Lava’s Yuva Star 3 brings Android 15 Go Edition, IP64 protection, and a 6.75-inch 90Hz display to the ultra-budget segment, with retail reports suggesting a price of INR 7,499 in India.
Lava has officially announced the Yuva Star 3, a new entry-level smartphone for the Indian market. The company highlights Android 15 Go Edition, an IP64 rating, and a large 90Hz display as the device’s primary selling points. While Lava’s official product page doesn’t list the price, third-party reports put the Yuva Star 3 at Rs 7,499 (about $90 at press time) for a single 4/64GB configuration, with availability expected in March 2026.
Hardware: 90Hz display paired with an older Unisoc chip
The Yuva Star 3 features a 6.75-inch LCD display with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600) with a 90Hz refresh rate, which is a notable inclusion at this price point. However, the internal hardware is modest. The device is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A, an octa-core chipset that dates back several years and is usually listed as a 28nm chipset.
Lava pairs that chip with 4GB of physical RAM, in addition to 4GB of virtual “RAM expansion,” and 64GB of internal storage. And in the Lava’s own spec sheet, expandable storage is listed up to 256GB via microSD. Some third-party listings claim up to 512GB, so it’s best to take this higher number as stated unless Lava updates the official page.
Durability and camera: IP64 in the economy category
In a move that is still relatively uncommon in the sub-Rs 8,000 segment, the Yuva Star 3 carries an IP64 rating, which covers dust and splash resistance. The camera setup remains basic, with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera located in a waterdrop-shaped notch.
Other key technical specifications include:
Battery: 5,000 mAh capacity.
Charging: 10W via USB-C (charger included in the box).
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Connectivity: Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2.
Software: Switch to Android 15 Go Edition
The inclusion of Android 15 Go Edition is important for this hardware configuration. Android (Go edition) is designed to provide an optimized experience on low RAM and entry-level devices by making OS-level trade-offs to improve speed and performance. By opting for the Go version, Lava is effectively signaling that the Yuva Star 3 aims to remain responsive on modest hardware, rather than trying to run a heavier full Android setup on the SC9863A platform.
