Lava Blaze X 5g: While there have been giants from around the world leading the Indian smartphone market for a while, Lava has been changing that story slowly and steadily. The home-developed brand has become increasingly competitive in recent and its new Lava Blaze X 5G is just a perfect specimen that proves that.
With a combination of high-end look and feel, a slick display, and 5G performance that doesn’t break the bank, this is a good phone for budget-minded folks who only stick to the basics.
So does the Blaze X 5G pack enough fire power to stand out in a packed-out arena? Let’s take a deeper look.
Design and Build: Premium Was Ironic
Lava has put a fair amount of thought and effort into the Blaze X 5G’s design, which is seen through the curved-edge rear panel and matte finish that gives it a premium feel very far from what you’d probably expect at this price.
The phone is slim, even, comfortable to grip and weighty enough to remain snug in your hand but not too heavy.
That circular camera module on the back makes it look less like a recent budget Nokia but the in-hand feel is something more on par with what you’d get from a mid-range phone or even the high-end. Lava finally seem to be moving on from that plastic, budget feel and aiming higher.
Display: Immersive and Smooth
One of the key features of the Blaze X 5G is its 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate.
This is a big deal in the sub-15K category where many competitors are using old LCD panels.
The colors are punchy, blacks are deep, and the 120Hz refresh rate means the screen is super smooth for scrolling and animations.
Videos, photos and gaming all look fluid and immersive. The curved edges do lend the screen a somewhat more immersive aspect, which is unusual in this price range.
Performance: Reliable for the Majority of Users
The phone is supported by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, and it comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage at max. It breezes through everyday use — from jumping back and forth between social media apps, to streaming, to even some casual gaming.
There’s little to no lag for casual and light users. Games such as BGMI and Asphalt 9 run fairly well in medium setting, while higher end titles at maximum settings can tax the chipset.
Nevertheless, given the price, overall performance is solid and serviceable.
Software: It is Clean and Easy to Use
The Blaze X 5G is powered by Lava’s near-stock Android experience which is one of the phone’s greatest strengths.
And there are no ads, minimalist preloaded software or bloatware to slow it down. The software is quick, tidy and easy to use.
Lava also commits to providing timely updates, which inspires confidence in its long-term usability.
Camera: Just Fine for Day-to-Day Photography
On the back, the Blaze X 5G has a 64MP main camera alongside 2MP secondary sensor. The main camera does well in bright light, taking acceptable colors and detail.
Portrait photos look decent, though edge detection can be hit or miss.
But in low light the selfie photos are mediocre at best. The dedicated Night Mode does assist, but there is image noise apparent. Upfront, a 16MP selfie camera provides clear images with natural skin tone while video calling and social media.
Battery Life and Charging
The Lava Blaze X 5G is powered by a 5000mAh battery which lasts for a day with moderate to heavy usage.
Impressively, the battery also holds up well here, even on a high refresh rate display.
The phone supports 33W fast charging that charges the phone from 0 to 100 in just over an hour. It may not be the fastest in the business, but it’s perfectly serviceable for most people.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Curved premium AMOLED screen at 120Hz
Looks good and built is good
Clean stock-like Android UI
Strong battery life
Reliable Day-to-Day Standard wear
Cons:
Weaker low-light camera performance
No ultra-wide or macro lens
Not ideal for any advanced gaming applications
Mono speaker v Stereo
Lava Blaze X 5g Final Verdict
The Lava Blaze X 5G is an unexpectedly well-thought-out effort from an Indian company which is finally up for playing the game in a serious way.
Presenting the best mid-ranger of 2020, thanks to a stunning AMOLED screen, slick software and a snappy design, it offers one of the best value-for-money picks on the market for its price point right now.
It’s obviously not for power users or for mobile photography enthusiasts, but for anyone in the market for a solid daily driver with 5G support and a clean user experience, the Blaze X 5G is more than able to handle the job.