Tag: Colour changing

  • Vivo V27

    The Vivo V27 launched in India in March 2023 at Rs 32,999 for 8 GB plus 128 GB, aimed at style- and selfie-focused buyers. Its Magic Blue variant has a colour-changing back that shifts shade under sunlight, and the phone is slim and light despite its large display, positioning it against the Oppo Reno 8T and Samsung Galaxy A54.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED runs at 120Hz and looks premium. The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 was a new chip at the time, efficient and capable for everyday use and moderate gaming. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 is feature-rich and fluid, but it comes with a batch of preinstalled apps that need to be cleared out after setup.

    Photography is the focus. The 50 MP Sony IMX766V main camera with OIS is paired with an 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro, and the ring-shaped Aura Light gives soft, adjustable lighting for night portraits. The 50 MP autofocus front camera is excellent. The 4600 mAh battery with 66W charging lasts a day. Rivals offered more performance for the money, but few matched its portrait results.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 32,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7200
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging66W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMagic Blue, Noble Black

    What we like

    • Colour-changing back design
    • Aura Light for night portraits
    • 50 MP autofocus selfie camera
    • Slim and light

    What could be better

    • Performance modest for the price
    • Preinstalled apps in Funtouch OS
    • No official IP rating

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious buyers who take a lot of selfies and night portraits.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Realme 14 Pro+

    Realme launched the 14 Pro+ in India in January 2025 at Rs 29,999 for 8 GB and 128 GB. Its design is the most unusual in the range: the Pearl White model has a cold-sensitive back that changes colour when the temperature drops, and the Bikaner Purple option was designed for the Indian market. The phone also carries IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings.

    The 6.83-inch quad-curved AMOLED at 1.5K resolution and 120 Hz is sharp and bright. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is a modest upgrade, smooth in everyday use and capable in games at moderate settings. The camera set pairs a 50 MP Sony IMX896 main with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide and a 50 MP 3x periscope telephoto. The 6,000 mAh battery delivers excellent endurance and charges at 80 W.

    Rivals included the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, the OnePlus Nord 4, the Poco X7 Pro and the Vivo V40e. The Poco X7 Pro was much faster, while the Redmi offered a similar balance with a 2.5x telephoto. The 14 Pro+ stood out for its zoom camera, durability and design. Its chip is the main compromise.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 29,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2025
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.83-inch, Quad-curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1272 x 2800
    ProcessorSnapdragon 7s Gen 3
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 3x periscope telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery6000 mAh
    Charging80W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 15, Realme UI 6.0
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursPearl White, Suede Grey, Bikaner Purple

    What we like

    • 3x periscope telephoto
    • Colour-changing back on Pearl White
    • 6,000 mAh battery
    • IP68 and IP69 protection

    What could be better

    • Only a modest chip upgrade
    • Quad-curved screen can cause accidental touches
    • Ultrawide is basic

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a distinctive design, strong zoom camera and long battery life under Rs 30,000.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2025). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo V27 Pro

    Vivo launched the V27 Pro in India in March 2023 as a fashion-forward phone with a colour-changing rear panel that shifted shade under sunlight. The V-series has always prioritised design and selfie cameras, and the V27 Pro followed that formula while adding a capable Dimensity 8200 chip. It competed with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro, OnePlus 11R and Samsung Galaxy A54.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display at 120Hz is vivid and immersive, and the slim body feels light for its size. Dimensity 8200 provides strong performance that comfortably handles gaming and multitasking, better than the Exynos chip in the Galaxy A54. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 offered plenty of customisation, but reviewers continued to note duplicated apps and preinstalled software.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX766V main camera with OIS performs well, and Vivo's Aura light ring helps with portraits at night. The 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are secondary. A 50 MP autofocus selfie camera remains a V-series strength. The 4,600 mAh battery with 66W charging gets through a day. Against the OnePlus 11R, it offered a nicer design and selfie camera but less raw performance.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 37,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8200
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX766V main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging66W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMagic Blue, Noble Black

    What we like

    • Colour-changing back is eye-catching
    • Strong Dimensity 8200 performance
    • 50 MP autofocus selfie camera
    • Slim and light design

    What could be better

    • Smaller 4,600 mAh battery
    • Weak ultrawide and macro cameras
    • Bloatware in Funtouch OS

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious users who take lots of selfies and want solid performance.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.