Chinese smartphone manufacturer Realme has launched its 14 Pro and 14 Pro Plus phones in India, featuring a unique party trick: the ability to change color in cold temperatures. This innovative feature is accompanied by a triple camera flash and IP69 water resistance, making these mid-range devices stand out in a crowded market.

The color-changing technology, co-designed with Danish studio Valeur Designers, utilizes thermochromic pigments that alter the phone's appearance when exposed to temperatures below 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit). The pearlescent phones, available in pearl white, will gradually shift to blue hues as the temperature drops, with the effect reversing as it warms up again. This phenomenon is not limited to the entire phone, as users can create short-lived patterns by cooling specific spots, a feature that Indian YouTubers are already experimenting with.

However, there is a significant caveat to this novel feature: it will gradually lose its effect over time due to daily use. Realme's website only promises the color-changing function "during initial use," leaving the duration of this feature uncertain. This limitation may impact the phone's appeal, as users may find the novelty wears off sooner rather than later.

Beyond the color-changing feature, the 14 Pro series boasts an unusual triple camera flash design, which Realme claims "automatically restores natural skin tones in low-light conditions." The 14 Pro Plus features three camera lenses, while the 14 Pro has two rear cameras and a third circle that appears to be a lens but is actually empty. This design choice may raise some eyebrows, but it remains to be seen how it affects the phone's overall camera performance.

In addition to these unique features, the 14 Pro series also sports an IP69 rating, providing protection against dust and jets of water at high temperatures and pressure. This rating is typically reserved for rugged phones, but Realme has managed to incorporate it into a mid-range device. The phones are also rated IP68 for submersion in water and IP66, which applies to jets of water but for higher water volume at lower pressures and longer distances.

In terms of specifications, the 14 Pro phones are typical mid-rangers, featuring 50-megapixel main cameras, middle-of-the-line chipsets (Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Pro Plus and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 in the Pro), and large 6,000mAh batteries with 80W charging speeds. The phones are available in India, starting at ₹22,999 (approximately $265).

Realme's 14 Pro series is an intriguing addition to the mid-range smartphone market, offering a unique blend of innovative features and robust specifications. While the color-changing feature may not last forever, it remains to be seen how it will impact the phone's overall appeal and user experience. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to observe how Realme's competitors respond to these innovative features.