NEW DELHI, Feb 5, 2026, 16:53 IST
- LinkedIn videos reveal a clever trick: pouring water on a Hindustan Times ad unveils a hidden price for Redmi’s Note 15 Pro series
- Xiaomi’s Redmi revealed it used “invisible ink” in a locked pouch demo shown to the media, just before launching a front-page print ad in the Gurgaon edition
- This week’s reviews highlight hardware features like IP water resistance, bigger batteries, and high-megapixel cameras as major selling points in the mid-range segment
Videos have surfaced on LinkedIn showing a Hindustan Times ad for Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 15 Pro series, where a hidden price appears only after water is poured on it. Redmi explained the concept was initially demonstrated to select media via a locked pouch featuring “invisible ink.” The campaign then ran as an interactive front-page ad in the Gurgaon edition. However, advertising trade site afaqs mentioned it couldn’t independently verify the print placement when it first reported the story. The ad’s tagline reads: “We didn’t choose between camera and durability. Neither should you.” Afaqs
The timing isn’t random. Phone makers are scrambling for new angles as mid-range models flood the market and software features start to look the same, making it tougher to stand out at a glance.
Some tech commentators are noticing a shift back to physical hardware — bigger camera modules, stronger seals, louder speakers — after a period dominated by software-driven improvements. Nick Papanikolopoulos of Gizchina argued the “honeymoon phase with AI-everything” is “hitting a brick wall,” signaling the end of the era where software alone could mask shortcomings. He highlights a renewed focus on optics and sensors, pointing to 200-megapixel cameras now appearing in Xiaomi and Samsung flagships. Gizchina
On Feb. 4, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G and Note 15 Pro 5G hit the Indian market, following their Jan. 29 launch, Gadgets360 reported. The Note 15 Pro 5G starts at 29,999 rupees, while the Pro+ 5G goes for 37,999 rupees, with bank-card discounts up to 3,000 rupees. Both phones feature 200-megapixel main cameras equipped with optical image stabilisation (OIS). Battery-wise, they pack large “silicon-carbon” cells—a newer chemistry that crams more capacity into the same size—paired with 45W charging on the Pro and a beefier 100W charging on the Pro+.
GSMArena has now released its review of the base Redmi Note 15 5G, providing a fresh take on Xiaomi’s wider Note 15 series. Gsmarena
In a separate review published Thursday, Moneycontrol’s Shaurya Shubham described durability as “one of the quieter highlights” of the Note 15 Pro 5G, noting its IP68 and IP69K water ratings make it “feel far more rugged than most mid-range competitors.” He highlighted the phone’s large AMOLED display and battery life, while pointing out that its 200MP camera performs best in daylight but struggles in tougher lighting conditions. Moneycontrol
IndiaHerald’s G Gowtham took the Note 15 Pro+ 5G for a spin on Wednesday, calling it “built like a tank, behaves like a gentleman.” He pointed out the expansive 6.83-inch AMOLED display and hefty 6,500mAh battery that charges up in roughly 40 minutes thanks to its 100W fast charging. The 200MP camera delivers crisp shots in daylight but, beyond 2x zoom, it feels closer to a finely tuned 50MP shooter. Indiaherald
The marketing claims match the spec sheet. The Pro phones boast several IP ratings—Ingress Protection standards that measure dust and water resistance—and the top-tier IP69K rating is designed to endure high-pressure water jets.
The camera pitch also leans on hardware: high-megapixel sensors combined with stabilized lenses, brighter displays, and bigger cells are simpler to showcase in demos than fresh algorithms. Papanikolopoulos described it as a response to “AI fatigue,” where intense processing often results in overly smooth, unnatural photos—especially noticeable when images are enlarged beyond the phone screen.
But LinkedIn hype isn’t always reliable. The afaqs report noted that multiple posts lauding the ad dropped the same day, all with nearly identical wording. Plus, the site couldn’t independently verify the print ad’s placement when it published—details like that can quickly turn a “viral” hit into a messy argument over how launches get hyped.
For Redmi, the real challenge is seeing if flashy water-reveal features and durability claims actually drive sales. If they succeed, we’ll likely see more mid-range models focusing on hands-on gimmicks rather than just adding another toggle hidden deep in the software settings.
