Lava Storm 5G Review: A Budget Contender with Strong Features

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian smartphone market, Lava has been making a notable comeback by consistently offering value-for-money devices in the budget segment. Their latest addition to the under 15,000 rupees price category is the Lava Storm 5G. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the device’s build, display, performance, camera capabilities, and more to determine if it stands out in the competitive budget 5G smartphone market.

Feature	Specification
Build and Design	Glass sandwich design, Flat sides, Two color options (Gale Green, Thunder Black), Transparent TPU case included, 214g weight, 8.96mm thickness, Bottom-firing speaker, Headphone jack
Display	6.52-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, Approx. 500 nits brightness, Thick bezels, Vibrant colors, Outdoor visibility satisfactory
Software	Android 13-based clean skin, Minimal bloatware, Proper system animations, Stock experience with additional features
Performance	MediaTek Dimensity 680 SoC, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, Smooth operation, Suitable for day-to-day tasks and casual gaming
Camera	Dual rear cameras (50MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide), Satisfactory image quality, Average low-light performance, 16MP front camera, Video recording up to 2K 30fps
Battery Life	5,000mAh battery, Over 15 hours and 20 minutes in battery loop test, 33W charging adapter, Full charge in approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes
Conclusion	Strong contender in sub-15,000 rupees category, 8GB RAM, Glass build, Excellent battery life, Clean software, Average camera performance, Competitive overall package

Build and Design: The Lava Storm 5G boasts a solid build with a glass sandwich design, a rarity in its price range. The flat sides contribute to an overall boxy feel, providing a premium in-hand experience. Available in Gale Green and Thunder Black, the back panel features a clean design with dual camera modules and a flash. While the glossy finish is prone to fingerprints, Lava includes a transparent TPU case in the box. The device weighs 214 grams, measures 8.96mm in thickness, and includes a bottom-firing speaker with loud output. Notably, a headphone jack is present at the bottom.

Display: The Lava Storm 5G sports a 6.52-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Though peak brightness isn’t specified, our testing suggests it’s around 500 nits. Despite thick bezels, common in this price category, the display offers vibrant colors and satisfactory outdoor visibility. The smooth 120Hz display complements the clean software experience.

Software: Running on a clean Android skin based on Android 13, the Lava Storm 5G provides a stock and seamless software experience. Minimal bloatware and proper system animations enhance the user experience, setting it apart from competitors in the same price bracket.

Performance: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 680 SoC and equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the device delivers commendable performance for its price. Day-to-day tasks, multimedia consumption, and casual gaming are handled smoothly. The 120Hz display and clean software contribute to a fluid user experience.

Camera: The dual rear camera setup (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide) captures decent images with vibrant colors and acceptable dynamic range. However, sharpness may be inconsistent, especially in low light. The inclusion of an ultra-wide camera is appreciated, even if the performance is average. The 16MP front camera produces satisfactory selfies, albeit with occasional oversaturation. Video recording at up to 2K 30fps is supported, but results are average.

Battery Life: The Lava Storm 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts a full day with extensive usage. In our battery loop test, it surpassed 15 hours and 20 minutes. The 33W charging adapter provided in the box charges the device fully in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Conclusion: In the sub-15,000 rupees price category, the Lava Storm 5G emerges as a strong contender. With features like 8GB of RAM, glass build quality, excellent battery life, and a clean software experience, it competes well with popular brands. Despite average camera performance and a display that could be brighter, the Lava Storm 5G offers a compelling package for users prioritizing performance and overall value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Lava Storm 5G:

Q1: What is the price of the Lava Storm 5G?

• A1: The Lava Storm 5G is priced under 15,000 rupees.

Q2: Does the Lava Storm 5G support 5G connectivity?

• A2: Yes, as the name suggests, the Lava Storm 5G is equipped with 5G connectivity.

Q3: Is the display protected by Gorilla Glass?

• A3: The review does not mention Gorilla Glass protection, so it’s advisable to use the included transparent TPU case for added protection.

Q4: Can the Lava Storm 5G handle gaming?

• A4: Yes, the device is capable of handling light and casual gaming well, thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 680 SoC and 8GB of RAM.

Q5: How is the camera performance in low-light conditions?

• A5: The camera struggles in low-light scenarios, producing images with noticeable noise. The dedicated night mode may not deliver satisfactory results in darker scenes.

Q6: Does the Lava Storm 5G have expandable storage?

• A6: Yes, the device offers 128GB of internal storage, and you can expand it using a microSD card of up to 1TB.

Q7: What is the charging time for the Lava Storm 5G?

• A7: With the included 33W charging adapter, the Lava Storm 5G takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to charge fully from 0% to 100%.

Q8: Is the device’s software customizable?

• A8: The Lava Storm 5G runs on a clean Android skin based on Android 13, providing a stock and clean software experience. While it may have some additional features, extensive customization options are not mentioned in the review.

Q9: How is the outdoor visibility of the display?

• A9: Outdoor visibility on the display is described as okayish, with the display not being very visible in direct sunlight. However, it is noted that it gets the job done in most cases.

Q10: Does the Lava Storm 5G support SDR video playback?

• A10: The review mentions that the display does not support SDR video playback, which could be considered a limitation for users who prioritize this feature.