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Lava

Lava A89 (2016)

Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Spreadtrum SC9830A
Mali-400 MP2
1 GB / 8 GB
5 inch (540 x 960 px)
5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5 inch IPS display, a Spreadtrum SC9830A SoC, and 1 GB of RAM.

Discover its hidden sides, both good and bad!

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Lava A89 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

Lava A89 / 1

Lava A89 specifications

BrandLava
NameA89
ModelA89
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.54 oz
Dimensions5.73 x 2.83 x 0.36 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Lava A89 is about 5.54 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Lava A89 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
SoCSpreadtrum SC9830A
CPUQuad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2

The Lava A89 comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Lava A89 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution540 x 960 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Lava A89 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The A89 has only 8 GB. We can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Lava A89 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The A89 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands900 / 1800
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Lava A89 supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The A89 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2000 mAh

The Li-Po 2000 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Lava phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Lava A89 to your comparison

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Updated: May 11, 2024

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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