CMF, Nothing’s design-focused sub-brand, is still very new in the smartphone game. Last year, it released the CMF Phone 1, and that was as large as its portfolio got. However, despite just one entry, it was a smash hit, though it had a few disappointing categories, even at the price (no NFC? Really?).
Today, the company has just announced its second smartphone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It entirely jumps over a vanilla CMF Phone 2, and considering what this one brings to the table, I can’t say that was a bad choice. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a killer option for its price and fixes a lot of the bad spots of its predecessor.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro Maintains Its Unique Design and Modularity
Smartphones have messed around with modularity before, but it hasn’t always proved successful. CMF did well in that regard with the CMF Phone 1 and has decided to stick to its guns, bringing that uniqueness to the Phone 2 Pro. However, it brings a lot more to the table.
The Design
The CMF Phone 2 Pro brings back a familiar design: a flat frame, display, and back panel. The latter is the most eye-catching as it can be removed, as the screws at the edges give away, and swapped out for another kind. Plus, water resistance pushes up to a slightly more capable IP54, from IP52. The device has even become thinner and lighter than last year.
It’s not going to be a look that’s for everyone, but I don’t think it is offensive in any form. The black model, in particular, looks quite regular; perfect for those who want something quieter.
There’s no way to talk about a CMF Phone without talking about the accessories. The phone will support a universal cover accessory and a wallet/stand accessory, too. There’ll also be interchangeable lenses for the camera this year, but more on that later.
The Screen
As a Pro phone, it’s little shock that the screen has gotten a little larger, climbing up to 6.77 inches. Even better is the fact that the panel is better overall. It’s still FHD+, but it now supports HDR10+, and peak brightness jumps 50% to 3,000 nits. Not bad for a budget device.
The Hardware
CMF chooses the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro to power this phone, which is an upgraded version of the same chip that powered last year’s. It’s not a massive performance difference, but you do get a 10% faster CPU and 5% faster GPU.
Other hardware specs include:
- 128GB/256GB storage
- MicroSD card support
- 8GB RAM
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
Very notably, the device comes with NFC, which was a central weak point of the original device.
The Battery and Charging
The battery in the CMF Phone 2 Pro is still 5,000mAh, but it is impressive because the device is 0.4mm thinner. You get 33W wired charging, which isn’t lightning fast, but good enough for the price point.
The Cameras
The CMF Phone 1 had a single usable camera. The CMF Phone 2 Pro does a fantastic job of upgrading on that, bringing two extra cameras to the back of the device. A lack of OIS on any camera is one of the places its price shows, however.
| Resolution | Aperture | Sensor Size | Stabilization | |
| Primary | 50MP | f/1.88 | 1/1.57″ | EIS |
| Telephoto | 50MP | f/1.85 | 1/2.88″ | EIS |
| Ultrawide | 8MP | f/2.2 | 1/4″ | None |
| Front | 16MP | f/2.45 | 1/3″ | None |
The cameras get some modular love, too. You now have the option to attach a macro or a fisheye lens to your camera, which makes this inexpensive little phone more versatile.
The Pricing and Availability
The CMF Phone 2 Pro will be available in various regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and India. However, the US will only get it via the Beta Program, and only the higher-end model. Pre-orders start today, and it’ll hit shelves on May 6th. Pricing is as follows:
- CMF Phone 2 Pro (128GB): £219/€249/₹19,000
- CMF Phone 2 Pro (256GB): £249/€279/₹21,000/$280
- Fisheye and Macro Lenses: £35 / €35
- Universal Cover: £25 / €25
- Wallet/Stand: £35 / €35
- Bundle #1 – Universal Cover + Wallet OR Lenses: £45 / €45
- Bunde #2 – Universal Cover + Wallet + Lenses: £65 / €65
