Hey iDD community, exciting news from Medit! The Korean digital dentistry giant just announced their latest intraoral scanner, the Medit i900 Mobility, launching in less than a month. But before we get swept up in the marketing hype, let's dive into what this actually means.
Launch Date: August 1st, 2025 in the US and select parts of Europe
The i900 Evolution Story
To understand where Medit is heading, we need to look at their recent i900 journey. The original i900 launched as a solid, lightweight scanner at just 165 grams with impressive scanning capabilities. Then came the i900 Classic earlier this year at IDS, which brought back the traditional physical scan button for those who found the touch interface... well, let's just say not everyone loved it.
Now we're getting the i900 Mobility, and Medit is positioning this with the bold slogan "Beyond Wireless, True Mobility." The company claims it's designed for workflows that span multi-chair clinics, chairside procedures, and mobile care environments.
But here's the thing - we've heard "revolutionary" wireless claims before. The current i700 Wireless already exists, and it's pretty decent. So what exactly does "beyond wireless" mean? That's the million-dollar question we're all asking.
Beyond Wireless: Marketing Speak or Real Innovation?
Here's where I get a bit skeptical. Wireless scanners still mostly require a connection to a computer within a certain range, typically through a device like a TP-Link. They're untethered from cables, but they're not truly independent. Even the i700 Wireless needs to maintain a connection with its wireless unit.
The exception has been TRIOS scanners using WiFi networks with TRIOS Share, but even that has limitations in terms of processing power and reliability.
So when Medit says "Beyond Wireless, True Mobility," are they talking about:
- Extended battery life for truly independent operation?
- Cloud-based processing that eliminates the need for local workstations?
- Some kind of standalone device that can function completely independently?
- Or is this just clever marketing for what's essentially a wireless version of the i900?
The Critical Questions We Need Answered
As someone who regularly uses Medit scanners in practice, I'm cautiously optimistic but have some serious concerns that need addressing:
Battery Life: How long does this thing actually run during real clinical use? Marketing claims about battery life and clinical reality often live in different universes.
Processing Power: If this is truly mobile, where is the processing happening? Local processing means bigger, heavier hardware. Cloud processing means internet dependency - not ideal for mobile applications or rural practices.
Software Integration: Will this work seamlessly with existing CAD/CAM workflows? Medit's software is still one of the best in the industry, but adding mobility complexity could create new integration challenges.
Price Point: This is the big one. Medit's strength has been delivering excellent value. If they price this significantly higher than the standard i900, it might limit adoption to practices that don't genuinely need this level of mobility.
Durability: True mobility means more handling, more potential drops, and more exposure to different environments. How robust is this compared to the already lightweight i900?
Who Actually Needs This?
Let's be honest - most general practices might not actually need this level of mobility. The i900 Classic and standard i900 already handle the vast majority of clinical scanning needs effectively.
This could be particularly appealing for:
- Multi-location practices moving equipment between sites
- Mobile dental services and house calls
- Specialists traveling between referring offices
- Large practices with multiple operatories sharing scanning equipment
But here's my concern: are we paying extra for capabilities most of us won't use? And is Medit creating a solution for a problem that doesn't really exist for the majority of practitioners?
The Timing Question
The timing of this announcement is interesting. We're seeing increased competition in the wireless scanner space with devices like the TRIOS 6, Alliedstar Sensa, and others pushing wireless capabilities. Medit needs to offer something genuinely differentiated to stand out.
But given Medit's track record of delivering solid, practical solutions, I'm hoping this isn't just marketing spin. They've consistently avoided the hype-driven approach of some competitors and focused on real-world clinical value.
The Bottom Line
We're taking the "revolutionary" claims with a healthy dose of skepticism until we see real specifications, actual battery life data, and transparent pricing. That said, if Medit can genuinely solve mobility challenges without sacrificing scanning quality or adding excessive cost, this could be genuinely useful for certain practice types.
With the launch less than a month away, we should have concrete details soon. You can register for updates here if you want to stay in the loop.
What do you think? Is true portability something your practice would actually benefit from, or is this solving a problem that doesn't exist for most dentists? Have you found limitations with current wireless scanners that genuine mobility might solve? Let us know in the comments below - we're curious about your experiences with mobile scanning needs!