Introducing the Qolsys IQ Panel 5: And Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade
If you’ve been a Security ONE customer for a while, chances are your security panel has been quietly doing its job in the background — arming when you leave, disarming when you come home, alerting us when something triggers. That reliability is exactly what it’s supposed to do.
But home security technology has taken a significant leap forward, and the panel sitting on your wall may be a generation or two behind what’s now possible. Today, we’re excited to introduce the Qolsys IQ Panel 5 — the newest and most capable security panel we’ve ever offered — and share some news for existing customers who’ve been with us for a while.
What Is the Qolsys IQ Panel 5?
The IQ Panel 5 is the latest generation of Qolsys’s flagship smart security platform, announced at ISC West 2025 and now available through SecurityONE. It’s built on a Qualcomm DragonWing quad-core processor running Android 14, the same class of hardware that powers modern smartphones, which means faster performance, a smoother interface, and a platform designed to receive software updates and stay current for years to come.
This isn’t a cosmetic refresh. The IQ Panel 5 represents a genuine generational upgrade in processing power, connectivity, reliability, and smart home integration.
A 7″ Touchscreen That Actually Feels Modern
The IQ Panel 5 features a full 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, the same responsive, fluid technology in your smartphone or tablet. If you’ve used an older security panel and noticed a lag when arming, a sluggish menu, or a display that looks dated, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
The interface is clean, intuitive, and fast. Arming modes, camera feeds, sensor status, and smart home controls are all accessible from one central screen with a visual experience that matches the quality of the rest of your home.
More Than Just a Panel
One of the most significant additions to the IQ Panel 5 is its integrated 13-megapixel PortraitView camera, equipped with a 120-degree wide-angle lens. This isn’t a novelty feature it serves real security functions.
When the system is disarmed, the camera can capture and log a photo of who’s coming in. When an alarm triggers, it documents the moment automatically. For families with children coming home from school, for homeowners who share their space with cleaners or contractors, and for anyone who wants a visual record of activity at their panel, this is a meaningful upgrade over older systems that offer no visual context at all.
Built-In PowerG+ — Better Range, Better Reliability
Every IQ Panel 5 comes with PowerG+ wireless technology built directly into the panel — no daughter cards, no add-ons, no optional upgrades. PowerG+ is an industry-leading encrypted wireless protocol that provides exceptional range (sensors can communicate reliably from much further away than standard systems) and two-way communication that confirms every signal was received.
What this means in practice: fewer missed sensor events, more reliable communication across larger homes or homes with thick walls, and a wireless system that’s genuinely harder to interfere with. For homes where older wireless systems have had spotty sensor reliability, PowerG+ is a notable improvement.
Smart Home Integration: Z-Wave 800, Zigbee, and Bluetooth 5.0
The IQ Panel 5 supports the latest generations of all three major smart home wireless standards. Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range allows the panel to communicate with smart locks, thermostats, lights, garage door openers, and hundreds of other compatible smart home devices — from greater distances than previous generations.
Zigbee support adds compatibility with a wide range of additional smart devices, and Bluetooth 5.0 enables touchless disarming — walk through the door with your phone and the system recognizes you without requiring you to enter a code.
If you’ve wanted your security system and your smart home devices to actually work together as one unified experience rather than separate apps and separate systems, the IQ Panel 5 is built for exactly that.
Dual-Path Connectivity — Reliability You Can Count On
The IQ Panel 5 connects to our monitoring centre via both LTE cellular and dual-band Wi-Fi simultaneously. If your internet goes down, the cellular connection maintains the link. If there’s a cellular disruption, Wi-Fi keeps you covered.
For homeowners whose previous system relied on a single communication path — or worse, a traditional phone line — this dual-path approach is a meaningful upgrade to the reliability of your protection.
Who Should Be Thinking About Upgrading Right Now?
If you’re currently running an older DSC, Honeywell, or early-generation Qolsys panel, the IQ Panel 5 represents a significant leap in capability, reliability, and user experience. These older systems were solid for their time, but they were built on hardware and software architectures that are now a decade or more old and many are no longer receiving feature updates or manufacturer support.
Specifically, if your current panel has any of the following characteristics, it’s worth having a conversation with us about upgrading: a numeric keypad rather than a touchscreen, no smartphone app integration or remote arming, a system that communicates via a phone line rather than cellular or Wi-Fi, or a panel that was installed more than seven to ten years ago.
Ready to See What the IQ Panel 5 Would Do for Your Home?
Our Southwestern Ontario technicians will review your current system, walk you through the upgrade, and give you a clear picture of your options — with no obligation and no pressure. We’ve been protecting homes across London, Chatham, Leamington, and Windsor for years, and this is the best panel we’ve ever had to offer our customers.
Book your free IQ Panel 5 upgrade assessment at securityone.ca or call us at 1-800-265-5317. Proudly serving London, Chatham, Leamington, and Windsor.
