Key Points
- 6000mAh battery comfortably lasts beyond a full day on regular usage
- 1.5K AMOLED display delivers sharp visuals and smooth 120Hz performance
- IP68 rating and premium design stand out in this price segment
At ₹16,999, the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G enters one of the toughest smartphone categories in India. This is the segment where buyers usually compare Redmi, Realme, POCO, iQOO and Motorola before making a decision. Most phones here offer similar specifications on paper, so the real difference comes from day-to-day experience.
I used the black variant of the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, priced at ₹20,999, for more than two weeks in Delhi. During this period, the phone was used as a primary device for calls, WhatsApp, social media, YouTube, photography, navigation, work apps and casual gaming.
The overall experience was surprisingly good.
The phone does not try to dominate benchmark charts or market itself as a gaming monster. Instead, it focuses on practical things that most users actually care about — battery life, display quality, smooth performance and premium design. In regular use, those strengths become noticeable very quickly.
Design and build: looks far more expensive than its price
One of the first things people noticed when they saw the phone was its design. The Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra clearly takes inspiration from premium flagship devices, especially iPhones, with its flat-edge design and clean rear panel layout.
The device feels premium in hand despite having a plastic frame. Build quality is solid and the phone never felt cheap during use. At around 195 grams, it is slightly heavy, but the weight also gives it a more substantial feel.
The rear notification lighting system is something different. It glows in different colours during calls and notifications. Some users may love it while others may ignore it completely, but it definitely gives the phone its own identity.
The biggest surprise at this price is the IP68 rating. Most phones around ₹20,000 only offer splash resistance. Here, you get proper dust and water resistance, which adds real peace of mind during rain or accidental water exposure.
The side-mounted fingerprint scanner worked reliably throughout the review period. Face unlock was also reasonably fast.
Display: easily one of the highlights
The 6.78-inch AMOLED display is genuinely impressive for the price.
The 1.5K resolution makes the screen noticeably sharper than many Full HD+ displays available in this segment. Watching YouTube videos, Netflix and Instagram reels felt very enjoyable. Colours look vibrant without becoming oversaturated.
The 120Hz refresh rate also helps. Scrolling feels smooth, app animations are fluid and overall responsiveness is good.
Outdoor visibility was decent during Delhi afternoons. Under direct harsh sunlight, brightness could have been slightly better, but the screen remained usable.
For media consumption, this is one of the better displays available around ₹20,000.
Performance: smooth in real-world use
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor with 8GB RAM.
In everyday use, performance was consistently smooth. Apps opened quickly, multitasking worked well and I did not notice major lag or stuttering during regular usage.
I used multiple apps simultaneously including Chrome, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube and Google Maps, and the phone handled everything comfortably.
Gaming performance was decent. Casual games ran smoothly and even heavier games were playable at medium settings. This is not the best gaming phone in the segment, but for average users and moderate gamers, performance is more than sufficient.
The phone also managed heat quite well. Even during longer sessions, it became warm but never uncomfortably hot.
Camera: surprisingly capable in daylight
The camera setup includes a 50MP Sony IMX752 primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
In daylight, the results were genuinely good. Photos came out sharp with balanced colours and enough detail for social media and regular photography. Skin tones looked natural most of the time.
I was particularly impressed by the daylight performance. Images looked clean and the camera focused quickly.
Low-light photography was better than expected for this price range. Night photos still lose some detail and sharpness, but overall output remained usable and sometimes impressive under decent lighting conditions.
Video quality was satisfactory in daylight. Stabilisation works reasonably well while walking slowly. However, low-light video recording is clearly weaker compared to daytime performance.
The front camera performed well enough for selfies, Instagram stories and video calls.
Battery: the strongest part of this phone
Battery life is probably the biggest reason to consider this device.
The 6000mAh battery easily lasted more than a full day during my usage. On some lighter days, I even stretched it close to two days before charging.
Even with 5G enabled, social media usage, YouTube streaming and photography, battery anxiety was almost never an issue.
Charging speed was also good in practical usage. While faster charging options exist in this segment, the phone still charges quickly enough for most users.
For people who travel frequently or simply hate charging phones repeatedly, this battery performance is a major advantage.
Software and daily usability
The phone runs nxtQ OS based on Android 16. The interface feels slightly different from standard Android skins, but overall the experience was smooth and clean.
There were enough customisation options and privacy-focused features built into the software. I did not face major bugs or app crashes during the review period.
Call quality and network reception were stable throughout testing on 5G networks in Delhi.
The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint some users, though the bundled ear pods are actually decent for casual listening.
Should you buy it?
The Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G is not trying to be the absolute best camera phone or the most powerful gaming device in the segment.
What it does offer is a very balanced overall experience.
At ₹20,999, the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage offers a premium-looking design, excellent battery life, a sharp AMOLED display, reliable everyday performance, IP68 water and dust resistance, decent cameras and a smooth software experience, making it a well-balanced smartphone for daily use.
There are still some concerns. Ai+ does not yet have the same service network strength as Xiaomi, Realme or Samsung, which buyers should keep in mind.
But based on actual usage over two weeks, the Nova 2 Ultra 5G turned out to be a genuinely likeable phone. It feels fast in daily use, lasts long on battery and looks far more premium than its price suggests.
For users looking for a stylish and dependable everyday 5G smartphone around ₹20,000, this is a phone worth seriously considering.
Key Specifications
| Display | 6.78-inch AMOLED, 2772x1272 (1.5K), 450 PPI, 120Hz, 800 nits typical, 1800 nits HBM |
|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7400 (MTK D7400) |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, expandable up to 1TB via microSD |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Sony IMX752 (AF, EIS) + 8MP ultra-wide (FF), dual flash |
| Front Camera | 13MP fixed focus |
| Battery | 6000mAh Li-polymer |
| Charging | 40W support (18W charger included in box) |
| OS | Based on Android 16 |
| Update Commitment | Standard Android commitment |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| 5G Bands | n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78 (n78 supports Jio and Airtel) |
| Colours | Blue, Green, Purple, Black and Red |
| Price in India | ₹20,999 (8GB + 128GB), ₹16,999 (6GB + 128GB) |
Your Questions, Answered
Is the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G good for daily use?
Yes, the phone handles everyday tasks smoothly, including social media, calls, video streaming, browsing and multitasking. Battery life and display quality are among its biggest strengths.
Is the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G waterproof?
Yes. It carries an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in fresh water up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. This is unusual at ₹16,999 — most competitors offer only IP54 splash resistance.
How good is the battery life on the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G?
The 6000mAh battery easily lasts more than a full day on regular usage and can stretch close to two days with moderate use.
Does the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G support Indian 5G networks?
Yes. It supports 5G band n78, which is the primary band used by Jio and Airtel in India. Both SIM slots support 5G connectivity.
Is the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G good for gaming?
The phone can handle casual and moderate gaming comfortably with the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor, though heavy gamers may find more powerful alternatives in the segment.
Does the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G have good cameras?
The 50MP Sony primary camera performs well in daylight and captures sharp, social media-ready photos. Low-light performance is decent for the price range.
Is the Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G worth buying at ₹16,999?
If you want a stylish 5G smartphone with strong battery life, premium design, IP68 protection and reliable performance under ₹20,000, it offers good overall value.
