The smartphone industry has witnessed a significant shift in recent years, with new players entering the game, disrupting the dominance of established giants. One such rising brand is CMF by Nothing, which has quickly garnered attention for offering sleek, well-designed, and value-packed smartphones. The latest addition to their lineup, the CMF Phone 2 Pro, aims to redefine the mid-range segment with flagship-level features at a budget-friendly price. However, does it truly deliver on its promises? Let’s dive into a detailed review.
Design and Build Quality:
Straight out of the box, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out with its sleek, minimalist design and sturdy construction. Featuring an aluminum frame with a matte glass back, it offers a feel that rivals even the most premium smartphones. The slim profile, lightweight design, and unique color options make it stand out in a sea of generic-looking phones.
Key design highlights:
- Sleek 6.7-inch AMOLED display
- Gorilla Glass protection
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- Water and dust resistance (IP54 rating)
Display:
The CMF Phone 2 Pro sports a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything from scrolling to streaming buttery smooth. The color reproduction is vibrant, and brightness levels are excellent even under direct sunlight. Whether you’re gaming, watching videos, or just browsing, the display experience is nothing short of top-tier.
Display specs:
- Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels
- HDR10+ support
- Adaptive refresh rate
- 1300 nits peak brightness
Performance:
Under the hood, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. This powerful combination guarantees seamless multitasking, rapid app loading, and a smooth, lag-free gaming experience. The device also runs on Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 14, which is clean, bloatware-free, and optimized for performance.
Performance highlights:
- Excellent thermal management
- High benchmark scores
- Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3
- Game Mode for enhanced gaming performance
Camera System:
The CMF Phone 2 Pro boasts a triple-camera setup on the rear:
- 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX766)
- 8MP ultra-wide sensor
- 2MP macro lens
The main camera delivers detailed and color-accurate photos in various lighting conditions. The ultra-wide lens is decent, although it struggles slightly in low-light scenarios. The 16MP front-facing camera performs well for selfies and video calls, complete with portrait mode and AI enhancements.
Camera features:
- 4K video recording at 30fps
- Night mode and Pro mode
- EIS for stable videos
- AI scene recognition
Battery Life and Charging:
Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the CMF Phone 2 Pro easily lasts a full day on a single charge with moderate to heavy usage. It features 65W fast charging, powering the phone from 0 to 100% in less than 45 minutes.
Battery perks:
- Long standby time
- Smart battery management
- USB Type-C charging
Software and Features:
Running on Nothing OS 3.0, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a minimal yet highly functional software experience. You get useful features like:
- App Locker and Privacy Dashboard
- Customizable icons and widgets
- Gesture navigation
- Regular security updates
CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Competitors:
When compared to similarly priced phones like the OnePlus Nord 3, Samsung Galaxy A54, and Poco F5, the CMF Phone 2 Pro holds its own with better software optimization, a unique design, and solid performance. While it may not have wireless charging or an official IP68 rating, it makes up for these with its overall value proposition.
Conclusion:
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a compelling option for anyone looking for flagship-level features at a mid-range price. With a gorgeous display, powerful processor, decent camera, and clean software, it ticks nearly every box. For budget-conscious buyers and tech enthusiasts alike, this phone might just be the flagship killer of 2025.