Before the official launch, Yanko Design invited us to the exclusive “Design Meets Innovation” media event held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Here, we got to chat with two crucial figures behind the much-anticipated realme 14 Pro series: Chase Xu, Vice President and CMO of realme, and Torsten Valeur, Master Designer and CEO of Valeur Designers. In this piece, we explore the revolutionary design attributes of the realme 14 Pro series, examining the cutting-edge ideas and creative visions that defined this next-gen smartphone.
Designer: realme x Torsten Valeur
Revolutionary Design Features
Even though there are still some details of the realme 14 Pro series that are not disclosed, one major highlight is its world-first, cold-sensitive color-changing back panel. This clever design utilizes thermochromic fibers that change color from white to blue when temperatures drop below 16°C (60.8°F), and vice versa. While the effect does gradually fade, realme estimates that it will stay vibrant for up to 12 months with regular use.
Constructed from special fusion fiber that consists of 95% eco-friendly, bio-based materials, the Perl White version of the 14 Pro series showcases a distinct, one-of-a-kind pattern, illustrating realme’s dedication to sustainability and uniqueness. Besides the dynamic color-changing back, the realme 14 Pro+ features an industry-first triple-flash system called Magic Glow. This system is designed to improve nighttime portrait photography by capturing more natural skin tones. The ring around the camera module flawlessly connects the back panel with the camera island, enhancing both style and ergonomics. The device also boasts a quad-curved body, providing a more comfortable and ergonomic hold.
A User-Centric Design: Crafted from Insight
Chase Xu indicates that realme highly values user input, conducting thorough research to grasp the tastes, habits, and cultural influences of their target demographic. This research significantly influences the design process, guaranteeing that the devices not only fulfill functional requirements but also seamlessly blend into users’ everyday lives.
“Taking user feedback into account, we redefined the design philosophy for the number series, emphasizing three core principles: trendy, premium, and lightweight,” Chase elaborated. However, realme’s ambition goes beyond just meeting user expectations. They want to foster creativity and passion as well. The aim is to create products that challenge the limits of innovation while staying aligned with their audience’s wants.
Torsten Valeur
Realme has a notable history of collaborating with well-known designers such as Naoto Fukasawa (realme GT 2 Pro) and Matteo Menotto (realme 11 Pro+). For the realme 14 Pro series, they partnered with Valeur Designers, a Danish design studio headed by Torsten Valeur. Chase Xu emphasizes that these collaborations generate a unique synergy, yielding products that are both captivating and memorable. Through working with top-notch designers, realme keeps enhancing its devices while maintaining a close connection with its youthful, trend-aware audience.
Innovation with a Youthful Spirit
Torsten Valeur, the genius behind the realme 14 Pro series’ design, views the younger generation as particularly receptive to new concepts and cutting-edge tech. He believes realme connects with this demographic through its daring design choices and imaginative approach.
The partnership between realme and Valeur Designers kicked off over a year ago, and Torsten’s design strategy was grounded in a thorough understanding of the brand. “It was essential to challenge assumptions and think outside the box,” he shared. At first, the team considered an aluminum unibody phone for a premium feel, but they quickly perceived that this would make the device too heavy. So, they pivoted to create a more ergonomic design without sacrificing functionality.
The finalized design exemplifies true collaboration and careful iteration. Torsten insists, “There should be a strong link between the exterior and interior design, meaning the design has to serve a real, practical purpose. Design must be an authentic solution.” This philosophy shines through not just in the whimsical color-changing back panel, but also in the symmetrical camera module design that incorporates the Magic Glow system. Torsten mentions that many camera modules appear chaotic in design, yet with the realme 14 Pro+, the team crafted a sleek, symmetrical layout that harmonizes aesthetics with functionality.
White
Blue (After Color Shift)
A Sneak Peek at What’s to Come
While we were in Copenhagen, we got to test the realme 14 Pro+ in real-world conditions. Here are some sample images from our hands-on experience. realme also hinted that the 14 Pro series will be launched in some other colors as well. Keep an eye out for a thorough review of the realme 14 Pro+ where we will cover its features, performance, and much more.