Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons & Who It's Really For

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Our review process is explained in our printer ranking methodology. For more options in this category, see our 10 Best Photo Printers roundup.

QUICK VERDICT

The Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S is a compact desktop dye-sublimation printer that turns phone photos into lab-quality 6-inch and 3-inch prints with an automatic protective laminate layer. It's a genuinely capable little printer with a clever app and solid print quality, but it's a niche buy in the US: it's sold mainly through third-party Amazon listings rather than mainstream retail, stock is limited, and its Amazon review base is still tiny (under 10 ratings) compared to category leaders like the Canon SELPHY CP1500 or Liene Pearl K100. Great pick if you specifically want Xiaomi's ecosystem or the automatic anti-fade lamination — riskier if you want an easy-to-replace-paper, everywhere-in-stock option.

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AT A GLANCE

WHO THE XIAOMI INSTANT PHOTO PRINTER 1S IS REALLY FOR

• You already use Xiaomi/Mi Home smart devices and like staying inside that app ecosystem.
• You want prints that resist fading and fingerprints without buying a separate laminating sheet — the automatic film coating is a genuinely nice touch for gifts, scrapbooks, and keepsakes.
• You want the flexibility to print both 6-inch (roughly postcard-size) and 3-inch prints from the same printer using different paper/ribbon sets.
• You mostly print from a phone gallery or ID-photo templates and like guided, app-based editing (filters, cropping, ID photo layouts).

WHO SHOULD SKIP IT

• Anyone who wants to buy from mainstream retail. In the US, this model shows up mainly through third-party Amazon sellers rather than big-box retail, and stock has been inconsistent.
• Buyers who want a large, proven review base before purchasing. Unlike the Canon SELPHY CP1500 (2,600+ ratings) or Liene Pearl K100 (1,800+ ratings), this printer's US review count is still in the single digits — you're relying more on Xiaomi's global reputation than on deep local feedback.
• Anyone who wants pocket-portability. Despite "portable" showing up in listings, this is a desktop unit, not a pocket printer like the Liene Pearl K100 or HP Sprocket.
• Heavy monthly printers. At roughly $0.75 per 6-inch sheet, costs add up fast if you're printing dozens of photos a month.

WHAT PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT IT

Reviewers consistently point to a few things: the print quality is a genuine step up from Zink-based pocket printers, since true dye-sublimation with 256 greyscale levels renders skin tones and gradients more smoothly. The automatic laminate film means photos come out already protected — no separate laminating sheets to align by hand. Buyers who use it for family photo books and craft projects say the direct phone-to-printer connection makes printing straight from a camera roll simple, without needing a home Wi-Fi network at all.

THE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS

1. Thin US review history. With well under 10 US ratings at the time of writing, you're taking more of a leap of faith than you would with an established best-seller.
2. Paper and ribbon sets can be hard to find separately. Some buyers note it's more difficult to restock just the consumables compared to Canon or Liene, whose paper is widely stocked.
3. Limited stock through official channels. Listings have fluctuated between "in stock" and "only 1-2 left," and it's typically fulfilled by third-party sellers rather than Amazon directly.
4. No true pocket portability. It needs a flat surface and is meaningfully larger than 2x3 pocket printers.

HOW IT COMPARES

If you want the safety of a widely-reviewed, easy-to-restock printer, our Canon SELPHY CP1500 review or Liene Pearl K100 review are the safer bets. If you want a larger 4x6 photo-lab-quality print with more advanced controls, see our Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 review.

PAPER AND RIBBON SETS

The 1S uses combined paper-and-ribbon cassette sets rather than a separate ink cartridge — you're not buying "ink" so much as a matched paper/ribbon pack sized for either 6-inch or 3-inch prints. A 40-sheet 6-inch pack runs about $29.99 (~$0.75/sheet), which is roughly in line with other dye-sublimation photo printers but pricier than Zink-based mini printers once you factor in that Zink paper also includes its own dye.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does the Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S need ink cartridges?
No. It uses dye-sublimation ribbon that's bundled with each paper pack, so there's no separate ink cartridge to buy or replace.

Can it print directly from a phone without Wi-Fi?
Yes. It supports a direct phone-to-printer connection in addition to standard Wi-Fi, so you can print straight from your camera roll without a router.

Is it compatible with iPhone and Android?
Yes, through the Mi Home / Xiaomi Home app on both platforms.

Do the prints really resist fading?
The automatic laminate film is designed to protect against fingerprints and UV fading better than an unlaminated print, though no photo print is completely fade-proof under direct, prolonged sunlight.

Where can I buy replacement paper?
Xiaomi-branded photo paper packs are sold on Amazon, though selection is narrower than for Canon or Liene consumables — worth checking stock before you commit to this printer for ongoing use.

BOTTOM LINE

The Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S is a legitimately well-made photo printer with a standout feature — automatic fade-resistant lamination — that's hard to find elsewhere at this price. But it's a harder recommendation in the US market simply because of thin availability and a very small review base so far. If you're comfortable being an early adopter and want that lamination feature, it's worth considering. If you'd rather buy the best-seller with thousands of reviews behind it, start with the Canon SELPHY CP1500 or Liene Pearl K100 instead.

WHERE TO BUY

Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S: View current price on Amazon

Canon SELPHY CP1500 (safer, more widely reviewed alternative): Read our review

Liene Pearl K100 (true pocket-portable alternative): Read our review

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See also: 10 Best Photo Printers (2026) | Best Printers Buying Guide