Lava Bold 5G: The Lava Bold 5G is one of the most interesting budget 5G smartphones to come out of India in 2025, offering a solid mix of modern features at a very aggressive price point.

With a 3D curved AMOLED display, a 64MP Sony rear camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, it’s clearly aimed at first‑time 5G buyers and those upgrading from older 4G phones.​

Design and Build – Premium Look on a Budget

Lava has given the Bold 5G a surprisingly premium feel for its price segment. The phone sports a 6.67‑inch 3D curved AMOLED display that curves gently at the edges, giving it a modern, flagship‑like look. It’s available in a single Sapphire Blue colour option, which looks sleek and professional in daily use.​

The build quality is decent, with a plastic frame and back, but the overall finish doesn’t feel cheap in hand. At 183 grams, it’s light enough to hold comfortably for long periods, and the dimensions (162.4 × 73.85 × 8.45 mm) make it easy to operate with one hand.

It also carries an IP64 rating, meaning it’s dust‑tight and can handle splashes and light rain, which is a big plus in the budget segment.​

Display – Smooth 120Hz AMOLED

The standout feature of the Lava Bold 5G is its 6.67‑inch 3D curved AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution (1080 × 2400 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate. This kind of panel is still rare in the sub‑₹12,000 segment, and it makes scrolling, gaming, and video playback feel very smooth.​

Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and outdoor visibility is good thanks to the AMOLED technology. The 120Hz refresh rate is a big upgrade over the usual 60Hz or 90Hz screens found in most budget phones, making everyday navigation feel snappier and more fluid.

​

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Lava Bold 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm process, paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This SoC is designed for smooth 5G performance and handles everyday tasks like social media, YouTube, WhatsApp, and light gaming without any major stutters.​

Lava also uses virtual RAM technology, which allows the phone to use part of the internal storage as extra RAM, effectively boosting performance in multitasking scenarios. The phone runs Android 14 out of the box, with a confirmed upgrade path to Android 15 and two years of security updates, which is impressive for a budget device.​

Camera Setup – 64MP Sony Sensor

The camera system on the Lava Bold 5G is built around a 64MP Sony sensor on the rear, supported by a 2MP macro lens. This main sensor is capable of capturing sharp, detailed photos in good light, with decent dynamic range and color reproduction.​

For selfies and video calls, there’s a 16MP front camera with a screen flash, which helps in low‑light conditions. The camera app includes a range of modes like HDR, Night, Portrait, Pro, Panorama, Slow Motion, Timelapse, and AI enhancements, giving users plenty of options to experiment with.​

Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps on both rear and front cameras, which is standard for this price range. While it won’t compete with flagship phones in low‑light or zoom performance, it’s more than capable for casual photography and social media content.​

Battery and Charging

The Lava Bold 5G packs a 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. With typical usage (calls, messages, browsing, and a couple of hours of video), it can easily stretch to a day and a half.​

Charging is handled via 33W wired fast charging, which can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in about 110 minutes under Lava’s test conditions. While there’s no wireless charging, 33W is quite fast for a budget phone and helps reduce downtime significantly.​

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is well covered, with dual 5G support (SA/NSA), VoLTE, Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and a USB Type‑C port with OTG support. It also includes an in‑display fingerprint sensor and face unlock, both of which are quick and reliable in daily use.​

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but Lava includes a USB‑C to 3.5mm adapter in the box, so wired earphones can still be used. The phone also supports dual SIM 5G, making it ideal for users who want to keep both personal and work numbers active.​

Price and Availability in India

The Lava Bold 5G was launched in India at an introductory price of ₹10,499 for the 4GB + 128GB variant, with the 6GB + 128GB model priced slightly higher. It is available in Sapphire Blue and can be purchased online via Amazon and other major e‑commerce platforms.

Also read this: ​Vivo Drone 5G – 4 flying camera smartphone at price of ₹12,000, design is premium

Lava Bold 5G Final Verdict – Who Should Buy It?

The Lava Bold 5G makes a strong case for itself as a value‑packed 5G smartphone under ₹12,000. It’s ideal for students, first‑time smartphone buyers, and anyone looking for a reliable daily driver with a good display, decent camera, and long battery life.​

If a 120Hz AMOLED display, 5G support, and a 64MP Sony camera are important, the Lava Bold 5G is definitely worth considering in this price range. It may not match premium phones in raw performance or camera versatility, but for what it offers at its price, it’s one of the most balanced budget 5G options in the Indian market right now.