Lava Agni 4 Review: Metal Power and Playful AI Shift the Game

The Lava Agni series, which is named after the Indian god of fire, is still here after all these years and it has a device that is not very much like a typical mid-range one. The Lava Agni 4 presents itself in a premium way, boasting a metal frame, a glass back, and an on-screen canine mascot that serves as a voice assistant too. These features combine to form a rare mix of hardware and software that is usually not offered in this segment.

At the beginning, the phone gives the impression of a typical mid-range one, however, the build quality instantly raises the bar. The phone is heavy as well as a higher-tier phone and its software comes with Vayu AI who is a character residing on the home screen, listening to commands, and acting as a pet.

Below is a summarized review based on extensive use and confirmed by internal newsroom tests.

Lava has clearly focusing on the exterior design. The phone has an aluminum frame with a matte glass back that does not show fingerprints. The camera is positioned in the middle which is opposite to the trend of placing it on the corner. The phone has an IP64 rating which means it is protected against water exposure to a certain degree.

The more unexpected feature is Vayu AI, a dog avatar that greets users from the screen. Users can call up the assistant with a long press and the assistant will take care of simple queries, app launches, basic learning and system tasks. The assistant comes alive with animations depending on the user’s inputs, however, the mascot cannot be moved or resized which can be annoying to users who like a neat home screen.

The assistant’s ability to interpret natural language shows promise, but it still seems to be in the early stages of development. The assistant adds personality, but certainly not the productivity and efficiency of a mature AI system.

Lava has under the hood of Agni 4 the MediaTek Dimensity 8350, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 flash storage. This combination brings the device far ahead of many mid-tier competitors. In real-world usage, the switching between apps is done incredibly smooth, loading times don't even take a second, and the background processes are still intact.

The large vapor chamber that has been built into the phone's CPU is one of the reasons why the games such as BGMI and Genshin Impact are running smoothly. It is very likely that the phone is getting warm during these sessions but not beyond the acceptable temperature.

The 1.5K AMOLED display is very capable of producing a sharp image and is very good at keeping its visibility even in the brightest surroundings, with the maximum brightness reaching 2400 nits.

The Agni 4 boasts a main 50MP camera with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The day photos are sharp, have a wide dynamic range and the colors are consistent. Night photos are obtained with stabilization but they exhibit some softness.

The 50MP camera for selfies takes pictures with high resolution but sometimes it does more processing than needed, which results in the skin appearing more smooth.

The resolution and frame rate for both the front and back cameras is 4K at 60fps, which opens up video work to be very flexible especially at this price point. The system, albeit competent, does not exceed the expectations set for mid-range devices.

The device is powered by a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts through a typical day with activities like messaging, streaming, social apps, and light camera work. The included 66W charger makes it up to roughly half the battery life in less than 20 minutes. Other smartphone brands have already moved to over 100W, however, the charging speed here is still enough for the majority of daily routines.

The Lava Agni 4 is taking a different approach than most of its competitors. It doesn’t just chase numbers but instead combines the premium materials and a unique AI character.

The hardware ensures durability, the screen is exceptional, and the overall performance is such that the mobile phone is categorized in the upper segment of its class. The drawbacks—AI restrictions, medium quality cameras, and slow battery charging—are perceptible but not cancellation factors.

The Agni 4 model holds a strong appeal to the users in the price range of ₹24,999 who are looking for an Indian-made smartphone with great performance and a bit of charm.

Should You Buy It?

Absolutely, if you are looking for an Indian smartphone with metal build quality, powerful performance, and a different software experience.

Possibly, if your buying decision is influenced by camera quality and a developing AI assistant.

Definitely not, if charging speed or small size are your main considerations.

The hardware is dependable, the screen is eye-catching, and the whole performance places the phone amongst the best in its range. Its drawbacks—limitations of AI, average quality cameras, and slow charging—are clear but still not so critical.

For the customers who want an Indian smartphone with attractive design and strong performance as the main features, Agni 4 comes in as the most attractive choice at Rs 24,999.

Should You Buy It?

Definitely, if you are looking for an Indian smartphone with a metal body, good performance, and a different software experience.

Possibly, if you think of the camera that works at a professional level and an AI assistant that is getting better as reasons to buy.

No, if you want fast charging or small size as the top priority.