AI+ Pulse 1 Review

In India’s price-sensitive smartphone market, the entry-level segment still carries real weight. Many buyers want a phone that feels modern and reliable without straining their budget. AI+ is targeting this audience with the AI+ Pulse 1, priced aggressively at Rs 6,999. At this cost, it promises features that usually sit higher up the ladder. These include a large 90Hz display, a 50MP camera, Android 15 out of the box, and a 5,000mAh battery. On paper, the offering looks compelling for the price. The key question remains simple: does the AI+ Pulse 1 deliver a balanced daily experience, or do these specifications mask inevitable compromises?

Design

AI+ has taken a sensible approach with the Pulse 1’s design, and it works in the phone’s favour. Instead of chasing flashy finishes or fake premium cues, the phone sticks to a clean, functional look that suits entry-level buyers. The blue variant we tested adds subtle character. Light stripes and a mild glittery texture catch light gently, giving the back panel some visual interest without looking overdone. For a phone priced under Rs 7,000, this detail lifts its overall appeal.

Despite its large size, the AI+ Pulse 1 feels comfortable in daily use. The 6.74-inch display makes it far from compact, but the weight distribution is balanced. At around 193 grams, it feels noticeable yet manageable. The matte-like finish improves grip and reduces smudges, reinforcing the phone’s practical design focus.

Button and port placement remain familiar and user-friendly. The right side houses the power button, which also works as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, alongside the volume keys. The left side features a SIM tray supporting dual SIM cards and a dedicated microSD slot. At the bottom, you get a USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, speaker grille, and FM radio support. While there’s no official IP rating, the build feels sturdy enough for everyday use.

Display

The AI+ Pulse 1 comes with a 6.745-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The bezels are visibly thick, especially at the bottom, but that’s expected in this segment. What stands out, however, is the inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate. This is still not a given in the sub-Rs 7,000 category, and it makes a noticeable difference during everyday usage.

Scrolling through social media, browsing the web, or switching between apps feels smoother compared to standard 60Hz displays. The panel offers brightness levels of up to 450 nits, which is adequate for indoor use and reasonably usable outdoors, though direct sunlight visibility can be a bit of a challenge. Colour reproduction is decent, and while it’s not the sharpest display out there, it’s perfectly fine for watching YouTube videos, casual streaming, and daily consumption.

OS and AI

The AI+ Pulse 1’s software stands out at this price. It runs Android 15 out of the box with AI+’s NxtQ OS, which is rare in the entry-level segment. The interface feels clean, uncluttered, and refreshingly light on bloatware, improving day-to-day usability. NxtQ OS adds basic AI-driven optimisations for performance, battery efficiency, and privacy. While not flagship-grade AI, these tweaks help the phone stay responsive during daily tasks. App launches are reasonably quick, and background management feels controlled despite hardware limits. Overall, the software feels simple, intuitive, and well suited for first-time smartphone users or feature phone upgraders.

Performance

Powering the AI+ Pulse 1 is the Unisoc T615 octa-core processor, clocked at up to 1.8GHz. On paper, this isn’t a powerhouse, but performance needs to be judged in context. For an entry-level budget smartphone, the processor handles everyday tasks fairly well. Basic activities like calling, messaging, browsing, and social media usage are smooth most of the time.

Our review unit came with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Multitasking is acceptable as long as expectations are realistic. Switching between a few apps works fine, though heavier apps may reload occasionally. Storage expansion up to 1TB via microSD card is a big advantage for users who store a lot of photos, videos, or offline content.

In benchmark testing, the phone scored 440 in single-core and 1475 in multi-core on Geekbench, with a GPU score of 707. These numbers clearly place it in the entry-level category, but they’re in line with what we expect at this price. Casual gaming, such as Subway Surfers or light sessions of big games can be played, but I wouldn’t suggest playing heavy games.

Camera

The AI+ Pulse 1 features a 50MP AI dual rear camera setup, along with a 5MP front-facing camera. In good lighting conditions, the rear camera captures images with decent detail and acceptable colour reproduction. Photos look good enough for social media sharing, especially considering the price.

Dynamic range is average, and while HDR helps in some scenarios, don’t expect flagship-level processing. The camera does struggle a bit with focus consistency and exposure in complex scenes, but again, expectations need to be aligned with the segment.

Low-light performance is where limitations become more evident. Night images tend to lose detail and show visible noise, though the camera still manages usable shots with steady hands. The front camera is serviceable at best. Selfies are okay for video calls and casual use, but the rear camera is clearly the stronger performer here. Overall, the camera setup is practical rather than impressive, which feels fair for an entry-level phone.

Battery

The AI+ Pulse 1 packs a 5,000mAh battery, which is one of its strongest assets. With light to moderate usage, the phone comfortably lasts a full day and can even stretch into the second day for basic users. The combination of an HD+ display and a modest processor helps with power efficiency.

Charging is handled via a 10W charger, which is included in the box. Charging speeds are slow by modern standards, taking close to two hours for a full charge, but that’s expected in this segment. What matters more is reliability, and on that front, the battery performance is solid and dependable

Verdict

The AI+ Pulse 1 positions itself as a sensible entry-level smartphone that focuses on essentials. It delivers a large 90Hz display, clean Android 15 software, a reliable battery, and a usable camera without overpromising. Priced at Rs 6,999, it suits first-time smartphone users, students, or those needing a dependable secondary device. While performance and low-light photography have limits, the overall package feels well balanced and thoughtfully designed for its target audience.