Optoma has announced the Photon Go, a tiny ultra short-throw laser projector that throws a 100-inch image from a distance of just 9.8 inches. Releasing in April, the portable device is “designed to bring big-screen entertainment just about anywhere,” the company says, emphasizing the device’s 10 x 6 x 2.5-inch size and 3.8-pound weight — notable because UST projects are not typically very portable. Featuring RGB triple laser technology for vibrant colors and nuanced contrast, the Photon Go “can transform any wall into a screen,” according to the Taiwanese manufacturer.

“As the first release in Optoma’s brand-new Photon series, the Optoma Photon Go mixes portability with advanced laser tech — something that’s not easy to find in the projector world, especially when it comes to ultra-short throw models,” writes Home Theater Review, describing the unit as “light and compact enough to toss in a bag and take with you” on travels.

The built-in battery offers roughly 1.5 hours of playback between recharge, “not quite enough for an epic movie marathon, but it’s perfect for a quick viewing session, a spontaneous outdoor gathering, or even a presentation on the go,” Home Theater Review notes, calling it “a 100-inch screen in your backpack.”

The Photon Go utilizes Texas Instruments’ DLP projection technology. The triple RGB laser light source offers a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1. The setup “is different from many traditional projectors that rely on lamps or single-laser systems with color wheels,” Home Theater Review explains. The projector’s separate red, green, and blue lasers offer “more accurate color reproduction straight out of the box,” than the typical approach of a “single blue laser with additional color processing.”

The approach is not exclusive to Optoma, however. Digital Trends notes that the Photon Go’s triple-laser design is “similar to other UST projectors like the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro.”

The Photon Go smart viewing experience is powered by Google TV, putting access to “thousands of apps including Netflix, YouTube and Disney+” a click away, according to the Optoma announcement.

Also built-in are 10W Bluetooth stereo speakers with Dolby Audio, “so a separate soundbar won’t be necessary,” reports Digital Trends.

Unlike the  5,000-lumen Optoma UHZ68LV introduced at CES 2025, there’s no 4K capability, writes TechRadar, explaining that “the Photon Go marries its RGB color output with HD/1080p resolution, helping to keep its price under the four-figure mark, though the color performance and sheer convenience of its size should make up for it.”