Three variants, two battery concepts
ILUMA is sold in three variants. The ILUMA i and ILUMA i PRIME consist of a separate holder plus a charger; the ILUMA i ONE is an all-in-one device with no separate holder.
- IQOS ILUMA i and ILUMA i PRIME – roughly 20 to 25 sticks per charger charge
- IQOS ILUMA i ONE – roughly 20 sticks in a row, after which the whole device goes back on the cable
The holder itself covers two sticks back to back on the ILUMA i and PRIME, then returns to the charger for a few minutes.
Charging without wearing the battery out
These are lithium-ion batteries, the same technology as in a phone. They have essentially no memory effect, but they age faster when constantly run at the extremes. The same rules apply as for a smartphone:
- Do not run the battery down to zero – charge by the time the last indicator light is on.
- Where possible, do not always charge to 100 %; around 80 % is kinder to long-term capacity.
- Do not charge for longer than necessary – overnight charging, for instance, brings nothing.
- Always use the original cable and a sensible USB-C adapter. Phone fast chargers deliver far more power than the device needs.
When the battery reaches the end
In the charger the battery typically lasts several years and rarely fails outright. The holder signals the end of its life through the indicator: it stays orange even after a full charge, and eventually the charge is only good for a single stick.
Batteries are covered by the statutory warranty, and the manufacturer replaces faulty devices within the warranty period. Do not leave it until the last moment – have the holder checked or replaced at least once while it is still covered. Details and device registration are on iqos.com for your market.
Small things that make a big difference
- Wipe the holder contacts dry from time to time – hand sweat often stops charging from starting at all.
- Do not leave the device in a car in the sun; heat costs capacity permanently.
- In cold weather the battery charges more slowly – let it warm up first.
- If the taste falls off, the battery is not the culprit: that is a job for cleaning the heating chamber.