Lava is targeting the budget smartphone market with the Storm and Z61 Pro, but they take drastically different approaches. The Storm prioritizes processing power with a modern Mediatek Dimensity chipset, while the Z61 Pro focuses on affordability, resulting in a significant performance gap. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lava Storm is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6080 chipset offers a substantially faster and more responsive experience, justifying the price difference. While the Z61 Pro is incredibly affordable, its slow processor and glacial charging speed make it suitable only for very basic use cases.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 21 | 2020, July 09. Released 2020, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 28 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 76.7 x 9 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 147 x 71.8 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.83 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz processor |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | - |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µ |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µ |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 5W, 100% in 3h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Midnight Blue, Amber Red |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Lava Storm
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- More efficient 6nm chipset
- Likely higher price point
- Display specifications unknown, potentially similar to Z61 Pro
Lava Z61 Pro
- Extremely affordable price
- Functional for basic tasks like calls and texts
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Very slow processor leading to lag and frustration
- Glacial 5W charging – 3.5 hours to full
- Likely lower-quality display and camera
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the price points, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels. The Z61 Pro's lower overall cost likely translates to a lower-resolution display and potentially poorer color accuracy. The Storm, while still likely LCD, may benefit from a slightly better panel to complement its more powerful processor.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Z61 Pro’s likely reliance on lower-cost components suggests image quality will be significantly inferior to the Storm. The Storm’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 6080 will also contribute to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. It's safe to assume both phones will include a standard macro lens, but its utility will be limited on both devices.
Performance
The Lava Storm’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080, built on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap in performance over the Z61 Pro’s unspecified octa-core processor clocked at 1.6 GHz. The Dimensity 6080’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. The Z61 Pro’s processor, while octa-core, likely consists of less powerful Cortex-A55 cores across the board, resulting in noticeable lag and slowdowns when multitasking or running demanding applications. The 6nm fabrication process of the Dimensity 6080 also implies better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the higher clock speeds.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging speeds tell a clear story. The Lava Storm’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer in this price segment, allowing for a significantly faster top-up compared to the Z61 Pro’s incredibly slow 5W charging, which takes a reported 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach 100%. While a larger battery capacity on the Z61 Pro *could* theoretically offer longer runtime, the convenience of rapid charging on the Storm is a major advantage for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Storm if you need a phone capable of handling modern apps, occasional gaming, and faster charging. It’s ideal for students, social media users, and anyone who values a smooth user experience. Buy the Lava Z61 Pro if you absolutely prioritize the lowest possible price and only need a phone for calls, texts, and very light browsing – and are willing to accept extremely slow performance and charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Storm be able to run demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6080 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It’s not a dedicated gaming chipset, but it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Z61 Pro’s processor.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Lava Storm from 0%?
With 33W charging, the Lava Storm should fully charge from 0% in approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is a massive improvement over the Z61 Pro’s 3.5-hour charge time.
❓ Is the Lava Z61 Pro suitable for someone who uses social media apps frequently?
The Z61 Pro’s slow processor will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns when scrolling through social media feeds or loading images and videos. It’s not ideal for frequent social media users.
❓ Does the Lava Storm support 5G connectivity?
While not explicitly stated, the Mediatek Dimensity 6080 chipset *does* support 5G connectivity. However, whether the Lava Storm actually utilizes this capability depends on the specific model and carrier support.
