Review of lil SOLID 2.0 tobacco heating device from IQOS

The second generation of the lil SOLID device for heating tobacco has been released. We’ll tell you what’s new in it and why you should switch to a new product in our review.

Last year, IQOS introduced in Ukraine a new device for heating tobacco lil SOLID, developed in collaboration with the South Korean technology company KT&G. Previously, we reviewed the first generation gadget: device review for heating lil SOLID tobacco from IQOS.

The device was low in cost compared to IQOS devices, but at the same time had the same high-quality build and excellent technical characteristics. The main features of the device are the ability to use it several times in a row without recharging, good autonomy, convenience and intuitiveness of use. With all this, the device was sold with an acceptable price tag for a wide range of smokers.

Now the second generation of the device has entered the market – lil SOLID 2.0. The algorithm of use, design and technology remain the same–this is a gadget for heating tobacco that works with special sticks. By heating the tobacco rather than burning it, the amount of harmful substances in the aerosol is reduced by 95% compared to cigarette smoke. At the same time, the most harmful resins are virtually absent. Next, let’s look at everything in detail.

Design and ergonomics of lil SOLID 2.0

lil SOLID 2.0 is designed in the usual compact all-in-one format. The first thing you notice–is the updated design. The device is designed in a minimalist style. This, in principle, is already a standard for modern gadgets. At the same time, the case has an interesting combination of matte and glossy textures. The gadget is covered with metallized plastic, pleasant to the touch. The side panels are glossy and are attached with magnets, so they can be easily replaced if necessary. Another removable part is the cap from the heating chamber. It is also attached with magnets and at the same time has acquired a more convenient and simplified design– the lid from the heating chamber is built into the cap itself. At the same time, it became a little smaller. This is a small thing, but those who used the previous generation of lila will understand.

Lil lies comfortably in the hand and does not tend to suddenly slip out. It weighs a little more than its predecessor – 99 g, and has even decreased slightly in size, but this is only noticeable if you put both devices side by side.

In Lil 2.0, all buttons were removed from the body. If Lil 1 was launched with a rectangular activation button, then lil SOLID 2.0 has – minimalism and hi-tech. A thin LED indicator runs along the body, which also serves as a button. Just click on it and Lil will be activated, and the indicator will show the device’s charge level with colored signals. There is a charging port on the bottom panel. The previous version was charged via micro USB, but Lil 2.0 is ready to please us with the modern Type-C format.

The device fits perfectly in the hand and does not slip. Corners and edges are rounded. It turned out aesthetically pleasing and convenient, but if you place the device on a table vertically, it won’t be very stable. But this is not critical, of course. The cover for the stick shaft is moderately tight. This is a plus, because on the old version the lid was a little loose and could move spontaneously.

Using Lil SOLID 2.0 and maintenance

Let’s start unpacking. lil SOLID in the box is in sleep mode, so first of all you will need to “wake it up”. You can press the button for 2 seconds. Or insert a cable into it and connect it to an outlet for a few seconds to activate it. It is not necessary to charge to 100%.

Under the round lid on the top of the device there is a heating chamber. Inside it there is a special metal knitting needle on which the stick is attached. And which then heats the stick from the inside. To start using the device, you need to insert the stick into the shaft all the way and hold down the button for 2 seconds. The gadget will vibrate and the heating process will begin (about 25 seconds). Then the gadget will vibrate again and the indicator will start blinking–Lil is ready for use.

By the way, the heating element in the new Lil works using induction heating. The needle is evenly heated along its entire length due to the electromagnetic field, and this allows the tobacco to be evenly heated along the entire length of the stick.

Now about the really important innovation. The session now lasts 5 minutes, in the first generation the duration was 4 minutes. The number of puffs is approximately the same. 14 puffs is the standard that IQOS has set for all tobacco heating systems. 30 seconds or 3 puffs before the end of the session, the device will vibrate and the indicator will begin to flash blue until the session is completed. You don’t need to press anything at the end. To remove the stick, you need to twist it three times in one direction so that the tobacco does not remain on the heating needle. If you need to end the session ahead of schedule, you can press the button for 2 seconds and the heating will stop.

The best news is the device’s autonomy. Now, with a fully charged battery, you can use up to 25 sticks without recharging. But if you use 3 sticks without interruption, the gadget will automatically start the cooling mode. After 3 minutes 30 seconds it will cool down and be ready for use again. This is built-in overheat protection.

To find out approximately how much charge is left, you need to press the button once. Blue indicator means 60-100%, blue means 30-60%, orange means 1-30%, and red means the battery is low. It will take about 2 hours to fully charge the device.

After 20 sticks, the manufacturer recommends cleaning the heating chamber. For this purpose, the kit includes a double case with cleaning tools. On one side there is a spatula to remove large particles of tobacco from the heating needle, on the other there is a brush to thoroughly clean the heating chamber. There are corresponding pictograms on the case body. You need to clean the device when it has cooled down – not while heating or immediately after the session.

A separate method of deep cleaning is heating, which is started by pressing the button five times. The LED will flash orange for 1.5 minutes. When the cleaning process is completed, the indicator will automatically turn off and vibrate twice. Afterwards, when the device has cooled down, the loose particles can be removed with the same brush.

As you can see, lil SOLID 2.0 contains several scenarios that ensure the safety of using mobile electronics.

Price and consumables for lil sticks

The new lil SOLID 2.0 has already begun to be sold in Ukraine. The device costs 599 UAH. With it you can use not only the Fiit sticks familiar from the first generation, which are available in five flavors, but also Heets sticks for IQOS. There are even more of these to choose from – 12 flavor options.

Impressions from using the updated lil SOLID 2.0

Devices for heating tobacco are gaining popularity and this is expected – there is no combustion process in such gadgets, which means there is no harm from cigarette smoke, no ash and no unpleasant odor. We would say that lil SOLID 2.0is not a work on bugs, as happens in the evolutionary chain of the model range, but a full-fledged high-quality upgrade of the previous version, taking into account the wishes of users. Lil 2 surpasses the previous generation in technical characteristics, design and usability. A pleasant and unexpected bonus is the price. The manufacturer did not inflate the price, as is usually done with new products in the wake of hype. The new version of the device has kept the price at the level of the previous generation. So, lil SOLID is a successful combination of convenience and technology with a pleasant price tag. It is easy to use, has a reliable heating element and a set of decent technical characteristics in a stylish case.

Rating:

+ increased autonomy

+ use of USB Type-C

+ price

Read also:

• Review of the lil SOLID tobacco heating device from IQOS
• Review, comparison, pros and cons: Glo Hyper or lil SOLID? What to choose?
• Review of the new IQOS 3 DUO: upgrades, features, characteristics, cost

Andrew Writter
Editor

  

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