The CMF Phone 2 Pro packs serious design innovation, solid value, and a modular twist into a sub-$300 package. It won’t beat flagship phones in camera quality or durability, but for users who value creativity, aesthetics, and long software support, it’s one of the most intriguing smartphones in its class.
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CMF Phone 2 Pro
Introduction & Market Positioning
Nothing’s CMF sub-brand (“Color, Material, Finish”) aims to bring design-led devices at aggressive price points. The CMF Phone 2 Pro (released May 2025) is the second modular phone under that umbrella, building on the first CMF Phone.
What sets it apart is the modular ecosystem — screw-on covers, lenses, lanyards — that let you personalise your phone more than most. But to deliver that at a budget, compromises are inevitable.
This review examines how well those design ambitions and specs hold up in daily use.
Design, Build & Modularity
Visual Aesthetic & Feel
The CMF Phone 2 Pro continues Nothing’s design ethos of visible screws, minimalist industrial styling, and bold color accents. The phone is available in black, white, orange, and light green shades. The frame is slim (7.8 mm) and light, offering a pleasantly modern in-hand feel.
Unlike the first CMF Phone, you cannot remove the entire backplate — instead, covers and accessories are screwed on top of the rear. This design shift helps with water resistance but limits flexibility.
Water & Dust Resistance
The phone carries an IP54 rating (splash/dust resistance) — not full waterproofing. Nothing claims it can survive submersion in ~25 cm water for 20 minutes, but that’s under controlled conditions and shouldn’t be taken as robust protection.
Modular Ecosystem
The core appeal is modular attachments: screw-on back covers, lanyards, magnetic kickstand / wallet accessories, and clip-on macro/fisheye lenses. That said, accessory availability is currently limited (especially in the U.S.) and compatibility constraints exist due to the cover-mounted design.
If modularity is your primary reason to buy, check whether your region supports accessory sales.
Display & Audio
Display Specs & Performance
6.77″ AMOLED / flexible display
Full HD+ (2392 × 1080) resolution
120 Hz refresh rate (adaptive)
HDR10+ and 1.3k+ nits typical peak brightness
Panda Glass (from Chinese glass maker) used for protection
Overall, the display is impressive for this price range — vibrant color, decent brightness for outdoor use, and smooth scroll experience. That said, in harsh sunlight it doesn’t always match premium panels.
Audio & Haptics
Expect average single / bottom-firing speaker setup with typical output. Some users note audio quality is “average,” especially in noisy environments. Haptics and vibration are serviceable, not outstanding.
Performance & Software
Hardware & Benchmarks
Under the hood is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4 nm) chipset, paired with 8 GB RAM (LPDDR) and either 128 GB or 256 GB UFS storage. Some reviews mention an onboard “RAM booster” feature (virtual memory extension) — though it’s often disabled by power users.
In benchmark comparisons, it edges out several competitors in its price class, such as phones using Exynos 1380 or Dimensity 6300. In daily use, basic tasks like browsing, social media, messaging, and light multitasking are handled smoothly.
However, under heavier loads — e.g. many simultaneous downloads, large batch file moves, or extended gaming — the phone shows its limits. Occasional stutters, task queuing delays, or background app reloads have been reported.
Thermals & Stability
In extended use (e.g. 1-hour 4K video recording), the device warms but did not show frame drops or crashes in reviewer tests. Stress tests suggest throttling ~75 % performance after sustained load.
Software & Updates
The phone runs Nothing OS 3.2 on top of Android 15. The UI leans minimalist: monochrome icons, few unnecessary UI effects, and a bloat-free experience.
A unique feature is the Essential Key / Essential Space — a physical button that captures screenshots, voice notes, or reminders and stores them in the “Essential Space” for retrieval. The concept is interesting, but reviewers admit they personally use it less, and its usefulness depends on your workflow.
In terms of updates, CMF promises 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches—quite generous for a budget device.
Camera & Imaging
Camera Setup
Rear: Triple setup — 50 MP wide (f/1.9), 50 MP telephoto (2× optical zoom), and 8 MP ultrawide (120°)
Front: 16 MP wide
Video: Up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps modes
Photo Quality & Experience
The camera is arguably the device’s weakest area. In good lighting conditions, the primary sensor delivers decent color and contrast, but lacks fine detail and dynamic range. In low light, noise and softness creep in.
Telephoto images are usually overprocessed, and the ultrawide lens introduces noticeable barrel distortion and edge distortion. Color rendering, especially on red tones, is reported as inconsistent.
Switching between modes (photo / video / portrait) sometimes causes minor lag in the camera app.
If photography is a priority, the CMF Phone 2 Pro won’t compete with Pixel or flagship devices, but it’s acceptable for casual snaps.
Battery & Charging
Battery Life
The device houses a 5,000 mAh battery. In lab tests, the phone lasted over 16 hours in baseline only-use battery rundown tests. In practical use, most users report it comfortably lasts a full day and often extends into the next.
Because the processor is not ultra high performance, power consumption is modest under normal load, which helps with longevity.
Charging & Limitations
The CMF Phone 2 Pro supports 33W wired fast charging. However, in many regions the charger is not included in the box. Also, there is no wireless charging — not surprising at this price tier.
In India, though, the 33W charger may be bundled.
Charging is adequate for daily top-ups, but not blazing fast compared to midrange flagships.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros Cons
Unique modular design & ecosystem Limited accessory availability, compatibility constraints
Premium design language and build Only IP54 rating
Generous software update policy (3 years Android + 6 years security) Camera is average, especially in low light
Clean Nothing OS UI, minimal bloat No wireless charging
Good battery endurance Performance occasionally lags under heavy tasks
Bold color options and personalization Regional limitations (e.g. U.S. accessory support)
Use Cases & Ideal Users
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is best suited for:
Users who value design and personalization more than raw specs
People who like to tinker with accessories or 3D print modules
Users who want decent performance and battery life for everyday tasks
Buyers who don’t demand flagship-level camera output
Markets where accessory ecosystem is supported
It’s less ideal for:
Photography enthusiasts
Hardcore gamers
Users who demand strong water / dust protection
Regions where modular accessories are not sold or supported
Conclusion
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a bold, creative choice in the budget/midrange segment. It doesn’t outclass the flagships in raw specs or camera performance, but it delivers something those can’t — personality and expandability.
If you’re drawn to its modular ecosystem and minimal software experience, and don’t require top-tier cameras or water resistance, it’s one of the most compelling phones under $300. On the other hand, if photography or rugged build is a priority, a more balanced midrange phone might better serve your needs.
Checkout the variants in Amazon
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