Former Realme CEO Madhav Sheth has launched the AI+ Smartphone, marking a bold entry into India’s mobile industry with a strong emphasis on privacy, local manufacturing, and AI-driven performance. The effort—born of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies—introduces India’s first “sovereign smartphone,” built on a homegrown operating system designed to address data localization, transparency, and user control. Let’s unpack what makes this launch a defining moment.
Building Digital Sovereignty from Ground Up
At the heart of AI+ lies NxtQuantum OS, a sovereign, India-developed system rooted in Android but rethinks user data sovereignty. Every bit of personal data—including app behavior, backups, and analytics—is stored within India on MeitY-approved Google Cloud infrastructure, eliminating foreign routing, grey-area tracking, and hidden data routing.
This design aligns with national goals like Make in India and Digital India, reflecting deeper aspirations for digital self-reliance under Sheth’s leadership.
Hardware and Model Breakdown
AI+ launched with two smartphone models:
| Model | Display | Chipset | Camera | Battery | Price (₹) |
| Pulse | 6.7″ HD+ 90Hz | Unisoc T615 | 50MP AI Dual | 5,000 mAh | 4,499–6,999 |
| Nova 5G | 6.7″ HD+ 120Hz | Unisoc T8200 | 50MP AI Dual | 5,000 mAh | 7,499–7,999 |
The Nova 5G notches up performance, achieving over 500,000 on Antutu benchmarks—solid mid-range muscle. Both phones sport big 6.7-inch screens, dual AI cameras with 50 MP main sensors, USB-C, 3.5 mm jacks, and start at sub-₹10,000 pricing.
Privacy and Transparency at Core
Sheth emphasizes that AI+ is a platform aimed at freedom and trust. Every device includes:
- Built-in app tracking dashboard to see which apps use personal info
- Theme designer, regional language support, and community wallpapers integrated locally for personalization.
- Full-stack transparency: AI+ isn’t just hardware—it’s designed with citizens’ right to control in mind.
Made, Managed, and Governed in India
AI+ is more than a brand—it’s an ecosystem. Manufactured by United Telelinks in Noida, this launch is tightly intertwined with government initiatives in technology sovereignty. By demonstrating fully domestic design and software, AI+ aims to reduce foreign dependency and assert India’s role as a capable tech creator.
Addressing Market Gaps and Trust Barriers
India’s smartphone market is enormous—over 800 million users—but over 95% of devices are controlled by foreign brands. This creates a trust deficit, especially when privacy rights and geopolitical dynamics are involved.
AI+ aims to shift the narrative by providing data localization, full traceability, and transparency, especially in enterprise and government contexts. This positions AI+ smartphones as attractive choices beyond individual consumers, potentially appealing to institutional buyers seeking national security assurances.
Early Reception and Strategy
AI+ smartphones drop on Flipkart starting July 12–13, with early-day bank discounts and exchange offers aimed at building buzz. With a modest pricing strategy, Sheth hopes to serve both feature phone upgraders and first-time smartphone users.
The nationalistic premise—“India-first, India-built”—resonates strongly among privacy-conscious buyers and aligns with deeper regulatory mandates.
What Comes Next?
AI+ plans to expand beyond hardware by growing the NxtQuantum ecosystem—including local app stores, developer tools, enterprise integrations, and possibly more models and form factors.
The new brand emphasizes continuous updates, OS compliance, and scheduled hardware rollouts, combining user empowerment with national policy alignment.
Pros and Challenges
Strengths:
- First truly sovereign OS with transparent, auditable infrastructure
- Local manufacturing with public-sector credentials and support
- Value pricing with 5G in the Nova variant
- Strong AI and privacy messaging with control tools built-in
Considerations:
- Unproven brand history; needs to build trust and find production resilience
- App compatibility and ecosystem depth remain to be seen
- Performance gaps vs global flagships may limit appeal among tech-savvy users
Final Thoughts
The AI+ Smartphone is not just another phone—it’s a manifesto. Steering away from default industry reliance, Madhav Sheth and NxtQuantum aim to spark a paradigm shift: control, local authority, and digital dignity.
For consumers, it offers an affordable, privacy-centered mobile experience. For India’s tech ecosystem, it’s a call to reclaim sovereignty over software and hardware—a reminder that trust can become the ultimate differentiator in a saturated market.
In short: AI+ is more than a product; it’s a movement toward a controlled, accountable, and uniquely Indian future in mobile technology.
