Uwell Caliburn G3 vs G4: Which Device Is Worth Buying in 2026?
Quick answer: For most vapers the Caliburn G4 is the better buy: it has a 1300mAh battery (vs 900mAh), up to 35W (vs 25W), a colour screen and finer airflow control. The G3 is still a great pick if you are a strict mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaper who wants a lighter device and larger 2.5ml pods. Both take the same GPP pods, so you are not locked out of pods either way.
The GPP pod platform: what changed
Uwell has moved away from generation-locked pods. The G Pod Platform (GPP) is a single cartridge format that fits the G3 Pro, the G4 family and the G5 line-up. GPP pods come in four resistances, from 0.4Ω to 1.2Ω, with built-in mesh coils.
For South African vapers this means pod availability no longer depends on which generation of device you own. The GPP ALPHA variant uses Uwell's AlphaCore mesh coil and a top-fill mouthpiece, and shares the same magnetic connection as standard GPP pods. Shop Caliburn GPP G3/G4 replacement pods.
Caliburn G3 vs G4 at a glance
| Feature | Caliburn G3 | Caliburn G4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 900mAh | 1300mAh |
| Max output | 25W | 35W |
| Screen | Monochrome OLED | 0.85" HD colour display |
| Pod capacity | 2.5ml | 2ml standard (side-fill GPP) |
| Airflow | Rotate pod 180° (2 settings) | Side slider plus pod rotation |
| Power modes | Eco / Normal / Power | Waves / Storm plus adjustable wattage |
| Charging | 2A USB-C (about 40 min) | 2A USB-C (about 45 min) |
| Weight | About 47g | About 55g |
| Pods | GPP and G3 pods | GPP and G3 pods |
Uwell Caliburn G3: the proven workhorse
The G3 was the first G-series Caliburn with an OLED screen. Its 900mAh battery was a step up from the G2's 750mAh cell, and its 2.5ml pod holds more than the G4's standard 2ml pod, so you refill less often.
Airflow is simple: rotate the pod 180 degrees to switch between a tighter MTL draw and a looser restricted draw. The screen shows wattage, battery level, resistance, puff count and mode, and the device supports both button-fire and auto-draw.
- Output adjustable from 5W to 25W
- Pro-FOCS flavour technology and Uwell's U² anti-leak design
- Compatible with GPP pods, so you are not stuck with discontinued stock
- Smaller and lighter than the G4
Who should buy it: vapers who want a reliable, no-fuss pod system, prefer bigger pods and stick to MTL vaping. If you do not need a colour screen or 35W, the G3 covers the basics well. The current version in store is the Caliburn G3 Pro pod kit.
Uwell Caliburn G4: the feature upgrade
The G4 refines what the G3 started. The battery grows to 1300mAh and maximum output rises to 35W, which properly powers the 0.4Ω GPP pod for restricted direct-to-lung (RDL) vaping.
The headline feature is the 0.85-inch HD colour screen, which shows battery percentage, resistance, wattage, puff count, puff timer, lock status and mode, with a choice of themes and day/night brightness. Two output modes are added: Waves gives a smooth, steady power curve, while Storm adds a short burst of power at the start of each puff.
- Output adjustable from 5W to 35W
- Side-fill GPP pods can be refilled without removing them from the device
- Side airflow slider plus pod orientation for genuinely different draws
The trade-off: the G4 is slightly bigger and heavier (about 55g vs 47g), the standard pod holds less, and charging takes a few minutes longer. Long-term reviewers have also found that it gets through a similar amount of e-liquid per charge as the G3 Pro, because the colour screen and higher wattage use more power.
Who should buy it: vapers who want the most capable standard Caliburn stick, switch between MTL and RDL, or like seeing exact battery percentage and adjusting wattage on the fly. Shop the Uwell Caliburn G4 35W pod system.
Choosing the right GPP pod
Because both devices use GPP pods, flavour and coil quality are the same where it counts. Pod life is a Caliburn strong point: with moderate use, GPP pods commonly last one to two weeks, less with very sweet e-liquids.
| GPP pod | Best wattage | Draw style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4Ω | 25–35W | Restricted DTL | Low-strength freebase, bigger clouds |
| 0.6Ω | 18–25W | Loose MTL / RDL | All-rounders, lower-strength salts |
| 0.9Ω | 13–18W | Tight MTL | Nic salts, cigarette-like draw |
| 1.2Ω | 10–14W | Very tight MTL | Stronger throat hit, maximum efficiency |
Note that the 0.4Ω pod needs more power than the G3 comfortably gives, so it suits the G4 better.
Battery life and load shedding
When the power goes off, a bigger battery buys you time. Roughly, the G3 lasts about a day of MTL vaping, while the G4 stretches to a day or a day and a half. Both charge with 2A USB-C in well under an hour, so a short top-up during a power window goes a long way.
The G4's real advantage is headroom: if you forget to charge overnight, the 1300mAh cell is more forgiving. If you want even more, the Caliburn G4 Pro moves to a larger battery and touchscreen, but it is a bigger device in a different class.
How to decide
Choose the Caliburn G3 if:
- You want bigger 2.5ml pods and fewer refills
- You only vape MTL and rarely go above 20W
- You prefer a lighter, smaller device
Choose the Caliburn G4 if:
- You want the colour screen, 35W and Waves/Storm modes
- You switch between MTL and RDL styles
- You want more battery headroom between charges
Not sure which suits you? Pop into any Downtown Vapoury branch and our team will let you compare the two in person.
Frequently asked questions
Do Caliburn G3 pods fit the G4?
Yes. GPP pods fit the G3 Pro, G4, G4 Mini, G4 Pro and G5 families, and older G3 pods also fit the G4.
How long do GPP pods last?
Typically one to two weeks with moderate use. Very sweet e-liquids and heavy use shorten that.
Is the G4 worth it over the G3?
If you want more battery, more power, a colour screen or better airflow control, yes. If you are strictly MTL and prefer bigger pods, the G3 still does the job well.
Which is better for an adult smoker switching to vaping?
Both work well. Pair either with a 0.9Ω or 1.2Ω GPP pod and a nicotine salt e-liquid for a tight, cigarette-like draw. The 0.4Ω pod is usually too airy for a first device.
Can I use the G4 for RDL vaping?
Yes, with the 0.4Ω pod at 25–35W. It gives a restricted DTL draw, but it is not a cloud-chasing setup like a sub-ohm tank.
Do these devices leak?
Uwell's U² anti-leak design is effective, and the G4's side-fill pods can be refilled without removing them, which reduces the chance of spills.
Vaping products are for adults 18+ only. Nicotine is addictive.