Nothing’s CMF brand has announced its latest smartphone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro, following the successful debut of the CMF Phone 1, which made waves in the sub-Rs. 20,000 category with its innovative modular design. The preceding model was well-received for its unique aesthetics, solid performance, and streamlined software, allowing users to swap out rear panels. With the now-released CMF Phone 2 Pro, the company aims to build on that initial success.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is priced at Rs. 18,999 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, while the model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage will retail at Rs. 20,999. With these updates, the question arises: Is the CMF Phone 2 Pro worth considering in 2025? Here’s a closer look.
Design: Slim, Lightweight, and Less Modular
- Dimensions – 164 x 78 x 7.8mm
- Weight – 185g
- Colours – White, Black, Orange, and Light Green
Continuing with its signature design, the CMF Phone 2 Pro retains the unique traits established by its predecessor while enhancing the overall look and feel. Although the phone is constructed from plastic, it features varied materials for the rear panel, giving it a more upscale touch. The design is notably slimmer and lighter, making it easy to handle.
The available colour options include White, Black, Light Green, and Orange, with the White and Orange variants flaunting a dual-tone finish, while the Black and Light Green options offer a more classic single-tone look. Notably, the Orange model combines glossy and metallic finishes, whereas the White has a matte finish that resembles sandstone. During testing, the Light Green option proved to be the most understated and elegant.
Weighing in at just 185 grams and measuring 7.8mm in thickness, the phone feels sturdy with minimal flex. The device is also rated IP54, an enhancement compared to the IP52 rating of its predecessor, although it lags behind competitors that offer higher IP69 ratings.
The new Universal Cover for accessories replaces the previous swappable rear panel feature, which might disappoint some users who appreciated this customizable aspect. The offer now includes new accessories such as macro and fisheye lenses, as well as a MagSafe wallet, although the option for a lanyard remains. Installation of the Universal Cover is necessary for accessory use, which limits the DIY element some users enjoyed previously.
Display: Vibrant and Colourful
- Display – 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED
- Refresh Rate – 120Hz adaptive
- Other Features – 480Hz touch sampling rate, Panda Glass protection, HDR10+, 3,000nits peak brightness
The CMF Phone 2 Pro boasts an upgraded display compared to the previous iteration, featuring a slightly larger screen with enhanced color performance, now supporting 10-bit color depth and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits compared to the old maximum of 2,000 nits. This display ranks among the best in its price segment, offering vibrant colors ideal for streaming content.
With a refresh rate of 120Hz, the device provides a smooth scrolling experience, and users can activate this rate constantly for improved responsiveness during navigation and gaming. The display remains easily usable in bright sunlight, thanks to its high brightness levels.
While the in-display fingerprint sensor is quick and dependable, the mono speaker, which has continued from the previous model, falls short in providing an immersive sound experience. It produces adequate audio but lacks the quality found in competing devices.
Software: Minimalistic and Bloat-free
- Software – Nothing OS 3.2
- Version – Android 15
- Updates Promised – 3 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches
The CMF Phone 2 Pro operates on the new Nothing OS 3.2, built on Android 15. This software aims to deliver a clean, minimalist experience, featuring customizable options for home screen icons and access to various essential widgets.
This operating system prioritizes a bloat-free user experience, with only a few necessary applications included. A standout feature is Essential Space, an innovative tool that uses AI to organize various content such as notes and screenshots simply and effectively. Despite its potential hold for some users, this feature may not resonate universally with all consumers.
Performance: Adequate but Not Exceptional
- Processor – MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro
- Memory – 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage – Up to 256GB UFS 2.2
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with 8GB of RAM and offers expandable storage via a microSD card. The new processor has slightly enhanced specifications compared to its predecessor’s Dimensity 7300 model. However, users may not notice significant differences during daily tasks.
When engaging in gaming or other resource-intensive activities, the performance improves slightly, providing a smooth experience for social media browsing or casual gaming sessions. The gaming capacity allows for popular titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile, though optimal settings may require adjustments to avoid lag.
Cameras: Reliable Yet Flawed
- Rear – 50-megapixel primary sensor + 50-megapixel telephoto sensor + 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens
- Front – 16-megapixel sensor
Equipped with a triple-camera system, the CMF Phone 2 Pro takes a step forward with the addition of a 50-megapixel telephoto lens—an impressive highlight in its price range. Users can expect reasonable quality photographs from the primary sensor in daylight, showcasing good color representation and acceptable dynamic range.
While portrait shots yield decent images, some criticism can be directed towards the processing techniques, which may oversaturate colors. In contrast, the telephoto lens performs commendably, producing richer colors and superior edge detection.
However, the wide-angle lens presents as the weakest element of the photography trio. Low-light capabilities in general performed reasonably well, particularly with the telephoto lens capturing more detail compared to the primary sensor. The wide-angle lens struggles significantly in these conditions, often resulting in soft, blurred images.
Battery: Solid Performance
- Battery Capacity – 5,000mAh
- Wired Charging – 33W SuperVOOC
- Charger – 33W (Included in Box)
Maintaining the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, the CMF Phone 2 Pro showcases efficient battery management. During testing, users experienced above-average daily usage, with around six hours of screen-on time. The phone performs well in battery loop testing, lasting over 20 hours.
Charging speeds, while decent, could be better, particularly with competitors now offering faster charging solutions. The bundled charger supports 33W fast charging, allowing the device to reach 100% from 0% in just over an hour.
Verdict
The CMF Phone 2 Pro demonstrates several enhancements over the original CMF Phone 1, featuring updated aesthetics and a fresh accessory ecosystem. While it has departed from the modular design ethos of its predecessor, it still presents a strong offering in its price range with a vibrant display and solid performance for everyday applications.
The camera system, particularly in daylight conditions, is commendable, and the battery life meets expectations. Yet, challenges remain, including limited speaker quality and a somewhat underwhelming wide-angle performance.
Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro competes effectively with rivals like the Oppo K13, Poco X7, and Realme Narzo 80 Pro, appealing to users seeking a blend of design flair and functional capability.
