The Dual-Track Era of Vapes: Big Puffs to the Left, Smart Displays to the Right
In the fast-evolving vaping industry, as consumer demands for vape products extend beyond simple functional experiences, the market has started to split into two distinct directions. On one hand, there's the trend for higher puff counts and longer-lasting experiences, which attract users with their satisfying, intuitive feel and the similarity to traditional smoking experiences.
On the other hand, the technological direction led by smart large screens offers a high-tech interface with clear, easy-to-read information displayed on high-definition screens. These products appeal to consumers with their convenient operation and personalized settings.
These two distinct yet compelling development paths are quietly reshaping the vaping industry’s landscape, prompting both industry professionals and consumers to deeply contemplate and eagerly anticipate the future of vaping.
1. The Puff Count Race Intensifies in the Second Half, with Up to 80,000 Puffs
This year, large puff-count vape products have been emerging one after another, receiving warm responses from consumers. These products are particularly popular for offering a smoking experience closer to traditional cigarettes. Technological advancements have led to an increase in puff counts, from a few thousand puffs to tens of thousands, with some products now reaching an astounding 80,000 puffs. The competition between brands to offer higher puff counts is intensifying, fueling a wave of industry competition.
In the U.S. vaping market, competition has heated up significantly. In the first half of the year, most products had an average of around 20,000 puffs, but by the second half, many products began offering 30,000, 40,000 puffs, and even more. The battle for puff counts shows no signs of slowing down and is actually escalating. Major brands are competing to release products with higher puff counts to capture greater market share.
From the chart, we can clearly see a noticeable upward trend in the puff counts of vape products. It remains uncertain whether products with 100,000 puffs or more will debut next year, but we eagerly await and look forward to the surprises the industry will bring.
2. The Rise of High Puff Count Vapes
According to market research, there are only a few vaping products on the market that offer over 50,000 puffs. After surveying, we found that only four products currently offer 50,000 puffs or more: NEXA Ultra 50K, Kanger SUBOX 50000, Artery CL6 Sweet & Ice Control 50K, and VOOPOO VRIZZ.
Notably, the VOOPOO VRIZZ combines the advantages of both open and pod-based vapes. It features a refillable e-liquid tank design with a large 15ml capacity, which can be refilled up to four times, offering up to 80,000 puffs and fulfilling consumers' need for longer usage.
Additionally, the recently launched Artery CL6 Sweet & Ice Control 50K disposable vape stands out with its unique three-tank design. It integrates three separate e-liquid tanks (main, sweet, and icy flavors) seamlessly into one system. Users can control the ice and sweetness levels using two dedicated buttons, offering five levels of ice and four levels of sweetness.
3. Trends in High Puff Count Vape Products
Generally, high puff count vapes produce a large volume of vapor, which may cause noticeable smoke effects in public spaces, raising concerns about their impact on others and the public environment. Moreover, there are concerns regarding the long-term safety of high-power atomizer cores and large e-liquid tanks.
Additionally, because of their large tank design, these products may face challenges in maintaining the quality of the e-liquid, as the liquid may oxidize over time, affecting its freshness and flavor. This can negatively impact the user experience, particularly for those who prioritize high-quality flavor. Some consumers have even pointed out that puff counts are often overstated, according to market surveys.
Despite these issues, the demand for high puff count vapes continues to show steady growth, especially in regions with strong vaping cultures and among certain consumer groups.
4. The U.S. Market Embraces Smart Large Screens
Looking back at the 2024 vaping market, a significant trend is evident: most vaping devices are now equipped with high-definition full screens or 3D curved screens. These advanced screens not only enhance the user experience but also allow users to monitor their e-liquid and battery status in real time. This feature enables users to plan ahead and avoid unexpected e-liquid or battery depletion, while also preventing issues like coil burning.
Moreover, the addition of displays gives vaping devices a more refined and fashionable appearance, balancing design and functionality to improve the overall user experience and product quality.
5. 2024 Full Screens and 3D Curved Screens Become the Trend, Leading Vapes Into the Age of Smart Technology
In a recent survey of the top 10 key events of 2024 in the vaping industry, the topic of "full screens and 3D curved screens becoming the trend, with vapes moving towards smart technology" received significant support, ranking second with 14.03% of the votes.
The widespread adoption of full screens and 3D curved screens is driving the smart development of the vaping industry. It reflects the market's broad recognition of smart large screen vapes and affirms that large screens have become one of the mainstream trends in the vaping industry this year. This suggests that consumers are increasingly drawn to products with advanced display technology and intelligent features.
6. Smart AI Voice Control, Phone Calls, and Over-the-Top Entertainment Features
As technology continues to progress, the vaping industry is riding the wave of smart innovation. Vape products are beginning to integrate a range of innovative technologies, such as calling, photo-taking, and music-playing capabilities. These features not only diversify the use of vapes but also provide users with a more varied and convenient experience.
For example, the iJOY Uranus Mate 40K claims to be the world’s first AI + Ice + Nicotine-controlled disposable vape. Its AI feature automatically generates a personalized vaping mode based on user preferences and records nicotine strength and ice levels. It also has voice control, activated by saying "Hey, iJOY."
Other products like Swype 30K, JNR MediaMax 40K, and Airfuze 30K come with functions like making and receiving phone calls, and smart touchscreens. Halo Vapor Synix 30K and Vookbar Cyber Pro 30K even include entertainment and gaming features.
This series of innovative features is gradually reshaping the traditional image of vaping, transforming it from a simple tobacco alternative into a high-tech, multifunctional smart device, opening up a new world of user interaction and experience. It also hints at the vast expansion potential and innovation space for the vaping industry.
7. Large Screen Designs Face Drawbacks, Middle East Lags Behind the Trend
It is reported that many new products released in the Middle East region recently do not feature large screens, offering only small displays to show information like battery status. Puff counts also remain in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 puffs, not aligning with the current popular trend for high puff counts.
While large-screen vapes offer a more intuitive interface and additional functionality, their drawbacks cannot be ignored. Larger screens consume more power, leading to shorter battery life, and frequent recharging can significantly affect the user experience. Additionally, larger screens are more fragile, which increases repair costs. Some complex functions may also be difficult for certain users to master, reducing the overall user experience.
8. Turning Point: Lack of Innovation in Vape Designs, Serious Homogenization
Currently, the vaping market is facing an innovation lull. There has been a significant reduction in new product releases and a stagnation in innovation, resulting in an increasing level of product homogenization. This lack of creative drive not only limits the industry’s growth potential but also leaves consumers with fewer choices, which struggle to meet their demands for personalized and differentiated products.
For instance, in the second half of this year, many brands have been focusing on adjustable flavor options, continuously launching new products in this area. However, this so-called "innovation" is just a limited range of competition that fails to break free from the homogenization dilemma.
Vaping companies must urgently break this deadlock. Only by delving deeper into consumers’ latent needs, exploring new technologies and functions, increasing R&D investment, and encouraging innovative thinking can the market be injected with new vitality, breaking the stagnation and reshaping the innovative and diversified landscape of the vaping industry.
Conclusion
As the vaping market continues to develop, on one hand, high puff count vapes cater to users looking for cost-effectiveness and simplicity. On the other hand, smart large-screen vapes, with their high-tech interactive experiences and rich features, are guiding the industry towards a more advanced, personalized future.
In the future, whether the extreme experience of high puff counts will continue to lead the trends or whether the technological allure of smart large screens will prove superior, or whether the fusion of both will create an entirely new frontier, time will tell. However, the journey of innovation in the vaping industry will not stop, and we look forward to seeing more groundbreaking technologies that will bring users a healthier, smarter, and more enjoyable experience.
In any case, vaping companies must remain consumer-focused, ensuring product safety and quality while continuously exploring and innovating. This way, they will be able to ride smoothly on the dual-track path full of variables and opportunities, writing a more vibrant and brilliant chapter for the vaping industry and injecting continuous energy and vitality into the global tobacco consumption market’s transformation.