Lava’s Bold series has made a confident entry into India’s budget 5G smartphone market with two compelling offerings: the Lava Bold N1 and the Lava Bold N1 Pro. Both phones are designed to deliver reliable performance, clean software, and future-ready connectivity at prices that appeal to first-time buyers and value-conscious users. While they share a common foundation, the Pro variant adds meaningful upgrades that make it a smarter pick for those seeking a bit more power and polish.
Design and Build
Both the Bold N1 and Bold N1 Pro feature a sleek, modern design with curved edges and matte finishes that resist fingerprints. The N1 is available in Royal Blue and Champagne Gold, while the Pro comes in Midnight Blue and Forest Green. Both phones carry an IP54 rating, offering resistance to dust and light splashes—an uncommon feature in this price segment.
The build quality is solid for budget devices. The plastic chassis feels sturdy, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and conveniently placed. Face unlock is also supported on both models, though the fingerprint scanner remains the faster and more secure option.
Display and Visual Experience
The Lava Bold N1 sports a 6.75-inch HD+ IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and decent brightness. The Bold N1 Pro retains the same screen size and resolution but bumps the refresh rate to 120Hz, making animations and transitions noticeably smoother. Both displays use a 20:9 aspect ratio and a waterdrop notch for the front camera.
While neither phone offers Full HD resolution, the panels are vibrant enough for casual media consumption, social media, and gaming. The Pro’s higher refresh rate gives it an edge in responsiveness, especially for users who multitask or play lightweight games.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Bold N1 is powered by the Unisoc T765 processor, paired with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and an additional 4GB of virtual RAM. The Bold N1 Pro steps up with the same chipset but increases RAM to 6GB, plus 6GB of virtual RAM. This makes the Pro better suited for multitasking and slightly more demanding apps.
Storage options also differ: the N1 offers 64GB or 128GB internal storage, while the Pro comes with 128GB by default. Both support microSD expansion up to 1TB, giving users plenty of room for media and apps.
In everyday use, both phones handle basic tasks smoothly—browsing, messaging, video playback, and light gaming are all well within their capabilities. The Pro’s extra RAM helps reduce app reloads and improves background task handling, making it the more fluid experience overall.
Camera Capabilities
The Bold N1 features a dual rear camera setup with a 13MP primary sensor and a depth sensor. The front camera is a 5MP shooter with screen flash for low-light selfies. The camera app includes portrait mode, HDR, night mode, and slow motion, offering enough variety for casual photography.
The Bold N1 Pro significantly upgrades the optics with a 50MP primary rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The rear setup includes a depth sensor and an additional AI lens, improving edge detection and low-light performance. The Pro captures more detail, better dynamic range, and sharper selfies, making it the clear winner for users who prioritize photography.
Both phones support 1080p video recording and include features like panorama, time-lapse, and beauty filters. While neither is built for professional photography, the Pro’s camera system offers more versatility and better results across lighting conditions.
Software Experience
One of Lava’s biggest strengths is its clean software. The Bold N1 runs Android 15, while the Bold N1 Pro ships with Android 14. Both phones come with a promise of two major OS upgrades and three years of security updates. The interface is bloat-free, with no pre-installed third-party apps or ads, offering a near-stock Android experience.
This clean approach results in smoother performance, better battery efficiency, and improved privacy. Users can enjoy a clutter-free UI with intuitive navigation, customizable quick settings, and gesture support.
Battery Life and Charging
Both the Bold N1 and Bold N1 Pro pack a 5000mAh battery, offering full-day usage under moderate to heavy workloads. Whether you’re streaming, browsing, or attending video calls, the battery holds up well. Charging is supported up to 18W via USB Type-C, though the N1 includes a 10W charger in the box while the Pro ships with an 18W adapter.
Charging times are reasonable, and the Type-C port adds convenience and compatibility with modern accessories. Neither phone supports wireless charging, but that’s expected at this price point.
Connectivity and Extras
Connectivity is robust across both models. They support dual SIMs with active 4G and 5G on both slots, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth (v4.2 on N1, v5.0 on Pro), GPS, FM radio, and USB OTG. The Pro’s Bluetooth 5.0 offers better range and stability for wireless audio.
Both phones include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly rare in modern smartphones. Audio output is handled by a single bottom-firing speaker, which is loud enough for casual use but lacks stereo depth.
Final Verdict
The Lava Bold N1 is a solid entry-level 5G smartphone that delivers reliable performance, clean software, and a decent display at an affordable price. It’s ideal for first-time buyers, students, and users who want a no-nonsense device for everyday tasks.
The Lava Bold N1 Pro builds on that foundation with meaningful upgrades in RAM, camera, refresh rate, and Bluetooth support. For just ₹1,500 more, it offers a noticeably better experience across the board, making it the smarter choice for users who want more headroom for multitasking and photography.
Both phones reflect Lava’s commitment to quality, affordability, and user-centric design. With local manufacturing, extended software support, and thoughtful features, the Bold series is a strong contender in India’s budget smartphone landscape.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Lava Bold N1 and Bold N1 Pro?
The Bold N1 Pro offers more RAM, a better camera setup, higher refresh rate, and Bluetooth 5.0 compared to the Bold N1.
Q: Do both phones support 5G?
Yes, both the Bold N1 and Bold N1 Pro support 5G on dual SIM slots.
Q: Which phone has better camera performance?
The Bold N1 Pro has a 50MP rear camera and 8MP front camera, offering better detail and low-light performance than the N1’s 13MP and 5MP setup.
Q: Is the software clean and bloat-free?
Yes, both phones run near-stock Android with no bloatware or ads.
Q: Do they support fast charging?
Yes, both support 18W fast charging via USB Type-C. The Pro includes an 18W charger, while the N1 ships with a 10W adapter.
Q: Can I expand the storage?
Yes, both phones support microSD expansion up to 1TB.
Q: Are they splash resistant?
Yes, both carry an IP54 rating for dust and light splash resistance.
Q: Which one should I buy?
If budget is tight, the Bold N1 offers solid value. If you want better performance and camera quality, the Bold N1 Pro is worth the upgrade.
