Lava, the homegrown smartphone brand, continues its aggressive push in the budget smartphone market with the launch of the Lava Shark 5G — an exciting new offering priced at just Rs 7,999. In a space dominated by Chinese brands, Lava is carving out its own territory by focusing on affordability, modern specs, and a clean Android experience.
What makes the Lava Shark 5G a standout is not just its price, but the rare combination of Android 15, 5G support, and a massive 5000mAh battery at such a low cost. It’s a device that promises to bring next-gen connectivity to the masses, without cutting corners where it counts.
Let’s dive into the Lava Shark 5G’s features, strengths, and where it stands in the budget smartphone market.
1. Design and Build – Simple but Solid
The Lava Shark 5G doesn’t try to reinvent smartphone design, and that works in its favor. With a clean and minimal aesthetic, the phone comes in attractive finishes and a slim profile that’s easy to hold and use one-handed.
Key Design Highlights:
- Polycarbonate back with matte finish (fingerprint-resistant)
- Flat-edge design with slightly curved corners
- Lightweight despite its large battery
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
It feels more premium than you’d expect for a sub-₹8,000 phone. There’s no flashy glass back or metal frame, but the materials used are durable and built for daily use.
2. Display – Large and Functional
The Lava Shark 5G sports a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While not a Full HD panel, the resolution is adequate for daily tasks, streaming, and scrolling through social media.
Display Features:
- 6.5″ HD+ IPS LCD
- 90Hz refresh rate
- Panda Glass protection
- Decent outdoor visibility
At this price, the 90Hz refresh rate is a pleasant surprise, offering smoother scrolling and better animations, especially on Android 15.
3. Performance – Powered by MediaTek and Android 15
Under the hood, the Lava Shark 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, a capable 5G chipset built on the 6nm architecture. It is paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
Performance Highlights:
- Dimensity 6100+ octa-core SoC
- 4GB RAM + 4GB virtual RAM
- 64GB ROM (expandable up to 1TB)
- Android 15 (near-stock UI)
This phone stands out as one of the first in the segment to launch with Android 15 out of the box. Lava’s commitment to bloatware-free software and timely updates makes the experience clean and responsive.
Basic multitasking, light gaming, and social media use are handled with ease. Of course, don’t expect it to be a gaming powerhouse — but for day-to-day tasks, it delivers reliably.
4. 5G Connectivity – Affordable Future-Proofing
Perhaps the biggest USP of the Lava Shark 5G is, as the name suggests, 5G connectivity.
The phone supports:
- Dual 5G SIM support
- All major Indian 5G bands (SA/NSA)
This future-proofs the device for the next several years, making it ideal for users upgrading from a 4G phone without breaking the bank.
5. Battery Life – Big 5000mAh Cell
Lava continues its tradition of offering big batteries in affordable phones. The Shark 5G packs a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts over a day and a half on moderate use.
Battery Specs:
- 5000mAh capacity
- 18W USB-C fast charging
- 5V/2A charger included in the box
Whether you’re streaming YouTube, scrolling through Instagram, or just making calls and texts, this battery can keep up with your daily needs.
6. Cameras – Modest but Serviceable
The Lava Shark 5G features a dual-camera setup at the rear, consisting of a 50MP primary camera and a secondary depth sensor. On the front, you get an 8MP selfie shooter.
Camera Features:
- 50MP main sensor
- AI scene recognition
- Portrait mode
- Night mode
- 1080p video recording
In daylight, the rear camera captures decent shots with good color accuracy. In low light, performance dips (as expected), but basic night mode helps slightly. The front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls.
7. Software Experience – Clean Android 15
One of the strongest selling points of the Lava Shark 5G is its near-stock Android 15 experience. There’s no bloatware, no unnecessary ads, and a fluid UI — something rarely found in this segment.
Highlights:
- No ads or preloaded junk apps
- Smooth animations with Android 15
- Focus on privacy and battery optimization
- Promised security updates
The company has promised at least one major OS update and regular security patches for two years.
8. Price & Value – Unbeatable at ₹7,999
At just ₹7,999, the Lava Shark 5G undercuts many 4G-only phones and still delivers 5G, a clean Android 15 UI, and excellent battery life. This makes it one of the best value-for-money smartphones in the Indian market right now.
Competitors in the same price bracket:
- Poco C65 (4G only)
- Infinix Smart 8 (limited software support)
- Realme Narzo N53 (older Android version)
Lava’s homegrown advantage — support, software, and focus on essentials — makes the Shark 5G a solid choice for first-time smartphone buyers, students, or senior citizens looking for reliability with modern connectivity.
Final Verdict – The Budget 5G Hero We Needed
The Lava Shark 5G sets a new benchmark for budget smartphones in India. In an era where inflation is pushing smartphone prices higher, Lava has gone the other way — offering a reliable, modern, and future-ready phone for under ₹8,000.
✅ Pros:
- 5G support at ultra-low price
- Android 15 (stock experience)
- Big 5000mAh battery
- Clean, bloat-free UI
- Decent cameras for the segment
- 90Hz smooth display
❌ Cons:
- HD+ display instead of Full HD
- Average low-light camera performance
- No ultra-wide or macro lens
If you want a budget smartphone that doesn’t feel like one, the Lava Shark 5G is the device to beat.
FAQs
Q1. Does Lava Shark 5G support 5G on both SIM slots?
Yes, it supports dual 5G standby.
Q2. Will it get Android updates in the future?
Lava has promised at least one major update and regular security patches.
Q3. Does it have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, it has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Q4. Is it good for gaming?
It can handle light to moderate games like Subway Surfers, Free Fire, and BGMI on low settings.
Q5. Is it a Made-in-India phone?
Yes, Lava manufactures its phones in India, promoting local production.