Lava Play Ultra 5G: The much-awaited budget-friendly smartphone from Lava has finally gone on sale in India. Positioned under the mid-range segment, it offers a fine balance of design, display, performance, and affordability. With its first sale kicking off today, buyers can make use of exclusive discounts, bank offers, and exchange deals that make this device an attractive option under ₹15,000. Let’s explore what makes the Lava Play Ultra 5G stand out, how it compares to rivals, and where you can buy it.
Design and Build Quality
Lava has kept the design simple yet stylish, making it appealing to young buyers and everyday users.
- The smartphone carries a sleek, modern design with flat edges and slim bezels.
- Offered in Arctic Frost and Arctic Slate color options, it looks premium for its price.
- With an IP64 rating, it provides dust and splash resistance, a rare addition in this budget.
Lava Play Ultra 5G: Display Experience
The brand has ensured an immersive viewing experience with an AMOLED screen that enhances colors and smoothness.
- 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display ensures sharp and vibrant visuals.
- 120Hz refresh rate gives smoother scrolling and gameplay, while a 1000 nits peak brightness makes it easy to use under direct sunlight.
- Competing devices like the iQOO Z9 and Realme Narzo 70x offer similar AMOLED panels, but Lava keeps it clean with no bloatware experience on Android 15.
Processor and Performance
Gaming and multitasking are central to Lava’s strategy, and the Dimensity 7300 helps deliver that.
- Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset built on a 4nm process, the phone is tuned for both daily use and gaming.
- Equipped with Mali-G615 GPU and MediaTek’s HyperEngine gaming technology to optimize graphics and reduce lag.
- Benchmarks position it close to Snapdragon 782G-powered rivals, giving it an edge in this price band.
- RAM options: 6GB and 8GB LPDDR4x with expandable virtual RAM up to 8GB.
- Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1, expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card.
Lava Play Ultra 5G: Camera Setup
Photography lovers will find Lava’s camera system versatile for both casual and creative use.
- Dual rear camera system featuring a 64MP Sony IMX682 primary sensor with OIS for sharp photography and stable video recording.
- 5MP macro lens for close-up shots.
- 13MP selfie camera with modes like HDR, Night, Dual View Video, Panorama, and Time-Lapse.
- Compared to Poco X6 Neo and Realme 12x 5G, Lava provides OIS in this price segment, which is a big plus for photographers.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is a key selling point, and Lava has packed in enough power for all-day use.
- 5,000mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage, whether gaming or streaming.
- 33W fast charging support brings it back to life quickly.
- Competitors like iQOO Z9 Pro offer 44W, but Lava makes up with better software efficiency and power management.
Software and User Experience
The Lava Play Ultra 5G runs on Android 15 out-of-the-box and comes with the assurance of two major OS upgrades along with three years of security updates. It offers a clean and smooth user experience with no pre-installed bloatware, which sets it apart from many Chinese counterparts that often load devices with unnecessary apps.
Price and Launch Offers
The pricing makes it one of the most competitive 5G-ready devices under ₹15,000.
- 6GB+128GB variant priced at ₹14,999.
- 8GB+128GB variant priced at ₹16,499.
- Exclusive launch discounts: ₹1,000 off on purchases with HDFC, SBI, and ICICI Bank cards.
- Flipkart offers additional exchange benefits, bringing the price even lower.
- Effective pricing: ₹13,999 for 6GB variant and ₹15,499 for 8GB variant after bank discounts.
Availability
Shoppers won’t have to wait long as the phone goes on sale right away.
- Available from August 25 exclusively on Amazon India.
- EMI options and exchange deals available for early buyers.
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
The budget 5G market is packed with choices, but Lava Play Ultra 5G manages to carve its own space.
- iQOO Z9 5G: Offers faster charging at 44W but lacks the clean software experience of Lava.
- Realme Narzo 70x 5G: Competitive price but comes with pre-loaded apps that can slow performance over time.
- Poco X6 Neo: Has higher RAM variants but misses out on OIS support in the main camera.
- Lava Play Ultra 5G: Balances performance, clean software, and camera stability, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers and general users.
Final Thoughts
The Lava Play Ultra 5G is more than just another mid-range phone; it is a statement by Lava that budget devices can still feel premium. With its AMOLED 120Hz screen, Dimensity 7300 processor, OIS camera, and clean Android 15 experience, it has the right mix of power and polish. For buyers under ₹15,000, it is a strong alternative to Chinese brands, especially with attractive bank offers and discounts during its first sale.
