Lava Agni 3: Indian smartphone brands usually play it safe – copy what works elsewhere, slap on aggressive pricing, and hope for the best. Lava decided to throw that playbook out the window with the Agni 3, creating something that feels genuinely innovative rather than just another budget option trying to compete on specs alone.

Dual AMOLED Displays That Make Sense

The standout feature here isn’t just marketing fluff – the Agni 3 genuinely brings dual AMOLED displays to the masses in a way that actually feels useful. The main 6.78-inch curved display with 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate handles all your regular smartphone duties beautifully. But it’s the secondary 1.74-inch AMOLED “InstaScreen” on the back that steals the show.

This isn’t some gimmicky notification strip. The InstaScreen serves as a proper viewfinder for rear camera selfies, letting you capture self-portraits with the superior 50MP main camera instead of settling for the 16MP front shooter. The difference in quality is immediately noticeable, especially in challenging lighting conditions where that Sony IMX766 sensor really shines.

Beyond photography, the secondary screen handles seven different widgets – music controls, timer, stopwatch, voice recorder, and even a cute animated mascot called “Firey” that adds personality to the device. Sure, it feels slightly undercooked compared to full-fledged cover screens on foldables, but for Rs 20,999, you’re getting functionality that premium phones charge twice as much for.

Action Button That Actually Gets Used

While everyone was busy copying Apple’s notch and Face ID, Lava went ahead and borrowed the Action Button – but made it more accessible. Unlike the iPhone’s implementation that requires expensive hardware, the Agni 3’s Action Button can be customized for over 100 different shortcut combinations using single, double, or long presses.

Want to instantly switch to silent mode during meetings? Single press. Need quick camera access? Double tap. Emergency SOS? Long press. The customization options feel endless, and after using it for a week, you’ll wonder why more phones don’t include dedicated function buttons. It’s positioned perfectly for thumb access, though the similar feel to the power button can cause occasional confusion.

The real genius is how Lava implemented this without adding significant cost or complexity. This isn’t some expensive haptic mechanism – it’s a simple button that delivers maximum functionality through smart software integration.

Performance That Punches Above Its Price

The MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor deserves special mention because it’s specifically optimized for dual-display devices. This isn’t just a regular Dimensity 7300 slapped into a dual-screen phone – MediaTek and Lava collaborated to ensure the chip efficiently manages both displays without sacrificing battery life.

Daily performance feels smooth and responsive. Apps launch quickly, multitasking between the displays works seamlessly, and even moderate gaming runs without major complaints. The 8GB LPDDR5 RAM (expandable virtually to 16GB) handles everything from social media scrolling to content creation tasks without breaking a sweat.

Gaming performance hits its limits with graphically demanding titles at high settings, but that’s expected at this price point. For most users who prioritize everyday performance over hardcore gaming, the Agni 3 delivers admirably.

Camera System with Surprising Depth

The triple camera setup includes that 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Having a telephoto lens at this price point feels almost unfair to the competition.

Photo quality in good lighting produces detailed, vibrant results, though some color processing can feel heavy-handed. The recent software updates have addressed the reddish tinge that plagued early reviews. Low-light performance is decent but not spectacular – exactly what you’d expect from a mid-range sensor.

The real advantage comes from using the rear cameras for selfies via the secondary display. The quality difference compared to typical front cameras is dramatic enough to change how you approach self-photography entirely.

Software Experience That Respects Users

Running Android 14 with a near-stock interface, the Agni 3 feels refreshingly clean compared to heavily skinned alternatives. Lava promises three major OS updates and four years of security patches – commitments that put some premium brands to shame.

The user interface avoids bloatware and unnecessary modifications, letting Android shine through. The few additions Lava does include – like the secondary display controls and Action Button customization – feel purposeful rather than gimmicky.

Build Quality and Design Decisions

The Agni 3 feels premium with its glass back and curved edges, though the added thickness from the secondary display is noticeable. IP64 rating provides basic water and dust protection, while the matte finish resists fingerprints effectively.

Color options include Pristine Glass and Heather Glass, both offering subtle elegance that avoids flashy aesthetics. The rectangular camera module clearly takes inspiration from the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, but given the price difference, few will complain about borrowed design languages.

Honor X70i launch with dhansu design smartphone – storage is more

Market Reality Check

Starting at Rs 20,999 for the 8GB+128GB variant (without charger), the Agni 3 competes directly with established players like Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and Nothing Phone 2a. The dual AMOLED displays and Action Button provide genuine differentiation in a crowded market segment.

The charging situation feels unnecessarily complicated – base model without charger, mid-tier with charger, top variant with more storage and charger. It’s a pricing strategy that works on paper but feels consumer-unfriendly in practice.

Lava Agni 3 Final Verdict on Innovation

The Lava Agni 3 succeeds because it understands that innovation doesn’t always mean cramming flagship specs into cheaper hardware. Sometimes it means identifying genuinely useful features and implementing them thoughtfully at accessible prices.

Is it perfect? Absolutely not. The cameras need refinement, outdoor display brightness could be better, and some software optimizations feel incomplete. But the Agni 3 represents something valuable – an Indian brand taking calculated risks to create genuinely differentiated products rather than playing safe with commodity specs.

For buyers seeking something unique in the mid-range segment, the Agni 3 offers features and functionality that justify its existence beyond just competitive pricing. That’s rare enough to deserve serious consideration.