Building up on the hype that Lava Agni 2 created, the company is trying to go the extra mile with its successor – the Agni 3. Packing a telephoto lens under Rs 25,000, an Action Key inspired by the iPhone, and a back cover display placed right by the camera module reminiscent of the Mi 11 Ultra. With all these, the Agni 3 feels like a mashup of the innovative hits in the smartphone scene.
Lava Agni 3
Rs 20,999
What Is Good?
- Looks premium
- Good for day-to-day tasks
- Action key simplifies the usability
- Addition of cover display at this price point
- Reliable battery life
- Clean software
- Quite affordable
What Is Bad?
- Camera performance is average
- Cover display integration needs a few tweaks
- Heats up during extensive gaming
But is it truly the package of your dreams, or does it still have room for improvement? Find out in my review.
Pricing and Availability
The Lava Agni 3 comes in two variants on Amazon. But buyers can choose to include a charger or skip it, with a small price difference between the options. So, if you look at it, the charger is essentially costing about Rs 2,999 – which is a lot for the brick and cable.
| Variant | Price |
| 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage (Without Charger) | Rs 20,999 |
| 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage (With Charger) | Rs 22,999 |
| 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage (With Charger) | Rs 24,999 |
Design and Display
The Lava Agni 3 isn’t your average Lava phone. The sleek curves on this device are a nice touch, but it’s got some heft. Sure, the weight is balanced, but after a while, you’ll start feeling it. And if you’re after the slimmest of slim, this might not be your pick.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 212 grams |
| Thickness | 8.8mm |
| Colours | Heather Glass and Pristine Glass |
| IP Rating | IP64 |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: SIM tray, Primary microphone, USB port, Speaker grille Top: Speaker grille, Secondary microphone Right Side: Power button and Action key Left Side: Volume button |
I got my hands on the Heather Glass colourway, a moody shade of blue that stands out. Compared to the Lava Agni 2, the camera module has gone through a major makeover. There’s also a quirky secondary display on the back—reminiscent of a flip phone’s cover screen. It’s also clearly taking heavy inspiration from the Mi 11 Ultra. The fact this feature has trickled down to a mid-range smartphone is great.
It’s a 1.74-inch AMOLED touchscreen panel that offers various widgets, including camera access, notifications, battery percentage, time, music player controls, and alarms.
I had a great time snapping photos using the secondary display—it operates smoothly. However, transitioning between tasks wasn’t as effortless as I’d hoped; I found myself struggling a bit with its usability, as it felt disorienting.
On the upside, it’s handy for quickly checking notifications and calls right from the back of the phone. Overall, the secondary display has potential but feels a bit underwhelming with its current execution. Incorporating additional features could greatly improve the overall experience.
Besides that, you also get an Action Key on the right, clearly inspired by the iPhone’s Action Button, sitting right next to the power button. It can launch any app, switch the flashlight on and off, or start recording at a press. Surprisingly practical, it works without a hitch. In short, design-wise the Agni 3 gives you a mashup of premium features borrowed from top brands, all rolled into one unique package.
The display on this phone is a standout feature, showcasing a stunning curved AMOLED screen. For a device priced under Rs 25,000, it truly exudes a premium vibe.
The bezels are nicely proportioned, though they are a tad thicker than what we typically expect from curved displays. Fortunately, the curvature didn’t lead to any accidental touches during my usage, which is a win.
| Display | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.78-inch |
| Type | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2652 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 1200 nits Tested: 736 nits |
| Minimum Brightness | 03 nits |
Scrolling and general navigation felt smooth, with no hiccups to report. I indulged in a binge session of Gilmore Girls on Netflix, and the colour accuracy was impressive. The deep blacks in other movies really enhanced the overall picture quality, providing extra depth. Netflix supports Widevine L1, but sadly, there’s no HDR. Still, this doesn’t seriously impact the viewing experience.
On the downside, the audio left something to be desired. The sound from the secondary speaker grille at the top came across as distorted, especially at higher volumes.
Hardware and Software
The MediaTek Dimensity 7300X can also be found in the Motorola Razr 50, which, as you might know, is a flip phone. Take a look at our AnTuTu score graph to compare the performance of these two devices.
Surprisingly, the Lava Agni 3 has surpassed the Razr 50 in AnTuTu scores, even though the Razr is priced three times higher.
For everyday tasks, it handled everything quite well, with no noticeable lags or crashes. However, I found that the phone tended to underperform, particularly during charging.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300X |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Storage Test | 671037 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 78 per cent of its max performance |
| Software Version | Android 14 Three years of OS updates and four years of security updates |
| Connectivity Details | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4 |
When it comes to gaming, I tested Call of Duty: Mobile at High and Max graphic settings. I achieved a peak of 59 fps, with the lowest being 53 fps. The gameplay was fluid, but the device did heat up after about 15 minutes. So, while the performance was solid overall, the heat became uncomfortable after a while, which was a bit of a drawback for me.
Running on Android 14, the Lava Agni 3 delivers a streamlined, clutter-free experience. For those who crave a minimalistic Android setup, this one deserves a spot on your radar. The software experience left me more than satisfied, with zero issues to report.
Cameras
This phone sports a triple-camera setup on the back, packing a telephoto lens—an impressive feat for its price.
In bright lighting conditions, it produces fairly solid shots, though the white balance struggles. Detail-wise, it falls short of the sharpness the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers in this range.
Switching to the ultra-wide, there’s a pleasant surprise; no grain near the edges, a common weak spot for many phones. While the image quality holds up, a bit more daylight sharpness would take it to the next level.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 50-megapixel wide with OIS |
| Secondary Camera | 8-megapixel telephoto, 3x optical zoom |
| Tertiary Camera | 8-megapixel ultra-wide, 112-degree |
| Selfie Camera | 16-megapixel, f/2.0 aperture |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 2K at 30fps |
Portrait mode seems to soften the line between subject and background, though most users could still spot the difference. That said, it does a commendable job with skin tone accuracy.
In low light, the slower-than-expected shutter speed means a five or six-second hold is needed for decent quality. This usually means you will miss out on important moments. Besides, patience is key here. Lens flare is a downside here, with details landing in the just-average category.
The selfie camera on the Agni 3 will require a software update to function properly. Despite disabling the filters, the post-processing of the image tends to overly smoothen the skin. Making it look extremely artificial.
Battery and Charging
You’ve got two choices: buy the phone solo or get it bundled with a charger for an absurd added cost. So technically, the charger isn’t in the box. That said, this phone supports 66W fast charging. With the charger we used, it hit a full charge just a few minutes shy of an hour.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 66W |
| Charging Time | 56 minutes |
When it comes to battery life, it performs admirably. Light to moderate use will easily get you through a full day, while heavy usage pushes it to around nine to 10 hours. Beyond that, you’ll likely need to reach for the charger.
Verdict
The Lava Agni 3 presents a sophisticated design and feel, featuring a cover display, and an additional Action Key that enhances usability, all backed by dependable battery life.
When it comes to performance, this phone handles everyday tasks effortlessly. However, I did encounter some hiccups during heavy usage. It can handle most challenges, but only up to a point. My main disappointment lies with the cameras. While the company has made an effort to include a range of camera modes, the overall quality remains average at best.
While the primary display operates smoothly, the secondary cover display falls short, experiencing some issues with seamless widget integration. It’s functional, but it still isn’t practical in its current stage.
In the under-Rs 25,000 segment, the Agni 3 offers a distinct option with potential for improvement. I believe a software update could address many of these concerns.
At Rs 20,999 (without the charger), it’s a solid investment. However, if a top-notch camera is what you’re after, you might want to consider alternatives like the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and the Nothing Phone (2a) in this price bracket.
