Top 5 Reasons to Avoid AI+ Pulse & Nova 5G Smartphones in India in 2025

Mobile Review

3 min read

The AI+ Pulse and AI+ Nova 5G, launched on July 8, 2025, by Madhav Sheth’s NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, have stirred excitement in India’s budget smartphone market with prices starting at ₹4,999 and ₹7,999 (with ₹500 Axis card discount). Boasting a 50MP camera, 5000mAh battery, and Android 15-based NextQ OS, these phones seem like steals.

However, after a week of testing in Mumbai—gaming, streaming, and photographing street markets—I found notable drawbacks. Drawing from HFV Unbox’s YouTube review, web sources (Gadgets360, moneycontrol.com, Gizmochina), and X feedback (@Gadgetsdata, @Syed_Nabi23), here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the AI+ Pulse and Nova 5G in 2025, despite their affordability.

Top 5 Reasons to Avoid AI+ Pulse & Nova 5G

1. Subpar HD+ Display with Color Inaccuracies

Both phones feature a 6.74-inch HD+ IPS LCD (1600×720) with a 90Hz (Pulse) or 120Hz (Nova 5G) refresh rate, but the display quality disappoints. HFV Unbox notes a red tint on the Pulse and a blue tint on the Nova, with only 450 nits of brightness, per Gizmochina. Competitors like the Vivo T4 Lite 5G (₹9,999) offer sharper FHD+ AMOLED displays.

My Experience: Watching Netflix in Mumbai’s daylight revealed washed-out colors and poor visibility. X users (@SavageAryan007) criticize the “dated HD+ panel” for budget phones.

2. Average Camera Performance in Low Light

The 50MP main camera with a 2MP secondary sensor and 5MP front camera performs well in daylight, per HFV Unbox, but struggles in low light. Photos show noise, and the 2MP macro lens is nearly useless, as noted by TheMobileIndian. Rivals like the Poco M6 (₹9,999) offer better low-light shots with similar 50MP sensors.

My Experience: Night shots at a Mumbai street market were blurry, despite AI enhancements. X users (@Gadgetsdata) report “disappointing low-light selfies.”

3. Limited Software Update Commitment

While NextQ OS on Android 15 is bloat-free and privacy-focused, with data stored on MeitY-approved Google Cloud servers, AI+ only promises one OS update (Android 16) and three years of quarterly security patches, per TheMobileIndian. Competitors like the iQOO Z10 Lite (₹9,999) offer two OS updates, ensuring longer software support.

My Experience: The clean UI was smooth, but limited updates concern me for longevity. X users (@Syed_Nabi23) note “one OS update feels stingy.”

4. Slower Charging Speeds

Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, but the Pulse’s base variant supports only 10W charging, taking ~2 hours for a full charge, per moneycontrol.com. The Nova 5G’s 18W charging is decent but lags behind rivals like the Realme 15 5G (33W at ₹10,999). The base Pulse includes a 10W charger, requiring a separate 18W purchase.

My Experience: Charging the Pulse during a busy day felt sluggish compared to my old Poco C71. X users (@Smartprix) call the 10W charger “a step back.”

5. No NFC and Outdated Chipsets

The Unisoc T615 (Pulse) and T8200 (Nova 5G) chipsets handle daily tasks but struggle with heavy gaming (e.g., BGMI), per HFV Unbox. The absence of NFC limits contactless payments, a feature common in rivals like the Moto G96 5G (₹12,999). The 12nm T615 is less efficient than the 6nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Poco M6.

My Experience: No NFC was inconvenient for UPI payments at Mumbai stores. X users (@Gadgetsdata) criticize the “outdated Unisoc chips” for gaming.

Pros to Consider

Despite these drawbacks, the AI+ Pulse and Nova 5G offer:

Affordable pricing: ₹4,999 (Pulse) and ₹7,999 (Nova 5G) with Axis discounts.
Vibrant designs in five colors (Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Purple).
Bloat-free NextQ OS with privacy features like NxtPrivacy Dashboard.
1TB expandable storage and dual SIM support.
280+ service centers across 250+ cities for reliable support.

Verdict: Should You Skip the AI+ Pulse and Nova 5G?

The AI+ Pulse and Nova 5G are compelling at ₹4,999 and ₹7,999, with vibrant designs and a clean NextQ OS, ideal for budget buyers seeking privacy and storage. However, the HD+ display, weak low-light camera, limited software updates, slow charging, and lack of NFC make them less competitive against the Vivo T4 Lite 5G or Poco M6, per Smartprix. If you prioritize display quality, camera versatility, or future-proofing, consider alternatives. Check Flipkart’s flash sales (July 12 for Pulse, July 13 for Nova 5G) but weigh these cons. Share your thoughts on X with #AIPlusSmartphones

Author: HFV Unbox I unbox and review smartphones and smart gadgets. I also give leaks of upcoming tech. Do Subscribe my channel for detail videos. COMMENT / WRITE me your suggestions. For business: contact@hfvunbox.in Thank you PIYUSH HFV