Lava Agni 3 isn’t your typical midrange smartphone. The Indian smartphone brand has taken a step forward with this new model, blending features commonly seen across various segments. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Lava Agni 2, the Agni 3 introduces innovations that promise to enhance the user experience. For example, the device includes a secondary display near the camera module, inspired by foldable smartphones, as well as a customisable Action Key similar to the iPhone’s Action Button. These features, combined with a clean user interface, position the Lava Agni 3 as a strong contender in the midrange market.
Design
The Lava Agni 3 features a premium design with a curved display that adds to its sleek and modern aesthetic. The metallic middle frame and frosted glass-like finish on the back not only enhance its visual appeal but also improve grip, making it easy to hold without the phone feeling slippery. Although the device is slightly hefty, it’s well-balanced and comfortable to use one-handed without causing strain.
The phone’s rear design is also functional. The triple-camera setup and the 1.74-inch secondary display are housed in an elevated section that prevents the phone from laying flat on surfaces. This adds an extra layer of stability when placed down. The new Action Key, located just above the power button, provides an additional layer of convenience. The power button is marked in red, but the Action Key’s placement feels more natural for the thumb, which can sometimes lead to confusion between the two buttons, particularly in a rush.
For durability, the Lava Agni 3 is rated IP64 for dust and water resistance, a feature typically seen in higher-end smartphones.
Displays and Audio
The Lava Agni 3 features two displays: a 1.74-inch AMOLED secondary screen and a 6.78-inch primary 3D curved display. The secondary display serves as a quick-access hub, offering widgets for camera controls, notifications, battery status, and music playback. While the secondary display is functional, it could benefit from further optimisation. Task transitions aren’t always seamless, and sometimes the main display doesn’t automatically turn off when switching to the rear screen, potentially causing accidental touches. However, if the secondary display is activated first, the primary screen switches off automatically.
The 6.78-inch main display impresses with vibrant colours and a 1.5K resolution, offering a smooth experience with a 120Hz refresh rate. Content such as YouTube videos looks sharp, with HDR support enhancing the viewing experience, although Netflix lacks HDR. The display’s high quality is a standout feature, rivaling more expensive smartphones.
Unfortunately, the Lava Agni 3’s audio performance doesn’t live up to the display. The speaker output is flat, lacking in low frequencies, and the sound becomes distorted at higher volumes. Audio quality could definitely be improved to match the impressive visuals.
Camera
The Lava Agni 3 comes equipped with a triple-camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. In bright conditions, the primary camera produces decent images, although the white balance can be inconsistent. The camera also struggles in low-light conditions, with details becoming blurry and the shutter speed slowing significantly.
The ultra-wide-angle camera performs well, with minimal distortion on the edges, and the telephoto lens delivers solid 3x zoom shots during the day, although quality drops in low light. The 16MP front camera takes satisfactory selfies with natural skin tones, though it lacks sharpness.
The Agni 3 supports 4K video recording at 30fps, though the front camera is limited to 1080p at 30fps. Electronic image stabilisation (EIS) helps smooth out video capture, but overall, the camera system doesn’t quite compete with rivals in the same price range.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Lava Agni 3 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset, providing ample power for everyday tasks, video streaming, and even light gaming. Performance is generally smooth, although the device heats up under more intensive tasks, which can make heavy multitasking uncomfortable.
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On the software side, the Lava Agni 3 comes with a clean user interface that has minimal bloatware, offering a more refined and less cluttered experience compared to other midrange phones. Running Android 14 out of the box, Lava promises up to three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.
Action Key
One of the standout features of the Lava Agni 3 is the customisable Action Key. This button can be assigned to perform multiple functions, including opening apps, taking screenshots, toggling silent mode, or activating the flashlight. It can handle up to three different actions for single-click, double-click, and long-press, providing a high level of customisation. However, the placement of the Action Key can occasionally cause confusion with the power button, especially in a hurry.
Battery
The Lava Agni 3 packs a 5,000mAh battery, which comfortably lasts through a day of average use. The 66W fast charging adapter, included in the box, can charge the phone from 6% to 100% in just 50 minutes. Although demanding tasks can cause the device to heat up, battery life generally remains impressive.
Overall, the Lava Agni 3 offers a unique combination of premium features, including a secondary display, customisable Action Key, and an impressive primary display, all at an affordable price point. While its camera performance and thermal management could use some improvement, the Agni 3 stands out as a solid midrange offering with its innovative features and clean software experience. Priced at Rs 20,999, it’s a compelling choice for anyone looking for a phone that offers more than the usual midrange smartphone experience.
