Lava Iris 352 Flair InDepth Specs Pricing and Performance Review

Overview of Lava Iris 352 Flair

The Lava Iris 352 Flair is a budget-friendly smartphone released in August 2014. Known for its compact design and essential features, it catered to users looking for an affordable and functional device during its availability. Although it's discontinued now, it serves as a notable example of early Android smartphones tailored for emerging markets.

Design and Build

The Lava Iris 352 Flair showcases a modest design with dimensions of 117 x 61 x 10.6 mm, making it compact and easy to handle. The device features Dual SIM capability, a common requirement in many regions to facilitate toggling between different networks. While the weight is unspecified, its size and plastic build suggest it is lightweight, suitable for users who prefer small devices.

Display

Equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT display, the Lava Iris 352 Flair offers a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This configuration delivers a pixel density of approximately 165 ppi, resulting in adequate sharpness for basic usage but with visible pixelation. The screen-to-body ratio is about 51.1%, illustrating that the display covers just over half of the front panel, a typical characteristic of earlier smartphone designs.

Performance

Under the hood, the device is powered by a dual-core 1.3 GHz processor complemented by 256MB of RAM. While this setup may appear modest by current standards, it was adequate for running simple applications and basic tasks during its time. The device operates on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, providing users access to a range of applications via Google Play Store, albeit with limitations due to hardware constraints.

Storage

With 2GB of internal storage, the Lava Iris 352 Flair allowed users to store essential apps and media. Furthermore, it included a microSDHC slot for memory expansion, catering to users who needed additional space for media files such as photos and music.

Camera

The smartphone features a single 2 MP main camera with basic capabilities, including panorama mode. Although limited in mega-pixels, it allows users to capture basic photographs and video recordings. For selfies and video calls, the VGA front-facing camera provides minimal image quality but was a useful addition at its release for personal snapshots and video communication.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable 1200 mAh Li-Ion battery, the Lava Iris 352 Flair offers talk time of up to 10 hours and 30 minutes. The modest battery life reflects the device’s intended usage for essential communication and light application use. The removable nature allows easy replacement, extending the device's lifespan for users who rely on it regularly.

Connectivity

The smartphone supports GSM technology with 2G bands at 900/1800 MHz, accompanied by GPRS and EDGE data options. While lacking modern high-speed connectivity, it does offer Wi-Fi b/g/n for wireless internet access, Bluetooth 3.0 for data transfer, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and connection to computers. Other features include FM radio, which adds to its utility as a multifaceted device for entertainment.

Sound and Audio

The Lava Iris 352 Flair is equipped with a loudspeaker, catering to hands-free calls and media playback. A 3.5mm audio jack is included, supporting a wide range of headphones and external speakers, crucial for personal listening and audible media consumption.

Additional Features

The device comes with an accelerometer sensor, enabling basic motion detection for applications such as games and fitness apps. Notably absent are more advanced sensors like gyroscope and proximity sensors that have become standard in modern smartphones.

Colors and Aesthetics

Aesthetically, the Lava Iris 352 Flair was available in two color options: Champagne Gold and Rose Gold. These distinct hues provided a touch of elegance and allowed users to express personal style through their device choice.

Conclusion

The Lava Iris 352 Flair epitomizes an entry-level smartphone experience from the mid-2010s. While its specifications may seem limited compared to modern devices, it fulfilled the basic needs of communication and media consumption, especially in markets prioritizing affordability and dual-SIM capability. As technological advancements continue, devices like the Lava Iris 352 Flair remain a testament to the evolution of mobile phones and their role in expanding access to digital technology globally.