The lava Iris 501 sports the same hardware that the A110 houses and in fact comes with 2 extra sensors that are missing on the A110. When it comes to the price factor the Iris 501 is cheaper than the A110 that is now available for over Rs. 10K.
Box Pack
Inside the sleek box pack you will find the handset, a protective case, free 4GB memory card, earphone, 2300 mAh battery, charger, USB to micro USB cable and user manual. Online stores are selling it for Rs. 9,999 but from local stores you can get it for as low as Rs. 9,500. (Price now updated to 7999).
Design and display
On the first look I did not find any difference between the Micromax A110 (read review) and the 501, they looked almost identical. Since I got the off white color you can easily make out otherwise it would have been a bit difficult.
There are 3 touch sensitive buttons on front side that are not visible until activated. On front side there is the in call speaker, front camera and sensors. On rear side there is the 5MP auto focus camera, single LED flash light and speaker out. Volume rockers are placed on the left, the power button on the right and micro USB plus 3.5mm jack on the top.
The display screen is 5 inches supporting resolution of 800×480 pixels (16 M colour and 186.59 PPI). Touch is smooth / responsive.
Inside the Hood
The dual SIM Lava Iris 501 comes with the same dual core processor – MTK6577 chipset with powerVR SGX 531 GPU. Same features as on the A110. There is 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, micro SD support, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth etc.
Unlike the A110 that comes with proximity and GSensors only, the 501 is a step ahead with light as well as magnetic sensors. Add to it the battery capacity is also a little more at 2300 mAh. The rear camera however is of a 5MP resolution, but it can click excellent pictures and can even record videos in 720p resolution. It will be hard to make out any difference between the 5MP and 8MP output.
OS, interface and apps
The Iris 501 runs on the Android ICS OS version 4.0.4. The home screen, icons look a bit different. The handset comes loaded with few apps and games like Asphalt 6, Cricket fever etc.
Performance
It performed as good as the 6577 handset should.
- Of 512MB RAM you get around 233MB free.
- Internal storage for apps is around 786MB of which 721MB is free.
- Internal storage is 1.96GB. (Even if you select external SD card for preferred install location the apps are saved on the internal storage).
The benchmark scores.
- Quadrant Benchmark : 2698.
- Antutu Benchmark : 6107.
- NenaMark 2 : 23.5fps.
- Linpack : Single : 30 , Multi : 41.
- MultiTouch : 5 point.
Camera
As mentioned its with 5MP resolution with single LED flash. The quality is as good as compared with A110. You can record videos in 720p resolution.
Check the sample images shot using Iris 501 : – http://www.flickr.com/photos/gogirana/sets/72157632534232219/
Gaming
The Asphalt6 came pre-installed, unfortunately you will need to download the data which is over 300 MB. I downloaded the data that was saved on the internal storage. The game played smooth with no issues. The handset can even play Modern Combat 3.
Entertainment
Just like other MTK6577 powered handsets this one too cannot play full HD videos i.e. 1080p resolution; however you can play 720p videos with ease using MX player. There is built in FM for live music on the move, it works well when you are in the open.
Connectivity
There is 3G, Wi-fi, GPS and Bluetooth. The GPS does take some time to get a lock for the first time I got the lock within 30 seconds. Other features worked fine.
Others
The sound quality is good, as good as on the A110, loud and clear. In call volume and in call speaker mode is loud and clear.
2300 mAh Battery
The battery is 300 mAh more than as on A110, but I guess the battery backup will be the same cause of 2 sensors that have been included on the Iris 501.
Lava Iris 501 review
This does seem a good alternative to the Micromax A110. The price of A110 has been increased which is just over 10K as of now, moreover it is rather difficult to get the handset as it goes out of stock easily.
Until now we had few options like the Lava Xolo A700 that was with a 4.5 inch screen but now there are a few 5 inch screen with similar hardware configuration as the MMX A110 with some extra features and at a lower price.
To sum up the Iris 501 is with 5MP camera as compared to the 8MP on A110 but the 501 also comes with light and magnetic sensors that are missing on A110, plus a 2300 mAh battery and not to forget the free 4GB SD card and the protection case. There is another phone called the Byond B63 that was also recently launched for under 10K with Jelly Bean OS.
Image Gallery
Lava Iris 501 unboxing and review video
720p video sample shot using the Iris 501
Iris 501 Gaming review (Modern Combat 3)
[poll id="38"]
Mr. Gogi,
I am getting very less free RAM about 30-40MB, when i check in ‘Running’ tab of Apps. Not many applications that i have in this mobile. when i play Temple Run 2 it stops in between, popping ‘Low Ram’ at right upper corner.
please let me know how do i get more RAM, or is there any other issue.
Thanks!
Some videos in youtube shows Iris 501 can Record and Play Full HD Videos after JB update!!!
JB upgrade can be done at service center, I am going to get it done.
What is the free RAM after the Upgrade?
Gogi sir, i want to know, which is the best gaming phone under 8k price.
Does Lava Iris N 501 support direct video Calling with 3G, as we do in Samsung primo if not which hand set supports video calling how about XOLO A 500
hi gogi bro u have not reply my query plz tel me
1. after update to jelly bean will all apps n games install directly to external sd card
2. where i can get jelly bean update give me the link
3. which is better ics or jb
4. can we make conferense call through it
plz reply
hi gogi bro plz tel me in iris 501
1. where i can get gelly bean update for iris 501 they have removed the link
2. after update to jelly bean will apps n games directly install to external sd card
3.can we make confrence cal through it plz reply
gogi bro plz reply
I am using iris 501 since last 2 months plus, and I wud say it is a good phone ,but lava’s quality control is questionable. I am having sum issues after 2 months of use.
the very first piece which I got was having defective hardware ‘power’ button,for which I was given a replacement handset while in the shop itself. even at that time the sells person argued with me,but finally agreed. I went home happily,but now facing these issues…
1)The capacitive menu button stopped working suddenly. I tried everything like a dozens of factory reset, battery removal, even changing ROMs (ICS, jb, lewa os) but with zero result. I have to use ‘button savior’ now as alternate method to access menu button’s function.(I faced this issue on the very second day of purchase,when the middle home button was not working. but once I connected it to PC and removed,the problem had got solved automatically. but now that didn’t help at all. I tried 1000 times)
2)the keyboard is strangely misbehaving like in portrait mode it is impossible to press ‘s’ and get ‘ s’ instead it reads ‘a’ or ‘d’! similar things happen in landscape mode too,though at a lower frequency.
3)the heaTING ISSue is there, but not very severe,as described by many users.
4)the functions like GPS,flight mode,Bluetooth, etc. operate on their own. like a ghost is doing random clicks on them! it was more while on stock rom but decreased much after jb / less os update.
5)once my phone fell from height,and now it’s speaker has gone dead. I am thinking of giving it to service centre.
to all guys I wud suggest,plz don’t try to save some money by buying cheap bricks like this,in the long run they will fail to deliver. always try to go with samsungs or Nokia’s which always give long term service and customer satisfaction.
I know many of you would disagree,but believe it or not,it is the truth. a one time investment of 20k is far better than 2 or 3 such sub10 k phones. well take all this with a pinch of salt!
I have also faced 2 problems mentioned by you. I accept that lava’s quality control is questionable in case of this phone. I am using a XOLO A700 and have not problems with it.
I purchased my Lava Iris 501 from Indiatimes & it was delivered on 23rd May. I got JB installed on 23rd May and the phone worked fine until 28th May.
Problem 1) On 29th May, the phone would not power on after i pressed the unlock/power button. It would just not power on. Took phone to Service centre in Saat Rasta Mumbai & they said that the indiatimes invoice was dated 20th May, & they replace it only within 7 days. Since I had gone to them on 8th day they cannot replace the phone. They checked the phone & gave the REPAIRED phone to me on 31st May after replacing the power button (defective hardware). I observed on many sites that the most common problem with this phone is the power button.
Problem 2)The functions like GPS,flight mode,Bluetooth, etc. operate on their own. like a ghost is doing random clicks on them! I am speaking on a call & the call gets disconnected all of a sudden. When i look at my phone, the PS, bluetooth & airplane buttons have been selected. Though this is not continuous, it happens atleast 4-5 times a day.
Brought this phone after so much research. This is an amazing one, thanks to gogi and others!! Played front line commander, run like butter, zero lag. Value 4 money!!. One thing I noticed that while charging ” battery over protection remove it” what it mean??
Chetan, battery heating up, remove the battery and put it back in.
hiii gogi hw r u, I m big fan of u, and hiiii friends
can anybody tell me about iris 501 drivers and pc suite to connect my pc for surfing internet to pc..
gogi plzz snd a link to download drivers n pc suite…
someone on flipkart said, he got jelly bean out of the box. are they shipping jelly bean from now??
Chetan, http://www.gogi.in/lava-iris-501-jelly-bean-upgrade.html
Dear members,
which onbline retailer selling lava iris 501 flip cover and screen guard
hello
sir
I am allreadyy buy this handset but I have one problem in this when I charge it and using for game its been hot I mean its not like a simple phone temprature its getting high temprature
I talked it service center but he say that is not problem its complessorry,,and its could be (ic) fault
I bought this product from flipkart
when l tell flipkart; l saw one issue; its say that is hot issue
can You tell me that is really any issue…??
I mean You have experience so I think You know that …?????
only charging time and gaming time its temprature getting high
please reply I need your help please sir…..!
itz supportz otg
No it doesnt
Modern combat 3 is not compatible with my iris lava 501..
Can any one tell why this happen..
Gogi sir plz rply..
I have purchased it 4 days ago
Gogi , this is my second IRIS 501 & this one too gets heated up on back camera side after using wifi/3g for 3-5 minutes. Heating can be felt clearly….Although i faced some heating on my previous MMX A110 also but in IRIS 501 its more so is this normal or there might be some issue with this handset. I saw many complaining about the heating issue so please guide me for same….also i request friends who are using IRIS 501 to share their views. I had upgraded my iris 501 to JB but heating persists. Rest its working superb & even better than my previous MMX A110…
I am Also having this problem,May be its because of Large battery
Good news guys.. iris 501 can.play 1080p videos with ease.. download hd video.player and see magic. So enjoy . https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elift.hdplayer&hl=en
dear gogi sir,
can u plz tell me wer dis phone is available at retail stores in hyderabad
thnz
I would prefer LAVA above MMX & Karbonn. I used MMX A110 , sold up few days back & purchased IRIS 501. My first IRIS 501 had some issues of heating & ear volume. I contacted customer care & they forwarded me to LAVA Head of Mumbai Area. After speaking ti him I was told to visit Service center(Excellent Customer Care Service)…I was first scared as i did not wanted my new handset to be opened…I visited Kandivali West , Mumbai service center & the technician detected the problem & made a DOA & committed for replacement in few days (Nice people & very down to earth)….Now to my surprise i got call from lava kandivali service center the very next day morning & asked to collect a new replacement box packed handset…I heard many people complaining about customer service & service center service from indian brands but with my case I would definatily give 5 STAR to LAVA as its a very pleasant experience & I dont think even Samsung or Apple would have provided such fast resolution…Also do note that LAVA has official 4 service centers in MUMBAI where as MMX i think has only 1. Just check lavainternational.com website & check number of service centers all over INDIA & am sure it will definitely be more than MMX , karbon etc. About IRIS 501….its just superb handset & I not at all regret of selling MMX a110 & buying IRIS 501. Its more smooth after upgrading JB. Custom roms also available on XDA & i installed one of them…Yes it does heat a bit on backside but that was same with my previous MMX a110 also although it does heat a bit more as compared to MMX a110. Look wise it looks classy & even better than A110…more of like A116…No issues with handset till now & very much satisfied…I will post once I face any issue…If anyone wants to know more do let me know…Hats off to LAVA Service & Thanks.
did u tried to use otg after jb update
Can u do GLBenchmark 2.5 Egypt and sun spider test??????
many 2g using user iz saying that internet is slow as compared to other like A110
… Newly launched lava 405 has bttr specs than 501 wid low price …plz review it soon
Can anybody tell me where to find the compass app in this phone.
you need to visit Goggle play store and download compass , else just open gogle map you will find small arrow head on map when you will rotate your phone the arrow head will also move that is compass only
which one is better lava 501 or 455?
501
dear sir,
lava website is flashing a jelly bean update for 501 ..how can i update it. it do not have in build software update feature,… do help and sort.
dear gogi ji,
lavamobile website shows a jelly bean update for lava 501 .. its correct.. how can i update it.
Hi check this http://www.gogi.in/lava-iris-501-jelly-bean-upgrade.html
Hi Gogi,
Planning to buy this phone. i am just worried about 2 things.
1. some say that Google play store having some issues to open up or some error is seen.
2. the screen resolution 480×800 seems to be low for a 5 inch screen. please let me know, is it so low compared to same config phones or display is good enough as per its design and size.
Please reply…
Thanks!
Does its support native video calling ?
Hey gogi sir, I have lava iris 501 and its browsing and downloding is not good but it is very poor downloading speed is minimum 1-2kbps in 2g.,and i can aford 2g pak only..,tell me what i do next which mobile you will sugst me to buy..,and tell me how can i run internet in good speed in Lava iris 501
Brought this phone 3 days back.
Display is good, compared to canvas 2. 501 is much heavier. Camera not good, because, indoor pics are bad(noisy images) for canvas 2 also. Battery backup is Good. It takes about 2.5 to 3 HOURS to charge the battery. Gaming is superb. I hope there is good customer care support, there is one near mt house and i brought the phone from there. I know the person working there, he told me over 45 501s are sold and no problem reported. There is complaints for 454 and 455. Ringing volume is not high bcoz the speaker is covered when the phone is placed somewhere, but better than canvas 2. A good ring tone and full volume can solve this. Any way the phone is SUPERB at this price. Build quality is good.
Hey gogi bro, I am using lava iris 501 and its 2g internet service.is very slow,This monile is giving minimum 2kbps downloading speed, plz help me..
I want fast internet browsing,so help me which mobile I buy…
I am using lava iris 501 and its 2g internet service.is very slow,This monile is giving minimum 2kbps downloading speed, plz help me..
I want fast internet browsing,so help me which mobile I buy…