Lava’s New Z62 Phone Wants to Replace Your TV
Lava International just released the Z62, a smartphone with a 6-inch display that they claim is good enough to make your TV obsolete. They’re so confident about it that they’re running a pretty bold promotion called “Throw your TV away.”
Here’s how it works: bring in your old TV, and you could win a free Lava Z62. It’s basically a trade-in deal, but it’s first-come, first-served and only while supplies last.
What’s inside the Z62?
The phone has a full-view IPS screen that Lava says delivers a great viewing experience. There’s also a dedicated button for Google Assistant, so you can control apps and features with voice commands without fumbling through menus.
Battery-wise, it packs a 3,380 mAh battery that should last about a day and a half. You also get face unlock for security, and a dual camera setup (8MP + 5MP) with AI studio mode and LED flash.
The Z62 is priced at Rs. 6,060 and comes in two gradient colors: Midnight Blue and Space Blue.
About Lava
For context, Lava is one of India’s major mobile phone companies and operates in 26 other countries. They’re big on “Make in India” and “Design in India” – they actually design and manufacture their phones locally, which is pretty rare in the industry.
They’ve got a huge retail presence with over 165,000 retailers nationwide and more than 800 service centers for repairs and support.
In mid-2019, Indian mobile manufacturer Lava International launched an audacious marketing campaign that turned heads across the smartphone industry. The centerpiece was the Lava Z62, a budget smartphone priced at Rs. 6,060, accompanied by an unconventional promotion called “Throw Your TV Away
The campaign wasn’t just marketing hyperbole—Lava actually invited customers to exchange their old television sets for a brand-new Z62 smartphone
The registration process opened on June 18, 2019, at 10:00 AM, and the response was overwhelming. According to the company’s reports, the initial stock sold out in just 65 seconds, with thousands registering to swap their TVs for the smartphone
The offer operated on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks lasted, creating urgency that clearly resonated with consumers.
What Made the Z62 “TV-Worthy
Lava’s confidence in positioning the Z62 as a TV replacement stemmed from its 6-inch full-view IPS display—relatively large for budget smartphones at the time
The device featured a 480 x 960-pixel resolution with 179 PPI density, powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 quad-core processor clocked at 2 GHz
With 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage (expandable via microSD), it ran Android 9 Pie
The camera setup included an 8MP rear camera with AI studio mode and LED flash, paired with a 5MP front-facing camera
A dedicated Google Assistant button allowed voice-activated controls, while the 3,380 mAh battery promised up to 1.5 days of backup. Face unlock added a modern security touch to this budget offering.
Lava’s Manufacturing Prowess
What set Lava apart was its commitment to Indian manufacturing. The company operates production facilities in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where approximately 3,500 employees produce around 1.5 million devices
Lava was the first Indian mobile company to introduce Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines and build an indigenous component supply chain
Unlike many competitors who simply assemble imported parts, Lava maintains complete control over both design and manufacturing—making it arguably the truest “Make in India” mobile brand
The company’s retail footprint is impressive: over 165,000 retailers served by more than 1,000 distributors, backed by 800+ service centers nationwide
Lava also operates in 26 countries beyond India
The Marketing Genius
The “Throw Your TV Away” campaign was marketing gold. It positioned a budget smartphone as a lifestyle upgrade while addressing a practical concern—many Indian households, especially in smaller cities and rural areas, were ready to transition from traditional television to mobile-first entertainment. The provocative name generated significant media coverage, and the scarcity-driven approach (limited stocks, fast sellout) created FOMO that amplified demand
Whether the 6-inch screen truly replaced anyone’s television is debatable, but Lava successfully captured attention in a crowded market dominated by Chinese brands. The Z62 campaign demonstrated that creative positioning and bold offers could help homegrown brands compete, even in the ultra-competitive budget segment
