Lava Blaze Curve 5G Review: The sub-Rs 20,000 phase within the Android telephone world generally is a bit, effectively, boring. It’s a land of practicality over pleasure, the place flashy options usually give option to worth and reliability. Lately although, issues have been altering, with some producers resorting to chop corners—subpar software program riddled with advertisements, or unreliable {hardware} that crumbles below strain.
Enter Lava, with the Blaze Curve 5G. It manages to be each novel and effectively-rounded, a uncommon sight on this worth vary. After per week of testing, I can confidently say it’s a powerful contender, particularly contemplating it’s a homegrown model. But no telephone is ideal, so let’s see if the Blaze Curve’s niggles grow to be dealbreakers.
Design and Display: Refreshing and Easy on the Eyes
From the unboxing to this very second, the Blaze Curve’s design has impressed me. It appears and feels downright premium, even in comparison with telephones costing a bit extra. This might be attributed to 2 key issues: the attractive curved AMOLED show, a primary on this phase in line with Lava, and the matte-end again glass. Holding it instills a way of high quality that surpasses its Rs 17,999 price ticket. The weight distribution can also be glorious, avoiding any prime-heaviness. I’m pleased with Lava for selecting a delicate and minimalist method with the end and colors, a refreshing change from the standard flashy finishes plaguing this phase. It’s straightforward on the eyes and exudes a mature vibe.
The AMOLED show itself is punchy and vibrant, precisely what most customers crave. Sure, it may not be probably the most color-correct panel on the market, however let’s be sincere—what number of consumers on this vary are enhancing skilled images or movies? Probably not many. In this phase, the precedence is a visually interesting panel that caters to the lots, and the Blaze Curve excels in that regard.
However, the curved design does have a minor disadvantage—the occasional unintended contact registration on the perimeters. Hopefully, a software program replace can handle this. Another space for enchancment is peak brightness below direct daylight. While usable, some opponents on this worth vary carry out barely higher.
On the flip aspect, together with a curved display screen at this worth level is a daring transfer. Finding display screen protectors could be a problem (and it doesn’t include one within the field), nevertheless it gives funds-acutely aware consumers a style of know-how beforehand reserved for flagships. It’s a cool addition that doesn’t sacrifice performance.
Performance, Connectivity, and the Little Things
The Lava Blaze Curve packs the tried-and-examined MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage. This is similar 6nm SoC discovered in lots of different telephones on this vary, together with Lava’s personal flagship, the Agni 2. During on a regular basis use, the telephone remained clean and responsive, dealing with internet shopping, social media, and even some gentle gaming with ease.
While benchmark scores don’t inform the entire story, the Blaze Curve places up respectable numbers with 2598 and 1079 in Geekbench 6’s multi-core and single-core checks, respectively. It persistently scores above 550,000 factors in AnTuTu. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, however you may comfortably play video games like BGMI on medium settings. However, anticipate some occasional body drops on account of throttling throughout prolonged gaming classes.
What really units the Blaze Curve aside is its software program expertise. It runs a clear and bloatware-free model of Android 13, sticking with Google’s acquainted interface however including some helpful options. This is probably probably the most premium side of the telephone–it doesn’t really feel like a funds machine in any respect, and once you couple that with the sleek 120Hz refresh price, it simply one other cherry on the cake. However, there are a couple of minor bugs current, particularly whereas utilizing apps like YouTube and Instagram however hopefully, a future replace will handle them.
While the software program replace schedule isn’t excellent (Android 14 replace anticipated in June with two years of whole updates, which means it is going to solely attain Android 15), Lava may have launched the telephone with Android 14 pre-put in.
Connectivity is one other robust level. I examined the Blaze Curve with a Jio 5G SIM card and skilled glorious mobile reception with constant 5G connection and first rate speeds. Switching to Vodafone labored seamlessly as effectively.
One minor caveat is the haptic suggestions, which isn’t the strongest. If you’re anticipating prime-tier haptics like OnePlus’ O-Haptics, you could be disenchanted. However, contemplating the worth level, it’s a good commerce-off.
Finally, let’s discuss sturdiness. I pushed the Blaze Curve and not using a display screen protector, and it emerged unscathed. The Gorilla Glass 3 entrance appears powerful, with no scratches regardless of tough use. However, the plastic sides could be vulnerable to break from exhausting instances, or use the one provided within the field.
Camera: Hits and Misses
The Blaze Curve 5G sports activities a triple digital camera system: a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a macro lens. In good lighting, it captures first rate images, however inconsistencies maintain it again from being referred to as a dependable shooter. Software updates may handle some points, like chromatic aberration inflicting purple fringing, notably on the ultrawide lens. This may not be a dealbreaker for informal customers—however zooming in reveals a lack of element.
While low-gentle efficiency is unsurprisingly common for the worth vary, the telephone does job with shut-ups and portraits, sustaining correct pores and skin tones with good edge detection. The macro lens is a welcome addition, although integrating it inside the ultrawide lens, like some opponents, may have been a greater method, I might say. The entrance dealing with digital camera, however, does a superb job at capturing particulars, and sustaining an correct pores and skin tone. Good job right here, I might say.
Overall picture high quality might be improved with software program tweaks. Colour consistency throughout sensors wants work, and the color science may benefit from a extra pure look. In some instances, skies seem in mismatched shades of blue, and a slight magenta tint could possibly be adjusted. There’s room for enchancment, however software program updates may elevate the digital camera expertise from B- to A-.
Here are some extra digital camera samples so that you can decide the picture high quality from each the front and back dealing with cameras:
Battery Life: A Two-Day Phone For Most People
Simply put, battery anxiousness received’t plague you with the Blaze Curve. Even with combined utilization—digital camera testing, gentle gaming, social media shopping, and reasonable calling—it persistently ends the day with round 30-35% remaining, making it a real two-day telephone for many customers.
The included 33W quick charger effectively tops up the 5,000mAh battery in roughly an hour. The telephone comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is a welcome transfer as effectively contemplating how vehicles and different equipment are broadly transferring previous the USB-A port sort.
Verdict: A Refreshing Contender within the Sub-20k Segment
While some may suspect bias in the direction of native manufacturers, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G stands out by itself benefit. It punches above its weight class, providing a premium design that rivals even some pricier telephones. The 8GB+128GB mannequin at Rs 17,999 is a compelling alternative, however for simply Rs 1,000 extra, the 8GB+256GB variant gives glorious worth contemplating the shortage of expandable storage.
That stated, in case you’re in search of a phenomenal-wanting telephone with a premium really feel, clear software program, and lengthy battery life, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G is a good choice, particularly for the worth. While the digital camera has room for enchancment, it’s ample for on a regular basis use. Budget-conscious customers who prioritise design and software program expertise will discover quite a bit to like right here.
