The Lava Shark 5G has just dived into India’s fiercely competitive budget smartphone pool, aiming to shake things up by offering solid 5G connectivity and a surprisingly premium feel without the wallet cringe. Priced at Rs. 7,999, this device plays the classic budget phone game — packing as many worthwhile features as possible while keeping the price low enough for mass appeal. Let’s dig beneath the glossy surface and see what this “mall mole” of a phone really brings to the table.
First off, the Lava Shark 5G puts a big, smooth display front and center. Sporting a 6.75-inch HD+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, it targets users who want decent visuals without paying top dollar. The resolution of 720×1600 pixels and roughly 260 PPI may sound modest, especially if you’re used to flagship crispness, but for the price point, it’s a decent sweet spot. The 20:9 aspect ratio adds to the tall, trendy look that fits well with contemporary media consumption habits — binging videos, casual gaming, and social media scrolling. The 90Hz refresh is a pleasant surprise here, giving smoothness to animations and transitions that many budget phones skip. It’s not AMOLED-level wow, but it works.
Underneath the hood, Lava chose the Unisoc T765 octa-core chipset, a 6nm-fabricated performer that aims to keep the system speedy and power-efficient. It supports 5G, which is the main draw for buyers upgrading from 4G-only phones or looking for budget models to tap into India’s growing 5G networks. Paired with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the phone promises sufficient multitasking muscle for everyday apps. What bumps the multitasking game up a notch is the additional 4GB virtual RAM, which helps maintain responsiveness when juggling heavier apps or browser tabs. Storage-wise, 64GB gives reasonable breathing room, although power users will likely look to microSD expansion. The specs, overall, flag a typical entry-level phone setup — nothing flashy but functional.
Software-wise, the Lava Shark 5G breaks the monotony of budget phones cluttered with unwanted bloatware. Running a near-stock Android 15 experience, it offers users a clean interface with timely updates, free from the often sluggish, ad-heavy skins that plague cheaper models. This alone makes the device appealing to users who desire a fuss-free smartphone experience — whether that’s an upgrade for first-time buyers or a no-nonsense secondary phone. The minimalist software approach reduces background garbage that drags down performance over time, so users get the snappiness and longevity they crave without sneaking ads or weird apps.
Battery capacity is another strong suit on the Lava Shark 5G, with a hefty 5,000mAh cell inside. This is a big lifesaver in the budget segment, where compromises often mean tiny batteries that scream for chargers by midday. The Shark’s battery easily supports calls, browsing, and light gaming without constant recharge anxiety, making it a good companion for daylong use — say, for students, field workers, or anyone stuck paying attention to battery percentage on their current phone. Even though it supports fast charging up to 18W, the box includes a slower 10W charger, which means charging times won’t blow you away. Still, the large battery outweighs that minor inconvenience.
In terms of design, Lava hasn’t held back on giving the Shark 5G a visually appealing and durable look. The glossy back panels flaunt trendy hues like Stellar Gold and Stellar Blue, elevating the budget vibe to something closer to mid-range glam. The IP54 dust and splash resistance rating — a rarity at this price — means it can survive the occasional spill or dust cloud without immediate panic. The phone’s aesthetics take a leaf from pricier flagships, with its circular rear LED flash and subtle nods to the iPhone 16 and 15 Pro series’ design language. For buyers who want their phone to look good without emptying their pockets, this will hit the mark.
On the photography front, the Lava Shark 5G carries a dual rear camera setup with a 13MP main sensor and an LED flash, reasonable for casual snapshots and social media sharing. It won’t challenge the camera beasts in the upper tiers but gets the job done for video calls and quick snaps. The front-facing selfie camera also offers standard performance suited to video chats and selfies — nothing jaw-dropping, just reliable for budget magazine covers on Instagram. Overall, the camera system sticks to the essentials, matching the phone’s focus on value over premium extras.
Connectivity options round out the phone’s practical offerings: dual SIM slots, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and the increasingly missed 3.5mm headphone jack. In a market where wireless features are sometimes sacrificed for cost, these inclusions speak to Lava’s attention to everyday needs across diverse user preferences. Standard sensors like accelerometer and proximity add to the well-rounded package, maintaining smooth interaction and usability without gimmicks.
Launching on May 23, 2025, through Lava’s official retail and online stores, the Shark 5G enters a marketplace crowded with brands racing to offer affordable 5G phones with balanced specs. Unlike many budget launches, Lava’s approach avoids flashy launch discounts, instead relying on an already aggressive base price to lure buyers. Positioned as the successor to the Lava Shark 4G, this newer model upgrades connectivity and software experience significantly, appealing to users ready to embrace 5G without shelling out a fortune.
Ultimately, the Lava Shark 5G strikes an appealing balance for entry-level buyers who want modern features like 5G, a large smooth display, and long battery life without junk software or scary price tags. The Unisoc T765 chipset and 4GB RAM combo ensure daily tasks and multitasking run without notable hiccups, while the clean Android 15 interface elevates user experience beyond the typical budget phone sludge. Camera capabilities and charging speed are modest, but expected at this tier. The stylish design and IP54 rating add unexpected premium touches, making the Lava Shark 5G a versatile option in India’s budget smartphone marketplace. It’s a savvy move by Lava, providing accessible 5G adoption without forcing compromises on the core smartphone essentials. For the budget-conscious consumer ready to upgrade, the Shark 5G offers a neat package that’s anything but a dim-witted bargain bin option.
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