Lava Agni 4 5G Review: Metal Frame, 4K Video & Stock Android at ₹25,000 – Worth It in 2025?
Introduction
Lava Agni 4 is the latest budget flagship from the Indian smartphone brand Lava, launched at ₹25,000 in India. The Agni series has gained popularity for offering solid specifications at competitive prices, and this new model continues that tradition. If you’re looking for a smartphone with a premium metal frame, AMOLED display, stock Android experience, and 4K video recording – all from an Indian brand – this phone deserves your attention.
This detailed review covers everything you need to know about the Lava Agni 4 – from design and display to camera performance, battery life, and real-world usage. Whether you’re comparing it with the OnePlus Nord CE 5, Nothing Phone 3A, or Poco X7 Pro, this article will help you make an informed buying decision.
Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Lava Agni 4 Specifications |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67-inch Flat AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 10-bit, 2400 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB LPDDR5X + 256GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Main + 8MP Ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 50MP |
| Battery & Charging | 5000mAh, 66W Fast Charging |
| Software | Stock Android 15, 3 Years OS + 4 Years Security Updates |
| Connectivity | 5G (14 bands), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, IR Blaster, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Protection | IP64, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Price (India) | ₹25,000 (Single Variant) |
Design & Build Quality
The Lava Agni 4 feels premium in hand despite its budget-friendly price tag. The phone features a metal frame with a silver finish and a curved glass back panel. At 6.6 inches, it’s not too wide horizontally, making one-handed usage comfortable.
Key Design Highlights
- Thickness: 8.8mm
- Weight: Around 200 grams
- Colors: Lonar Mist and Phantom Black
- IP Rating: IP64 (splash resistant, but not fully waterproof)
The Action Button on the right side is a welcome addition. You can customize it for single-click, double-click, or long-press actions – open apps, toggle flashlight, take screenshots, or switch to silent mode. This implementation is genuinely useful and something even budget phones are now adopting.
However, the IP64 rating feels underwhelming at this price point. Competitors like Poco X7 Pro offer IP68, which provides better water and dust protection.
Display Quality
Lava has equipped the Agni 4 with a 6.67-inch Flat AMOLED display that delivers a good visual experience for media consumption and daily use.
Display Specifications
- Resolution: FHD+ (1.5K)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (LTPS)
- Color Depth: 10-bit
- Peak Brightness: 2400 nits (HBM: 960 nits)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: 93.5%
The 120Hz refresh rate works smoothly across Instagram, Chrome, and most apps. YouTube currently runs at 60Hz, but this may improve with future software updates.
Color Accuracy
- 94% sRGB
- 84% DCI-P3
The display supports HDR content, Widevine L1 for streaming platforms, and YouTube playback up to 4K 60fps HDR. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and outdoor visibility is excellent thanks to the high brightness levels.
Always-On Display is supported with clock and font customization options.
Performance & Gaming
The Lava Agni 4 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor – the same chip found in the OnePlus Nord CE 5. Combined with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the phone handles daily tasks smoothly.
Benchmark Scores
- AnTuTu: ~1.4 million
- Geekbench 6: Competitive single and multi-core scores
- CPU Stress Test: Stable performance without thermal throttling
Gaming Performance
| Game | Settings | Average FPS |
|---|---|---|
| BGMI | Smooth + Extreme | 59 FPS |
| Call of Duty Mobile | Low + Ultra | 80-82 FPS |
| CarX Street | No Limit | 55 FPS |
| Genshin Impact | Medium, 60 FPS | 55-56 FPS |
| Wuthering Waves | Balanced, 60 FPS | 40-45 FPS |
The phone handles casual and mid-level gaming well, but it’s not a performance-centric device. For heavy gaming, phones like Poco X7 Pro offer better sustained performance.
Haptics Disappointment
The vibration motor is weak and buzzy – not the crisp, sharp feedback you’d expect. Typing and UI interactions feel underwhelming compared to competitors.
Camera Performance
The Lava Agni 4 features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and 8MP ultra-wide lens. The front camera is also 50MP.
Daylight Photography
The primary sensor captures decent photos in good lighting conditions. Colors tend to be slightly punchy, and sharpness is acceptable. However, exposure control is inconsistent – bright areas often get overexposed, losing detail in highlights.
The ultra-wide camera struggles more with exposure. Bright skies often appear completely washed out.
Portrait Mode
Portrait performance is disappointing. Edge detection is poor, and skin tones get heavily processed, resulting in unnatural-looking photos with an orange or yellow tint.
Low Light & Night Photography
Low-light performance is average at best. Photos appear grainy, and the yellow/greenish color cast under street lights is quite noticeable. Detail retention drops significantly in challenging lighting conditions.
Video Recording
A major highlight is the ability to record 4K 60fps video from both front and rear cameras – rare at this price point.
- EIS is available but introduces noticeable crop
- Without EIS, stabilization is minimal
- Audio quality from the microphone is decent
Selfie Camera
The 50MP front camera performs well, producing natural-looking selfies without excessive processing. Selfie portraits are also acceptable.
Camera Verdict: The camera is functional for casual use but not a strong point. If photography is a priority, consider alternatives like the Nothing Phone 3A.
Battery Life & Charging
The Lava Agni 4 packs a 5000mAh battery, which feels slightly conservative when competitors are offering 6000mAh+ batteries.
Real-World Battery Life
- Screen-on Time: 7-9 hours with basic usage (YouTube, calls, social media)
- Heavy usage with gaming and camera will reduce this
Charging Speed
- 66W Fast Charging included in the box
- 0 to 100% in approximately 50 minutes
The charging speed is competitive, but the smaller battery capacity is a drawback for heavy users.
Software & Updates
The Lava Agni 4 runs stock Android 15 out of the box – a refreshing experience without any custom skin or bloatware.
Update Policy
- 3 Years of Major Android Updates
- 4 Years of Security Updates
Note: With Android 16 launching soon, you’ll effectively get 2 major updates.
Clean Software Experience
- No bloatware or third-party apps
- Minimal Lava apps (Outdoor Toolbox, Lava Care)
- Smooth animations and snappy performance
- Good RAM management
Notable Features
- Split-screen multitasking
- App cloning and hiding
- Circle to Search with Gemini
- AI Call Summary (works better in English)
- FM Radio (with wired earphones)
Lava’s Y U AI assistant is included for basic queries and AI-powered photo editing (erase, expand, sketch). However, the AI implementation is hit-or-miss, especially with regional languages.
Connectivity & Extra Features
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| 5G Bands | 14 bands supported |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| USB Port | Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Display Out supported) |
| IR Blaster | Yes (requires third-party app) |
| NFC | No |
| Fingerprint | Optical (in-display) |
The USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port stands out – you can use display output for projecting to larger screens, which is uncommon at this price.
Face Recognition Issue: During testing, the phone struggled to detect faces even in well-lit environments.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium metal frame design | Only IP64 rating (IP68 expected) |
| 4K 60fps video (front & rear) | 5000mAh battery (competitors offer 6000mAh+) |
| UFS 4.0 storage | Weak haptics/vibration motor |
| USB Type-C with display output | Inconsistent camera processing |
| Stock Android, no bloatware | No NFC |
| Competitive charging speed (66W) | Portrait mode needs improvement |
| Indian brand with good after-sales | Face unlock issues in testing |
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Lava Agni 4 | OnePlus Nord CE 5 | Poco X7 Pro | Nothing Phone 3A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹25,000 | ₹24,999 | ₹22,999 | ₹29,999 |
| Processor | Dimensity 8350 | Dimensity 8350 | Dimensity 8400 Ultra | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Display | 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 66W | 5500mAh, 100W | 6000mAh, 90W | 5000mAh, 45W |
| Camera | 50MP + 8MP | 50MP + 8MP | 50MP + 8MP | 50MP + 50MP |
| IP Rating | IP64 | IP65 | IP68 | IP54 |
| Software | Stock Android 15 | OxygenOS 15 | HyperOS | Nothing OS |
Quick Comparison
- For Performance: Poco X7 Pro offers better gaming with Dimensity 8400 Ultra
- For Camera: Nothing Phone 3A has superior camera quality
- For Battery: Poco X7 Pro with 6000mAh + 90W charging wins
- For Clean Software: Lava Agni 4 offers the purest stock Android experience
Price & Variants in India
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage | ₹25,000 |
Availability
- Online: Amazon, Flipkart, Lava official website
- Offline: Retail stores across India
Special Offers
- Free phone replacement within 1 year for hardware defects
- Free home service support
- 66W charger and transparent case included in the box
Who Should Buy This Phone?
Ideal For
- Users who prefer stock Android without bloatware
- Those who want to support an Indian brand
- Content creators needing 4K 60fps video recording
- Users who value premium design at a budget price
- Anyone who needs USB display output functionality
Who Should Avoid
- Heavy gamers (consider Poco X7 Pro instead)
- Photography enthusiasts (Nothing Phone 3A is better)
- Users who need IP68 water resistance
- Those who prioritize large battery capacity
FAQs
Yes, if you want stock Android, premium build quality, and 4K video recording at ₹25,000. However, compare it with OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Poco X7 Pro before deciding.
Yes, it supports 14 5G bands and works well with Jio and Airtel 5G networks.
Camera performance is average. Good for casual photography but struggles with exposure control and portrait mode. Future updates may improve this.
Yes, it features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 2400 nits peak brightness.
With the included 66W charger, the phone charges from 0 to 100% in approximately 50 minutes.
It handles casual gaming well with games like BGMI running at 60 FPS. However, it’s not ideal for heavy games like Genshin Impact at maximum settings.
No, the phone does not support NFC. Tap-and-pay functionality is not available.
Lava promises 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches. Since Android 16 is launching soon, expect 2 major updates practically.
Final Verdict
The Lava Agni 4 is a commendable effort from an Indian smartphone brand trying to compete in the crowded ₹25,000 segment. It offers several unique advantages – stock Android experience, premium metal build, 4K 60fps video recording, and UFS 4.0 storage with display output support.
However, it faces tough competition from established players. The Poco X7 Pro offers better gaming performance and larger battery. The Nothing Phone 3A delivers superior camera quality. The OnePlus Nord CE 5 provides faster charging.
Buying Recommendation: Depends
If you specifically want a clean stock Android experience and wish to support an Indian brand, the Lava Agni 4 is a solid choice. The build quality and video capabilities justify its price. However, if camera quality or gaming performance is your priority, explore alternatives before making your final decision.
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