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| The Elfin Flip 4K (left) and Flip Laser projectors fold up into a compact vertical unit for storage. |
Living in a small Japanese apartment often means making tough choices—like sacrificing a big-screen home theater for a place to sleep. Xgimi is hoping to change that calculus with its two new ultra-compact projectors, the Elfin Flip 4K and Elfin Flip Laser, which launched this week on the crowdfunding platform Makuake.
The headline feature here isn’t just the 4K resolution or the laser light source; it’s the clever folding design. Both models are built with an integrated gimbal that allows the projection head to swivel a full 150 degrees, from a slim, closed "folded" position to facing straight out at a wall or even up at the ceiling.
When folded, the units are remarkably small. The Flip 4K measures 245 x 254 mm (9.6 x 10 inches) with a depth of just 78 mm (3.1 inches), while the Flip Laser is even slimmer at 75 mm (3.0 inches) deep. For context, that’s about the footprint of a large hardcover book. The idea is simple: when you’re not watching, the projector disappears onto a bookshelf or inside a media console. When movie time comes, you flip it open.
Laser vs. 4K: Two Flavors of Folding Power
Xgimi is launching two distinct models under the Elfin Flip banner, targeting different priorities: pure resolution or ultimate contrast and color.
The Elfin Flip 4K (MSRP ¥206,800 / ~$1,290) is the flagship. It pairs a 0.39-inch DMD chip with true 3,840 x 2,160-pixel 4K resolution. It’s the one to get if you need every detail for a large projection.
The Elfin Flip Laser (MSRP ¥139,800 / ~$890) opts for a 0.23-inch DMD with 1080p resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels). But here’s the kicker: it uses the same high-end Nichia QuaLas RGB triple-laser light engine as its bigger sibling. That means it delivers incredible color, covering 110% of the BT2020 color gamut with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio.
Both projectors pump out a very respectable 1,600 ISO lumens of brightness, which should be enough to handle a room with ambient light during the day.
Feature Face-Off: Zoom, Gaming, and Audio
The differences go deeper than just resolution. The Elfin Flip Laser relies on digital zoom, which is fine but can crop into the image. The Elfin Flip 4K, however, packs a rare feature at this price point: optical zoom (0.98–1.3:1). This lets you resize the image without losing any picture quality or brightness, a huge benefit for small spaces where you can't move the projector back and forth.
Gamers will want to pay close attention to the spec sheets:
- Elfin Flip Laser: Offers a VRR gaming mode with a 20ms delay at 1080p 60Hz.
- Elfin Flip 4K: Drops the latency down to just 1ms at 1080p 120Hz, and also supports ALLM and VRR for a tear-free, ultra-responsive experience on a massive screen.
What both models share is audio that belies their size. Harman Kardon has tuned the built-in speakers, which support Dolby Audio and Dolby Digital Plus. Xgimi claims they are loud enough to fill a room without needing an external soundbar—ideal for keeping the setup clean.
Software and Smart Features
If you’re outside Japan and want to see similar designs, check out the current Xgimi lineup on Amazon here: Check Xgimi projectors on Amazon.
Back to the tech: Both Elfin Flip projectors run the full Google TV OS. That means you get a proper smart TV interface with Google Play Store access, built-in Chromecast, and support for all your streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video right out of the box. They also function as standard monitors via HDMI for laptops or game consoles.
Xgimi has packed in its usual suite of smart setup tools, including auto focus, auto keystone correction, obstacle avoidance, and even wall color adaptation to make the picture look right on non-white walls.
Pricing and Makuake Crowdfunding Details
The crowdfunding campaign is now live on Makuake in Japan. For backers, the early bird discounts are significant.
- Elfin Flip 4K: 44% off MSRP, available for ¥114,800 (~$720) .
- Elfin Flip Laser: 39% off MSRP, available for ¥84,900 (~$530) .
These are introductory prices for the campaign, which started on April 23, 2026. The standard retail prices after the campaign will return to ¥206,800 for the 4K model and ¥139,800 for the Laser model.
The Verdict for Small-Space Dwellers
Xgimi has clearly identified a pain point for urban renters: you want a home theater, but you don't have a dedicated "man cave." By making the projector fold flat and swivel to project on walls or ceilings, the Elfin Flip series removes the need for a permanent tripod or ceiling mount.
The choice is simple: get the Flip Laser for the best color and contrast in a 1080p package, or spend the extra money on the Flip 4K for the optical zoom, 4K resolution, and 1ms gaming latency.
For readers outside Japan who are interested in Xgimi’s technology, you can view the current international models available for global shipping via the Xgimi store on Amazon.
Source(s): Xgimi press release, Xgimi on Makuake, Xgimi Japan