The Indian smartphone brand Lava has officially entered the gaming segment with the launch of its brand-new Lava Play Ultra. Lava markets this device with the tagline “Built for Play, Ready for Everything”, showing that it is not just designed for gaming but also crafted to deliver a complete all-around experience. With competitive pricing, a sleek design, clean software, and performance-focused hardware, this phone is positioned as a strong option for buyers who want an affordable yet powerful smartphone. Let’s explore everything about the Lava Play Ultra, including design, display, performance, cameras, software, battery, durability, and price.
Design, Build and First Impressions
The Lava Play Ultra comes with a flat-edge design that immediately gives it a premium feel. The Arctic Frost color variant looks clean and modern, while the Lava branding on the back adds a touch of identity. The device is slim, lightweight, and comfortable to hold, which enhances grip during gaming or long usage sessions. On the right side, the phone has the power button and volume rocker, while the left side houses the SIM tray. The top includes a secondary microphone, and the bottom features the USB-C port, speaker grill, main microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack—a feature that many budget devices now miss but Lava smartly includes.
Another highlight is the dual stereo speaker setup, which ensures immersive sound for both entertainment and gaming. With IP64 dust and water resistance, the device also offers durability, which makes it more dependable for daily use.
Display – Smooth and Bright
The Lava Play Ultra is equipped with a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making it excellent for gaming, scrolling, and watching videos. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the display remains visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The bezels are minimal, and the punch-hole design for the 13MP selfie camera gives the phone a modern look.
For added convenience and security, the display also integrates an in-display fingerprint scanner. Whether it is gaming, streaming movies, or simply browsing social media, the screen delivers sharp colors, smooth performance, and an overall enjoyable viewing experience.
Performance and Hardware
At the heart of the Lava Play Ultra is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor built on the 4nm architecture, which ensures strong efficiency and gaming optimization. Lava pairs this with MediaTek HyperEngine technology, making it suitable for long gaming sessions without heating or lag.
The smartphone comes in two RAM options 6GB and 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, with support for virtual RAM expansion for smoother multitasking. Storage is fixed at 128GB UFS 3.1, which is both fast and reliable.
In terms of benchmark scores, the device crosses 700,000+ on AnTuTu, highlighting its capability to handle demanding games and performance-heavy tasks. With this setup, Lava has clearly targeted gamers and performance-focused buyers in the mid-budget category.
Battery and Charging
Powering the device is a 5000mAh battery that ensures a full day of gaming, streaming, and regular smartphone use. The Lava Play Ultra also supports 33W fast charging, with the charger included in the box. Given the efficiency of the Dimensity 7300 processor, the combination of strong battery life and quick charging makes the phone highly practical for daily use.
Camera Performance
The Lava Play Ultra features a 64MP primary camera with a Sony IMX 682 sensor and EIS, delivering sharp and stable images. It is supported by a 5MP macro lens for close-up shots. On the front, the 13MP selfie camera captures clear photos and supports 4K video recording along with the rear camera.
For a smartphone in this price range, the ability to shoot 4K videos is an impressive addition. Overall, the camera system is reliable for everyday photography, social media content, and video recording.
Software and User Experience
One of the strongest selling points of the Lava Play Ultra is its software. It comes with Android 15 out of the box, offering a clean and bloatware-free experience. Lava has promised 2 years of software updates and 3 years of security updates, which enhances the long-term value of the device.
In addition, Lava has included useful features such as Game Booster mode, FM radio, anonymous call recording, and the Lava Care app for customer support. Importantly, Lava provides free at-home service, a unique offering in the budget smartphone segment that significantly improves customer satisfaction.
Durability and Service Advantage
The Lava Play Ultra is IP64 certified, making it resistant to dust and splashes. This durability, combined with Lava’s free service-at-home policy, makes the smartphone stand out from competitors. Usually, such after-sales perks are reserved for premium devices, but Lava is offering them even in this affordable category, giving users added peace of mind.
Lava Play Ultra Price and Variants
Lava has launched the Play Ultra in two storage variants. With attractive bank offers, the effective pricing becomes even more affordable for buyers.
| Variant | RAM + Storage | Price | Effective Price (with offers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Model | 6GB + 128GB | ₹14,999 | ₹13,999 |
| High-End Model | 8GB + 128GB | ₹16,499 | ₹15,499 |
This aggressive pricing makes the Lava Play Ultra one of the best value-for-money smartphones for gaming and all-round usage in its category.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Lava Play Ultra?
The Lava Play Ultra is a refreshing entry in the Indian smartphone market. It combines stylish design, a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, a powerful Dimensity 7300 processor, reliable cameras, and clean Android 15 software. The addition of IP64 durability, stereo speakers, and free at-home service makes it stand out even further.
For gamers and performance-focused users, this phone offers everything at a highly competitive price. Lava has managed to deliver a complete package that is not only built for gaming but also ready for everyday needs. The Lava Play Ultra shows that an Indian brand can truly compete with international players by focusing on quality, performance, and customer care.
