Introduction
The CMF Phone 1 by Nothing has a confusing name, but what it's trying to do is far from confusing. Love it or hate it, this is one of the most interesting new phones out there at the moment. A few years ago, Nothing came along with an idea: what if we could make an average budget phone with a focus on software and design? And it kind of worked—their phones were pretty good. Now, CMF is the budget sub-brand of Nothing, and they've taken the concept even further with the CMF Phone 1, targeting a more value-conscious audience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customizable Design: Removable back with multiple color options.
- Useful Accessories: Includes kickstand, card holder, and lanyard.
- Bright Display: 2,000 nits AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Smooth Software: Runs Nothing OS 2.6 with premium features.
- Good Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G and 6/8 GB RAM.
- Long Battery Life: 5,000 mAh with 33W fast charging.
- Affordable: Offers great value at a budget price.
- Targeted Design: Tailored for budget-conscious markets.
Cons
- No Wireless Charging: Limited charging options.
- Average Camera: Struggles in low light, no OIS.
- Mono Speaker: Lacks stereo sound.
- Weak Water Resistance: Only IP52 splash-proof.
- Slow Fingerprint Sensor: Unlocking takes multiple attempts.
- No Charger: Requires separate purchase.
Design: The Most Interesting Part
First Impressions
The CMF Phone 1 in black looks fairly average at first glance. It features flat sides, typical bezels around the big AMOLED display and dual cameras at the back. While the design isn’t groundbreaking at first, there are hidden features that set it apart from many other phones in the same price range. The design approach is minimalist but with unique touches that are a joy to explore.
The Removable Back
But then you notice two things: a knob at the bottom corner of the phone and several metal screws surrounding the edges. The reason for these screws? The plastic back is completely removable and replaceable with a few different color options, including black, orange, blue and light blue (which sometimes has a green hue depending on who you ask). This innovation is particularly noteworthy in the context of the modern smartphone world, where non-removable backs have become the norm.
Customization Options
This idea is pretty unique, especially at this price. A while ago, with the Moto Maker, you could customize your phone, but that was much more permanent. It’s been many years since phones had removable backs, and although this back feels cheap and flexible on its own, it becomes pretty sturdy when attached to the phone. It's still cool to see a phone that allows you to change the color of the back, and it’s a nice little upsell for the company, which is offering the phone for so cheap. If you’re someone who enjoys personalizing your devices, this feature alone makes the CMF Phone 1 stand out in a crowded market.
What’s in the Box?
In the box, you get a combo SIM ejector tool and flathead screwdriver to help remove the screws to take off the back. It also comes with a matching SIM card tray and dial to make sure everything looks cohesive. You can even mix and match if you'd like, giving you the option to personalize your phone more. This level of customization, especially at this price point, is practically unheard of.
The Knob and Its Functionality
But the color-changing back isn’t the only unique feature. There’s also that knob I keep mentioning. Initially, people were wondering what this knob actually did. Was it a volume dial, a fidget toy or something with software functionality? Turns out, it’s a mounting point for accessories. It’s not a free-spinning knob, but a colorful thumbscrew, and if you take it off, you can replace it with one of three accessories that Nothing has created: a kickstand, a card holder wallet and a lanyard. These accessories open up possibilities for users to add functionality to their phones in ways that most budget phones don’t allow.
The Accessories
- Kickstand: The kickstand is probably the most useful accessory, allowing you to prop up your phone on a flat surface, whether for watching videos or video calls.
- Card Holder: The card holder lets you carry up to four cards in the back of your phone. It’s a handy option for people who want to leave their wallet at home but still need to carry cards or IDs.
- Lanyard: The lanyard option is there if you want to attach your phone to a strap, though not many people may use it. Still, it's a feature that adds an additional layer of practicality, especially for those who want to keep their phone secure while on the go.
These accessories add another level of customization and functionality, setting the CMF Phone 1 apart from other budget phones. It’s like an ultra-budget version of MagSafe, but instead of magnets, you have to screw the accessory onto the phone. So if you want to use a MagSafe mount, it actually works! This added versatility really makes the CMF Phone 1 stand out in the budget phone category.
Practical Considerations
While switching out accessories isn’t something you’ll likely do multiple times a day, it’s still nice to have the option. The dial protrudes the same amount as the camera bump, which prevents the phone from rocking when it’s placed flat. So, in terms of design and hardware customizations, CMF has thought this through. The added consideration in the design for usability shows how thoughtful and user-centric Nothing has been with the CMF Phone 1.
Performance: A Solid User Experience
Software: Nothing OS 2.6
Moving on to the performance, after researching about the CMF Phone 1 for a while, I can say it’s just like using a Nothing phone. which is a compliment. It's running Nothing OS 2.6, and aside from the light-up glyph interface, it doesn’t miss a single feature that the more premium Nothing phones offer. It’s got the cloned apps feature, Game Mode, a one-handed gesture for notifications and all the design aesthetics—icon packs, home screen widgets and the signature dots font. It even has a place where you can check all your notification history, which is an underrated feature. All of these aspects make the phone feel much more premium than its price tag suggests, thanks to Nothing's careful attention to detail in the software.
Display: AMOLED and Smooth Performance
The phone's performance is more than solid for a $200 device. The AMOLED display is fairly bright and responsive, with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, an adaptive refresh rate between 60 and 120 Hz, and a 240 Hz touch sample rate. It’s smooth enough for everyday tasks like social media, emails and light web browsing. Watching videos and browsing photos is a satisfying experience, with rich colors and deep blacks, which is quite impressive at this price point.
Powering Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G
Powering everything is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset, which performs similarly to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, paired with either 6 or 8 GB of RAM, depending on the spec you choose. Overall, it’s well-equipped for the price. The MediaTek chipset delivers the processing power needed for typical smartphone tasks without slowing down during regular use, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Specs
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Design | Interchangeable back cover, Accessory Point with removable cover, IP52 rated |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G, 8-core up to 2.5 GHz, 4nm TSMC process |
| Main Camera | 50 MP + portrait sensor, f/1.8 |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Video Recording | 4K at 30 FPS, 1080p at 30/60 FPS, Live HDR at 1080p at 30 FPS, Slo-mo at 120 FPS, Night Mode at 1080p at 30 FPS, Action Mode, EIS, Time Lapse (4K) |
| TrueLens Engine 2.0 | Ultra XDR, AI Vivid Modes, Night Mode, Motion Capture |
| Display | 6.67” Super AMOLED LTPS, 1080 x 2400 (395 ppi), 8-bit color, Ultra HDR+, 1000000:1 contrast, 2000 nits peak brightness, 700 nits typical, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 240 Hz touch sampling, 960 Hz PWM frequency |
| Capacity | 6 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 128 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB, Storage expandable up to 2 TB |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano-SIM |
| Connectivity | Gigabit LTE-Advanced, Gigabit 5G Dual Mode (NSA & SA), 5G NR bands (n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n77, n78), 4G LTE bands (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66), 3G UMTS (1, 4, 5, 8), 2G GSM (850/900/1800/1900) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6), 2.4 GHz/5 GHz dual-band, MU-MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, Advanced Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, BLE |
| Navigation | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Operating System | Nothing OS 2.6 (Powered by Android 14), 2 years of Android updates, 3 years of security updates |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, 33W charging, 5W reverse wired charging, No wireless charging |
| Dimensions | Height: 164 mm, Width: 77 mm, Depth: 8 mm / 9 mm (standard/vegan leather), Weight: 197 g / 202 g (standard/vegan leather) |
| Sensors | Under-display optical fingerprint |
| In the Box | CMF Phone 1, CMF Cable (USB-C to USB-C), Safety information and warranty card, Screen Protector (pre-applied), SIM tray ejector |
Trade-offs and Missing Features
Battery Life and Charging
However, as with all budget phones, there are a few trade-offs. The CMF Phone 1 has a 5,000 mAh battery, which offers solid battery life, but there’s no wireless charging, and the charger isn’t included in the box. The phone supports up to 33 watts of charging, though, which is a decent speed for getting the phone charged quickly.
Missing Features
It also lacks NFC, has a cheap vibration motor and a single mono speaker at the bottom, which is easy to block with one finger. The under-display fingerprint sensor is decent but a little slower than expected, often requiring multiple attempts to unlock the phone. The removable plastic back feels flimsy when detached, and the buttons seem a little precarious, like they could snap at any moment. These missing features are the price you pay for a budget-friendly phone, but none of them feel like deal-breakers when you consider the overall package.
Water Resistance
With removable backs, it’s no surprise the phone isn’t super water-resistant, boasting only an IP 52 rating, which makes it splash-resistant at best. It’s not a phone you’d want to take into a swimming pool, but it should hold up against everyday splashes or rain without much trouble.
Camera Performance
As for the camera, the CMF Phone 1 has a 50 MP Sony sensor (the IMX882), which is the same sensor used in other budget phones like the POCO F6 and Realme 12 Pro. The camera takes decent photos in good light, but it struggles when light conditions worsen due to the lack of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). The second sensor, a depth sensor, is mostly useless but is intended for 2X Portrait Mode photos to give a cleaner bokeh effect. It’s not the best camera setup in its class, but it certainly gets the job done for the casual photographer.
Target Market
Currently, the CMF Phone 1 is mainly targeted at the Indian market, where it competes with other budget phones. While some of those devices are a bit more expensive, they often lack features like an AMOLED display, software updates and the overall smooth experience of the CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 1 has positioned itself as a value-for-money device, appealing to users who want more out of their budget smartphones.
Conclusion
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers who want more than just the basics. While it does have its flaws, like the lack of wireless charging and mediocre camera performance, the features, design and price make it a worthwhile consideration for those looking for a phone that stands out in the budget category. Whether you’re interested in its customizable back or the quirky knob accessory system, the CMF Phone 1 offers something unique at a price point that makes it an attractive option for many.
