The Aurzen Zip Pro is a new foldable, portable projector that steps up performance over the brand’s earlier pocket models. Debuted at IFA, it upgrades to 1080p resolution and doubles the brightness of its predecessor, while retaining a familiar exterior that keeps elements of the cyberpunk aesthetic seen on the Zip Cyber. A small touchscreen now sits on the top of the unit to aid setup.
The projector uses what Aurzen calls a trifold design, incorporating two hinges. Despite the compact styling, the Zip Pro is slightly larger than the Zip and Zip Cyber, measuring 4.5 by 3.8 by 1.7 inches compared with 3.3 by 3.1 by 1 inches on the earlier models. That makes it nearly three times the total volume and roughly twice the weight. It remains a remarkably small projector, though it is less pocketable than the original and would sit easily within any backpack.
Brightness and battery
Inside, the move to 1080p is joined by a slightly larger battery. Aurzen states the Zip Pro offers 2.5 hours of playtime, up from 1.5 hours on the Zip. Because it recharges via USB-C, playtime can be extended using any capable portable battery pack, making the larger size a reasonable trade-off for the improved performance.
An early look at the Zip Pro suggested it did appear brighter, demonstrated through far larger image sizes than earlier models managed. The 200-lumen range makes the Pro more usable across a wider variety of situations. On specifications, it competes with the Anker Capsule 3, though the Zip Pro carries a higher price.
Connectivity options
Connectivity was the main weakness of the Zip Cyber, which made it difficult to get content onto the device. The Zip Pro still lacks HDMI, but it supports AirLink, Miracast, AirPlay P2P and DLNA. Notably, it also adds Google Cast, which was absent on the original Zip. Content can also be viewed by connecting a phone via USB-C.
The Zip Pro is available to preorder now, with a recommended retail price of around £470.
