Verdict
The Lava Shark 5G is a fantastic option if you’re on a tight budget and want a phone that keeps up with modern expectations. It’s not perfect—the display is only HD+ and the camera could be better—but it nails the essentials.
With 5G, a clean UI, long battery life, and a design that punches above its weight, the Shark 5G is a no-brainer for first-time smartphone buyers or anyone looking for a reliable secondary device.
The Good
- Affordable 5G under ₹8,000
- Stylish iPhone-like camera design
- Long-lasting 5000mAh battery
- Clean Android 15 interface
- Expandable storage up to 1TB
- IP54 splash resistance
The Bad
- Only HD+ resolution
- Average low-light camera
- Basic gaming performance
- 10W charger in the box
- No ultra-wide or macro sensor
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Display
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Performance
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Camera
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Battery
Design & Display
Let’s start with the looks, and the Lava Shark 5G doesn’t disappoint. The rear camera module is strikingly similar to the iPhone 16’s, with large lenses and a clean, symmetrical layout that gives the phone a premium feel.
On the front, you get a 6.75-inch HD+ display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. While it’s not Full HD, colors are vibrant enough and scrolling feels fluid. The tall 20:9 aspect ratio is great for vertical content, making it easy to enjoy social media, YouTube, and web browsing comfortably.
Performance
Powered by the Unisoc T765 chipset and built on a 6nm process, the Shark 5G handles daily tasks like browsing, messaging, and video playback quite well. It’s backed by 4GB RAM plus 4GB of virtual RAM, giving you enough headroom for multitasking without major slowdowns.
On Geekbench, it scores 765 in single-core and 1922 in multi-core, outperforming many phones in the same price bracket. It’s not ideal for gaming, but for everyday use, it’s surprisingly capable.
Camera – iPhone Vibes on a Budget
The 13MP dual rear camera setup might sound basic on paper, but Lava gives it a stylish twist with a design that looks very much like the iPhone 16’s camera module. That premium aesthetic helps the phone stand out.
Photos taken in daylight are decent, with good colors and acceptable detail. Low-light shots are a bit soft and noisy, which is expected at this price point. The 5MP front camera comes with a screen flash, helping you get better selfies in low light.
Video recording tops out at 1080p and lacks stabilization, but it’s good enough for casual clips and video calls.
Battery Life
The 5000mAh battery is easily one of the phone’s biggest strengths. Light and moderate users can expect up to a day and a half of usage without needing to charge.
It supports 18W fast charging, but only a 10W charger comes in the box. Charging to full takes around two hours with an 18W adapter, so it’s worth picking one up if speed matters to you.
Software & Experience
Running on Android 15 with Lava’s XOS 15 skin, the Shark 5G offers a clean, no-bloatware experience that’s rare in this segment. No ads, no unwanted apps, just a simple, user-friendly interface that runs smoothly.
If you value a clean Android experience over flashy custom UIs, this phone won’t disappoint.
Competitors
In the under ₹8,000 segment, here’s how the Lava Shark 5G stacks up:
Infinix Smart 8 Plus – Big battery, but no 5G
Redmi A3 – Stylish and smooth, but lower performance
Samsung Galaxy M04 – Reliable brand, weaker specs
Jio Bharat 5G – Limited to Jio network, lacks flexibility
None of these offer the same combination of 5G, clean software, and solid battery life like the Shark 5G.
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