Over the past decade, smartphone design has plateaued, with manufacturers reluctant to innovate, adhering to the popular mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This has resulted in a stagnation of design, making most smartphones look similar, with only a few standing out. When Realme asked me to review its latest premium smartphone, the Realme 14 Pro Plus, I immediately noticed the company’s attempt to break the mould with a distinctive design that commands attention.

However, the lingering question was: “Can looks alone make a phone good?” After using the Realme 14 Pro Plus for a couple of weeks, here’s my take on the company’s latest mid-range offering.

The Realme 14 Pro Plus is available in three colourways—Suede Grey, Bikaner Purple, and Pearl White. I received the Pearl White variant, which has a marble-like rear panel that changes colour when exposed to temperatures below 16 degree Celsius. At first glance, it reminded me of the OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey edition, but Realme has a nifty little trick up its sleeve.

Realme claims the phone uses a “natural micro-crystal shell powder,” which reacts to cold temperatures, creating a “dreamlike blue texture offset with white and gold.” In Delhi’s winter, I frequently saw the phone change colour when taken outdoors or even when washed under a tap. However, this effect has limitations. Realme states that the colour-changing effect is strongest when the phone is new and may fade after a few months, ultimately leaving users with a white, marble-like phone.