Huoqi GS5.0 Review — A New Heated Tobacco Experience
After vaping became a symbol of popular culture, another type of device represented by IQOS—heated tobacco devices—is quietly appearing around us. If you look closely, you will notice that many friends around you have already started using this kind of pr
After electronic cigarettes became a symbol of popular culture, another type of "heated tobacco device" represented by IQOS is quietly appearing around us. If you observe carefully, you will find that many of your friends have started using such products to varying degrees. However, the purchasing process for IQOS is not easy, which can pose a barrier for users looking to buy such devices. Today, we bring you the Huoqi GS5.0, which may become a perfect alternative to IQOS. Let's experience it together.
The working principle of the Huoqi GS5.0 is essentially no different from that of IQOS, but the design philosophy of the product is significantly different from IQOS, and it is precisely this difference that leads to a noticeable difference in user experience between GS5.0 and IQOS. Since IQOS has become the benchmark product in this category, we will also explore the differences between the two products in the following article.
The GS5.0 packaging is relatively simple, with the upper layer containing the main device and heating core, and the lower layer containing accessories such as a USB charging cable, cleaning stick, and user manual. A quick start guide is also included in the packaging. Regardless of whether you have previously used similar products, it is recommended to carefully read the relevant instructions before starting to use the GS5.0.
The GS5.0 adopts an integrated design, which has a significant advantage in size compared to IQOS's "heating stick + battery box" design. Coupled with the rounded design style of the body, it provides users with a more convenient carrying experience. However, due to the overall rounded design of the GS5.0, the matte texture of the body is very delicate, which can make it slightly slippery when users' hands are sweaty or oily.
On the side of the body is a monochrome LED display that shows information related to battery level, resistance, voltage, and temperature. Above the screen is a power button, and below it is a temperature adjustment button.
At the bottom is a USB charging port, and the entire device can be charged in less than an hour.
The main device has a built-in 1100mAh battery, which can support the use of 15-20 pods, which is sufficient for non-heavy users. In terms of battery life, IQOS's heating stick only supports one pod at a time, and once used, the heating stick must be returned to the battery box for charging. However, the overall battery life of the battery box is superior to that of the GS5.0. Nevertheless, due to the shorter charging time of the GS5.0, users need not worry about it being unable to meet daily usage needs.
The GS5.0 features a replaceable heating core design, with a lifespan of ≥5000 uses. Before using the device, users need to install the heating kit into the main device. When the heating core is damaged, users can simply replace the heating core, thus reducing maintenance costs due to heating core damage. Additionally, the GS5.0 has a complete official after-sales system in the country, which is fundamentally different from IQOS's unofficial repair channels.
The heating core uses a spring design, so when users install the top cover, it compresses the spring platform of the heating core, exposing the complete ceramic heating core. This design allows users to easily eject the pod by simply rotating the top cover, making it easy to remove the pod.
The GS5.0's pop-out pod design has both advantages and disadvantages compared to IQOS's need to push the top cover to remove the pod. The advantage is that users can easily eject the pod by simply rotating the top cover, making the operation simpler; the disadvantage is that due to the low friction between the body and fingers, the operation cannot be completed with one hand (while users can easily push the top cover with one hand when using IQOS). The two different design approaches provide users with two distinctly different operational experiences, and neither design is superior to the other; rather, they reflect different operational habits.
In addition to hardware design differences, another distinction between GS5.0 and IQOS is that the GS5.0 offers greater freedom, supporting temperature adjustment and featuring a self-cleaning function. The default heating temperature of the GS5.0 is 330℃, and the official recommends different usage temperatures based on different versions of the pods. In practical experience, different temperatures affect the amount of vapor and the intensity of flavor from the pods, making the GS5.0 much more appealing for users who enjoy customizing temperatures compared to IQOS.
When the device is off, long-pressing the "-" button activates the cleaning function, heating the heating element to 500℃ for 30 seconds. After using nearly one box of pods, some residue was left on the heating element, but after using the cleaning function, the heating element returned to its original clean state. However, whether the cleaning effect will diminish with increased pod usage remains to be observed over a longer period.
During use, pressing the fire button five times in quick succession will start the heating process, and the GS5.0 will continuously heat one pod for 205 seconds. After 205 seconds, the device will vibrate to alert the user, and a few seconds later, the device will automatically shut down. For users accustomed to IQOS, which leaves a couple of puffs or 30 seconds of inhalation time after the vibration alert, the GS5.0's vibration alert seems to come a bit late, and users cannot experience that "two more puffs" satisfaction.
When cleaning the device, users can unscrew the top cover of the main device and use a cotton swab to clean both the top cover and the heating core, which is easier to operate compared to IQOS, and the residue from the pods is also easier to clean.
Overall, it is difficult to compare the GS5.0 and IQOS in terms of hardware; both products represent different usage habits. The GS5.0 offers higher playability, a more compact and portable design, and a more advanced operational experience, leaning towards the design philosophy of vapor devices; while IQOS is more user-friendly and business-oriented, providing no room for creative use, as users simply need to install the pod on the heating stick to start using it. The differences in positioning between the two products also lead to advantages in certain aspects for one product while placing the other at a disadvantage in others. However, since IQOS currently has no official purchasing or repair channels in the country, while the GS5.0 has platforms like JD flagship store and JD self-operated supermarket, along with a complete after-sales system, the soft power of the two products is vastly different.
From a hardware perspective, if you have never used a heated tobacco device before, both the GS5.0 and IQOS can be your options. However, if you are already an IQOS user, trying the GS5.0 will undoubtedly break some of your established usage habits, but at the same time, you will discover the highlights of the Huoqi GS5.0.
The working principle of the Huoqi GS5.0 is essentially no different from that of IQOS, but the design philosophy of the product is significantly different from IQOS, and it is precisely this difference that leads to a noticeable difference in user experience between GS5.0 and IQOS. Since IQOS has become the benchmark product in this category, we will also explore the differences between the two products in the following article.
The GS5.0 packaging is relatively simple, with the upper layer containing the main device and heating core, and the lower layer containing accessories such as a USB charging cable, cleaning stick, and user manual. A quick start guide is also included in the packaging. Regardless of whether you have previously used similar products, it is recommended to carefully read the relevant instructions before starting to use the GS5.0.
The GS5.0 adopts an integrated design, which has a significant advantage in size compared to IQOS's "heating stick + battery box" design. Coupled with the rounded design style of the body, it provides users with a more convenient carrying experience. However, due to the overall rounded design of the GS5.0, the matte texture of the body is very delicate, which can make it slightly slippery when users' hands are sweaty or oily.
On the side of the body is a monochrome LED display that shows information related to battery level, resistance, voltage, and temperature. Above the screen is a power button, and below it is a temperature adjustment button.
At the bottom is a USB charging port, and the entire device can be charged in less than an hour.
The main device has a built-in 1100mAh battery, which can support the use of 15-20 pods, which is sufficient for non-heavy users. In terms of battery life, IQOS's heating stick only supports one pod at a time, and once used, the heating stick must be returned to the battery box for charging. However, the overall battery life of the battery box is superior to that of the GS5.0. Nevertheless, due to the shorter charging time of the GS5.0, users need not worry about it being unable to meet daily usage needs.
The GS5.0 features a replaceable heating core design, with a lifespan of ≥5000 uses. Before using the device, users need to install the heating kit into the main device. When the heating core is damaged, users can simply replace the heating core, thus reducing maintenance costs due to heating core damage. Additionally, the GS5.0 has a complete official after-sales system in the country, which is fundamentally different from IQOS's unofficial repair channels.
The heating core uses a spring design, so when users install the top cover, it compresses the spring platform of the heating core, exposing the complete ceramic heating core. This design allows users to easily eject the pod by simply rotating the top cover, making it easy to remove the pod.
The GS5.0's pop-out pod design has both advantages and disadvantages compared to IQOS's need to push the top cover to remove the pod. The advantage is that users can easily eject the pod by simply rotating the top cover, making the operation simpler; the disadvantage is that due to the low friction between the body and fingers, the operation cannot be completed with one hand (while users can easily push the top cover with one hand when using IQOS). The two different design approaches provide users with two distinctly different operational experiences, and neither design is superior to the other; rather, they reflect different operational habits.
In addition to hardware design differences, another distinction between GS5.0 and IQOS is that the GS5.0 offers greater freedom, supporting temperature adjustment and featuring a self-cleaning function. The default heating temperature of the GS5.0 is 330℃, and the official recommends different usage temperatures based on different versions of the pods. In practical experience, different temperatures affect the amount of vapor and the intensity of flavor from the pods, making the GS5.0 much more appealing for users who enjoy customizing temperatures compared to IQOS.
When the device is off, long-pressing the "-" button activates the cleaning function, heating the heating element to 500℃ for 30 seconds. After using nearly one box of pods, some residue was left on the heating element, but after using the cleaning function, the heating element returned to its original clean state. However, whether the cleaning effect will diminish with increased pod usage remains to be observed over a longer period.
During use, pressing the fire button five times in quick succession will start the heating process, and the GS5.0 will continuously heat one pod for 205 seconds. After 205 seconds, the device will vibrate to alert the user, and a few seconds later, the device will automatically shut down. For users accustomed to IQOS, which leaves a couple of puffs or 30 seconds of inhalation time after the vibration alert, the GS5.0's vibration alert seems to come a bit late, and users cannot experience that "two more puffs" satisfaction.
When cleaning the device, users can unscrew the top cover of the main device and use a cotton swab to clean both the top cover and the heating core, which is easier to operate compared to IQOS, and the residue from the pods is also easier to clean.
Overall, it is difficult to compare the GS5.0 and IQOS in terms of hardware; both products represent different usage habits. The GS5.0 offers higher playability, a more compact and portable design, and a more advanced operational experience, leaning towards the design philosophy of vapor devices; while IQOS is more user-friendly and business-oriented, providing no room for creative use, as users simply need to install the pod on the heating stick to start using it. The differences in positioning between the two products also lead to advantages in certain aspects for one product while placing the other at a disadvantage in others. However, since IQOS currently has no official purchasing or repair channels in the country, while the GS5.0 has platforms like JD flagship store and JD self-operated supermarket, along with a complete after-sales system, the soft power of the two products is vastly different.
From a hardware perspective, if you have never used a heated tobacco device before, both the GS5.0 and IQOS can be your options. However, if you are already an IQOS user, trying the GS5.0 will undoubtedly break some of your established usage habits, but at the same time, you will discover the highlights of the Huoqi GS5.0.
