The Indian smartphone manufacturer, Lava, is all set to disrupt the budget 5G segment once again. After the massive success of the original Lava Shark 5G, which was launched last year at an aggressive price of just ₹7,999, the company has officially confirmed the arrival of its successor—the Lava Shark 2 5G.
According to official announcements, the Lava Shark 2 5G will be positioned in the sub-₹15,000 category, making it one of the most affordable 5G options for Indian consumers. The device is expected to hit the shelves within the next 10 days.
Price and Variants
The highlight of this launch is the pricing strategy. Lava has confirmed that the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant of the Shark 2 5G will be priced at ₹11,499. One of the standout features of this device is its “Expandable RAM” technology. While it has 4GB of physical RAM, users can utilize an additional 4GB of virtual RAM, providing a total performance overhead of 8GB RAM.
Performance and Processor
Under the hood, the Lava Shark 2 5G is powered by the UNISOC T765 Octa-core processor. Built on a power-efficient 6nm fabrication process, this chipset features:
- Two Cortex A76 cores clocked at 2.3GHz for high-performance tasks.
- Six Cortex A55 cores clocked at 2.1GHz for daily efficiency.
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU to handle gaming and graphics smoothly.
Additionally, the phone comes with an IP54 rating, providing essential protection against dust and water splashes.
Display and Battery
The phone features a large 6.75-inch HD+ LCD display with a resolution of 1612 × 720 pixels. It utilizes a “U-shaped” waterdrop notch design and supports a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and transitions. With a pixel density of 260PPI, the viewing experience is decent for its price point.
To keep the lights on, Lava has packed a 5,000mAh battery. While the battery capacity is massive, the phone supports 18W fast charging via a USB Type-C port, ensuring you don’t stay plugged in for too long.
Camera and Connectivity
For photography enthusiasts, the Shark 2 5G offers a 13MP AI Rear Camera with an LED flash. On the front, there is a 5MP selfie shooter for video calls and social media.
Connectivity options are robust, featuring Dual-mode 5G (SA/NSA), Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, and Bluetooth 5.0. For security, the device includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is both fast and convenient.
Expansion of Other Models
Alongside the Shark 2 news, Lava also announced a new variant for the Lava Bold N1 5G. This model will now be available in a 6GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration. Previously, the Bold N1 was available in 4GB+64GB (₹7,499) and 4GB+128GB (₹7,999) options. It shares similar DNA with the Shark series, including the UNISOC T765 processor, 5000mAh battery, and 90Hz display.
Market Context and Alternatives
The budget segment is currently very competitive. While Lava is dominating the local scene, other brands like Tecno are also active. For instance, the Tecno Spark 50 series has recently launched, offering unique features. Rumors also suggest that Tecno Spark 50 Pro leaks point towards impressive battery specs that might challenge Lava.
For users willing to stretch their budget slightly more for premium features, you can check out the top 5 best smartphones in the 25k to 30k budget to see how mid-range devices compare to these budget offerings.
Conclusion
Lava is clearly aiming to capture the hearts of budget-conscious 5G seekers. With a balanced mix of performance, a high refresh rate screen, and reliable battery life, the Lava Shark 2 5G is poised to be a strong contender in the Indian market this season. Keep an eye out for the official sale starting in the next few days!