The tiny Polaroid Go Gen 2 is packed with big features for an instant film shooter, but how does it actually fare when put to the test?
In the era of smartphones and everything digital, instant cameras spark a different kind of joy. Anyone who owns one gets a kick out of seeing the device and how the prints develop.
These retro-slash-high-tech gadgets evoke nostalgia and an artistic feeling as you hold them in your hands. Once the physical prints come out, you also get this warm fuzzy feeling from being able to touch, share, and display an actual photo. The limited number of film also makes you more thoughtful of and creative with every shot.
Polaroid’s latest instant camera, the Polaroid Go Generation 2, gave us a feel of the magic of instant film photography when we took it for a spin. For the uninitiated, the Polaroid Go 2 succeeds the original Go and was announced in September 2023. It only became available in stores worldwide the following year.


Touted by the Polaroid Corporation as the “world’s smallest instant camera,” the Polaroid Go 2 is packed with big features for a self-developing shooter. This includes a built-in selfie mirror, self-timer, and double exposure modes. Unlike most instant cameras today which use AA batteries, Polaroid’s latest device is rechargeable with a USB-C cable.
All these make the fun on-the-go camera seem promising, but how does it actually fare when put to the test? Read on as we review the Polaroid Go 2 below.
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Design and build


The Polaroid Go 2 is the cutest camera you could ever own, with its tiny build that measures only 4.13 x 3.3 x 2.44 inches. It features a minimalist aesthetic and, at the same time, a charming retro vibe, with Polaroid’s classic rainbow stripe logo placed above the lens.
Our test unit comes in the white colorway, which is a more premium take on the rest of the camera’s color options: black, blue, and red. The outer shell is built with polycarbonate and ABS plastic made out of 30% recycled materials, and features a matte finish.
Its controls are pretty straightforward, which makes the camera easy to use. On the front are the camera’s flash, lens, viewfinder, and film ejection shot, while on top are the flash and shutter buttons. At the back is the viewfinder, as well as the power button which is beside a single-digit LCD that displays the number of shots left in your film and the camera’s settings.
Polaroid was not kidding when it called this gadget a “take anywhere-able,” as we found it easy to bring along and slip anywhere. It weighs only 8.43 ounces and because it’s compact, you can simply place the Go Gen 2 into your pocket or small bag and go about your day.
Shooting controls


The Go Gen 2’s fixed lens has a focal length of 51.1mm, which is a good middle ground between too wide or compressed for an instant camera. Because you no longer have to adjust the focal length, you simply have to look through the viewfinder, point to a subject, and shoot right away. The viewfinder is relatively small—with a diameter of only 15mm—but is still easy to use even for someone like me who wears glasses.
Polaroid promises better image sharpness and brightness with the Go Gen 2’s f9 to f42 apertures, which is wider than that of Go Gen 1’s f12 to f56. The latest device also has a faster shutter speed of 1/300 per second compared to its predecessor’s 1/125, for better exposure without the camera’s human-friendly flash.
The Go Gen 2 is designed to be held with just one hand, with your index finger touching the shutter button and your thumb holding the base. Adding to the ease of use is the camera’s tactile buttons that react quickly when they are pressed. It turns on easily, captures a photo, and disable the flash within seconds. In addition, you can easily activate the double exposure by just clicking the flash button two times.


Taking selfies can also be done in a breeze, thanks to the camera’s built-in selfie mirror. Based on our test, the mirror shows faces closer than how they are in printed photos, which is a good thing as this ensures that body parts are not cropped out of the frame. When taking group selfies, it’s still best to stretch out your arm further to capture everyone.
Overall, the Go Gen 2 has a well-thought-out design that provides anyone with ease and comfort in using it all throughout the day.
Performance and image quality


As with any instant camera, the real fun starts with loading the Go Gen 2 with the cartridge of Polaroid Go film, which, Polaroid says, is also the smallest of its kind in the world. To keep the film in its best condition, keep it on the fridge first and place it in room temperature before sliding it into the Go Gen 2. In this way, the film will not be exposed to high temperatures, which can significantly affect the chemical reactions within the film, resulting to poor quality photos.
Initiating the device is as simple as putting the film into the cartridge slot at the bottom of the camera and pressing the power button. During the initial stage of our test, we waited for the first sheet of film to eject automatically. However, this feature doesn’t come in the Go Gen 2, so you would still have to press the shutter button for it to come out.
The camera is designed for anyone who wants to take a crack at instant film photography or take it up as a hobby, but certainly benefits from the right shooting techniques. Based on our review of the Go Gen 2, the device is best used for capturing people indoors and with ambient lighting. Letting your subject stand against a solid background, such as a wall, and shooting them at an arm’s length would work best too. It is in these scenarios that the photos turn out detailed and well-lit while maintaining a retro aesthetic.




The Go Gen 2 also works best in shooting photos at night or in the dark, as long as there is still enough light to highlight the subjects. Shooting with flash in dimly lit settings is also a good workaround. The dark background allows the subjects to truly stand out, resulting in photos that are detailed and, at the same time, dreamy, with the camera’s built-in cool filter.


Based on our test, some images shot on the Go Gen 2 were a bit overexposed, especially when shot outdoors during the daytime or indoors, in well-illuminated spaces. Photos look like they are washed-out and some would even have a haunting look to them.
Still, this shouldn’t stop you from using this camera when there’s light. One way to go about this is by looking for subjects with high contrast or asking your subject to move closer to help the camera spot the focus of your shot.


Another feature that needs improvement is the double exposure mode. This feature encourages users to be creative in their shots, allowing them to shoot one subject or scenario after another, and have them developed in just one photo. Our test, however, resulted in photos wherein the first shot was hardly visible and only the second shot comprised much of the photo.
It is important to note, too, that the Polaroid Go film is extremely sensitive during the development process. Once the film rolls out of the camera, keep it face down on a flat surface for 20 to 30 minutes. This is longer than Polaroid’s recommended time of 15 minutes, but our test showed us that the quality of images is better the longer you shield them from bright light.
The Go Gen 2 is powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery that can last throughout your use of one Polaroid Go film cartridge, which is equivalent to eight shots. Unlike the Go which charges using a Micro USB port, the Go Gen 2 juices up using a more user-friendly USB-C cord. Based on our test, it only takes an hour to charge the device from zero to 100 percent using a 25W adapter.
The Polaroid Go Gen 2 is available for P7,115.50 at Polaroid Philippines’ official stores in Lazada and Shopee, as well as its retail partners nationwide.
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