Lava Agni 4: India-bound “near-flagship” with Dimensity 8350 and a 7,000-mAh heart
Lava’s Agni 4 looks to close the gap between mid-range value phones and near-flagship devices. The headline is the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 on a modern 4nm-class process — a chipset aimed at strong single- and multi-core performance, efficient sustained workloads, and good GPU chops for mobile games. Paired with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.0 storage (expected in leak lists), the Agni 4 promises snappy app launches and smoother multitasking than typical phones in this price band.
Key specs (quick bullets — the bit I missed earlier)
- Display: ~6.78″ AMOLED / OLED, Full HD+ (~1260×2780), 120 Hz refresh rate, flat frame
- SoC: MediaTek Dimensity 8350 (4nm-class)
- RAM & Storage: Expected base 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, upgradable variants likely (LPDDR5X / UFS 4.0)
- Rear cameras: 50 MP main + 8 MP secondary (ultra-wide or telemacro depending on config) — OIS reported in some leaks
- Front camera: ~16 MP selfie sensor
- Battery: ~7,000 mAh (or slightly over 7,000 mAh in leaks)
- Charging: Fast wired charging expected (rumours point to 66W–80W)
- Build: Flat metal frame, refined rear camera pill, action-style side button reported
- OS: Android with Lava’s custom skin (update policy and long-term support TBD)
- Connectivity: 5G capable (Dimensity 8350), Wi-Fi 6/6E likely, in-display fingerprint scanner
- Expected price (India): ~₹20,000–₹25,000 (launch dependent)
Design and display: premium looks without the fanfare
Unlike the Agni 3’s more experimental look, the Agni 4 appears to adopt a cleaner, more mature aesthetic — flat metal edges, a centered pill camera module, and a high-refresh AMOLED panel. The move to a flat frame and polished build signals Lava’s intent to play in a more premium visual league rather than chase gimmicks. The 120 Hz panel plus AMOLED means smoother UI motion and better contrast for streaming and games.
Battery life and charging: endurance becomes the story
A battery north of 7,000 mAh is a legitimate differentiator. For users who prioritise long screen-on time — heavy gamers, wfh users, travelers — this is huge. The trade-off to watch: charging speed vs battery capacity. Fast charging claims (66–80W) sound promising, but real-world charging times and thermal control will determine whether the phone feels premium or just big.
Imaging: fewer lenses, more focus on fundamentals
Lava seems to have simplified the camera array — fewer modules but a stronger main sensor. A 50 MP primary (potential OIS) plus a competent secondary lens suggests the brand is prioritising image quality over marketing numbers. Simplified camera stacks can mean better software tuning per lens, but versatility (telephoto/macro) may be less compared with rivals that pack three or four sensors.
Value calculus: where Agni 4 could sway buyers
If Lava ships the Agni 4 with the Dimensity 8350, AMOLED 120 Hz, 7,000 mAh battery, and reasonable charging, it will offer near-flagship specs in a mid-range price bracket. That combination could make the Agni 4 especially attractive to gamers and heavy-use buyers who want longevity and performance without the ₹30k+ premium. However, final success will hinge on camera tuning, thermal management, software polish, and Lava’s update / after-sales commitments.
Things to verify on launch
- Real sustained performance (thermal throttling under long gaming sessions)
- Camera output in varied lighting (especially whether OIS is present and effective)
- Charging curve and real-world time to ~50/100% with a large battery
- Software update cadence and service coverage in India
Implications for the market
If Lava delivers the Agni 4 as leaked, it will push competitors to rethink value-for-money bundles — not by shaving costs, but by offering genuinely better internals, bigger batteries, and premium design choices at aggressive prices. For buyers, that means better options in the ₹20–25k bracket; for brands, it raises the bar on what “mid-range” should deliver.
