These days, there isn’t a ton of dynamism in theentry-level smartphone scene. Unlike themid-ranger market, which has seen a boon in both price-to-performance ratio and in external design prowess, the average budget phone often feels devoid of any and all character, charm, and personality.
Thankfully, London, UK-based smartphone makerNothingswooped in to fill this void when it launched its unique and budget-friendlyCMF Phone 1last year. Now, the companyis back at it again with a sophomore effort: the all-new CMF Phone 2 Pro.
The ‘Pro’ moniker is a curious choice, seeing how Nothing isn’t offering a non-Pro CMF Phone 2 this year. In any case, the company has taken a swing and has ultimately scored with its new entry-level CMF – the device genuinely feels like a breath of fresh air in today’s malaise-ridden budget handset market.
There are several reasons why I feel the CMF Phone 2 Pro hits the nail on the head as an entry-level device. The product is able to punch well above its weight – the direct result of thoughtful and conspicuous design choices made by Nothing.
CMF Phone 2 Pro
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is the latest budget handset from Nothing’s sub-brand CMF. The device offers a unique and refined design, a 5,000 mAh battery pack, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G processor.
Nothing’s new CMF Phone 2 Pro and Buds 2 lineup is both aesthetic and affordable
Under its CMF sub-brand, Nothing has launched a new affordable CMF Phone 2 Pro, as well as three new CMF Buds 2 products.
1Its design is well refined
The CMF Phone 2 Pro looks and feels more expensive than it actually is
To be frank, I find the majority of entry-level smartphones physically unappealing. Superficial? Perhaps, but I’m a sucker for well-refined industrial design. Most budget models resemble dumbed-down versions of their mid-range and flagship sister products, featuring bland designs, asymmetrical proportions, and cheap, chintzy build materials.
This isn’t the case with the CMF Phone 2 Pro: Nothing might have outfitted the handset with plastic, but it’s a high-quality variant that feels premium in the hand. The rear panel successfully emulates a frosted glass texture, tolerances are tight, and buttons are clicky and precise.
Much like it did withits mid-rangePhone 3a and 3a Prodevices from earlier this year, Nothing has opted to make a statement piece out of the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s rear camera housing. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, to be sure, but I find it to be a unique and pleasing design language as far as camera phone protrusions are concerned.
2Its design is modular
Modular smartphones are always a joy to accessorize
Aside from the unique camera setup, the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s rear exterior is dominated by four M2 screws, in addition to a toolless circular screw near the bottom right-hand corner of the unit. These screws hold a nifty trick up their sleeve: they unlock an entire ecosystem of smartphone modularity. The toolless screw can be removed and replaced with a lanyard loop accessory, while the M2 screws can be removed to slap on a dedicated magnetic case.
Once the magnetic case is secured in place with the screws, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is suddenly compatible with a wallet/kickstand combo accessory, as well as snap-on macro and fisheye lense modules. The magnetic case features a ring of magnets in the same vein asMagSafeorQi2, which means you’re able to snap the phone onto any and all existing magnetic mounting devices.
The Motorola Moto Z and the LG G5 walked so the CMD Phone 2 Pro could run.
Unfortunately, the dedicated CMF Phone 2 Pro accessories are sold separately from the device itself, and (save for the lanyard loop), they all require the installation of the magnetic case in order to function. The phone also doesn’t include wireless charging, which is a shame – I’d even settle for a 5W trickle charge to supplement the magnetic capabilities of Nothing’s screw-on case.
Even still, modularity is and always will be a fun smartphone design element, and its inclusion in a budget handset is a welcome surprise. TheMotorola Moto Zand theLG G5walked so the CMD Phone 2 Pro could run.
I need this new budget phone from Nothing to revive the modular dream
The CMF Phone 1 could be far more customizable than even flagship smartphones thanks to its unique design.
3Its display is superb
Symmetrical bezels make all the difference
Display quality is one area I take seriously when it comes to a smartphone – I spend an awful lot of my day staring at mobile screens, and so I want to enjoy the most comfortable and pleasing panel I can possibly get my hands on. Being an entry-level device, the CMF Phone 2 Pro didn’t knock my socks off with LTPO tech, QHD resolution,or fancy waterfall display glass, but it excels at the essentials.
…my favorite aspect of the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s screen is the symmetrical bezel that surrounds it.
The phone’s 6.77-inch AMOLED panel is a bit large for my liking, but its 1080 x 2392 pixel resolution equates to a sharp 388 pixels per inch (ppi) density. Better still, the screen refreshes at a buttery-smooth 120Hz, it supports the HDR10+ standard, and it can hit a peak brightness of 3000 nits.
Far and away, my favorite aspect of the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s screen is the symmetrical bezel that surrounds it. They’re not the slimmest bezels in the world, but they’re equally sized across all four display corners. This small design consideration adds a layer of refinement to the aesthetic that elevates the entire package in my eyes.
Nothing Phone 3a vs Phone 3a Pro: How the two mid-rangers stack up
Nothing recently launched its latest mid-range smartphones, the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro - here’s how the two models compare to one another.
4It runs Nothing OS
One of the best third-party Android skins out there
Many budget-tier Android devices are plagued by heavy software skins that bog down the (relatively) underpowered silicon running under their hoods. This isn’t the case with the CMF Phone 2 Pro – being a Nothing sub-brand, CMF phones enjoy the privilege of running the lovingly crafted Nothing OS.
Nothing OSoffers a clean and bloat-free software experience, with a cohesive dot matrix design language and smooth animations. The skin sticks closely to ‘stick’ AOSP Android, but sprinkles in subtle quality-of-life tweaks. I’ve grown to really appreciate some of these additions, such as the ability to pin apps to the top of the app drawer for quick access, or to resize shortcut tiles within the quick settings panel.
Commendably, Nothing hasn’t artificially limited the feature set of Nothing OS on the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Commendably, Nothing hasn’t artificially limited the feature set of Nothing OS on the CMF Phone 2 Pro to prop up its more expensive Phone 3a and 3a Pro kin. TheAI-centric Essential Space, which archives and contextualizes screenshots and voice notes, is present and accounted for (as is the hardware Essential Key, which I’m less keen on). The utility of Essential Space is hit-or-miss from my perspective, but I appreciate that it’s a part of the package nonetheless.
Perhaps best of all, while the CMF Phone 2 Pro ships with Nothing OS 3.2 atop of Android 15, Nothing promises 3 years of major feature updates in addition to six years of security patches – an impressive update policy by entry-level standards.
This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Nothing.
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If you’re like me and find most regular wireless earbuds uncomfortable, the Ear (Open)’s on-ear design could be what you’ve been waiting for.
