AI+ Nova 2 5G: India’s Most Affordable AI Phone or Just Another Rebrand?
The Indian smartphone market is heating up again, and NxtQuantum’s sub-brand AI+ is jumping in with a bold promise: to redefine budget smartphones with AI-powered features and a focus on sustainability.
Set to launch on June 25, the AI+ Nova series will include three models, with prices starting as low as INR 5,000 (~$60).
Among them is the AI+ Nova 2 5G, a device already making waves online thanks to an exclusive first look. The rear panel sports a glossy finish with a large squircle camera module featuring two lenses and an LED flash. A printed label that says “Matrix AI Camera” hints at AI-driven image processing – but without official specs, the actual tech remains a mystery.
Specs-wise, we know the Nova 2 5G comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage, and dual SIM support. More memory variants may also be announced. What stands out, however, is the phone’s approach to sustainability: it’s reportedly built using refurbished parts, aligning with India’s “Make in India” initiative and aiming to reduce e-waste. The assembly is handled by local partner Ismartu.
Running on the new NxtQuantum OS – described as a UI “designed by Indian engineers” and “tailored to local needs” – the Nova 2 5G wants to be more than just another budget phone. But skeptics are already pointing out the uncanny resemblance to older models from BBK, ZTE, or Honor. The pricing is so low that some wonder if the Nova series is simply AI-washing – putting a fancy label on repackaged hardware.
The question remains: is this really a new chapter for budget tech in India, or a recycled playbook under a different name? Either way, with 5G, AI, and sustainability all in the mix, it’s sure to spark debate when it hits both online stores and offline retail on June 25.
3 comments