India, July 17 -- If you think 5G smartphones are still out of reach for the budget-conscious buyer who is seeking a good device under the Rs. 10,000 price range, Lava, a homegrown brand, aims to change that mindset with its recently launched entry-level 5G smartphone, the Lava Shark 5G in India, priced under Rs. 10,000. At first glance, it looks like a basic phone with a large 6.75-inch screen, a dual rear camera, and a large 5000mAh battery. But budget phones often get a bad reputation for cutting corners.

I've been using the Lava Shark 5G as my secondary device for a while now, and in this review, I'll walk you through whether it really delivers on what it promises and how it holds up beyond just the spec sheet.

When it comes to desi...