Finding a decent 5G phone under ₹8000 feels like searching for a unicorn in India’s crowded smartphone market. Most brands either compromise heavily on features or quietly bump prices past the ₹10,000 mark. That’s what makes this Lava Shark 5G review particularly interesting, here’s a homegrown brand actually delivering 5G at a price that won’t make you rethink your monthly budget.
We have spent two weeks with this budget 5G phone, and honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster of pleasant surprises and expected compromises.
Let’s break down whether this phone deserves a spot in your pocket.
Build Quality and First Impressions
- The unboxing experience feels surprisingly premium for a 5G phone under ₹8000, Lava hasn’t skimped on presentation.
- That polycarbonate back panel? It’s plastic, but the kind that doesn’t scream “cheap” the moment you touch it.
- Three color options (Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset Orange) give you some personality, though we would stick with darker shades to hide fingerprints.
- At 195 grams, it’s got some heft without feeling like a paperweight in your jeans pocket.
- The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works brilliantly, unlocks faster than we expected and rarely misreads our thumb.
- No water resistance rating here, so keep it away from that monsoon rain or your bathroom sink.
- Those volume buttons have a satisfying click that doesn’t feel mushy, which matters more than you’d think after months of daily use.
- The overall build feels solid enough to survive occasional drops, though we would still recommend a case.
Display: Size Matters, Resolution Not So Much
The 6.75 inch HD+ display phone Experience
- That massive 6.75-inch screen makes everything from YouTube videos to Instagram reels genuinely enjoyable.
- Here’s the reality check: HD+ resolution means 1600 x 720 pixels, which isn’t razor-sharp but works fine for normal viewing distances.
- Watching Netflix during my commute? Perfectly acceptable. Pixel-peeping at close range? You’ll notice the softness.
- The IPS LCD panel delivers decent colors, not punchy like AMOLED, but natural enough that photos don’t look oversaturated.
- Brightness maxes out around 450 nits, which translates to “squint a little under harsh sunlight.”
- Indoor viewing is flawless; outdoor readability requires some shade or hand-cupping
- That 60Hz refresh rate feels standard now, though honestly, at this price point, we wasn’t expecting buttery-smooth 90Hz scrolling.
- The waterdrop notch houses the selfie camera without eating too much screen space.
Screen Protection Reality
- No Gorilla Glass here, just standard tempered glass that picks up micro-scratches if you’re careless with keys.
- Lava includes a pre-applied screen protector, which saved me twice already from potentially nasty scratches.
- Invest ₹200 in a decent tempered glass protector and you’ll sleep better.
Performance: The Unisoc T765 Story
Understanding the Lava Shark 5G specs
The Unisoc T765 chipset sits at the heart of this budget smartphone review, and it’s a mixed bag.
- Built on 6nm architecture, which sounds technical but basically means better battery efficiency than older processors
- Two powerful Cortex-A76 cores handle heavy lifting, while six Cortex-A55 cores manage everyday tasks
- The Mali-G57 GPU won’t win gaming championships but handles casual gaming surprisingly well
- That integrated 5G modem supports both NSA and SA networks, future-proofing at its finest
Real-World Lava Shark 5G performance
- Instagram, WhatsApp, and Chrome open instantly, no complaints for daily essentials
- Switching between 5-6 apps feels smooth; push it to 10+ and you’ll notice lag as the 4GB RAM 64GB storage phone
- BGMI runs on Low settings at playable frame rates, competitive gaming? Not happening. Casual matches? Totally fine.
- The phone gets warm during extended gaming (around 38-40°C), but never uncomfortably hot.
- Android 15 phone under 8000 performance deserves praise, the interface feels clean and responsive.
- That 64GB storage fills up faster than you’d expect; we hit 45GB within a week of installing our usual apps.
- The aggressive RAM management kills background apps frequently, so Spotify might restart if you’ve opened several apps since.
Benchmark Numbers
- AnTuTu scores hover around 385,000, respectable for this budget 5G phone category
- These numbers won’t impress spec-sheet warriors, but they translate to adequate real-world performance.
The Lava Shark 5G Unisoc T765 performance Reality
- Daily scrolling through social media? Absolutely smooth.
- Heavy multitasking with demanding apps? Expect occasional stutters.
- 5G speeds reached 280 Mbps in my area, impressive when you find coverage.
- The seamless 4G/5G handoff works without dropping connections.
- Lava Shark 5G Unisoc T765 performance shines in efficiency rather than raw power.
Camera: Expectations vs. Reality
Lava Shark 5G camera Hardware Breakdown
- That 50MP primary sensor sounds impressive on paper, and in good lighting, it actually delivers.
- The 2MP depth sensor exists mainly for spec-sheet purposes, portrait mode works, but edge detection feels hit-or-miss.
- An 8MP selfie camera handles video calls and Instagram stories without drama.
- Single LED flash provides emergency lighting, nothing magical.
How the Lava Shark 5G camera Actually Performs
- Daytime photos look genuinely good, sharp details, accurate colors, and decent dynamic range.
- The full 50MP mode produces detailed shots perfect for cropping or social media posting.
- Low-light photography reveals this dual camera budget phone‘s biggest weakness, expect noise and soft details.
- Night mode helps marginally, but don’t expect Pixel-level computational magic
- Portrait mode works best with simple backgrounds; complex scenes show obvious blur errors.
- Video maxes out at 1080p/30fps with zero stabilization, walking footage looks shaky.
- HDR sometimes overdoes the processing, creating those artificial-looking skies you see in budget phones.
- Autofocus locks quickly in daylight, slows down considerably in dim environments
- Selfies come out social-media-ready, with optional beauty modes that thankfully aren’t forced.
Battery: The Lava Shark 5G battery life Marathon
Living with a 5000mAh battery smartphone
- Moderate usage (social media, calls, some YouTube) consistently delivers 6-7 hours screen-on time
- Heavy gaming drains it faster, expect 4-5 hours of continuous BGMI
- Light users easily stretch it to 1.5 days between charges
- Overnight standby drain stays under 5%, which impressed me
- Running on 5G networks cuts battery life by roughly 20% compared to 4G
- This budget 5G phone doesn’t demand daily afternoon top-ups, which matters when you’re out all day.
Charging Speed
- The included 18W charger fills 50% in about 45 minutes, not blazing fast, but acceptable
- Full charge takes roughly 1 hour 50 minutes from empty
- USB Type-C means no more fumbling with cable orientation
- Wireless charging? Not at this price point, obviously
Software: Clean Android 15 phone under 8000 Experience
- Lava maintained the bloatware to a minimum, less than 10 built-in applications of which most could be removed.
- The interface is pleasantly similar to stock Android 15, without the heavy skins and clutter.
- Two years of security changes vowed, yet significant Android upgrades are dubious.
- It has customization options, which are not as numerous as MIUI or ColorOS.
- Gesture navigation is perfect, fluid movements and controls.
- Digital wellbeing functions allow one to monitor screen time and app usage.
- Privacy controls based on Android 15 provide you with adequate permission management.
Useful Lava Shark features in Software
- Double-tap to wake actually works reliably
- Three-finger screenshot gesture saves time
- Flip to mute comes handy during meetings
- Basic gaming mode blocks notifications without fancy optimizations
- Reading mode’s blue light filter helps during nighttime browsing
- Split-screen multitasking functions properly for productivity tasks
5G and Connectivity
This Lava Shark 5G review India wouldn’t be complete without testing actual 5G performance:
- Supports crucial 5G bands (n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n41, n77, n78) used across India
- Dual SIM with 5G on one slot at a time, standard implementation
- 4G VoLTE works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, and Vi networks
- Wi-Fi dual-band connectivity stays stable without random disconnections
- Bluetooth 5.2 pairs quickly with earbuds and car systems
- GPS accuracy impresses, navigation works reliably even in dense urban areas
- No NFC means no Google Pay tap-and-pay convenience
Audio Quality
- Single bottom speaker gets loud enough for personal YouTube watching
- Audio quality lacks bass punch but keeps vocals clear
- That 3.5mm headphone jack survives, plug in your wired earphones without dongles
- FM radio works with wired earphones, perfect for morning news
- Call quality remains clear even in moderately noisy streets
Lava Shark 5G price and specs Value Analysis
The Lava Shark 5G price and specs combination creates interesting value:
- Priced between ₹7,499-₹7,999, genuinely qualifying as a 5G phone under ₹8000
- That price point makes 5G accessible to millions of first-time smartphone buyers
- Competition from Redmi, Realme, and Poco exists, but rarely at this exact price with 5G
- Single 4GB+64GB variant limits options for buyers wanting more headroom
Who Should Buy This best budget 5G phone India?
- First-time smartphone users upgrading from feature phones who want modern connectivity
- Students needing reliable performance for online classes without spending fortunes
- Anyone wanting a secondary phone with 5G capabilities
- Network enthusiasts curious about 5G without committing to expensive devices
- Parents buying phones for teenagers who’ll inevitably drop or damage them
The Good Stuff
These Lava Shark features genuinely impressed me:
- Actual 5G connectivity under ₹8,000, not marketing fluff
- Clean software without annoying bloatware
- Battery easily handles full-day usage for normal users
- MicroSD card slot rescues the limited internal storage
- Made in India appeals to those preferring domestic manufacturing
- Side fingerprint sensor works faster than many pricier phones
- Large display makes content consumption enjoyable
The Not-So-Good Stuff
This budget smartphone review must acknowledge these limitations:
- HD+ resolution shows its softness compared to Full HD competitors
- 4GB RAM feels cramped when multitasking heavily
- Camera struggles noticeably in low-light conditions
- Plastic build, while decent, can’t match metal or glass premium feel
- No ultrawide camera limits photography versatility
- Outdoor display brightness could be better
- No water resistance means extra caution around liquids
Final Thoughts: Lava Shark 5G full review 2026
After two weeks of real-world testing, this Lava Shark 5G full review 2026 lands on a clear verdict: this phone successfully brings 5G to the absolute masses. Sure, compromises exist everywhere you look, the camera won’t replace your DSLR, the display isn’t razor-sharp, and multitasking has limits.
But here’s the thing: at ₹7,999, none of those compromises feel unfair. The Lava Shark 5G review India perspective matters because this phone targets a specific Indian audience, those who want next-gen connectivity without selling a kidney.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if:
- Getting 5G connectivity at minimum cost tops your priority list
- You understand the performance limitations that come with this price
- Daily tasks involve social media, calling, and light content consumption
- Battery life matters more than gaming performance
- You appreciate clean software without bloatware
Look elsewhere if:
- Photography quality ranks high on your requirements
- Heavy gaming or intensive multitasking defines your usage
- Display sharpness bothers you at normal viewing distances
- You need premium build quality and materials
- More RAM (6GB+) is non-negotiable
Wait for sales if:
- You can stretch your budget slightly during festival sales
- Upcoming variants might offer 6GB RAM options
- You’re not in immediate need of a phone
The best budget 5G phone India debate continues with many contenders, but Lava Shark 5G makes a legitimate case through sheer affordability. This Lava Shark 5G review recognizes it as a practical gateway into 5G networking for millions of Indians entering the smartphone ecosystem.
The Lava Shark 5G specs won’t win spec-sheet battles against ₹15,000 phones, but they competently handle real-world requirements. The Lava Shark 5G performance satisfies essential smartphone needs, staying connected, browsing social media, watching videos, and yes, experiencing 5G speeds when available.
My Rating: 7.5/10 for its specific price segment
This 4GB RAM 64GB storage phone setup handles everyday life without major complaints. Just remember: you’re buying a ₹8,000 phone with 5G, not a ₹25,000 phone that somehow costs ₹8,000. Adjust expectations accordingly, and the Lava Shark 5G won’t disappoint.
The Lava Shark 5G battery life alone justifies the purchase for many users tired of daily charging anxiety. Combined with clean Android 15 phone under 8000 software and genuine 5G capability, it creates a compelling package for budget-conscious buyers.
Would we recommend this as your primary phone? Absolutely, if your needs align with what it offers. Would we recommend it expecting flagship-level performance? Not a chance. The beauty of this budget 5G phone lies in its honesty: it delivers exactly what it promises at a price that feels almost too good to be true.
For students, first-time buyers, or anyone wanting to dip their toes into 5G without financial stress, the Lava Shark 5G deserves serious consideration. Just grab a decent case and screen protector, and you’re set for the next couple of years.
