Lava Blaze 2 5G Review: A Budget Smartphone With Character for Under ₹10,000
Lava finally brings some personality to affordable 5G phones in India via the uniquely designed Blaze 2. Its rear LED ring light and glass back make a statement while capable internals meet 5G connectivity and performance needs at just ₹9,999.
As 5G coverage expands in India, handset brands race to make capable devices accessible across lower price tiers for wider adoption. Most budget 5G smartphones barely stand out on specs or design.
But the newly launched Lava Blaze 2 5G brings welcome character to the sub-₹10k segment via striking looks and handy functionality like a rear notification ring light.
Does this affordable Lava phone deliver enough beyond the flash for Indian buyers wanting an entry budget 5G experience? Let's analyze the pros and cons.
Pricing: ₹9,999
Configurations: 4GB + 64GB, 4GB + 128GB
Lava Blaze 2 5G Review: Design and Display
A glass back panel grants premium aesthetics and solid in-hand feel only seen among pricier midrangers. The reflective circular camera island further jazzes up design flair. No cheap glossy plastic feels here.
The rear LED ring light enables intuitive notifications, skipping an actual display. Just place the phone face down to see incoming call/app alerts via the halo - reminiscent of old Android notification LEDs.
Flip to the front and compromises emerge. The 6.5'' IPS LCD drops to mere 720p resolution. Pictures and videos lose sharpness yet snappy 90Hz refresh balances out fluid responsiveness for the budget.
Overall solid unibody build for under ₹10k but expect pixelation. The ring light partially compensates unique utility.
Performance and Software
The MediaTek Dimensity 700 powers respectable benchmarks just under 2L AnTuTu scores. Real world usage stays smooth for social media, media streaming thanks to bloat-free software. But heavy titles inevitably suffer some lag.
Clean Android 13 ensures no slow downs over time. With up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage (expandable), multitasking limitations stay reasonable for light users. Battery life also impresses spanning 1.5 days moderate usage.
18W USB-C charging fills up fast. If primarily wanting social media and multimedia usage with secondary gaming, smooth sailing. But intensive titles will hitch.
Cameras: Usable for Casual Shots
Dual rear shooters on paper translate to a single 50MP primary + 2MP depth helper. They capture social media ready shots given ample lighting. But low light photos lose all detail. Similarly front camera quality dips in dim conditions.
Suited for occasional life log images, not photography enthusiasts. Video also capped at 1080p 30fps quality.
Connectivity: Ready for Indian 5G Bands
The Dimensity 700 chip handles both SA and NSA 5G bands via dual standby SIM slots. I faced no network drops on Jio's network with quality matching other budget 5G test devices.
VoNR support also enables voice over 5G calls. But no Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.2 limit futureproofing. Base LTE capabilities otherwise covered.
Supports navigation via GPS, BeiDou, Glonass and Galileo constellations.
Final Verdict: Worth Trying for 5G Entry?
If wanting an affordable introduction to 5G without drastic compromises over 4G options, consider the Lava Blaze 2. At just ₹9,999, its well crafted glass design, unique notification ring light and lag free interface standout against mostly plastic alternatives.
Of course 720p screens, average cameras and excluded higher Bluetooth/Wi-Fi standards remind its budget orientation. But those wanting high bandwidth 5G primarily for streaming, social media usage and lighter gaming will find this a compelling gateway.
For additional personality and the cheapest 5G experience currently, the Lava Blaze 2 warrants evaluating beyond purely on-paper specs painting most sub-₹10k phones alike.
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