Lava is targeting the ultra-budget smartphone market with the Prowatch ZN and A97 2GB+. While both aim to deliver affordability, they approach it with potentially different priorities. The A97 2GB+ boasts a known chipset, while the Prowatch ZN remains largely a mystery in terms of core specifications, making a direct comparison challenging but crucial for informed buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a known quantity and basic functionality, the Lava A97 2GB+ is the safer bet. Its Spreadtrum SC9832 chipset provides a predictable, albeit modest, performance level. The Prowatch ZN's unknown specs introduce too much uncertainty for a confident recommendation.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 3, 5, 40 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 23 | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), zinc alloy frame | - |
| Dimensions | - | 145 x 72 x 9.2 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 600 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Spreadtrum SC9832 |
| GPU | - | Mali-400 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC |
| Internal | Unspecified | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio with RDS; recording |
| USB | No | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 350 mAh | Li-Ion 2350 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Tarnish | Gold, Silver, Blue |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 7700 INR |
Lava Prowatch ZN
- Potentially the lowest price point available.
- May offer unique features not found on the A97 (unknown).
- Lightweight and compact (speculation based on market segment).
- Completely unknown specifications create significant uncertainty.
- Potential for poor performance due to unknown chipset.
- Limited software support likely.
Lava A97 2GB+
- Known Spreadtrum SC9832 chipset provides predictable performance.
- Affordable price point.
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks.
- Limited RAM (2GB) restricts multitasking.
- Basic camera quality.
- Slow performance with demanding applications.
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications for the Lava Prowatch ZN are unavailable. The Lava A97 2GB+ likely features a standard LCD panel, common in this price bracket. Given the A97's positioning, expect a resolution around 720x1440 pixels. Without knowing the Prowatch ZN's panel type or resolution, it's impossible to assess color accuracy or viewing angles. The A97's display, while functional, won't offer the vibrant colors or high brightness found in more expensive devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Lava Prowatch ZN are absent. The Lava A97 2GB+ likely features a basic camera setup, potentially an 8MP main sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low light. Expect limited dynamic range and detail. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera is largely symbolic, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Without knowing the Prowatch ZN's camera specs, a meaningful comparison is impossible, but it's unlikely to significantly outperform the A97.
Performance
The Lava A97 2GB+ is powered by the Spreadtrum SC9832 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU. This chipset is designed for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing. The 2GB of RAM will limit multitasking capabilities, and demanding applications will likely experience slowdowns. The Prowatch ZN's performance is entirely unknown. Given its likely price point, it may utilize an even less powerful chipset, or potentially the same SC9832, but with different RAM configurations. The SC9832's ARM Mali-T820 MP1 GPU is sufficient for basic 2D games, but struggles with modern 3D titles. The Prowatch ZN's GPU performance is speculative.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is currently unknown. However, given their budget nature, expect capacities in the 2500-3500 mAh range. The A97 2GB+'s Spreadtrum SC9832 chipset is relatively power-efficient, potentially offering a full day of light use. Charging speeds are also unknown for both devices, but likely utilize Micro-USB and will be relatively slow. Without battery specifications for the Prowatch ZN, it's difficult to predict its endurance, but a similar battery size and charging setup is probable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Prowatch ZN if you are comfortable with a degree of risk and are seeking the absolute lowest possible price point, hoping for hidden value. Buy the Lava A97 2GB+ if you prioritize a stable, if basic, user experience with a known chipset and are willing to pay a small premium for that certainty. The A97 is ideal for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Spreadtrum SC9832 chipset in the Lava A97 2GB+ capable of running popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
Yes, the Spreadtrum SC9832 is sufficient for running basic social media applications like Facebook and WhatsApp. However, expect some lag when switching between apps or loading media-heavy content. The 2GB of RAM may require frequent app reloading.
❓ What kind of storage does the Lava A97 2GB+ have, and is it expandable?
The Lava A97 2GB+ likely includes 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Crucially, it *does* support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 128GB or 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps. This is essential given the limited internal storage.
❓ Given the lack of information on the Lava Prowatch ZN, is it a risky purchase?
Yes, purchasing the Lava Prowatch ZN carries a significant risk. The complete lack of publicly available specifications makes it impossible to assess its performance, features, or reliability. It's best suited for users who are comfortable with uncertainty and prioritize the absolute lowest possible price.
❓ Will the Lava A97 2GB+ receive software updates?
Software update support for the Lava A97 2GB+ is unlikely to be extensive. Given its budget nature, it may receive only essential security patches, if any. Do not expect major Android version updates.
