The chameleon smartphone is a reality: it changes colour with temperature
You have to invent anything to get noticed in the smartphone world, which is full of devices that are far too identical to each other. Realme has tried, and perhaps found a way to attract the spotlight, because his is the first phone that changes colour according to temperature. It’s the Realme 14 Pro+, a mid-range smartphone that will hit the market in the next few weeks, and which, with a proper launch operation, is generating interest for its novelty.
It’s all about the device’s back cover, capable of changing colour with the cold. Because the technology on which the material used to make the cover is based uses advanced thermochromic pigments that react to changes in temperature. So when the thermometer drops below 16°C, the back cover of the smartphone changes from Pearl White to a deep blue. The process is reversible, so when the temperature rises again, the colour changes again, abandoning the blue and returning to the original white.
Which is not a neutral colour, as Realme has implemented a 30-step craftsmanship process to achieve a different and therefore unique cover for each individual unit. In essence, the company founded in Shenzhen in 2018 by Sky Li proposes an innovation that uses thermal modification to give a new aesthetic dimension to the smartphone.
Realme: innovation and growth in European markets
One can certainly argue about the real usefulness of such an innovation, which is more related to marketing than actual use, but in a market stuck, especially in the sub €500 bracket, it is the details that make the difference. And sometimes people look more at appearance than user experience, so it is likely that the Realme 14 Pro+ will be well received. We already saw a similar precedent with Oppo last year, when the smartphone that is not afraid of cold, wind and snow was launched. However, Oppo’s phone makes practical sense for those operating in certain extreme scenarios, as the device continues to function even in temperatures as low as -20°C.



The colour change, on the other hand, is an end in itself, like a dance of streams of water flowing out of a fountain to the rhythm of music: nice to look at and nothing more. Although there is a useful element because the jolt from ice to heat at least demonstrates the solidity of the phone produced by Realme.
Developed in partnership with Danish studio Valeur Designers, the Realme 14 Pro+ features a minimalist yet elegant aesthetic, slightly rounded edges, a 6.7-inch display with a screen-to-body ratio of 93.8%, a triple rear camera and a 6000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging. A couple of important details: the phone has three certifications: IP66, IP68, and IP69 for resistance against dust, water and immersion up to 1.5 metres of water. The other aspect to consider is the focus on sustainability in production, with the fibre structure used for the back cover composed of 95% materials that make it biodegradable and recyclable.
While waiting to field test the qualities of the Realme 14 Pro+, which will be available between late February and early March at a starting price of around €500 (there will be two versions: 8+256GB and 12+512GB), the most important fact for the Chinese company is its steady growth in European markets. According to Counterpoint Research data, Realme is one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands globally and became the fourth-largest manufacturer in Europe in 2024. Even though the gap with those in front (Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi) is gigantic, the improvements are clear and with a catalogue full of options and a strategy that rewards those looking for value-for-money devices, Realme confirms itself as a viable alternative for European users as well.