Lava Yuva Star 3 has officially been launched in India as an entry-level offering from the domestic smartphone maker. The handset has been positioned in the sub-Rs 10,000 segment, taking on the likes of the itel A100 (review), AI+ Nova (review), Tecno Spark Go 3 (review), and more. The Lava Yuva Star 3 caters to the needs of first-time smartphone users, with features like an octa-core chipset, dual cameras, an IP rating, clutter-free UI, and more.
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Entry-level specifications
The Lava Yuva Star 3 runs Android 15 Go edition out of the box. It is said to provide a clean, smooth and clutter-free experience with no bloatware, which is a rarity in this price range. The handset’s design looks similar to the Lava Bold N1, with flat edges and squarish camera deco. That said, the Lava Yuva Star 3 has gone one step further than its elder sibling with an IP64 water and dust resistance rating.
On the front, the phone features a sizeable 6.75-inch display, likely an LCD panel, offering HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. It also incorporates 2.5D curved glass and a tall 20:9 aspect ratio, which should make it comfortable for media consumption and everyday browsing. While the presence of noticeable bezels and a waterdrop notch may give it a slightly dated appearance, the overall setup remains in line with what you’d expect at this price point.
The Lava Yuva Star 3 rocks an Unisoc SC9863A octa-core SoC, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage onboard (user-expandable up to 256GB), under the hood. The RAM is expandable up to 8GB (virtually) using a portion of the phone’s storage. It’s the same chipset that powered the Bold N1, which wasn’t the most powerful then and is not going to be now. Expect the new Lava smartphone to be good only for basic usage. Moreover, since the SoC lacks a 5G modem, the phone comes with 4G support, which is again not unusual in the sub-Rs 10k segment.
For optics, the Lava Yuva Star 3 is equipped with a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing shooter for selfies and video calls. While the hardware is modest, it aligns with expectations in the entry-level segment. The device packs a sizeable 5,000mAh battery with support for 10W charging. Lava claims it can deliver up to 340 hours of standby time, around 615 minutes of YouTube playback, and as much as 30 hours of talk time on a single charge. A full top-up from 0 to 100 per cent is said to take approximately 185 minutes.
Commenting on the launch, Mr Sumit Singh, Product Head, Lava International Limited, said, “For Star 3, we have ensured we cater to the segment with affordable pricing and all necessary features like a dual rear camera, IP64, Band 28, which aligns with the real-life needs of our users. The strategy for the series rests on offering a balanced and value-driven experience with good durability and hassle-free post-sales service.”
Sale starts from March
The Lava Yuva Star 3 is priced at Rs 7,499 in India. It will be offered in two colourways, Indus Black and Siachen White, and is set to go on sale across retail stores nationwide from March onwards. There will be a standard one-year warranty on the device, along with complimentary home service across India.