Is the Huoqi GS5.0 Really a Domestic Upgraded Version of IQOS?
There is no need to explain how huge China’s tobacco market is. Just looking at the many subsidiaries of the state-run tobacco groups across the country is enough to show its scale. Don’t let limited imagination restrict you. Of course, today we are not h
The size of the Chinese tobacco market is well-known, as evidenced by the numerous subsidiaries of the state-owned China Tobacco Group. Let's not let poverty limit our imagination. Today, we are not discussing how much money the China Tobacco Group has made; instead, we focus on a recently popular product online called the Huoqi GS5.0 heated non-combustion electronic cigarette. This product claims to be a fully upgraded version of the popular IQOS. Generally, domestically produced products are not highly recognized by Chinese consumers, so is the Huoqi GS5.0 really living up to its reputation? We need to start with IQOS.
IQOS has been highly sought after by smokers since its launch in Japan in 2004 and has quickly gained popularity worldwide. Even under regulatory constraints in China, it has still attracted many fans. As the saying goes, "the tall tree catches the wind," IQOS has become a trendsetter in the heated tobacco market, making it a target for competitors. The Korean market, being the home ground of KT&G, has seen IQOS repeatedly make inroads, prompting KT&G to launch its own heated tobacco brand, lil. Lil is a local brand with a solid foundation in the Korean market, and due to its backing, it has been able to expand its market presence, although it still falls slightly short compared to IQOS.
In the heated tobacco market, China has developed a bit later. After the State Tobacco Administration halted IQOS, the underground trading of IQOS in China continued to thrive. At one point, lil also found opportunities in the Chinese market and gained traction. Both IQOS and lil have garnered numerous fans in China, but there are few domestic heated tobacco products that can compete with IQOS and lil, which speaks to their status in the market.
The rapid development of the Chinese industry
Over time, the domestic heated tobacco industry has undergone rapid development over the past few years, with the entire industry chain experiencing significant changes. Whether in terms of technological accumulation, tool innovation, or the overall upgrade of the industry chain, many potential players are emerging. Among these emerging players, Huoqi electronic cigarettes stand out as a unique case.
The general manager of Huoqi electronic cigarettes, Mr. Ma, has spent over a decade in the sports and fitness industry, working for various overseas sports brands. He has now crossed over to the heated tobacco industry, which is a serendipitous turn of events. Mr. Ma, under pressure to quit smoking, became acquainted with IQOS and subsequently entered the heated tobacco industry. Realizing the immense appeal of IQOS, he quickly assembled a team to develop and promote domestic heated tobacco products, focusing on this niche market. The first product from Huoqi electronic cigarettes, the Huoqi GS5.0, is currently trending online.
Domestic and foreign brand competition
I previously purchased the Huoqi ECS electronic cigarette and have now bought the Huoqi GS5.0. After experiencing numerous heated tobacco products, I believe it is essential to compare IQOS, Huoqi GS5.0, and lil, three high-quality products, to provide reference value for smokers when choosing products.
Appearance
Compared to lil, the Huoqi GS5.0 has a more prominent button and display screen, providing a stronger grip. While both devices are compact, the Huoqi GS5.0 is smaller and more portable than IQOS, which has a modular design. The heating device of IQOS, excluding the charging case, feels good in hand, whether held or pinched.
Material
Both IQOS and lil have plastic bodies, making them lightweight. However, lil's paint process gives it a metallic feel, which I particularly like. The Huoqi GS5.0 also has a metallic texture that is quite appealing.
Functionality
IQOS and lil do not differ significantly from many domestic brands, offering pre-heating and smoking functions. However, the Huoqi GS5.0 has two additional important features: temperature adjustment and automatic cleaning. Additionally, the heating element of the Huoqi GS5.0 can be easily replaced, which is convenient for users who need to change it.
Regarding temperature adjustment, some domestic devices claim to have three adjustable levels. However, this is misleading, as different brands of tobacco sticks have varying optimal temperatures for consumption. Devices claiming to have three levels are merely preset to three different temperatures. The Huoqi GS5.0 allows users to adjust the temperature freely according to their needs, with 300 degrees suitable for lil's fiit tobacco sticks and 320 degrees for IQOS tobacco sticks. Users can repeatedly adjust the temperature during use to achieve the best flavor, eliminating the need to purchase corresponding devices for different brands of tobacco sticks.
Moreover, the automatic cleaning function of the Huoqi GS5.0 is incredibly thoughtful and practical. Many users find cleaning the heating element of IQOS challenging due to its integrated design, which affects the flavor of the tobacco sticks. The one-button cleaning feature of the Huoqi GS5.0 is indeed very practical and considerate.
Taste
Both IQOS and lil have certain limitations. IQOS offers excellent flavor with its own tobacco sticks, while lil performs similarly. However, using IQOS with fiit tobacco sticks may result in a less satisfying flavor, and using lil with Marlboro tobacco sticks may lead to overheating, producing noticeable tar and a heavier taste. This may not be easily detected by casual smokers, but experienced smokers have pointed it out. Regardless, the Huoqi GS5.0 allows for temperature adjustment, ensuring that users can find the best flavor with any brand of tobacco sticks without hassle. In terms of flavor stability and throat hit, all three products are comparable. Regarding the balance of tobacco and aroma, I feel that lil has a stronger tobacco flavor when using its own tobacco sticks, making it slightly heavier than IQOS. Overall, all three products perform excellently in terms of flavor.
Battery Life
I believe it is essential to consider them separately. The Huoqi GS5.0 and lil have an integrated design, while IQOS has a modular design. Due to the limited battery capacity of the heating device, IQOS requires users to return the device to the charging case for 5 minutes after each use before it can be used again. This is a frustrating limitation, as the smoking time is only three and a half minutes, but charging takes five minutes. When the craving hits, this can be more frustrating than satisfying. Some speculate that Philip Morris International intentionally designed this to reduce smoking frequency, but this remains unverified. In contrast, the Huoqi GS5.0 and lil allow for continuous use, which is particularly important when cravings arise. The Huoqi GS5.0 can meet the smoking needs for 1-2 days on a full charge, with a quick 5-second preheat time, while IQOS requires a 15-second wait.
Conclusion
After repeatedly experiencing IQOS, Huoqi GS5.0, and lil, I have made a simple comparison based on the five aspects mentioned above. After this comparison, I believe everyone has formed their own judgment. For many years, Chinese consumers should regain their confidence and not blindly believe that imported products are always better than domestic ones. Consider that the Kuanzhai electronic cigarette produced by Sichuan Tobacco is still selling well in Korea. While foreign technologies do have their advantages, Chinese manufacturing is also rising and surpassing in many fields. I hope that domestic heated tobacco products will strive to benefit smokers and reduce harm.
IQOS has been highly sought after by smokers since its launch in Japan in 2004 and has quickly gained popularity worldwide. Even under regulatory constraints in China, it has still attracted many fans. As the saying goes, "the tall tree catches the wind," IQOS has become a trendsetter in the heated tobacco market, making it a target for competitors. The Korean market, being the home ground of KT&G, has seen IQOS repeatedly make inroads, prompting KT&G to launch its own heated tobacco brand, lil. Lil is a local brand with a solid foundation in the Korean market, and due to its backing, it has been able to expand its market presence, although it still falls slightly short compared to IQOS.
In the heated tobacco market, China has developed a bit later. After the State Tobacco Administration halted IQOS, the underground trading of IQOS in China continued to thrive. At one point, lil also found opportunities in the Chinese market and gained traction. Both IQOS and lil have garnered numerous fans in China, but there are few domestic heated tobacco products that can compete with IQOS and lil, which speaks to their status in the market.
The rapid development of the Chinese industryOver time, the domestic heated tobacco industry has undergone rapid development over the past few years, with the entire industry chain experiencing significant changes. Whether in terms of technological accumulation, tool innovation, or the overall upgrade of the industry chain, many potential players are emerging. Among these emerging players, Huoqi electronic cigarettes stand out as a unique case.
The general manager of Huoqi electronic cigarettes, Mr. Ma, has spent over a decade in the sports and fitness industry, working for various overseas sports brands. He has now crossed over to the heated tobacco industry, which is a serendipitous turn of events. Mr. Ma, under pressure to quit smoking, became acquainted with IQOS and subsequently entered the heated tobacco industry. Realizing the immense appeal of IQOS, he quickly assembled a team to develop and promote domestic heated tobacco products, focusing on this niche market. The first product from Huoqi electronic cigarettes, the Huoqi GS5.0, is currently trending online.
Domestic and foreign brand competitionI previously purchased the Huoqi ECS electronic cigarette and have now bought the Huoqi GS5.0. After experiencing numerous heated tobacco products, I believe it is essential to compare IQOS, Huoqi GS5.0, and lil, three high-quality products, to provide reference value for smokers when choosing products.
Appearance
Compared to lil, the Huoqi GS5.0 has a more prominent button and display screen, providing a stronger grip. While both devices are compact, the Huoqi GS5.0 is smaller and more portable than IQOS, which has a modular design. The heating device of IQOS, excluding the charging case, feels good in hand, whether held or pinched.
Material
Both IQOS and lil have plastic bodies, making them lightweight. However, lil's paint process gives it a metallic feel, which I particularly like. The Huoqi GS5.0 also has a metallic texture that is quite appealing.
Functionality
IQOS and lil do not differ significantly from many domestic brands, offering pre-heating and smoking functions. However, the Huoqi GS5.0 has two additional important features: temperature adjustment and automatic cleaning. Additionally, the heating element of the Huoqi GS5.0 can be easily replaced, which is convenient for users who need to change it.
Regarding temperature adjustment, some domestic devices claim to have three adjustable levels. However, this is misleading, as different brands of tobacco sticks have varying optimal temperatures for consumption. Devices claiming to have three levels are merely preset to three different temperatures. The Huoqi GS5.0 allows users to adjust the temperature freely according to their needs, with 300 degrees suitable for lil's fiit tobacco sticks and 320 degrees for IQOS tobacco sticks. Users can repeatedly adjust the temperature during use to achieve the best flavor, eliminating the need to purchase corresponding devices for different brands of tobacco sticks.
Moreover, the automatic cleaning function of the Huoqi GS5.0 is incredibly thoughtful and practical. Many users find cleaning the heating element of IQOS challenging due to its integrated design, which affects the flavor of the tobacco sticks. The one-button cleaning feature of the Huoqi GS5.0 is indeed very practical and considerate.
Taste
Both IQOS and lil have certain limitations. IQOS offers excellent flavor with its own tobacco sticks, while lil performs similarly. However, using IQOS with fiit tobacco sticks may result in a less satisfying flavor, and using lil with Marlboro tobacco sticks may lead to overheating, producing noticeable tar and a heavier taste. This may not be easily detected by casual smokers, but experienced smokers have pointed it out. Regardless, the Huoqi GS5.0 allows for temperature adjustment, ensuring that users can find the best flavor with any brand of tobacco sticks without hassle. In terms of flavor stability and throat hit, all three products are comparable. Regarding the balance of tobacco and aroma, I feel that lil has a stronger tobacco flavor when using its own tobacco sticks, making it slightly heavier than IQOS. Overall, all three products perform excellently in terms of flavor.
Battery Life
I believe it is essential to consider them separately. The Huoqi GS5.0 and lil have an integrated design, while IQOS has a modular design. Due to the limited battery capacity of the heating device, IQOS requires users to return the device to the charging case for 5 minutes after each use before it can be used again. This is a frustrating limitation, as the smoking time is only three and a half minutes, but charging takes five minutes. When the craving hits, this can be more frustrating than satisfying. Some speculate that Philip Morris International intentionally designed this to reduce smoking frequency, but this remains unverified. In contrast, the Huoqi GS5.0 and lil allow for continuous use, which is particularly important when cravings arise. The Huoqi GS5.0 can meet the smoking needs for 1-2 days on a full charge, with a quick 5-second preheat time, while IQOS requires a 15-second wait.
Conclusion
After repeatedly experiencing IQOS, Huoqi GS5.0, and lil, I have made a simple comparison based on the five aspects mentioned above. After this comparison, I believe everyone has formed their own judgment. For many years, Chinese consumers should regain their confidence and not blindly believe that imported products are always better than domestic ones. Consider that the Kuanzhai electronic cigarette produced by Sichuan Tobacco is still selling well in Korea. While foreign technologies do have their advantages, Chinese manufacturing is also rising and surpassing in many fields. I hope that domestic heated tobacco products will strive to benefit smokers and reduce harm.
