Lava Blaze Pro 5G Review: The Best Affordable 5G Phone Under Rs 15K
Lava Blaze Pro 5G is making waves in the Indian market as one of the most affordable 5G phones available. With the increasing demand for 5G connectivity, it’s crucial to have budget-friendly options that cater to the mass market. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the design, display, camera capabilities, performance, and 5G network capabilities of the Lava Blaze Pro 5G to determine if it truly lives up to the expectations of being the best 5G phone under Rs 15,000.
Lava Blaze Pro 5G Design
The design of the Lava Blaze Pro 5G may not be groundbreaking, but it has its own unique appeal. The Starry Night variant, which we tested, features a matte finish plastic back casing and frame. The slightly curved frame, reminiscent of the latest iPhone 15 series, offers a comfortable grip. Despite its sturdy build, the phone is slightly on the heavier side, weighing 203 grams.
When it comes to I/O ports, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G offers a comprehensive selection. It includes a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a dedicated microSD slot, and two nano SIM card slots. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, adding an extra layer of convenience.
Lava Blaze Pro 5G Display
The Lava Blaze Pro 5G boasts a large 6.78-inch IPS screen with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. While it may not offer the best display in its class, it certainly holds its own. The default color tone is set to vivid, giving a vibrant and eye-catching display. There’s also a normal mode that provides a more natural tone.
The phone is Widevine L1 certified, enabling HD streaming on major OTT platforms. However, it lacks HDR playback, which is common in many phones in this price range. Overall, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G offers a good display suitable for social media usage, content streaming, and light gaming, thanks to its higher refresh rate.
Lava Blaze Pro 5G Cameras
The Lava Blaze Pro 5G is equipped with a 50 MP primary camera and an AI sensor on the rear panel. It also features an 8 MP selfie camera on the front. What sets this phone apart is its support for up to 2K resolution video recording, which is uncommon in its price range.
The primary camera captures impressive details in daylight conditions, albeit with slightly more contrasting tones. The selfie camera performs well and also enables face unlock. Here are some camera samples taken with the Lava Blaze Pro 5G:
Lava Blaze Pro 5G Performance
Powering the Lava Blaze Pro 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 6020, an entry-level 5G system-on-a-chip. Paired with up to 8 GB of RAM and a UFS 2.2 storage module, the phone delivers solid performance for day-to-day usage. During our testing, we installed various social media apps and experienced no lag or slowdown.
Gaming performance is satisfactory, especially on popular titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and COD: Mobile, although at medium graphics settings. Pushing the graphics to high or ultra may result in some jitteriness. For casual users, the phone offers sufficient power. Additionally, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G runs on clean Android 13, free from bloatware, providing a smooth user experience.
Lava Blaze Pro 5G Tests
The MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chip in the Lava Blaze Pro 5G comes with an integrated 5G modem, supporting download speeds of up to 2.77 Gbps. The phone is compatible with all major 5G bands acquired by Airtel and Jio, including n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n41/n77/n78. It also supports both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks and features next-generation 5G-backed VoNR for high-definition, low-latency calls on the Jio network.
In our 5G tests, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G performed admirably. It achieved an average 5G download speed of 74 Mbps indoors and a peak speed of 630 Mbps outdoors, with an average latency of around 16ms. These results are comparable to high-end flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which costs significantly more than the Lava Blaze Pro 5G.
The phone also excels in download speeds, as evidenced by its ability to download a 2.3 GB FHD movie from Amazon Prime Video in just 35 seconds. It took under two minutes to download a 2.41 GB game like COD: Mobile from the Google Play Store, and simple games like Subway Surfers downloaded in under 10 seconds.
Battery Life and Charging
Despite the reputation of 5G devices being power-hungry, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G defies expectations. It remains cool to the touch even during prolonged usage, thanks to efficient optimization. The phone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, providing a full day’s usage on a single charge. Additionally, the 33W fast charging capability ensures quick and convenient recharging, taking less than one and a half hours to fully charge the device.
Verdict: The Best Affordable 5G Phone Under Rs 15K
Lava has delivered an impressive package with the Blaze Pro 5G. It offers a sleek design, a good display with a higher refresh rate, capable cameras, solid performance, and excellent 5G network capabilities. The phone’s competitive price of Rs 12,999 makes it a top choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a reliable 5G experience.
Whether you’re streaming content, capturing memorable moments, or enjoying the benefits of 5G connectivity, the Lava Blaze Pro 5G provides exceptional value for money. Embrace the future of mobile technology without breaking the bank with this outstanding budget 5G phone.
