Heads up, India! Lava Agni 5 5G just stormed the mid-range arena, and it’s waving the “Make in India” flag high. For under ₹18K, this beast packs a 64MP quad-camera, Dimensity 810 chip, and a 5000mAh battery – specs that’ll make Chinese brands sweat. I’ve been testing it for 72 hours, and spoiler: this phone punches way above its weight.
Let’s cut to the chase. The Lava Agni 5 5G isn’t just another budget filler. It’s Lava’s comeback punch – a sleek, 100% Indian-made phone that nails the basics without emptying your wallet. From that buttery 90Hz display to the clean Android experience, this could be your next daily driver. Ready for the deep dive?
Design & Display: Premium Feel, Zero Bloat
First impressions? “This costs ₹17,999?!” The Lava Agni 5 5G flaunts a sleek matte back (goodbye fingerprints!) and a polished metal frame. It’s slim, light (195g), and sits perfectly in hand. I’m reviewing the Fiery Blue variant – that gradient shift from blue to violet? Chef’s kiss.
Now, the 6.78-inch FHD+ IPS LCD screen:
- 90Hz refresh rate: Scrolling Instagram reels feels like silk
- Peak brightness: Visible under Delhi’s noon sun (no squinting!)
- Gorilla Glass 3: Survived my “accidental” keys-in-pocket test
Is it AMOLED? No. But colors pop, text stays crisp, and bezels are slim enough to forget. For Netflix binges or PUBG battles? More than enough.
Performance: Smooth Sailing, 5G Ready
Powering the Lava Agni 5 5G is MediaTek’s Dimensity 810 – a 6nm chip that balances speed and battery life. Translation:
- Daily tasks (WhatsApp, Chrome, YouTube) = zero lag
- Heavy gaming (BGMI on Medium-HD, 40FPS) = stable, mild heat
- Multitasking (8GB RAM) = 10 apps open, no reloads
Storage? 128GB onboard (expandable via microSD). Dumped 4K videos, 20 games, and still had 45GB free.
Software wins: Near-stock Android 11! No bloatware, no spammy “Lava Store” popups. Just clean, fast updates. Finally.
Camera: Quad Setup That Delivers
The 64MP main camera shocked me. Daylight shots? Crisp, vibrant, and packed with detail. Check this street food shot zoomed 2x – spices visible on samosas!
Quad-cam breakdown:
| Lens | Use Case | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 64MP Main | Landscapes, portraits | ★★★★☆ (Detail king!) |
| 5MP Ultra-wide | Group shots, monuments | ★★★☆☆ (Good for price) |
| 2MP Macro | Flowers, textures | ★★☆☆☆ (Fun, but finicky) |
| 2MP Depth | Portrait mode | ★★★☆☆ (Natural bokeh) |
Low-light performance: Decent with Night Mode. Don’t expect Pixel magic, but it beats Redmi’s budget cams.
Selfies? The 16MP front cam nails skin tones. Even my dadi approved her portrait!
Battery & Charging: All-Day Juice
The 5000mAh battery is a tank. My real-world test:
- 7AM → 100%
- 9PM → 27% left
*(Usage: 4hr YouTube, 2hr PUBG, WhatsApp/calls)*
Charging stats with 30W adapter:
| Time | Battery % |
|---|---|
| 0 minutes | 0% |
| 30 minutes | 65% |
| Full charge | 75 mins |
Not class-leading, but solid. A 15-minute plug-in gives 7-8 hours of use!
Extras & Verdict: Desi Dynamite!
Hidden gems:
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Lightning-fast unlock
- 3.5mm jack: Yes, it’s still alive!
- Dual 5G SIM: Future-proof for Jio/Airtel rollouts
- Make in India pride: Feels good supporting local
Flaws?
- No stereo speakers (single bottom-firing)
- Android 11 feels dated (promised Android 12 update)
Price? ₹17,999 for 8GB+128GB. Compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro, you sacrifice charging speed but gain cleaner software.
Final verdict: The Lava Agni 5 5G is a no-brainer for ₹15-18K seekers. It nails core needs – smooth performance, clean OS, reliable battery – while looking premium. If camera quirks don’t bug you, this desi underdog deserves your cash.
