Ex-Realme CEO Madhav Sheth launches Ai+ smartphone in India

In a notable push toward indigenous digital sovereignty, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies has launched the Ai+ Smartphone – India’s first completely indigenous smartphone ecosystem powered by NxtQuantum OS, a privacy-first mobile operating system built entirely from the ground up in India. The launch represents a bold stride within India's mobile technology momentum, and addresses very critical issues around data localisation, supply chain independence and regulatory compliance.

Madhav Sheth, Founder of NxtQuantum and CEO of Ai+ Smartphone, launched the device with Shashikumar Sreedharan, Managing Director at Google Cloud India and Smrithi Ravichandran, Vice President – Mobiles at Flipkart. This Ai+ Smartphone launch is more than just a hardware launch, it is an intelligent response to India's over-reliance on foreign smartphone OEMs and a foreign software ecosystem with no knowledge or transparency of the software used on products.

“Ai+ is not just a smartphone—it’s a platform that puts Indian users in control of their data, their experience, and their digital future,” said Madhav Sheth.

Sovereignty by Design

The Ai+ Smartphone marks a watershed in India's tech manufacturing narrative. Unlike most phones merely assembled in India, Ai+ is conceptualised, designed, and governed entirely within the country. It runs on NxtQuantum OS, a sovereign, Android-based mobile operating system that adheres to zero-trust architecture and stores all user data within India on MeitY-approved Google Cloud infrastructure.

Key features of the platform include:

• No foreign data routing or silent tracking

• Transparent, auditable architecture for public and enterprise use

• Customisability through a built-in theme designer and regional language support

From data backups to app behaviour, everything is managed locally—offering regulators and users alike full visibility and traceability.

Devices Built for Bharat

Two models debuted under the Ai+ lineup: Pulse and Nova 5G. Both devices sport 6.7” HD+ displays, dual AI cameras, and long-lasting 5000mAh batteries. The Nova variant features a 120Hz refresh rate and a powerful T8200 chipset scoring over 500K on Antutu benchmarks, rivaling premium segment performance.

• Pulse starts at ₹4,499 and features a T615 chip, 90Hz display, and 50MP dual AI camera.

• Nova 5G, priced at ₹7,499, is 5G-enabled and supports up to 1TB expandable memory.

Both models will be available in five vibrant colours and go on sale via Flipkart on July 12 and 13, respectively, with Day 1 offers including bank discounts and exchange bonuses.

Bridging the Trust Gap

With over 800 million smartphone users, India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. Yet, more than 95% of devices sold in the country are controlled by Chinese, Korean, or American firms. In such a landscape, data privacy and digital control become not just a personal issue but a national imperative.

“The current smartphone market doesn't prioritise Indian user rights. We’re changing that,” said Sheth.

Ai+ addresses this trust deficit head-on by offering a full-stack, compliance-ready platform for both consumers and institutional deployments, including government and public sector use.

Strategic Alignment with India’s Digital Vision

The manufacturing of Ai+ Smartphones is led by United Telelinks (Bangalore) Ltd at its Noida facility, aligning with Make in India and Digital India initiatives. The project also exemplifies India’s ambition to reduce dependence on foreign tech infrastructure, particularly in light of rising global scrutiny over data privacy, geopolitical tensions, and surveillance concerns.

Smrithi Ravichandran of Flipkart noted the platform’s relevance in the market:

“We’re seeing growing consumer demand for not just affordability, but trustworthiness. Ai+ delivers both.”

Industry Context

India’s smartphone market, valued at over ₹60,000 crore, continues to expand at a CAGR of 8%. However, concerns about data privacy, foreign dependency, and infrastructure vulnerability remain unaddressed by mainstream players. Ai+ enters this gap with an offering that’s equal parts secure, scalable, and India-first.

Final Word

With Ai+, NxtQuantum isn’t just offering another smartphone — it’s attempting to redefine the rules of the digital economy: where user agency, government regulation, and national security align.

For a country on the cusp of a digital transformation driven by AI, 5G, and cloud-native applications, the timing couldn’t be more strategic.

 

Ai+ Smartphone Lineup: At a Glance

Day 1 launch offers apply on Flipkart, including instant Axis Bank discounts, no-cost EMIs, and exchange bonuses under the Prexo program.

Data Security Note: All Ai+ user data is stored within India on MeitY-empanelled Google Cloud infrastructure. The system supports complete data localisation, audit trails, and regulatory compliance by default.