With smartphone costs hovering to new heights resulting from DRAM shortages and an increase in enter prices, it has turn into difficult for brand spanking new homegrown manufacturers to search out their footing in the market. Yet Ai+, the new Indian smartphone model on the block, is eager on taking the problem head-on. Its latest entry-level offering, Nova 2 5G, prices simply Rs 10,999 and presents a good mixture of specs and options. We used the smartphone for every week and put it via a collection of exams. Here is our overview of the Ai+ Nova 2 5G.

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Ai+ Nova 2 5G Review: Design and Display

Box Contents

• Smartphone
• 10W energy adapter
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Clear plastic cowl
• SIM ejector
• User handbook

The Ai+ Nova 2 5G follows the design language of its predecessor. The plastic again panel has a shiny end and sparkle accents. The sq. digital camera island has curved edges and rounded corners. It has a minimal bump to maintain the telephone from wobbling on a flat floor. The flat type issue presents a pleasant in-hand really feel. We had been apprehensive about the shiny again panel attracting a variety of fingerprints, but it surely was fairly manageable.

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The plastic body homes the quantity rocker and the aspect button on its proper edge. The aspect button has an orange accent and doubles as the fingerprint sensor. The hybrid SIM tray is positioned on the left edge. It helps microSD playing cards as much as 1TB. The 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, USB-C port, and speaker grille are positioned at the backside of the body. There’s IP64 safety on board. The smartphone weighs 205g, which doesn’t make it the heaviest in its class, however we’d’ve most well-liked it to be lighter, on condition that it’s working with an all-plastic construct.

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The 6.75-inch IPS LCD panel has a 120Hz refresh fee. It used a waterdrop notch as a housing for the selfie digital camera. The surrounding bezels get thicker round the chin. The contact response fee is okay. Outdoor use beneath harsh daylight usually requires utilizing your palm as a defend. The fingerprint scanner, mounted on the aspect button, is quick and snappy.

The viewing expertise provided by the 720p is kind of respectable. The visuals have punchy colors, despite the fact that the photographs aren’t as contrast-heavy as their AMOLED counterparts. The lone, bottom-firing speaker produces a good audio output, but it surely may use some extra quantity and a distinguished low-end.

Ai+ Nova 2 5G Review: Performance and Cameras

Powering the Nova 2 5G is the Unisoc T8200 Octa-core chipset – a typical sight in entry-level units. This processor has a most clock pace of two.3GHz. The smartphone is available in 2 RAM and storage variants.

• 4GB + 64GB: Rs 10,999
• 6GB + 128GB: Rs 12,999

We ran a few benchmark exams on the smartphone. Here’s the way it carried out:

• AnTuTu 3D Lite: 522,612
• Geekbench 6: 699 (single-core) | 1,741 (multi-core)

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The Nova 2 5G summons sufficient energy to handle routine duties like calling, texting, video conferences, media streaming, and internet shopping. It is dependable sufficient for use as a each day driver. Of course, the shortcomings of the worth bracket apply to this machine as effectively. The apps take a while to load, and the sluggishness is kind of seen usually use. The largest asset of this telephone is 5G connectivity. 5G telephones are onerous to return by at this worth level, so it’s good to see a tool that doesn’t pester you with buffer intervals if you’re binging on content material.

While the Nova 2 5G can play main FPS titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile, the gameplay leaves you wanting much more. This isn’t a criticism of this machine particularly, as this situation is pervasive throughout the entry-level section. On the shiny aspect, we did have a good time taking part in video games like Subway Surfers and Block Blast.

Software duties on the Nova 2 5G are dealt with by Android 16 with Ai+’s customized nxtQ pores and skin on prime. Ai+’s dedication to delivering a clear software program expertise even on an entry-level machine is commendable. There aren’t any bloatware apps or pesky advertisements disguised as notifications and folders on this machine. It has been promised 1 main OS improve and three years of safety patches.

Parts of its interface are impressed by OxygenOS and HyperOS, however that’s not a foul factor. We like the particular app icons, vibrant settings web page, and snappy transitions. The software program feels effectively optimised for the platform. There is a good vary of themes and wallpapers for the lock display and residential web page. We additionally prefer to see privateness options like app lock and hidden apps being provided on an entry-level telephone. The NxtPrivacy Dashboard offers you the real-time standing of app monitoring and necessary permissions. While it lacks Google’s Circle to Search, it does provide Gemini Assistant out of the field.

The large 6,000mAh Li-Po battery pack on this telephone places up a good show. On days with reasonable to heavy use and 7-8 hours of display time, we had been left with a wholesome 20-25% cost in the tank. If you’re extra conservative with your utilization, you’ll be able to push the battery life to 2 days. The smartphone helps 18W charging however ships with a 10W adapter in the field. This adapter takes over 2.5 hours to cost the machine absolutely.

The rear digital camera island of this telephone homes a 50MP major shooter and a 2MP auxiliary lens. Up entrance, an 8MP selfie digital camera is positioned inside a waterdrop notch. The major shooter takes respectable photographs in out of doors situations. The footage seem clear, if slightly washed out. If you’re taking pictures in shiny situations, some components of the photographs could get blown out. This is one thing you’ll should contend with on nearly each smartphone on this section. On the shiny aspect, the digital camera does a good job of preserving the photographs sharp. Images taken in restricted lighting situations are dim and grainy, and the Night Mode doesn’t do quite a bit to salvage the state of affairs.

Portraits taken by the predominant digital camera are detailed and well-focused, however lack a wholesome background blur. The 8MP front-facing digital camera captures clear selfies with correct pores and skin tones. It does apply a smoothing texture, but it surely isn’t a deal-breaker. This digital camera can document 1,080p footage at 30fps. Meanwhile, the rear digital camera can document 4K movies at 30fps.

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Verdict

The Ai+ Nova 2 5G is a superb deal at a time when good budget telephones are onerous to return by. At Rs 10,999, you’re getting 5G connectivity and an enormous show to place it to make use of by streaming content material throughout OTT apps with none buffer. Another large spotlight of this machine is its bloatware-free software program expertise. The 6,000mAh battery pack can take as much as 2 days to exhaust. The 50MP predominant digital camera is dependable in good lighting. Overall, the Nova 2 5G offers you your cash’s price.

Buy on Flipkart for Rs 10,999

Pros

• 5G connectivity
• Big show
• Good battery life
• Clean software program
• Good predominant digital camera

Cons

• Mediocre audio output
• Slow charging