As we reach the end of 2023, 5G is virtually completely integrated into our mobile connectivity area. We already have 5G speeds, 5G phones, and even reasonable 5G mobile plans – maybe not the finest connectivity, but that’s not the goal. Despite telecom operators’ significant 5G deployment and a large choice of 5G handsets available in various price categories, there is still a scarcity of options in the entry-level smartphone market. Lava, on the other hand, appears to be striving to change that.
The Lava Blaze 2 5G costs Rs.9,999 and comes with a 6.56-inch touchscreen, a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset, a 50-megapixel camera, and practically all of the features one would anticipate in this price bracket. The phone’s 5G connection allows consumers to enjoy 5G speeds at an affordable price.
Despite the 5G possibilities at a low price, the issue remains: does the phone genuinely deliver on its promises?
While the Lava Blaze 2 5G lacks high-end functionality, which is expected considering its pricing, there is still some doubt about whether it can handle the fundamentals correctly. After roughly three weeks of use, I discovered that the Lava Blaze 2 5G operated rather well.
Design & Build
Under Rs 10,000, the design of the Lava Blaze 2 5G, particularly the glass back, is quite remarkable. When I first opened the review unit hadn’t researched the price or any other data about the Blaze 2 5G at the time figured it would cost between Rs 13,000 and Rs 15,000.
It’s not only the glass back; the Blaze 2 5G’s camera island has a new design, with a circular island around two cameras and a flash, all ringed by a blue ring light. While the ring is undeniably a design feature, its utility is rather dubious, as I’ll explain in more detail in a moment.
The phone features a large display on the front. While the bezels are a little thick, they aren’t overly noticeable and are in line with what you’d expect in this price range. The fingerprint sensor on the side is easy to reach and operate, however some users may find it a little too close to the frame.
The phone’s build quality is solid. Despite its 5000 mAh battery, the smartphone is not hefty or large. The smooth glass panel contributes to the streamlined form factor. Overall, I was impressed by the first glance of the Lava Blaze 2 5G. The Blaze 2 5G stands out for its design and build quality in this pricing range.
Display
The Lava Blaze 2 5G has a 720×1600 IPS LCD display, which is a regular feature in low-cost smartphones. What distinguishes it is the 90Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel smoother and more responsive. During my everyday texting, app swiping, and social media browsing, I found the animations to be smooth, with a clean and lag-free swipe experience.
While the resolution is quite normal, the display of the Blaze 2 5G is very vivid and offers wide viewing angles with great visibility. Unlike some inexpensive phones, which emphasize color brightness, the Lava Blaze 2 5G retains a more natural color tone, which I find appealing. For a low-cost gadget, the overall display quality is remarkable, providing a clean and enjoyable viewing experience.
The Blaze 2 5G operates well in terms of brightness, but I did note that the display’s outdoor visibility is a little low and indistinct. Nonetheless, the Blaze 2 5G’s brightness is enough inside and does not interfere with use.
To summarize, the display of the Lava Blaze 2 5G is excellent for the price. It’s crisp and vivid, but prepare to squint a little in the hot sun.
Performance
Let us now discuss the Lava Blaze 2 5G’s performance. The smartphone, which is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor, does my daily chores with ease. It is easy to navigate the web, check email, and use social media. The phone’s 6GB RAM facilitates multitasking by letting me to switch between apps without experiencing noticeable lag or delay.
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However, as I push the Lava Blaze 2 5G past its limits, it reveals several flaws. Gaming, in particular, is a challenge. While I can play casual games without issue, more demanding titles such as BGMI or even Asphalt 9 suffer from obvious frame dips and stutters. Given the phone’s pricing, this isn’t surprising, but it’s worth noting for individuals who want to use their smartphone for gaming.
Video playback was another area where I found some performance issues. While I’ve viewed YouTube videos in regular definition with no problems, attempting to stream high-definition material or scrolling through the content results in buffering and the app occasionally stalling. In addition, while scrolling through the video player, I observed a small slowness, and the navigation buttons periodically disappeared.
Having said that, despite its performance limits, the Lava Blaze 2 5G is a decent everyday driver in my opinion. Its performance matches its pricing, providing a smooth and responsive experience in regular usage.
The Lava Blaze 2 5G runs Android 13 and is expected to receive two major Android upgrades as well as three years of security patches. This is a great step by Lava, considering many low-cost phones typically receive only one major Android upgrade. This extended support guarantees that consumers have continuous access to the most recent security fixes and Android features.
The Lava Blaze 2 5G has a single bottom-mounted speaker for audio. While the sound quality is satisfactory for the price, it lacks depth and bass, and the volume output should be increased. However, the audio is suitable for casual listening or hands-free calling.
The Lava Blaze 2 5G’s dual 5G SIM capability is a welcome surprise. This enabled me to use both my Jio and Airtel SIM cards at the same time, taking use of both providers’ 5G networks when they were accessible. This is a key benefit for those who desire maximal cellular connectivity freedom.
When it comes to the ring light feature, it adds to the design aspect but has limited functionality When designed, the blue ring light will enlighten at whatever point you get a notice or plug in your telephone to charge. What I mean is that I appreciate how Lava brought a touch of flair to it, but I would have preferred it if it had a bit more usefulness.
However, for a smartphone costing around Rs.10,000, the Lava Blaze 2 5G gives adequate performance.
Battery
Another advantage of the Blaze 2 5G is its battery life. It guarantees that even little usage does not leave me scurrying for a charger before the end of the day.
The 5,000mAh battery readily powers through a full day of activity. Lava also included an 18 W fast charger in the package, which is unusual in this price range and is a pleasant feature of the Blaze 2 5G. Its capacity to charge from 0% to 100% in around two hours makes it even more convenient.
Camera :
The camera work was inconsistent. To begin with the positive, the 50MP primary sensor takes photographs with realistic colors and a reasonable degree of detail in well-lit circumstances. The HDR mode balances highlights and shadows well, eliminating overexposure and underexposure. However, I notice that some photographs are softer than planned and lack crispness. The videos shot with the Blaze 2 are likewise excellent, with genuine color details.
However, once the sun sets or the lighting conditions deteriorate, the photographs lose detail and become hazy. This constraint gets more evident at night, resulting in a rather unsatisfactory camera output. If you’re searching for a phone with a good night-time camera, this isn’t the phone for you. However, advanced camera functions such as night photography are often not prioritized in this price range, as low light is a difficult feature for even the most costly flagship phones.
Portrait mode, which uses the 2MP depth sensor, creates photographs with a subtle blur surrounding the subject. However, the edge detection isn’t always accurate, resulting in fringing around the subject’s hair or clothing on occasion.
Moving forward, the front-facing 8MP camera is adequate for selfies in ideal daylight. However, like the rear camera, its low-light performance suffers, and selfies taken in dimly lit areas seem grainy and lack clarity.
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