If you print university handouts, your children's homework and copies of official documents at home, you already know the problem: an ink cartridge that runs dry after a few weeks, and a copy shop that may be closed exactly when you need it. Ink tank printers were made to solve this equation, and the Canon PIXMA G3470 is one of the most requested models in our printer section. In this review we cover what it actually offers according to Canon's official specifications, what it does not offer, who it suits and who it does not, and then suggest in-stock alternatives if your needs are different.
How to choose a printer for home and study
- Cost per page before device price: a cheap cartridge printer can cost you more over a year than an ink tank printer that is slightly more expensive to buy.
- The functions you need: are printing, scanning and copying enough, or do you need an automatic document feeder or double-sided printing?
- Connectivity: printing from your phone over Wi-Fi saves a lot of time for students who keep their files on their phones.
- Monthly print volume: a few dozen pages a month is very different from hundreds of pages in an office or bookshop.
- Paper size: most users only need A4, while designers and print shops may need A3.
Canon PIXMA G3470: the full review
This printer belongs to Canon's MegaTank series and combines three functions in one device: color printing, scanning and copying, with Wi-Fi wireless connectivity and a USB port. It uses four GI-41 inks (black, cyan, magenta and yellow) poured from bottles into front-facing tanks, so you can see the ink level with your own eyes before it runs out. Canon estimates the black bottle yield at about 6,000 pages (7,600 pages in economy mode) and the color yield at about 7,700 pages. These are the company's estimates based on its own test method, and real-world results vary with how dense your prints are.
Who it suits: families who print a lot for school, university students printing handouts and research papers, employees who need to copy and scan official documents at home, and anyone who prints family photos from time to time.
Who it doesn't suit: offices that scan dozens of pages a day, since the scanner is a flatbed and you place sheets one at a time, and anyone who wants automatic double-sided printing, because duplex printing on this model is manual, by flipping the paper.
What really sets it apart:
- Print resolution of up to 4800 × 1200 dpi, with two FINE print heads.
- Borderless 10×15 cm photo prints in about 45 seconds according to Canon, with support for glossy photo paper.
- A flatbed scanner with an optical resolution of 600 × 1200 dpi, sharp enough to scan documents and IDs clearly.
- Printing from your phone via the Canon PRINT app, plus AirPrint support for Apple devices and cloud printing services.
- A maintenance cartridge (MC-G04) that users can replace themselves when it fills up.
Its honest limits: its rated ISO speed is about 11 pages per minute in black and about 6 pages in color, which is comfortable for home use but not suited to printing hundreds of pages in one go. The rear tray holds 100 sheets of plain paper, and there is no automatic document feeder.
Using it in Iraqi conditions: heat and dust are the biggest worries for any inkjet owner. Keep the printer indoors away from direct sunlight, cover it when not in use, and print at least one page a week so the ink does not dry in the print head. With frequent power cuts, switch the printer off with its button before unplugging it so the print head is capped properly, and it is best to run it through a voltage regulator or a small UPS to avoid fluctuations from generator power.
In-stock alternatives for different needs
If the G3470 does not fully match how you print, these printers are available now, and each one suits a particular type of user better than the others.
Brother DCP-T536DW: the direct rival with double-sided printing
A color ink tank printer from Brother that combines printing, scanning and copying with wireless connectivity, and its name lists double-sided (duplex) printing. It is the closest to the G3470 in concept and class, and its clearest advantage is duplex printing, a feature that saves paper and time for anyone who prints handouts and research papers in bulk.
Canon PIXMA TR4645: for light use and printing from your phone
A Canon color inkjet printer with four functions in one device, plus Wi-Fi and printing from smart devices. Its name does not place it among ink tank printers, so it suits people who print only a few pages a month and want a multifunction device with an economical purchase cost, not those who print full handouts every week.
Epson EcoTank L18050: for designers and photo print shops
A color ink tank printer from Epson that prints up to A3+ with Wi-Fi connectivity, and it belongs to the professional tier. Choose it if your work involves printing photos, designs and posters in large sizes; for home and study it is more than you need.
Brother DCP-T530DW: ink tanks in a compact size
A 3-in-1 color printer with ink tanks from the Inkbenefit series, described as compact. It is a logical choice for anyone who likes the same idea as the G3470, meaning printing, scanning and copying at a low cost per page, but prefers the Brother brand or wants a device that takes up less space on the desk.
Canon MAXIFY MB2140: for small offices that scan a lot
A Canon color business printer with Wi-Fi and a document feeder, and that feeder is exactly what the G3470 lacks: you load a stack of pages and the device copies or scans them one after another without you standing next to it. It suits small law, real estate and accounting offices.
Common mistakes when buying and using an inkjet printer
- Judging a printer by its price alone: calculate how many pages you print each month, because the real difference shows in ink, not in the device.
- Using ink of unknown origin: incompatible ink can clog the print head, so use genuine GI-41 ink with the G3470.
- Leaving the printer unused for weeks: ink dries in the print head, especially in summer heat, so print a test page regularly.
- Moving the printer tilted after filling it: ink may leak from the tanks, so keep it level when you move it.
- Buying an A3 printer for home: a bigger size and higher cost with no real benefit for someone who only prints on A4 paper.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Canon G3470 print directly from a mobile phone?
Yes. The printer connects to your home Wi-Fi network, and you can print from your phone using the Canon PRINT app; it also supports AirPrint on iPhone and iPad. Your phone and the printer just need to be on the same network.
How many pages does an ink bottle print on the G3470?
Canon estimates the GI-41 black bottle yield at about 6,000 pages, rising to 7,600 pages in economy mode, and the color yield at about 7,700 pages. The actual number is lower if you print photos or color-heavy pages.
Does the G3470 print on both sides automatically?
No, double-sided printing on this model is manual: you print the odd pages first, then put the paper back in the tray to print the other side. If this feature matters to you, look at the Brother DCP-T536DW.
Is the G3470 good for printing family photos?
Yes. It prints borderless 10×15 cm photos and accepts glossy photo paper. For the best results, use good photo paper and choose the high quality setting. For professional photo printing in large sizes, a printer like the Epson L18050 is a better fit.
Can an inkjet printer handle Iraq's summer heat and dust?
It works reliably if it is placed indoors away from direct sunlight and covered when not in use. The most common problem is not the heat alone but leaving the printer idle for long periods, which lets the ink dry in the print head.
How can I make sure the printer is genuine, and what does the warranty cover?
Match the model and serial number on the device with what is printed on the box, and check that the box seal is intact on delivery. Before ordering, ask about the warranty period and what it covers, because using non-genuine ink can affect the condition of the print head.
Verdict: our final recommendation for each type of user
If you print regularly and want a low cost per page along with scanning, copying and printing from your phone, the Canon PIXMA G3470 is a balanced choice you are unlikely to regret. Here is our recommendation for each type of reader:
- For families, students and employees: Canon PIXMA G3470.
- For anyone who wants double-sided printing: Brother DCP-T536DW.
- For light printing with an economical purchase cost: Canon PIXMA TR4645.
- For anyone who wants ink tanks in a compact size: Brother DCP-T530DW.
- For offices that scan and copy a lot: Canon MAXIFY MB2140.
- For photos and designs up to A3+: Epson EcoTank L18050.
You can order any printer from the cards above from Jowa Al-Souq with cash on delivery and delivery to all of Iraq's provinces, and if you have a question about the model or the warranty, message us on WhatsApp before you order. Order your printer today and print your handouts and documents at home whenever you need them.
