The Indian smartphone market is highly competitive, especially the entry-level segment where big players like Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, Vivo and others have asserted dominance. No Indian brand has made it to the top. But Madhav Sheth's Ai+ has big aspirations and products that back them. Following the success of Ai+ Pulse and Nova, the company is back with new phones, and we just got our hands on the Nova 2 5G.
Ai+ Nova 2 enters this space with a very clear intention, which is to offer a clean software experience, reliable daily performance, and 5G connectivity, all at a price that undercuts most competition.
On paper, it sounds like a strong proposition. But after spending time using the phone as a daily driver, it is evident that the Nova 2 5G is not trying to outdo rivals in every aspect. Instead, it focuses on basics, by being functional, simple, and accessible. We unboxed the phone and here's our quick review of it. But first, let's take a look at the specs.
Key specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch HD+ LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Unisoc T8200
- RAM & storage: 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
- Rear camera: 50MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Charging: 18W
- Software: NxtQuantum OS (Android 16-based)
- Connectivity: 5G support
- Price: Starts at Rs 8,999
Design
For a phone that sits under the Rs 10,000 mark, the AI+ Nova 2 5G makes a strong first impression. The design is clean, slightly boxy, and carries a modern look that doesn't immediately scream "budget."
There's a subtle glitter finish on the plastic back, and there's a contrasting power button, which is hard to miss. In our interaction with Sheth, it was revealed that there is a big plan for that orange highlight. It's the kind of design that feels like effort has gone into it, even if the materials are fairly standard.
In hand, the phone feels light and easy to manage. It's not compact, but it doesn't feel bulky either. The rear panel does pick up smudges quickly, more so on the black variant we got. The Ai+ branding is quite prominent and the camera module is a curved square one with two sensors, an LED and a dummy ring.
Ports are where you expect them to be. There's also a headphone jack alongside USB-C port and speaker. Overall, the design punches above its price. It's not flashy, but definitely not boring.
Display
Ai+ Nova 2 comes with a large 6.7-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, which sounds great on paper. And yes, scrolling feels smoother than a standard 60Hz panel, which is a welcome.
But there are limitations. The resolution is modest, and the panel itself lacks the sharpness and vibrancy which you might expect at this price point. Colours feel a bit flat, and brightness struggles under direct sunlight. But for casual users, indoor viewing, the phone serves its purpose.
Camera
The camera setup is straightforward. The 50MP main sensor delivers usable shots in good lighting. Colours are decent, dynamic range is acceptable, and for casual photography, it works fine. Ai+ added a CIF sensor to support the main sensor, which barely adds value.
Coming back to the shots, details lose out in tricky lighting situations, and there's a noticeable softness in images. Low-light performance drops further, with the lack of clarity becoming more obvious.
Portraits are manageable, but the processing tends to smooth things out a bit, making images get a filter effect. On the front, the selfie camera is decent at best, offering usable shots but more importantly, useful for video calls.
This is not a camera system you buy the phone for. And frankly, that's not even the target audience, but it gives what it gives for the price. The set-up is ideal for various tasks, such as scanning documents, quick snaps, and social media uploads.
Performance and software
AI+ Nova 5G runs on the Unisoc T8200 chipset, and its performance reflects its positioning. For basic tasks, it works fine. Messaging, social media, light browsing, watching videos, all of this runs without major issues. But push it even slightly, and the cracks begin to show.
Multitasking may get laggy, with animations starting to feel sluggish, and extended use can lead to heating. It's not a phone meant for heavy usage or gaming. The phone can be used for casual gaming.
What stands out, however, is the software.
NxtQuantum OS is clean, minimal, and refreshingly free of bloatware. That's rare at this price point. The privacy dashboard is a thoughtful addition, which lets you see which apps are accessing your data. That is some Apple-level integration at this price point.
Some elements may lack polish, and the overall experience isn't as refined as more established Android skins. But give it time, and it might get there. Also, despite the "AI+" branding, there's very little here that actually feels AI-driven.
Battery
Battery life is one of the more reliable aspects of the Nova 2 5G. The 6,000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day with regular usage, even with messaging, streaming, browsing, and mixed app usage.
It is a phone you can depend out for battery while stepping out. And at this price, that's often enough.
Charging, however, feels dated. The 18W charging speed is slow by today's standards, taking well over two hours for a full charge. But that's a trade worth doing for longer battery life.
Verdict
AI+ Nova 2 5G is a phone that knows exactly what it wants to be, no bells and no whistles. It is a simple, affordable, no-frills 5G smartphone. It doesn't try to overpromise, and in many ways, that works in its favour. The clean software, good battery life, and practical design make it easy to live with for everyday tasks.
But it has its own compromises. The display is average, performance is limited, and the cameras are basic. It's a phone built for light users, people who want connectivity, simplicity, and reliability without spending much. If these are your expectations, the Nova 5G delivers.
