Lava joined the bandwagon of domestic Windows Phone manufacturers with the launch of the Lava Iris Win1 on Tuesday. The entry level smartphone based on Microsoft’s mobile platform is priced at Rs 4,999 and the online retailer giant Flipkart brags the sole rights of selling the device starting from December 4. The device is based on the Qualcomm Reference model as the newly launched Celkon Win 400 that comes with almost similar aspects and pricing. Let’s take a quick review on the Lava Windows Phone offering below.
Camera and Internal Storage
The Lava Iris Win1 is given a 5 MP primary shooter coupled with LED flash and BSI+ sensor that result in better low light performance. At the front, the handset boasts of a 0.3 MP selfie camera capable of making video calls and clicking self portrait shots, of course with basic quality. For the pricing of the device we can say that there is an acceptable camera department that is identical to what many other smartphones in the similar price bracket arrive with.
Storage wise, the Lava smartphone is pretty satisfactory as it bundles 8 GB of native storage capacity that should be adequate enough for users to store their necessary content. Also, there is a provision to expand this storage space by another 32 GB with the help of a micro SD card. While most of the smartphones in this price bracket arrive with only 4 GB of internal storage capacity, the inclusion of 8 GB in the Lava phone is definitely a deal breaker.
Processor and Battery
The Iris Win1 is equipped with a 1.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 200 processor aided by 1 GB of RAM for decent multi-tasking. This processor will definitely render the desired performance that is needed from any device in the entry level segment. And, the hardware provided in the Lava phone should suffice for the Windows Phone platform to run smoothly without any lag or clutter.
A 1,950 mAh battery is housed in the Lava Iris Win1 that appears to be better than what the other devices in this price bracket arrive with. We can expect this battery to pump a decent backup to the smartphone enabling it to last for long hours under mixed usage.
Display and Features
Lava has bestowed the handset with a 4 inch display carrying a WVGA screen resolution of 480×800 pixels. We have already seen such displays in many smartphones in the entry level segment and it should be suitable for all the basic tasks expected from such a device.
The Lava smartphone is based on Windows Phone 8.1 operating system and it packs usual connectivity features including 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and dual SIM functionality.
Comparison
The Lava Iris Win1 smartphone will compete with similar offerings in the market including Celkon Win 400, Micromax Canvas Win W092, Asus Zenfone 4 and Motorola Moto E.
Key Specs
| Model | Lava Iris Win1 |
| Display | 4 inch, 480×800 |
| Processor | 1.2 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 200 |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB, Expandable up to 32 GB |
| OS | Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Camera | 5 MP/ 0.3 MP |
| Battery | 1,950 mAh |
| Price | Rs 4,999 |
What we Like
- Inclusion of 8 GB of storage
- Decent hardware aspects
- Moderate battery
Price and Conclusion
The Lava Iris Win1 carrying a price tag of Rs 4,999 would definitely be a great value for money offering that is aimed at the entry level smartphone seekers who would like to have a try at the Windows Phone platform. The handset comes packed with acceptable hardware aspects that can definitely provide the desired level of performance without much hassle. On the whole, this smartphone from Lava is a great entry level smartphone that can create a swirl in the particular market segment.
