- Battery-first design: Ai+ is trying something new with the Nova 2 Power 5G, and that's a 7,000mAh cell, a first for the company, which immediately sets it apart in the Indian budget-to-midrange segment.
- Big, fast display: You get a 6.75-inch 120Hz HD+ flat LCD, and it looks bright, even if the resolution is just HD+.
- Clean software promise: The phone runs Android 16 with nextQ OS, and Ai+ claims there's no bloatware, which is a big plus, along with some privacy and safety add-ons.
It's kind of refreshing to see a phone that leads with its battery. The Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G doesn't try to wow you with a curved OLED or a 200MP camera. Instead, it packs a big battery, a fast display, and a solid processor, all for a price that's hard to beat. After spending some time with it, my first impression is that this device knows exactly who it's for - people who hate carrying a power bank.
In the Box: What You Get
Unboxing the Nova 2 Power 5G is straightforward. Ai+ hasn't included a lot of extras, but you get the essentials. Our 8GB + 128GB Midnight Black unit came with:
- Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G - 8GB + 128GB, Midnight Black
- 33W fast charger - Standard USB Type-A output
- USB Type-A to Type-C cable - For charging and data
- Clear protective case - Basic transparent silicone-style case
- SIM ejector tool - Standard metal pin
So, what's missing? There's no pre-applied screen protector or wired earphones in the box. The clear case is nice, but you'll need to pick up a screen protector separately. That's a minor complaint, considering the price.
Design & Build First Impressions
Front Face
The 6.75-inch flat LCD takes up most of the front. There's a tiny punch-hole for the 13MP selfie camera, and the earpiece is on the top edge. You'll notice a bit of a bezel below the display, which keeps costs down but makes the chin a bit more prominent than on pricier phones. The flat-screen design should reduce accidental touches and offers a stable grip for gaming.
Back Panel
The Midnight Black back looks polished, but I'm not sure if it's glass or polycarbonate yet. Social media comments describe the finish as "polished" and the build as "solid." I'll wait until I've had more time to tap and flex the panel before making a call. The rear camera module has a 48MP main sensor and an 8MP secondary sensor, according to the specs.
Frame & Sides
I haven't taken a close look at the frame's finish yet, and the button layout and port placement will need a few days of use to assess. So far, it looks like a conventional layout, but I'll confirm in the full review.
In-Hand Feel
Commenters have called the phone "solid" and its finish "polished." With a 7,000mAh battery, it's got some heft to it. The flat sides should help with grip, and the included clear case adds a bit of extra security without hiding the Midnight Black finish entirely.
Display: Big, Bright, and Smooth
The Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G has a 6.75-inch HD+ (720×1600 pixels) flat LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, the HD+ resolution might seem like a compromise at this size, but in my brief time with the phone, the screen looks bright and punchy. FoneArena notes the display has up to 450nits HBM brightness, which should be fine for indoor use and shaded outdoor conditions.
The 120Hz refresh rate is the big draw here. Scrolling through the nextQ OS interface feels fluid, and the flat panel is great for gamers who dislike accidental touches on curved edges. The tiny punch-hole for the 13MP front camera is unobtrusive, and the earpiece sits neatly on the top edge. The bottom bezel is present, but it's a trade-off for the aggressive pricing.
I'll reserve final judgment on color accuracy, viewing angles, and outdoor legibility until I can run the display through our usual test patterns. For now, the combination of size, refresh rate, and brightness appears to be a strong match for media consumption.
Camera System First Look
The rear camera setup is a dual-lens arrangement: a 48MP primary sensor and an 8MP secondary sensor. There's no ultrawide or macro lens, which is a notable omission for a phone in this segment. The 13MP front camera sits inside the punch-hole and should handle selfies and video calls.
I haven't captured enough samples to judge image quality yet. Early impressions from social media comments don't dive into camera performance, so I'll need to test daylight, low-light, and portrait modes thoroughly. The camera app's features and processing behavior are still unknown. I'll also check video stabilization and front-camera performance in the full review.
For now, the camera hardware appears to be a functional, no-frills setup. The 48MP sensor should deliver decent detail in good light, but I'm not expecting flagship-level results. This phone is clearly focused on battery and performance first, with cameras playing a supporting role.
Performance & Software: Dimensity 7100 and nextQ OS
Under the hood, the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 processor. This is a solid midrange chip that should handle everyday tasks and light gaming with ease. The phone comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is plenty for most users. I'll need to run our usual benchmark suites and game tests to see how the Dimensity 7100 holds up under sustained load.
The software side is interesting. The phone runs Android 16 with nextQ OS on top. According to FoneArena, there's no bloatware, which is a welcome change in this price bracket. Instead, Ai+ includes a NxtPrivacy Dashboard, NxtSafe Space, NxtMove App, and NxtQuantum Community App. These appear to be utility tools rather than ads or promotional apps. I'll need to explore each of these features in depth to see how useful they are in daily life.
Initial navigation feels snappy, and the 120Hz display helps everything feel responsive. But sustained performance - especially during long gaming sessions - is still an open question. The 7,000mAh battery should help with endurance, but I need to check if the phone throttles under pressure. My full review will include thermal imaging and frame-rate tests.
Battery & Charging: The 7,000mAh Headline
The star of the show is the 7,000mAh battery. This is a first for an Ai+ smartphone, and it's a massive number for any phone, let alone one at this price. The included 33W fast charger is not the fastest in the segment, but it should be enough to fill this large cell in a reasonable time. I'll measure charging curves from 0 to 100% in my full review.
Battery life is the obvious strength here. With a 7,000mAh cell and a power-efficient HD+ display, the Nova 2 Power 5G could easily last two days for moderate users. Heavy gamers and streamers will also find plenty of headroom. However, I need to test real-world screen-on time, standby drain, and gaming battery consumption before making any claims.
One concern is the charging speed. 33W is adequate but not class-leading; some rivals offer 45W or even 67W charging at similar prices. That means topping up this huge battery might take longer than on faster-charging competitors. I'll put the charger to the test in my full review.
Price and Availability in India
The Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G is priced at ₹16,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant and ₹17,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, as per early reports. The phone has been spotted with Big Billion Days deals, suggesting availability through major online platforms during the festive sale. I'll confirm exact retailers and offline availability in the full review.
| Variant | Price | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| 6GB + 128GB | ₹16,999 | Midnight Black (confirmed) |
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹17,999 | Midnight Black (confirmed) |
Launch offers and bank deals are likely to be announced alongside the festive sales. I'll update this section once I have official confirmation on EMI options, exchange bonuses, and cashback offers. The pricing puts the Nova 2 Power 5G in a competitive zone, directly targeting battery-hungry buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G come with a charger in the box?
Yes, the box includes a 33W fast charger and a USB Type-A to Type-C cable.
Is there a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G?
I haven't confirmed a headphone jack yet; I'll check the port layout in my full review.
Does the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G support expandable storage?
There's no official word on microSD support yet, and I'll verify this in my full review.
Which 5G bands does the Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G support?
The phone supports several 5G bands, but the exact list hasn't been detailed; I'll confirm compatibility with Indian carriers in my full review.
When will the full review be published?
I'm currently testing the device and will publish a comprehensive review soon.
Early Verdict: Should You Be Excited?
The Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G makes a strong first impression for a very specific buyer: someone who prioritizes battery life above all else. The 7,000mAh cell, clean software, and 120Hz display are a compelling combination at ₹16,999. The HD+ resolution and modest camera setup are clear compromises, and I still need to test sustained performance, charging speed, and camera consistency. If those hold up, this could be one of the most interesting battery-focused phones of the year. And that's what I'm most curious about - can this phone deliver on its battery promises, or will it fall short?
Sources
- fonearena.com
- youtube.com
- instagram.com