The OXVA XLIM SQ Pro 2 is a compact, square-shaped pod system that takes away the typical button and screen arrangement and incorporates a complete, circular touchscreen interface similar to today’s smartwatches.
The SQ Pro 2 represents a perfect blend of OXVA’s renown pod performance and a degree of customization and interaction that has never before existed in a pod vape design. Although the SQ Pro 2’s innovative design comes with certain compromises regarding weight and practicality that consumers need to be aware of.
Product Introduction and Specifications
The XLIM SQ Pro 2 is the newest and most feature-rich offering to date in OXVA’s popular XLIM pod vape family. The primary distinguishing characteristics between the XLIM SQ Pro 2 and the rest of the “SQ” subfamily include: 1) a 1.09-inch circular high definition (HD) touchscreen; and 2) a large 1600 mAh internal battery. Therefore, the XLIM SQ Pro 2 is a direct and enhanced follow up to the original SQ Pro.
As part of its ongoing efforts to listen to consumer input and enhance its product line, OXVA has maintained full backward compatibility with every pod available in the XLIM family. Therefore, existing XLIM customers will not need to purchase new pods to upgrade to the SQ Pro 2 and new customers will have access to a vast array of XLIM pods available in a variety of coil resistance levels (from 0.4 Ω to 1.2 Ω) to accommodate their preferred vaping style.
Important Specifications:
- Internal Battery: 1600mAh
- Output: Adjustable 5W - 30W
- Display: 1.09 inch circular HD touchscreen (248x240 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate)
- Pod capacity: 2ml
- Charging: USB-C, 5V/2A fast charging
- Size: 93.4 mm x 48 mm x 20.1 mm
- Weight: 114 g
- Activation Method: Auto-draw only
- MSRP: Approximately $34.99
Design and Build Quality
When holding the SQ Pro 2 for the first time, you instantly notice how dense and high-quality the build feels. With a 114 gram weight, the SQ Pro 2 is significantly heavier than nearly all other pod vapes I have reviewed. I believe the added weight is a result of the higher-end materials used in the SQ Pro 2, such as a zinc alloy frame, providing a sense of solidness and confidence in-hand.
Despite the added weight, the SQ Pro 2 is remarkably portable, with a compact square form factor fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand. The screen is centered on the front of the device and blends beautifully into the design. On either side of the screen, you will see a single function button and a smooth-sliding airflow adjustment dial. The airflow adjustment dial is positioned in a small recess to help avoid accidental adjustments.
OXVA offers a tremendous 10 different style options, and while they do offer a number of color options, the style options move far beyond simply colors to include a number of materials and finishes. Style options include:
- Luxury Finishes: Faux Leather (Black, Brown)
- Nature Inspired Aesthetic: Faux Wood (Gunmetal, Brown); Marble (Celadon, Frost)
- Modern Patterns: "Dream" Wavy Pattern (Pink, Purple); Carbon Fiber
Each style option has accenting panels attached to the metal frame, so each customer can personalize the look of the device. The review unit I received had a faux leather finish, which felt great and allowed me to get a firm grip on the device. Some of the panels, such as the wood, may feel slightly plastic, however, the overall look and feel of the SQ Pro 2 is elegant and unique.
How to Power On / Off and Basic Functions
I was surprised at how easy it was to navigate the advanced interface of the SQ Pro 2 using mostly swiping gestures versus using multiple buttons.
- Turn On / Off Device: Press the side function button 5 times in succession within 2 seconds to turn the device off/on.
- Wake / Unlock Screen: Press the side function button once to wake the screen. Swipe your finger across the bottom third of the screen to unlock the screen for use.
Navigation:
- Swipe Right: Enters Wattage Adjustment Mode (5W - 30W).
- Swipe Left: Opens Detailed Puff History Menu (puff log for last day, 7 days, and 30 days).
- Swipe Down: Opens Main System Settings Menu.
- Swipe Up: Displays Quick Access App Directory containing all functions.
The SQ Pro 2 comes with two 0.6 Ω and 0.8 Ω XLIM pods. The rubber plug located on the side of the pod is the opening to fill the pod. Unfortunately, the small tabs on these plugs can be difficult to open without a fingernail or tool. After you open the plug, fill the 2 ml pod, allow 5 - 10 minutes for the coil to become saturated, and then you are ready to vape.
Performance and User Experience
This is where the SQ Pro 2 really excels. The performance is built upon the well-established XLIM pod technology from OXVA, which has earned a reputation for producing excellent flavor and long-lasting coils.
Both pods that come with the SQ Pro 2 performed exceptionally when tested with a 50/50 nic salt liquid. The flavor produced by the pods was crisp and clear with consistent results throughout testing. Additionally, the pods proved to be extremely durable. In my testing, one pod produced approximately 40 mL of vapor before the flavor began to noticeably degrade, which is a remarkable achievement.
The SQ Pro 2 comes equipped with SMART Mode (automatically adjusts wattage to match the installed pod) and POWER Mode (allows full manual control over wattage output from 5W - 30W). These modes make the SQ Pro 2 an ideal candidate for both beginner and experienced vapers.
The touchscreen interface is the core of the SQ Pro 2. The touchscreen is absolutely beautiful – responsive, bright, and smooth. The customization options are extensive, including the ability to select from a number of themes, wallpaper, and even animations that play when you take a puff. While features such as the built-in stopwatch and flashlight seem somewhat superfluous, the detailed puff diary is actually very useful for tracking usage habits.
My only criticism of the SQ Pro 2 is that a few of the options such as the display brightness are buried under layers of menus. Additionally, some users may prefer button-activated firing instead of, or in addition to, auto-draw firing.
Battery Performance and Charging
One of the largest internal batteries available in a pod vape of this size, the 1600mAh battery provides the promise of extended battery life.
While my experience with the SQ Pro 2 was very good, it did fall short of the promised battery life. The battery life was sufficient for a full day of moderate to heavy use, but testing revealed the battery life per charge was less than expected compared to some other XLIM devices with smaller batteries. The reason for this reduced battery life is believed to be the always-on nature of the advanced touchscreen.
One area where the SQ Pro 2 excels is with respect to charging speed. Due to the 2 amp fast charging capabilities of the USB-C port, a completely dead battery will reach a full charge in about 45 to 50 minutes. If you only need a few more hours of vaping, a 10 minute charge can add several hours of use to the battery, which is a huge plus.
Comparing the XLIM SQ Pro 2 to Other XLIM Pod Vape Devices
Below is a comparison chart comparing the SQ Pro 2 to two other popular XLIM pod vape devices to highlight the positioning of the SQ Pro 2 in terms of features.
Overall, the XLIM SQ Pro 2's nearest competitor is the XLIM Pro 2, which offers a comparable wattage range and pod compatibility in a lighter, more traditional pen-style design with a smaller color screen. Ultimately, the choice will depend on the importance of the revolutionary touchscreen interface to the user versus a more standard, lightweight design.
Conclusion
The OXVA XLIM SQ Pro 2 represents a bold and for the most part successful experiment. It combines the best of pod performance—great flavor, great pod longevity, and rugged build quality—together with a futuristic design and interface that is fun to use and customize.
The SQ Pro 2 is not simply an incremental improvement, but is a statement piece that pushes the envelope of what a pod vape can be. While the SQ Pro 2 does have areas where it falls short (battery life and the side-fill port) its advantages make it a strong recommendation for vapers who want their vape device to be as smart as it is enjoyable to vape with.