Lava with its newly released smartphone Lava O2 is supposed to be the fastest phone in the segment as claimed by the company.
Key features of Lava O2
- Unisoc Processor
- 50-megapixel setup
- Bottom firing speaker
- 18W Fast Charging with type-C USB cable
- Stock Android 13w
- Face unlocked feature for security
Sumit Singh, Product Head, Lava International Limited said, “User demands are constantly changing, especially among youths who look for both style and functionality & Lava O2 meets these expectations by introducing cutting-edge features such as the latest Glass Black Design and smooth user experience with stock Android 13, with guaranteed update to Android 14 with 2-year security updates
Lava O2 Price in India
Lava O2 has been launched in India actually for Rs 8,999 and as part of the launching offer, the company is selling the smartphone for Rs 7,999.
The O2 device will be available on Amazon and Lava e-store starting March 27, 2024.
Lava O2 Specification
The Lava O2 brags impressive features designed to enhance user experience.
- 8GB+8GB# RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 ROM
- Ample storage & Smooth performance
- Powered by the UNISOC T616 Octa-core processor enabling seamless multitasking & smooth operation.
Lava O2 features a 50MP Dual AI Rear Camera and an 8MP selfie camera which delivers high-quality photos and videos.
Lava O2 offers a 90Hz 6.5” HD+ Puch Hole Display, providing a smooth and engaging viewing experience for gaming and multimedia content.
In terms of design and security, the O2 smartphone offers a premium AG Glass Back Finish with a side fingerprint sensor.
This refinement and functionality ensures both style and privacy for users.
Lava O2 also supports 18W fast charging with a Type-C USB cable, allowing for quick charge.
General features of Lava O2 include a touchscreen interface with a dual sim slot and a single SD card.
The new Lava O2 features in three colors…
- Majestic Purple
- Imperial Green
- Royal Gold
The Lava O2 is equipped with essential sensors such as Accelerometer, Proximity, and Ambient Light sensors for enhanced functionality.
With the powerful 5000mAh Li-Polymer Battery, the device offers extended usage time, with up to 38 hours of talk mode and up to 500 hours of standby time.
Lava O2 also supports various connectivity options such as USB Type-C, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi ensuring smooth connectivity with other devices.
Lava O2 comes with a 1-year handset warranty and 6 months accessories warranty.
Lava Smartphone Market Share in India
Lava intends to double its mobile phone sales in the next financial year. Lava mobile phone sales have tripled year-on-year in the current financial year.
In the upcoming four to five years, the company is expected a 25% share with a significant play under Rs 30,000.
Average selling prices are surging and will explore options in the Rs 30,000 plus segment and company is prepared for higher average selling price products. Sunil Raina, Interim Managing Director at Lava International, told Moneycontrol in an interaction.
Indian smartphone brands had a 31% market share in 2014, but recede to below 2% in 2023.
Mr. Sunil further said Chinese brands entered the Indian market after 2014 and it was like the East India Company coming to India and capsizing everything. So we want to now indigenize the smartphone industry from Chinese makers.
Lava was a quickly emerging brand in 2013 about 213% for the October-December quarter, a 187% surge in the Rs 10,000 – Rs 20,000 category.
Sunil Raina said the company understood the 5G wave early as the company had 3G to 4G learnings and didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes.
From April to December 2023 period, Lava gained a 24% share in the feature phone market.
Raina further said Indian smartphone brands like Lava must have a fair market share of around 25%. “We have shown the market that we are the only Indian mobile phone brand that will grow in the smartphone space. We are the only dynamic company and are now getting the ecosystem’s support. While we need competition at both local and global levels, Indian brands need to get their fair share.
The company is very competitive on a price-to-spec ratio. The company is trying to match the Chinese product in every aspect. The company has a distribution advantage as well. The company also worked on service and the fault rate is the lowest.
Lava plans to invest Rs 500 crore in R&D and marketing. Raina said the company is also looking to raise 50 to 60% of the total planned investment. Also, the company is finding sources of investments and will be able to capture funding in the next financial year, and the company is in talks with Indian multinational firms for the same.
Lava is the only domestic smartphone brand with full-fledged research and development work in India.
The company recently appointed Rishi Bhatnagar to lead R&D design and innovation.
In further interaction with Moneycontrol Raina said the company wants to invest more on the software front and wants to give a clear Android experience along with regular software updates which are promised quarterly.
The company has also extended manpower in design by 25% in the current financial year. Lava has also doubled its marketing budget in the current financial year.
Lava made around Rs 6,000 crore in revenue in the last financial year, including its international business. While the international business is steady, the company expects the Indian revenue to grow 50-60% in the financial primarily driven by smartphones he said.
To extend its international business, Lava International in 2021 procured the Latin American device brand China Bird Centro America S.A, which operates under the B mobile brand to sell features and handsets in the Latin American market.
Mr. Raina added that the company will extend into African countries in the coming months and may enter the US and European markets as the business grows further.
Lava’s subsidiary SOJO Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, is also in talks with domestic and multinational companies for local manufacturing of tablets and laptops.
Lava has a license from Motorola to design, manufacture, and sell. Lava also makes Nokia-branded handsets for HMD Global.
Image: lavamobiles.com