value
The two-lens autofocus system switches focal ranges automatically and is a genuine step up from fixed-focus Polaroids. At 457 g it is a deliberate carry. Value depends entirely on hit rate: thoughtful shooters get gallery-worthy frames; volume shooters should do the per-shot maths against Instax Wide first.
Key specifications
- Film format
- Polaroid i-Type and 600, 107 x 88 mm, 79 x 79 mm image
- Lens
- Autofocus 2-lens system, approx. 35 mm and 40 mm equiv.
- Exposure
- Auto plus app manual, aperture and double exposure modes
- Power
- USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion
- Weight
- 457 g without film pack
Also consider
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400
The big-print Instax Wide successor with a self-timer and easier handling.
Why consider it: Similar large print size with far cheaper, more consistent film and no app needed.
- Film format: Instax Wide, 108 x 86 mm card, 99 x 62 mm image
- Lens: 95 mm f/14, retractable, 2 focus zones
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
The hybrid Mini that lets you preview, edit and print only the keepers.
Why consider it: Creative effects with a preview screen, so experiments do not consume film.
- Film format: Instax Mini prints from digital capture
- Sensor / lens: 1/5-inch CMOS, 28 mm equiv. f/2.0
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
What is the difference between i-Type and 600 film?
Both fit the Now+ Gen 2 and produce the same image size. i-Type packs have no built-in battery because the camera is rechargeable, so they cost a little less. 600 packs carry a battery for vintage cameras.
Does the Now+ work without the app?
Yes, as an automatic point-and-shoot with double exposure and self-timer. The app is required only for manual, aperture priority, light painting and remote modes.
Why are my Polaroid prints blue or pink?
Temperature. Cold development skews blue, hot skews pink-orange. Develop prints in a warm inside pocket in winter and out of sun in summer, and always shield them from light while developing.