You may not have heard of the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G. Just when it seemed the era of genuinely affordable smartphones was behind us, along comes this newcomer to prove otherwise.
At first glance, it looks much like any other handset: 8.5mm thick, 194g, with a polycarbonate finish that’s entirely expected at this price point. Look closer, though, and the differences begin to reveal themselves. Dominating the rear is a large RGB light ring — the manufacturer calls it the Status Light — which can be configured to glow for notifications, incoming calls, and a host of other triggers. It’s clearly a nod to Nothing’s popularised glyph lighting, though it carries its own identity. The effect is easy on the eye, and the customisation runs deep: individual apps such as WhatsApp can each have their own colour, and a Party Mode keeps the ring glowing continuously (at the cost of battery life, naturally).
Also notable are the shoulder triggers — two physical buttons positioned at the far ends of the right-hand edge of the chassis. These are a rarity in the budget segment and make a tangible difference during gaming sessions.
Status light is one of the phone's innovative feature
What Ai+ has done, essentially, is bundle several features typically absent from affordable phones into a single device. Dual speakers with a reasonable amount of bass, for instance — don’t expect room-filling sound, but for a handset under ₹20,000, it’s a commendable effort. There’s dual SIM support, with one slot doubling as a microSD card tray, and an IP68 rating for water resistance that should see it through the odd drizzle. The charging port is USB 2.0, which feels like the most obvious compromise at this price.
The 6.78-inch full HD+ AMOLED display runs at 120Hz and leans into vivid, saturated colours — the kind that make content pop and that many users actively seek out. It’s an impressive panel for the money, though brightness in direct sunlight is where it falls short; scrolling outdoors on a sunny day can be a squinting exercise.
Performance is handled by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chipset, a sensible choice given global pressures on chip and memory supply chains. Everyday apps — Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Blinkit — run without complaint. Gaming is where the limitations surface; extended sessions will occasionally produce stutters, though the shoulder triggers do help make the experience more enjoyable.
The camera system comprises a 50MP Sony IMX752 main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide. In good daylight, the main camera turns in clear, detailed shots. The ultrawide, however, struggles under uneven or artificial lighting, and there’s a slight stutter when switching between lens modes. Video recording reaches 4K at 30fps and produces acceptable results. The 13MP front camera is capable enough for video calls and selfies, and can also record in 4K — a welcome addition.
On the software side, the phone appears largely clean out of the box, though a “Must Play” section of pre-installed games lurks on the second home screen page. Credit is due for keeping such additions minimal. Being a new entrant, it remains to be seen how Ai+ manages long-term software support and security patch schedules — an area worth monitoring.
Battery life is a genuine strength. The 6,000mAh cell comfortably stretches to two days of use, helped along by the undemanding nature of the processor.
Snap taken on the AI+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G
The Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G is a reminder that the budget smartphone category still has plenty of life in it. Rising prices across the market have made true value increasingly hard to find, but this handset makes a compelling case — shoulder triggers, RGB lighting, solid battery life, and a capable main camera, all for under ₹20,000. It’s not without its compromises, but it wears them honestly.
Device: Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G
Price: ₹18,999 (Flipkart)
High notes
RGB Status Light with deep customisation
Shoulder triggers for gaming
Dual speakers
Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display
4K video on front and rear cameras on a budget phone
Muffled notes
Ultrawide struggles in low light
Lens-switching stutter
Unproven software support
The overall build quality could be better
