Let’s dive into a really interesting piece of tech I’ve had my hands on! We’ve seen a ton of projectors here, but the 8849 Mars is genuinely different. I haven’t encountered anything quite like it before.
The company, 8849, might ring a bell if you’re into rugged smartphones and tablets; they even make phones with built-in projectors. This Mars unit, however, is a standalone projector, though “standalone” needs a bit of a qualifier. It’s designed to be incredibly portable and draws its power and video signal directly from a connected device like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Its standout feature is simplicity: connect your phone via cable, and it’s ready to go. No separate power brick for the projector itself is needed, as it sips power from the device it’s displaying from. Spec-wise, we’re looking at a 720p native resolution, 100 lumens of brightness, and a nifty laser autofocus system. We’ll definitely check out the picture quality later on. First, let’s see what you get when you open it up.
Unboxing: What’s Inside the 8849 Mars Box?
I wasn’t kidding when I said this is the smallest projector I’ve ever handled. Consequently, the box it arrives in is equally tiny – smaller than the box for most modern smartphones, which is quite a feat! The front of the box is minimalist, sporting the “8849” branding and “MARS” model name.
Flip it over, and the back has a sticker detailing some key projector specs: input (5V, 3A), display technology (DLP), and resolution (1280x720p).
Opening it up, the first thing you’re greeted with is the projector itself. It’s astonishingly small! Alongside the main unit, you’ll find:
- A magnetic stand: This is a clever addition for positioning.
- A USB-C to USB-C cable: For connecting to compatible devices.
- A Lightning adapter: A very thoughtful inclusion for iPhone users.
- A user manual: To guide you through the basics.
That Lightning adapter is a particularly good touch, making it versatile right out of the box for both Android and iOS users (though, as we’ll see, connectivity has its nuances).
Design, Build, and A Closer Look
The 8849 Mars projector is impressively compact. Its dimensions are a mere 76mm x 76mm x 18mm. To put that into perspective, it’s roughly half the footprint of my iPhone 12, although it is about twice as thick. Despite its diminutive size, it has a surprising heft, weighing in at 179 grams. This is largely because the body of the projector is crafted from metal, which gives it a very solid, premium, and high-quality feel. It certainly doesn’t come across as a cheap gadget.
On the front, you’ll find the projector lens and the autofocus camera. One side houses two USB-C ports: one for charging the projector (if you’re using an external power source) and another dedicated video input port. Air inlets are strategically placed on the top, side, and front to help with cooling. We’ll be testing its heat and noise levels a bit later.
The bottom of the projector features a magnetic ring. This is where the included metal stand snaps on. The stand itself is also made of metal and is quite versatile. You can use it to adjust the projection angle from completely flat (0 degrees) up to almost 90 degrees, which is fantastic for projecting onto a ceiling or high up on a wall. There’s also an almost invisible button on the bottom panel, which you can press to manually adjust the focus if needed, though the laser autofocus generally handles this well.
Apart from this, there are no other control buttons on the projector, and it doesn’t come with a remote control. This makes sense, as it doesn’t have its own operating system; it’s purely a display device for an external source.
Getting Connected
As mentioned, the core idea is to plug in an external device, like your phone, and start projecting. I said you just connect your smartphone, and you’re good to go. That’s the ideal, but there are some important details here.
For the projector to draw power and display video through a single cable from your phone (without needing its own external power), your mobile device must have a USB Type-C 3.0 port that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode. I tried connecting it to two of my Android phones, and unfortunately, they didn’t meet this specific requirement. The projector turned on, showing an “8849” logo and then “NO SIGNAL,” but it wouldn’t mirror the screen. This means my phones’ USB-C ports, while capable of data transfer and charging, don’t output video via DisplayPort.
So, what’s the workaround?
For Android phones without DisplayPort over USB-C or for iPhones, you need to provide external power to the projector. I connected my iPhone 12 using the supplied USB-C cable and the Lightning adapter. This cable went from the iPhone to the video input port on the Mars projector. Then, I used a separate USB-C cable connected from a power adapter (or a power bank) to the charging port on the projector. With this setup, it worked! The iPhone’s screen was mirrored onto the projection. No special screen mirroring apps were needed; it was a direct wired connection.
I also tested powering the projector with a power bank while using my iPhone for the video signal, and this setup also worked perfectly. This makes the 8849 Mars truly portable, even if your phone can’t power it directly, as long as you have a power bank on hand.
Performance: Image, Sound, and Noise
Once the projector is on, it does make a noticeable fan noise. I measured it at around 49 decibels when standing right next to it, and about 42 decibels from a meter away. It’s not silent, but perhaps acceptable for its size.
Now, for the image. The 8849 Mars is advertised with a maximum screen size of 100 inches at a projection distance of 3 meters. However, I found the sweet spot for image quality to be around a 40-inch screen at a 1-meter distance, or comfortably up to about 80 inches. The native resolution is 720p, and the brightness is rated at 100 lumens. For a DLP projector, 100 lumens might not sound like much, but the picture is surprisingly bright, especially in a dimly lit room.
When watching videos, the 720p resolution is quite decent. Colors are vibrant, and motion is smooth. However, if you’re planning to use it for presentations with a lot of text or browsing websites, the 720p resolution does show its limitations – text can appear a bit blurry and isn’t super sharp.
The laser autofocus and auto keystone correction features work very well. Screen alignment and focus adjustment are almost instant, which is a big plus compared to some projectors where you have to wait a few seconds for it to settle.
One important thing to note: the 8849 Mars projector has no built-in speakers. The sound for your videos or presentations will come directly from the speakers of your connected smartphone or other source device.
Final Thoughts on This Unique Mini Projector
The 8849 Mars projector is a fascinating gadget that carves out a very specific niche. Its tiny size and metal build feel premium. The ability to connect and (potentially) power directly from a smartphone is its biggest selling point, offering unparalleled ease of use for spontaneous big-screen experiences. The included magnetic stand and Lightning adapter are thoughtful additions.
However, the image quality, while good for casual video watching at moderate screen sizes, won’t blow you away, especially with its 720p resolution making text less than crisp. The fan noise is also a factor to consider. And remember, you’ll be relying on your phone’s audio.
If you’re looking for the absolute smallest, most convenient way to get a picture from your phone onto a bigger surface, and you understand its limitations (especially the connectivity requirements for direct phone power), the 8849 Mars is a very cool piece of tech. It’s a specialized tool, but for the right person, it could be an incredibly handy companion.
What do you think about this kind of projector? Is it something you could see yourself using? Let me know in the comments!
