Remember the Aurzen Zip projector? Its tri-fold body first debuted at CES 2025 before garnering strong backing during its Kickstarter run. We weren’t expecting much from the company at IFA 2026, so Aurzen’s reveal of a pro version caught us off guard. Dubbed the Zip Pro, the upgraded version keeps the same tri-fold design as its predecessor while sharpening the resolution and extending the battery life.
To put that into context, the ZIP Pro upgrades to native 1080p Full HD, while the original ZIP is limited to 720p. The ZIP Pro delivers 200 ANSI lumens, doubling the 100 ANSI lumens of the original ZIP. It maintains the signature fold-flat tri-fold hinge design while offering a lightweight, highly portable build. Aurzen ZIP Pro is engineered strictly for ultra-portable convenience rather than competing with a dedicated home theatre. So don’t have your expectations too high in that regard.
Moving on, the projector boasts a 1.20:1 throw ratio, allowing users to easily achieve its maximum 80-inch image from about 7 feet away. While its 200 ANSI lumens and 300:1 contrast ratio mean it will struggle in daylight, 85% NTSC color coverage ensures a vibrant, colorful picture when used in a dark bedroom or a pitch-black camping tent.
It still won’t replace your primary living room TV, but its ability to throw a solid, automated image from a device that fits right into a backpack makes its modest spec sheet highly capable for on-the-go entertainment. Gizmochina reports that Aurzen built it around a DLP chip housed in an optical engine just 0.42 inches tall. That’s thin enough to let the whole unit fold into a Z-shape and shrink down to about 29.7 cubic inches when closed. Unfolded, it measures 4.53 x 3.82 x 1.73 inches. It weighs 1.29 lbs, a slight bump over the featherweight original to accommodate the beefier hardware, so it still holds up as a genuine jacket-pocket projector.
When it comes to connectivity, Aurzen has heavily upgraded the Zip Pro to make it highly versatile. The company said in its press release that you can plug laptops or a Nintendo Switch directly into the projector using a single USB-C cable. For wireless streaming, it includes a built-in peer-to-peer system called “AirLink” that lets you mirror your screen without needing a Wi-Fi network. When the internet is available, it also fully supports AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast, allowing it to connect effortlessly with almost any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
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Beyond the display and connectivity, the Aurzen ZIP Pro introduces several smart hardware upgrades focused on user convenience and quiet operation. For audio, the device features built-in dual 2-watt speakers, but the real highlight is the ability to pair two sets of Bluetooth headphones simultaneously, allowing two people to share a private, late-night movie without disturbing the rest of the house. Another important upgrade is Aurzen significantly quieting the cooling system, dropping fan noise down to a whisper-quiet 24 to 35 dB range, ensuring the machine’s buzz never drowns out your audio.
The Pro features a larger 38Wh (approx. 2.5 hours) battery and 65W USB-C PD charging, compared to the original’s 5,000mAh (1.5 hours) battery. That won’t get you through a full movie at max brightness, but it’s a welcome improvement over the original’s smaller capacity.
Aurzen has priced the Zip Pro at $630, but it is currently available for a discounted price of $580, with shipping slated for October 2026 through the company’s own site and its Amazon storefront.
