Lava

Lava A97 2GB Plus: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Mediatek MT6735
Mali-T720 MP2
2 GB / 16 GB
5 inch (480 x 800 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Lava announced the launch of the A97 2GB Plus smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6735 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) operating system. This phone has an IPS display, it provides wide viewing angles. This means the screen stays clear and consistent. This phone has only one rear-camera (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Lava A97 2GB Plus smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 1

Lava A97 2GB Plus specifications

BrandLava
NameA97 2GB Plus
ModelA972GBP
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.64 oz
Dimensions5.71 x 2.83 x 0.36 inch
Colorsblue, gold, gray
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of the Lava A97 2GB Plus is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCMediatek MT6735
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T720 MP2

The Lava A97 2GB Plus comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution480 x 800 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the A97 2GB Plus (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The main camera of A97 2GB Plus smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 5

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 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This Lava phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your A97 2GB Plus smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Lava A97 2GB Plus / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2350 mAh

The Li-Ion 2350 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. 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 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
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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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