With the rise of affordable 5G smartphones, Lava is making its mark in the budget segment with the new Lava Blaze 3 5G. Announced in September 2024 and available at a price of ₹10,999, this phone caters to users looking for 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. Lava Blaze 3 5G offers a compelling set of features, including a 50 MP camera, a large 6.56-inch display, and a reliable 5000 mAh battery. But is it worth your investment? Let’s break it down in this hands-on review.
The Lava Blaze 3 5G is a solid phone that balances style and durability. Measuring 164.3 x 76.2 x 8.6 mm and weighing 201 grams, it is not too bulky and feels robust in hand. The design is minimalistic, with smooth edges and a clean back, housing the dual-camera setup. The phone’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor is both responsive and conveniently placed for quick access.
Its dual-SIM (Nano-SIM, dual standby) support allows flexibility in managing multiple numbers or networks. The Blaze 3 5G is available in various color options, giving users a choice in style.
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate offers a fluid user experience, especially when scrolling through apps or navigating the interface. The display has an 83% screen-to-body ratio, making it large enough for watching videos, gaming, and browsing. While the resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (~267 ppi density) isn’t the highest, it delivers decent clarity for day-to-day tasks.
The phone’s brightness and colors are satisfactory for a budget phone, and the display performs well even under direct sunlight, though users may notice some slight sharpness loss due to the lower resolution.
At the heart of the Lava Blaze 3 5G is the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset, which is impressive for a phone at this price point. The octa-core processor (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) ensures smooth performance for typical daily tasks such as social media, multitasking, and light gaming. It is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users.
With UFS 2.2 storage, app loading times and data transfer speeds are reasonably fast. Additionally, the microSDXC slot allows for easy storage expansion, making it ideal for users who require extra space for media files and apps.
The phone comes with Android 14 out of the box, with a planned upgrade to Android 15, ensuring that it will stay updated with new features for some time. Lava’s stock Android experience is clean and bloat-free, making the user experience smoother compared to phones with heavily skinned UIs.
One of the biggest selling points of the Lava Blaze 3 5G is, as the name suggests, its 5G support. For those in areas with growing 5G networks, this phone ensures you’re ready to enjoy faster download speeds and smoother streaming. Even if 5G isn’t fully available in your region yet, the phone also supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it versatile.
The Lava Blaze 3 5G features a dual-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor, which is capable of capturing detailed images in well-lit conditions. The camera performs decently for a budget phone, but low-light photography might not be its strong suit. Still, the camera delivers satisfactory results for everyday shots and social media use.
The secondary 2 MP sensor assists with depth detection, which helps in creating portrait shots with background blur. While the overall camera performance is decent, it’s important to manage expectations, especially in low-light scenarios where images can appear grainy.
For selfies, the phone sports an 8 MP front camera, which produces decent results in good lighting. It’s not a standout feature but will suffice for video calls and casual selfies.
Battery life is a major strength of the Lava Blaze 3 5G. Equipped with a 5000 mAh non-removable battery, this phone is more than capable of lasting a full day with moderate use. Whether you’re browsing, streaming videos, or using social media, the large battery ensures you won’t have to worry about constantly looking for a charger.
The phone supports 18W wired charging, which, while not the fastest, is reasonable at this price. You can expect to charge the phone from 0 to 100% in around two hours, which is acceptable for users who don’t require rapid charging.
The Lava Blaze 3 5G comes with stereo speakers, which provide decent sound quality for watching videos and listening to music. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a bonus for users who still prefer wired headphones.
On the connectivity front, the phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS. There’s no NFC support, which might be a drawback for users who rely on mobile payments, but the phone does come with FM radio and OTG support via USB Type-C.
At ₹10,999, the Lava Blaze 3 5G delivers excellent value for those looking to experience 5G at an affordable price. With a solid design, decent performance, and reliable battery life, it’s a good option for users looking for an all-rounder phone in the budget segment. The 50 MP camera, smooth 90Hz display, and Android 15 upgrade path make it stand out among competitors.
Get Offer - Buy on Amazon
The Lava Blaze 3 5G is an appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers who want to future-proof their phone with 5G capabilities. While it may not compete with flagship devices, it holds its own in the budget category, offering a reliable 5G experience, a decent 50 MP camera, and a long-lasting 5000 mAh battery.
If you’re looking for a smartphone under ₹11,000 that covers all the basics, provides smooth everyday performance, and keeps you connected with the latest network technology, the Lava Blaze 3 5G is definitely worth considering.
In summary, the Lava Blaze 3 5G is a solid budget phone that balances performance, design, and connectivity. It’s an excellent option for anyone wanting to step into the world of 5G without spending a fortune.
Q1: Does the Lava Blaze 3 5G support fast charging?
Yes, the Lava Blaze 3 5G supports 18W wired fast charging, which allows for decent recharging speeds.
Q2: Is the Lava Blaze 3 5G suitable for gaming?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset can handle light to moderate gaming smoothly, but it may struggle with more intensive games.
Q3: What is the battery life of the Lava Blaze 3 5G?
The phone comes with a 5000 mAh battery, offering reliable all-day performance for moderate use.
Q4: How is the camera quality on the Lava Blaze 3 5G?
The 50 MP main camera performs well in good lighting, but low-light performance could be improved. It's great for casual photography.
Q5: Will the Lava Blaze 3 5G receive software updates?
Yes, the phone runs on Android 14 and has a planned upgrade to Android 15, ensuring continued software support.
Comments