When Lava launches a new phone, it always brings something interesting to the table — especially for budget-conscious buyers. The Lava Storm Play, launched at ₹12,499, aims to impress with powerful internals, a clean design, and a few surprising features rarely seen at this price. Let’s take a quick, to-the-point look at what this new budget warrior brings.
Unboxing Experience
Right out of the box, the Lava Storm Play feels complete. It comes with everything you’d expect —
- Smartphone
- Transparent case
- SIM ejector tool
- Type-A to Type-C charging cable
- 18W fast charging adapter
These basic but important accessories mean you won’t need to buy extras right away.
Design & Display
The Storm Play may be priced affordably, but it doesn’t look or feel cheap. The rear panel has a premium finish, although the phone feels a bit bulky in hand due to its 6.75-inch screen. The bezels are average, and the phone weighs 195 grams, which is decent for a 5000mAh battery.
The HD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel super smooth — something that’s still not common in this segment. You also get IP64 dust and water resistance, a 3.5mm headphone jack, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and face unlock, adding to convenience and durability.
Cameras
This phone doesn’t just perform well — it clicks well too. The 50MP Sony IMX752 primary sensor delivers solid shots in daylight with natural colors and good dynamic range. The 2MP depth sensor is basic but works decently for portraits.
On the front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera that captures okay images in good lighting. Don’t expect flagship-level detail, but it’s perfectly usable for casual selfies and video calls.
Performance
This is where Lava surprised me. The MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) chipset powers the Storm Play and delivers an impressive AnTuTu score of nearly 5 lakh (~498,443). That’s quite rare in this price segment. App switching is smooth, and light gaming feels responsive.
It ships with Android 15 out-of-the-box, and Lava promises 1 year of major updates and 2 years of security patches. This is a huge plus considering many budget phones skip timely updates.
Memory and storage are also impressive — 6GB LPDDR5 RAM paired with 128GB UFS 3.1 storage, which is usually found in higher-end phones.
Battery & Charging
The Lava Storm Play packs a 5000mAh battery, enough to last a full day easily. Charging is handled via 18W wired charger, which is okay, though not the fastest. Still, considering the price, the combination of endurance and modest charging speed works fine.
Price & Special Perks
At ₹12,499, Lava Storm Play feels well-priced. And yes, there are additional bank offers that can bring the price even lower.
But the highlight? Lava’s “Free Service at Home” — a feature no other budget brand is offering currently. Facing a hardware or software issue? You don’t need to go to a service center — Lava sends the technician to your doorstep. That’s a thoughtful addition, especially for users in smaller towns.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a sub-₹13K smartphone that doesn’t feel “budget” in performance or features, Lava Storm Play checks most boxes. From the smooth 120Hz display and Dimensity 7050 chip to Sony’s 50MP sensor and UFS 3.1 storage, it’s a well-balanced phone for everyday use.
Summary
- Premium Design
- 120Hz Display
- Dimensity 7050 with 498K+ AnTuTu Score
- Sony 50MP Camera
- Android 15 + Guaranteed Updates
- Free Home Service
All this at ₹12,499? Lava has truly played it smart.
Disclaimer: Prices, features, and availability mentioned are accurate as of 15th July 2025 and may change with time or offers. Always verify from official sources before purchase.