The new Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a truly impressive device, offering a compelling combination of design, features, and affordability. CMF, Nothing’s new budget sub-brand, has delivered a phone that costs just $200, but feels like much more. This isn’t just a phone launch; it’s the unveiling of a fascinating ecosystem.
Unboxing the Ecosystem (CMF Phone)
The CMF Phone 1 arrives with a range of accessories, including a lanyard, three different backplates, a card wallet, a stand, the CMF Buds 2 Pro, and the CMF Watch Pro 2. This comprehensive ecosystem, all designed to work seamlessly with the phone, is a rare find in the budget market.
While the materials might have a slightly thin, plastic feel, the design is surprisingly tasteful and intentional. Each accessory feels like it’s been carefully considered, not just a cheap afterthought. The CMF Buds 2 Pro, for example, despite being lightweight, possess a sophisticated and deliberate design. The Watch Pro 2 sports a clean, versatile aesthetic, suitable for any occasion.
The Phone Itself: Modularity and Design
The CMF Phone 1 comes in a slim package, containing the device, a generic USB-C to C cable, and an orange SIM ejector tool. The phone’s standout feature is its modular design. The included backplates can be easily swapped using the provided tool, which doubles as a SIM ejector and screwdriver. This allows for easy repairs, a case-free experience, and customization options.
The swappable backs are a big deal for several reasons. Firstly, repairing the phone is likely easier and cheaper than most other phones (though this isn’t confirmed). Secondly, you can confidently use the phone without a case, knowing that if damage occurs, you can simply replace the backplate for a reasonable £29 (including the tool kit). Thirdly, the modularity allows for personalization. You can mix and match backplates and even swap out the SIM tray and the “circle spinny thing” (as we’ll call it) for different colors.
Beyond aesthetics, this modular system extends to functional accessories. The “circle spinny thing” can be unscrewed to attach a phone stand, lanyard, or even a wallet enclosure. This integrated approach feels incredibly secure and intentional, offering functionality that surpasses even high-end devices. For example, the wallet enclosure allows you to attach a MagSafe wallet, even though the phone itself doesn’t have MagSafe. This “Jugaad” mentality, as described here, achieves high functionality through clever design, not just expensive materials.
While the modular design is a major plus, it does have some drawbacks. The phone has an IPX2 rating, offering only minimal water protection and no dust resistance, likely due to the ease of disassembly. Also, the protruding “circle spinny thing” can be a little uncomfortable. However, considering the price, the overall design is exceptional.
Display and Performance: Impressive Value
The CMF Phone 1 boasts a 120Hz Adaptive AMOLED Full HD+ display. It’s smooth, sharp, and vibrant, even supporting HDR10+ content. A pre-installed screen protector is a welcome addition, and the in-display optical fingerprint scanner is a convenient feature.
The display’s brightness is also commendable. While the advertised 2000 nit peak brightness is achievable only in specific situations, the typical maximum of 700 nits and up to 1200 nits in bright outdoor conditions ensures excellent visibility. The only minor complaint is the slightly thicker bottom bezel, a design compromise likely made to keep costs down.
The phone packs a 5000 mAh battery and utilizes an efficient 4nm process chip. Combined with a light software skin and dark mode by default, battery life is excellent. The phone easily lasts a full day, and even with 4 hours of screen-on time, it can still have 60% battery remaining. The only downside is that the battery isn’t user-replaceable, despite the phone’s easy disassembly.
Charging is a mixed bag. There’s no wireless charging, and wired charging is limited to a mediocre 33W. However, the impressive battery life mitigates this issue somewhat.
The CMF Phone 1 runs Nothing OS 2.6, based on Android 14. This software skin is light and intuitive, enhancing stock Android with thoughtful additions. The AI wallpaper generator, while limited in options, produces consistently good results. The phone receives two years of major Android updates and three years of security updates, which is standard for this price range.
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. While the Dimensity 7300 is technically less powerful than the 7200, it performs admirably. Demanding games are playable at acceptable frame rates on high settings, though prolonged gaming can lead to performance decline, requiring a shift to medium settings for a smoother experience. Everyday use feels smooth, with occasional jitters, but app loading times can be slightly longer than more expensive devices.
Camera and Audio: Strengths and Weaknesses
The audio experience is a noticeable downgrade, with a single mono speaker at the bottom. There’s no stereo effect, and the sound quality is somewhat basic. However, the speaker is reasonably loud.
The cameras are a pleasant surprise. The phone has two cameras, with the top one acting as an assist camera primarily for portrait mode effects. Image quality is impressive, with sharp details, good dynamic range (though it can struggle with small bright spots), and decent foreground-background separation. Video recording at 4K 30fps is surprisingly good, with stable footage and decent focus, despite the lack of optical image stabilization and laser autofocus.
While the camera performs well for its price, there are some limitations. Skin tones can be inconsistent, portraits lack the fine detail of higher-end phones, zooming is poor due to the lack of a dedicated zoom lens and AI enhancement, and there’s no ultrawide camera. However, compared to other phones in its price range, the CMF Phone 1’s camera is at least as good, if not better. You can find detailed camera specifications here.
Conclusion: An Instant Recommendation
The CMF Phone 1 is perhaps the most instantly recommendable phone I’ve ever used. While the company may initially offer generous features to generate hype for the sub-brand, the current offering is exceptional for the price. The CMF Phone 1 delivers a unique combination of design, modularity, performance, and value, making it a true standout in the budget market.
Technical Specifications:
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB, expandable via microSD
- Cameras: 50MP main, 50MP depth sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh, 33W wired charging
- Software: Nothing OS 2.6 (Android 14)
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Other features: In-display fingerprint sensor, IPX2 rating