Lava Shark 5G: The Indian smartphone market witnessed a significant milestone in May 2025 when Lava International launched the Shark 5G, positioning it as one of the most affordable 5G-enabled devices in the country. Priced at just ₹7,999, this budget-friendly smartphone challenges the conventional notion that 5G connectivity requires premium pricing, bringing next-generation network capabilities to a broader consumer base.
Design Philosophy: Functionality Meets Aesthetics
The Lava Shark 5G embraces a practical design approach while maintaining visual appeal through its glossy back finish. Available in two distinctive colorways – Stellar Gold and Stellar Blue – the device features a modern aesthetic that belies its budget positioning. The rear panel showcases a distinctive circular camera island with an LED flash array, creating a unified design language that extends from the earlier Shark 4G model.
Measuring 6.75 inches across its display, the phone maintains comfortable ergonomics despite its substantial screen size. The inclusion of IP54 certification provides dust and splash resistance, adding a layer of durability that’s often missing in this price segment. This protection rating demonstrates Lava’s commitment to delivering practical features that enhance everyday usability.
Display Technology: Balancing Performance and Cost
The centerpiece of the user experience is the 6.75-inch HD+ IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio. While not reaching the pixel density of premium devices, the screen delivers adequate sharpness for everyday tasks and content consumption. The implementation of a 90Hz refresh rate represents a significant advantage over standard 60Hz displays, providing smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness.
The display achieves a brightness level of 600 nits, ensuring reasonable visibility under various lighting conditions. Color accuracy, while not matching AMOLED standards, proves satisfactory for the target market. The screen supports Widevine L3 certification, enabling standard definition streaming from popular platforms, though it limits maximum playback resolution to 480p.
Performance Foundation: Unisoc T765 Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Shark 5G utilizes the Unisoc T765 chipset, built on a 6nm manufacturing process. This octa-core processor features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.3GHz for demanding tasks, alongside six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores running at 2.1GHz. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles graphics processing, enabling the device to achieve an AnTuTu benchmark score exceeding 400,000 points.
The performance configuration includes 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, supplemented by an additional 4GB of virtual RAM through software optimization. This 8GB effective memory capacity ensures smooth multitasking and efficient app management. Storage is provided by 64GB of UFS 2.2 internal memory, expandable up to 512GB via microSD card, addressing the storage needs of budget-conscious users.
Photography Capabilities: AI-Enhanced Imaging
The camera system features a dual rear setup headlined by a 13MP primary sensor with AI enhancement capabilities. While this represents a step down from some competitors offering 50MP sensors, Lava focuses on optimizing image processing algorithms to deliver reliable photography performance. The secondary auxiliary sensor supports depth sensing for portrait photography.
For selfies and video calls, the device incorporates a 5MP front-facing camera positioned within a U-shaped notch. The camera application offers various shooting modes including Portrait, Pro, Night, Panorama, and Slow Motion, providing creative flexibility for users. The device supports 4K video recording at 30fps, an impressive capability for its price range.
Software Experience: Pure Android 15
One of the Shark 5G’s standout features is its commitment to delivering a clean Android experience. Running Android 15 without bloatware, the device provides an uncluttered interface that prioritizes user control and system performance. This approach contrasts with many budget devices that often include numerous pre-installed applications that consume storage and system resources.
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Lava Shark 5G Power Management and Connectivity
A 5000mAh battery powers the device, providing all-day usage for typical user patterns. While the phone supports 18W fast charging, Lava includes only a 10W charger in the retail package, requiring users to purchase faster charging accessories separately. The substantial battery capacity compensates for the charging limitation, ensuring reliable daily performance.
The Shark 5G represents Lava’s strategic effort to make 5G technology accessible to price-sensitive consumers while maintaining essential smartphone functionality.