Lava Blaze Pro 5G review: A top mid-range contender | Mobile Reviews

Lava Blaze Pro 5G review: A top mid-range contender

LavaBlaze Pro 5G has emerged as a contender in India's mid-range smartphone market. Can it compete with giants like Oppo and Redmi? Find out in our review.

By: MD IJAJ KHAN
| Updated on: Jan 31 2024, 13:14 IST
Lava Storm 5G sale starts on Amazon: Check price and capabilities of this new smartphone
Lava Blaze Pro 5G
1/6 Exclusive Amazon Sale: Lava International, one of India's leading smartphone brands, announced the highly anticipated Lava Storm 5G sale on Amazon, starting December 28, 2023. The smartphone is available at an attractive introductory price of Rs. 11,999, inclusive of bank offers. (Lava Mobiles)
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2/6 Performance: Fueled by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor, the Storm 5G achieves an AnTuTu score exceeding 4,20,000, and that promises a seamless gaming experience. The 8GB RAM, expandable up to 16GB, is expected to offer a lag-free user experience.  (LAVA Mobiles)
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3/6 Immersive Display: Boasting a large 17.22cm (6.78") FHD+ IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Widevine L1 support, the Storm 5G offers a crystal-clear viewing experience for gaming and video playback. (LAVA Mobiles)
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4/6 Design and Cameras: Featuring a glass back design and equipped with a 50MP + 8MP Ultra Wide Dual Rear Camera, along with a 16MP front camera, the Lava Storm 5G ensures superior photography and selfie experiences. (LAVA Mobiles)
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5/6 Battery and Fast Charging: With a large 5000mAh battery, the Storm 5G ensures uninterrupted daily usage. The first-in-segment 33W Fast Charging provides a quick power boost when needed. (LAVA Mobiles)
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6/6 Android Experience and After-Sales Commitment: Running on the latest clean and bloatware-free stock Android 13, the device offers users a pure and intuitive Android experience. Lava is committed to superior after-sales service with the 'FREE SERVICE AT HOME' initiative and promises an upgrade to Android 14 along with two years of security updates. (LAVA Mobile)
Lava Blaze Pro 5G
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Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: It is priced at Rs. 12999 and comes in two distinct colour options. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)

Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: In a market largely influenced by Chinese smartphone giants, Indian consumers have become accustomed to seeing brands like Vivo, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme dominating the mid-range segment even as the South Korean major, Samsung, keeps spicing up the space with its amazing smartphones. However, amidst this landscape, Lava, a homegrown tech company, has been striving to carve out its space in this fiercely competitive arena. Introducing the Lava Blaze Pro 5G, their latest addition to the 5G segment in India, the company aims to challenge the established players in the sub Rs. 15000 smartphone market - the space that has the most competition.

Having used the Lava Blaze Pro 5G for over a month, I set out to explore whether Lava has done enough to compete with well-established rivals like Oppo and Redmi. In this comprehensive review, I will unravel the capabilities and shortcomings of the Lava Blaze Pro 5G, helping you make an informed decision in this confusing and cluttered smartphone landscape.

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Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: Design and Display

Lava Blaze Pro 5G
The Lava Blaze Pro 5G boasts a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)
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The Lava Blaze Pro 5G boasts a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)

The Lava Blaze Pro 5G comes with a plastic frame and back that has a smooth matte finish, making it resistant to fingerprints and smudges. However, It weighs 203 grams and is 8.96mm thick. Despite its larger size, the phone feels comfortable to hold with a good grip.

The buttons, including the fingerprint sensor on the power button, are located on the right side. Throughout my exploration of the Lava Blaze Pro 5G, the fingerprint sensor consistently delivered swift and accurate unlocks on the first attempt. A single speaker resides at the bottom, providing an average audio experience that might leave some desiring more volume. On a positive note, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack caters to those who prefer wired earphones.

The front of the device showcases a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display, delivering an FHD plus resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels, 396 PPI, and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. The display, characterised by vibrant colours and remarkable viewing angles, proves to be a satisfying visual experience. Whether indulging in binge-watching sessions of diverse shows and films, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G consistently met expectations and considering the price point, the display holds its own without disappointment.

However, it's important to note that the brightness levels fall slightly below par, causing challenges in reading and viewing content under intense sunlight. On the upside, the 120Hz refresh rate contributes to the fluidity of scrolling and other actions, enhancing the overall user experience.

Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: Performance

Lava Blaze Pro 5G
The Lava Blaze Pro 5G features a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor, 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and 128GB of storage. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)
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The Lava Blaze Pro 5G features a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor, 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and 128GB of storage. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)

Fueling the Lava Blaze Pro 5G is the formidable MediaTek Dimensity 6020 Processor harmonised with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 8GB of virtual RAM, and a capacious 128GB of storage. In my hands-on experience with the Lava Blaze Pro 5G, the device exhibited commendable performance in day-to-day usage. Minor stutters in system animations were noted, but overall, the performance left little room for complaints. Notably, the default animation speed is set to 0.5x, enhancing the device's snappiness.

On the other hand, with a few customised features on top, it operates on Android 13. While the Settings app and other features are custom-built, the notification shade and app drawer are taken from Stock Android.

It's disappointing that the phone ships pre-installed with the August 2023 security patch. However, on the positive side, the phone comes with almost no third-party apps pre-installed.

When it comes to gaming, however, expectations need to be tempered, as handling heavyweight titles like BGMI or Asphalt 9 proves challenging. Playing BGMI on full graphics settings led to intermittent lag, accompanied by minor heating issues after around 40 minutes of gameplay. Additionally, data transfer via the in-built Nearby Share proved to be a test of patience, taking approximately 30 minutes to send 2GB of data to another phone. Despite these limitations, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G adeptly manages day-to-day tasks such as Instagram scrolling and web browsing without a hitch.

Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: Camera Performance

Lava Blaze Pro 5G
The Lava Blaze Pro 5G has a 50MP primary camera backed by an AI camera, and an 8MP camera on the front. (Md Ijaj Khan/HT Tech)
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The Lava Blaze Pro 5G has a 50MP primary camera backed by an AI camera, and an 8MP camera on the front. (Md Ijaj Khan/HT Tech)

The Lava Blaze Pro 5G boasts a dual rear setup featuring a 50MP primary camera accompanied by an AI camera, while the front houses an 8MP camera. Despite a variety of modes in the camera application, such as Film, Slow Motion, and Pro mode, the overall camera performance is middling.

While the shutter lag is well-managed, the colour reproduction appears lacklustre, and the dynamic range falls below par. On the upside, the detailing in captured images is commendable. Portrait shots showcase robust edge detection, yet adjusting the background blur intensity proved less effective. Nonetheless, the detailing and colour accuracy in portraits outshine regular shots.

Selfies from the front-facing camera disappoint, lacking in detail, plagued by noise, and exhibiting poor dynamic range, particularly against bright backgrounds. Even under artificial and low lighting, photos tend to be overly soft, sacrificing detail for reduced noise.

The challenge persists in night shots, with Night mode offering increased exposure but not compensating adequately in terms of detailing and overall sharpness. The Lava Blaze Pro 5G struggles to deliver compelling performance in low-light conditions, leaving room for improvement in its camera capabilities.

Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: Battery Life

Lava Blaze Pro 5G
Lava Blaze Pro 5G comes with a powerful 5,000mAh battery and 33W fast charging capability. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)
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Lava Blaze Pro 5G comes with a powerful 5,000mAh battery and 33W fast charging capability. (Md Ijaj Khan/ HT Tech)

Diving into the battery performance of the Lava Blaze Pro 5G, this device is equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery complemented by 33W fast charging capabilities. With moderate usage, encompassing activities such as running social media apps, making calls, browsing, and indulging in binge watching sessions, the smartphone effortlessly sails through the day.

During my usage, I clocked close to 4 hours of screen-on time, showcasing the device's endurance under typical scenarios. However, pushing the device with heavier usage scenarios may lead to a drained battery before the day concludes. An aspect worth noting is the somewhat disappointing charging time, as the device takes nearly 1 and half hours to charge from 0 to 100 percent with the provided charger.

Lava Blaze Pro 5G: Final Verdict

I find the Lava Blaze Pro 5G to be a commendable mid-range contender in the sub Rs. 15000 smartphone market. The design, though a bit bulky, offers a comfortable grip with responsive buttons and a reliable fingerprint sensor. The 6.78-inch display impresses with vibrant colours and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, but struggles in bright sunlight.

Performance-wise, the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor ensures smooth day-to-day tasks, but gaming enthusiasts may find it lacking. The camera setup disappoints with mediocre colour reproduction, subpar dynamic range, and weak low-light performance.On the bright side, the 5,000mAh battery provides satisfactory endurance, but the 33W fast charging disappoints with a longer charging time.

In short, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G offers a decent package, but improvements in camera capabilities and charging speed would elevate its standing in the competitive mid-range market. However, if you're searching for a smartphone in the sub-midrange, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G might be your best bet. You can also consider Redmi 13C and Realme Narzo 60X 5G.

Rating
3.5 out of 5
Price
INR 12,999/-
Product Name
Lava Blaze Pro 5G
Brand Name
Lava
Pros
  • Mid-range
  • Large display
  • Big battery
Cons
  • Slow charging speed
  • Poor camera quality
Specifications
  • Display
    6.78-inch
  • Processor
    MediaTek Dimensity 6020
  • Rear Camera
    50MP
  • Front Camera
    8MP
  • RAM
    8GB
  • Storage
    128GB
  • Battery
    5000mAh
  • OS
    Android 13

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First Published Date: 31 Jan, 12:15 IST
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