Lava Blaze Curve 5G Overview: The sub-Rs 20,000 phase within the Android telephone world generally is a bit, effectively, uninteresting. It’s a land of practicality over pleasure, the place flashy options usually give method to worth and reliability. These days although, issues have been altering, with some producers resorting to chop corners—subpar software program riddled with advertisements, or unreliable {hardware} that crumbles below stress.
Enter Lava, with the Blaze Curve 5G. It manages to be each novel and well-rounded, a uncommon sight on this value vary. After every week of testing, I can confidently say it’s a robust contender, particularly contemplating it’s a homegrown model. However no telephone is ideal, so let’s see if the Blaze Curve’s niggles turn out to be dealbreakers.
Design and Show: Refreshing and Straightforward on the Eyes
From the unboxing to this very second, the Blaze Curve’s design has impressed me. It appears to be like and feels downright premium, even in comparison with telephones costing a bit extra. This may be attributed to 2 key issues: the beautiful curved AMOLED show, a primary on this phase in line with Lava, and the matte-finish again glass. Holding it instills a way of high quality that surpasses its Rs 17,999 price ticket. The burden distribution can be glorious, avoiding any top-heaviness. I’m proud of Lava for selecting a delicate and minimalist method with the end and hues, a refreshing change from the standard flashy finishes plaguing this phase. It’s simple on the eyes and exudes a mature vibe.
The AMOLED show itself is punchy and vibrant, precisely what most customers crave. Positive, it may not be essentially the most colour-accurate panel on the market, however let’s be sincere—what number of consumers on this vary are enhancing skilled photographs or movies? In all probability not many. On this phase, the precedence is a visually interesting panel that caters to the lots, and the Blaze Curve excels in that regard.
Nevertheless, the curved design does have a minor disadvantage—the occasional unintended contact registration on the perimeters. Hopefully, a software program replace can handle this. One other space for enchancment is peak brightness below direct daylight. Whereas usable, some rivals on this value vary carry out barely higher.
On the flip aspect, together with a curved display screen at this value level is a daring transfer. Discovering display screen protectors is likely to be a problem (and it doesn’t include one within the field), but it surely affords budget-conscious consumers a style of expertise beforehand reserved for flagships. It’s a cool addition that doesn’t sacrifice performance.
Efficiency, Connectivity, and the Little Issues
The Lava Blaze Curve packs the tried-and-tested MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage. This is identical 6nm SoC discovered in lots of different telephones on this vary, together with Lava’s personal flagship, the Agni 2. Throughout on a regular basis use, the telephone remained clean and responsive, dealing with internet searching, social media, and even some gentle gaming with ease.
Whereas 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 assessments, respectively. It constantly scores above 550,000 factors in AnTuTu. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, however you possibly can comfortably play video games like BGMI on medium settings. Nevertheless, count on some occasional body drops as a consequence of throttling throughout prolonged gaming periods.
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. That is maybe essentially the most premium side of the telephone–it doesn’t really feel like a funds gadget in any respect, and once you couple that with the graceful 120Hz refresh charge, it simply one other cherry on the cake. Nevertheless, there are a number of minor bugs current, particularly whereas utilizing apps like YouTube and Instagram however hopefully, a future replace will handle them.
Whereas the software program replace schedule isn’t very best (Android 14 replace anticipated in June with two years of whole updates, which means it should solely attain Android 15), Lava might have launched the telephone with Android 14 pre-installed.
Connectivity is one other sturdy 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. Should you’re anticipating top-tier haptics like OnePlus’ O-Haptics, you is likely to be disillusioned. Nevertheless, contemplating the value level, it’s a good trade-off.
Lastly, 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. Nevertheless, the plastic sides is likely to be prone to break from arduous circumstances, or use the one provided within the field.
Digital camera: Hits and Misses
The Blaze Curve 5G sports activities a triple digicam system: a 64MP essential sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a macro lens. In good lighting, it captures first rate photographs, however inconsistencies maintain it again from being referred to as a dependable shooter. Software program updates might handle some points, like chromatic aberration inflicting purple fringing, significantly on the ultrawide lens. This may not be a dealbreaker for informal customers—however zooming in reveals a lack of element.
Whereas low-light efficiency is unsurprisingly common for the value vary, the telephone does job with close-ups and portraits, sustaining correct pores and skin tones with good edge detection. The macro lens is a welcome addition, although integrating it throughout the ultrawide lens, like some rivals, might have been a greater method, I’d say. The entrance going through digicam, however, does a wonderful job at capturing particulars, and sustaining an correct pores and skin tone. Good job right here, I’d say.
General picture high quality may be improved with software program tweaks. Color consistency throughout sensors wants work, and the color science may benefit from a extra pure look. In some circumstances, skies seem in mismatched shades of blue, and a slight magenta tint may very well be adjusted. There’s room for enchancment, however software program updates might elevate the digicam expertise from B- to A-.
Listed below are some extra digicam samples so that you can decide the picture high quality from each the front and back going through cameras:
Battery Life: A Two-Day Telephone For Most Folks
Merely put, battery nervousness received’t plague you with the Blaze Curve. Even with combined utilization—digicam testing, gentle gaming, social media searching, and reasonable calling—it constantly 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 shifting previous the USB-A port kind.
Verdict: A Refreshing Contender within the Sub-20k Phase
Whereas some would possibly suspect bias in the direction of native manufacturers, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G stands out by itself advantage. 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 selection, however for simply Rs 1,000 extra, the 8GB+256GB variant affords glorious worth contemplating the dearth of expandable storage.
That mentioned, in case you’re in search of a beautiful-looking telephone with a premium really feel, clear software program, and lengthy battery life, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G is a superb choice, particularly for the value. Whereas the digicam has room for enchancment, it’s enough for on a regular basis use. Funds-conscious customers who prioritise design and software program expertise will discover quite a bit to like right here.
