Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 vs Polaroid - Now (Gen 3)
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 | Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Double exposure | false | true |
| Film format | Instax square | Polaroid i-Type |
Between the Instax SQUARE SQ40 and Now (Gen 3), the Instax SQUARE SQ40 comes out ahead in several specs, while the Now (Gen 3) wins on double exposure / film format. Overall, the Instax SQUARE SQ40 scores 73.1 and the Now (Gen 3) scores 75.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (73.1 vs 75.6). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
The Instax SQUARE SQ40 does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Now (Gen 3) if you care most about double exposure / film format. Its strongest claims are double exposure, film format. The single most decisive one: Has Double exposure.
Both ship with comparable hybrid (digital + print), so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 or Polaroid - Now (Gen 3)?
Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) leads the current Mars Score by 2.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare film format, double exposure against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 if…
Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) if…
Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) has the measurable edge on has double exposure, film format.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) wins
- ▲Has Double exposure.
- ▲Film format: Polaroid i-Type (vs Instax square).
Spec comparison
Film
| Spec | Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 | Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Film format | Instax square | Polaroid i-Typelead |
| Hybrid (digital + print) | false | false |
Features
| Spec | Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 | Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Selfie mirror | true | true |
| Double exposure | false | truelead |
| Lens count | 1 | 2lead |
Design
| Spec | Fujifilm - Instax SQUARE SQ40 | Polaroid - Now (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 457 g | 434 glead |