Lava Storm 5G Review: Last year, Lava launched several 5G smartphones in the budget segment. One of them was the Storm 5G, which was released in late 2023.
The Indian smartphone market is constantly evolving, and Lava has made a remarkable comeback by consistently offering feature-packed devices in the budget segment. The company’s latest addition to its lineup is the Lava Storm 5G, which is priced under ₹15,000. It has many features, including a large display and a powerful battery.
Lava Storm 5G
The Lava Storm 5G is available on Amazon at Rs 12,999, and it competes with other budget 5G smartphones from brands such as Realme, Redmi, and Infinix. This article aims to analyze the key features and performance of the Lava Storm 5G and answer the crucial question: Is it the best value for money under ₹15,000 in the budget 5G smartphone category?
Lava Storm 5G Design
Starting with its aesthetics, the Lava Storm 5G has a sturdy build that features a glass sandwich design rarely seen in this price range. The flat sides give it an overall boxy feel, providing a unique touch. The device comes in two captivating color options, Gale Green and Thunder Black.
This Lava budget smartphone boasts a punch-hole display design and a glass finish on the back. The phone’s camera design is reminiscent of Samsung’s premium phone series, with a dual camera setup on the back, and thick bezels surrounding the display.
Although the glossy back panel is prone to fingerprints and smudges, Lava ensures protection with a transparent TPU case that is included in the package. On one side, there’s a slot for inserting a SIM card, while the power and volume buttons are located on the other.
The speaker grill, USB Type-C port, and 3.5mm audio jack are at the bottom. The device feels premium in hand, with tactile and clicky buttons, a conveniently placed fingerprint sensor on the right side, and a manageable weight of 214g with a thickness of 8.96mm.
Lava Storm 5G Display
The Lava Storm 5G smartphone boasts a spacious 6.78-inch Full HD Plus IPS LCD display. It comes with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate, making it great for watching videos, and it supports FHD+ resolution. Although the peak brightness and Gorilla Glass protection are not mentioned, tests indicate that the display has a brightness of around 500 nits. The slightly thick bezels do not detract from the reasonable color vibrancy and saturation.
The display also provides satisfactory outdoor visibility, thanks to the IPS LCD compensating for the lack of deep blacks with its smooth 120Hz display. The large screen not only makes for a great video viewing experience but also enhances gaming. However, it’s worth noting that the phone doesn’t support SDR video playback, which is a drawback to consider.
Lava Storm 5G Software
The Lava Storm 5G runs on a clean Android skin that is based on Android 13, which offers a stock and clean software experience that is reminiscent of Motorola and Pixel devices. The device has minimal bloatware, which enhances user delight. Proper system animations set it apart from competitors in the same price range. The integration of extra features is thoughtful and adds a pinch of sophistication to the overall software experience.
Lava Storm 5G Performance
The Lava Storm 5G smartphone is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 680 SoC, making it a great choice for everyday use. It is accompanied by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. This combination of hardware enables the device to handle everyday tasks with ease, such as streaming, social media, multitasking, and light gaming.
The phone offers a 120Hz display and clean software, which results in consistently smooth performance. The Lava Storm 5G offers a smooth gaming experience and can handle popular battle royale games such as BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Free Fire MAX with ease. The device’s storage capacity is fixed at 128GB, but it can be expanded up to 1TB with the help of a microSD card.
Lava Storm 5G Camera
The Lava Storm 5G is equipped with a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary camera that supports the EIS feature, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. It doesn’t have a depth or macro camera, which is available on other phones in this price range. However, it delivers commendable performance in its price range.
Daylight shots exhibit vibrant colors and decent sharpness, while indoor scenarios maintain acceptable quality. However, low-light conditions prove challenging, resulting in images with notable noise. For selfies and video calling, there’s a 16MP center-aligned punch-hole front camera that can record HD videos. Despite its average performance, the inclusion of an ultra-wide camera is a positive differentiator. The device provides satisfactory results for video recording, extending up to 2K at 30 FPS.
Lava Storm 5G Battery Life
A robust 5,000mAh battery powers the Lava Storm 5G, along with a 33W charging adapter. In real-world testing, the device comfortably lasts a full day, catering to media consumption, social media engagement, and casual gaming. The battery loop test was impressively recorded over 15 hours and 20 minutes. The phone also comes with 33W USB Type-C fast charging technology Charging from 0 to 100% takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, ensuring a quick turnaround.
Lava Storm 5G Review: Final Verdict
The Lava Storm 5G is a strong contender in the sub-₹15,000 price category, presenting a compelling package. It comes with features like 8GB of RAM, a glass build, excellent battery life, and a clean software experience, competing admirably with more popular brands in the same range. This phone is a good option for daily use and can meet your expectations regarding its build quality and performance.
The only drawback we found is that the bezels are a bit thick, and the phone is also quite heavy. You may not be able to operate it with one hand. Although the camera performance is average, and the display is not-so-bright, the Lava Storm 5G is an appealing choice for users seeking a budget-friendly 5G smartphone.