If there’s one brand that loves shaking things up, it’s realme. At this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the fast-growing smartphone company rolled out an ambitious three-year plan, a fresh lineup of AI-driven features, and, of course, the highly anticipated realme 14 Pro Series. Oh, and did we mention a phone with interchangeable camera lenses? Buckle up because there’s a lot to unpack.
Doubling Down: realme’s Big Three-Year Plan
Realme isn’t playing small. Over the next three years, the brand aims to double its global customer base while making a name for itself in the mid-to-high-end smartphone market. The strategy? A mix of aggressive market expansion, cutting-edge product design, and AI innovations that actually make sense (none of that AI-for-the-sake-of-AI nonsense).
This plan follows a strong 2024, where realme saw major growth in key markets like Spain, Italy, and Mexico. Now, the company is going full throttle in over 100 countries. If all goes as planned, by 2028, realme could be sitting comfortably in the same league as the big-name flagship brands—but without the premium price tags.
AI That Works for You, Not Against You
AI is the buzzword of the moment, but realme is determined to make it useful, not gimmicky. At MWC 2025, the company introduced AI Voice-based Retoucher and AI Video Eraser, two features designed to take the frustration out of photo and video editing.
Picture this: You snap a great shot, but the background is a mess. Just say, “Change the background to a sunset,” and AI Voice-based Retoucher does the heavy lifting. Got a photobomber in your video? One tap on AI Video Eraser, and they’re gone—like they were never there. realme plans to roll these features into upcoming devices, making smartphone photography and videography easier for everyone.
And if you’re wondering just how serious realme is about AI, here’s a number for you: 100 million AI-powered smartphones. That’s how many the company plans to deliver in the next three years.
Gaming Just Got More Interesting
Gamers, realme sees you. The company has officially partnered with some of the biggest mobile gaming giants, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, Honor of Kings, and Battlegrounds Mobile India. The goal? To make gaming smoother, faster, and just plain better.
Expect devices optimized for high frame rates, minimal lag, and immersive experiences. Plus, realme is planning exclusive gaming events, co-branded collaborations, and even limited-edition gaming phones. If you’re serious about mobile gaming, 2025 might be a good time to upgrade.
Meet the realme 14 Pro Series: The Mid-Range Phones That Don’t Act Like It
Realme has a reputation for bringing flagship features to phones that don’t cost a fortune, and the 14 Pro Series is no exception. What makes these phones stand out?
A Color-Changing Design: This is the world’s first cold-sensitive, color-changing phone. Thanks to thermochromic pigments, the Pearl White model shifts to vibrant blue when exposed to low temperatures. The Suede Grey version, on the other hand, opts for a luxe, vegan suede finish.
Cameras That Matter: The 14 Pro+ is the only mid-range phone with a periscope lens, which means 120x SuperZoom and DSLR-quality clarity. It pairs a 50MP Sony IMX896 OIS main camera with realme’s new AI Ultra Clarity 2.0 for ultra-sharp photos. Oh, and MagicGlowTriple Flash ensures night portraits actually look good.
Battery Life That Keeps Up: A 6,000mAh battery powers the series, giving you 10 hours of gaming or 17 hours of video playback on a single charge.
Built to Last: The 14 Pro Series meets TÜV Rheinland’s Rugged Smartphone Certification with IP69, IP68, and IP66 ratings. Translation: It can survive dust, water, and even an hour underwater. Accidental spills? No problem.
Speed and Performance: The 14 Pro+ runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 5G, while the 14 Pro gets the MediaTek Dimensity 7300. Both support 120fps gaming for ultra-smooth gameplay.
A Phone with Swappable Lenses? Yes, Really.
Now for the real wildcard—the realme Interchangeable-Lens Concept. Think of this as a DSLR that fits in your pocket. This prototype (not yet available for purchase) features a 1″ Sony sensor and a lens mount system that lets you swap out lenses just like a professional camera. Right now, there are two options: a 73mm portrait lens and a 234mm telephoto lens, both of which offer a level of optical zoom and depth that smartphones usually struggle with.
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- realme Interchangeable-Lens Concept
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- realme Interchangeable-Lens Concept
Credit for these two photos: Myriam Joire (follow her on social media @tnkgrl)
While this isn’t hitting stores just yet, realme is clearly testing the waters for a future where mobile photography doesn’t just compete with DSLRs—it replaces them.
Pricing and Availability
If you’re in Europe, the realme 14 Pro Series is available now (as of March 3, 2025). Pricing starts at €529.99 for the 14 Pro+ and €429.99 for the 14 Pro. As always, availability, color options, and specs may vary depending on where you live.
Final Thoughts
Realme didn’t come to MWC 2025 to play it safe. With a bold strategy, AI features that actually help, serious gaming upgrades, and a midrange phone that punches way above its weight, the company is making a strong case for why it deserves a spot at the top. And if the interchangeable-lens concept is anything to go by, the future of mobile photography might look a lot different than we thought.
Stay tuned—because if realme sticks to this plan, things are about to get interesting. You can keep up with their latest offerings by clicking here.
