CMF Phone 1 by Nothing review: A Stylish Budget Contender

If you’re looking for a stylish yet affordable smartphone, the CMF Phone by Nothing might just be the perfect pick. As a sub-brand of Nothing, CMF brings its unique design philosophy and modular approach to budget-conscious buyers. Let’s dive into the details!

Brand & Design

CMF follows Nothing’s aesthetic principles but with a twist. The modular design allows you to swap out back covers with materials like plastic or vegan leather. Want a fresh look? Just change the cover! Plus, it comes with an IP52 rating, making it resistant to dust and light splashes. CMF also offers branded accessories like a card case, lanyard, and stand to complement your phone’s style.

Display

The CMF Phone features a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. With a 1080p resolution, colors pop beautifully, though HDR support is missing. The brightness levels (700 nits manually, 1250 nits in auto mode) ensure visibility under most lighting conditions.

Audio

The phone has a single bottom-firing speaker, which gets loud but lacks stereo sound. While it’s fine for casual listening, audiophiles may find it lacking in depth and richness.

Biometrics & Storage

Unlocking the device is effortless thanks to the under-display fingerprint scanner, which is both fast and reliable. Storage-wise, you get 128GB or 256GB options, and the best part? Expandable storage via microSD – a rare feature in budget phones!

Software

Running on Nothing OS 2.6 (based on Android 14), the UI is clean, minimal, and close to stock Android with a unique Nothing twist. Cool features like Monochrome Mode and Nothing X app support enhance the experience. Software updates are decent, with 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches.

Performance & Chipset

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, this phone delivers smooth performance for daily tasks and light gaming. It’s also optimized for efficient power management and excellent thermal control, ensuring no overheating.

Battery & Charging

With a 5,000mAh battery, expect all-day usage with over 16 hours of active screen time. Charging is quick thanks to 33W fast charging (0-50% in 30 minutes, full charge in about 1hr 21 min). However, no charger is included in the box, so you’ll need to buy one separately.

Cameras

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the 50MP main sensor with a depth sensor. In daylight, images have good colors, contrast, and dynamic range, though sharpness could be better. Portrait mode is decent but struggles with edge detection. Night photography delivers vibrant colors with low noise, but sharpness is lacking. Zoom is digital-only and loses clarity beyond 2x.

Video

• 4K recording captures natural colors and wide dynamic range, but no OIS/EIS stabilization in 4K (only available in 1080p).

• Night videos are usable but introduce some noise.

• The 16MP selfie camera delivers average sharpness with limited dynamic range.

Downsides

• No stereo speakers (single bottom-firing only)

• No NFC (missing contactless payment support)

• No charger included (extra expense)

Price & Competitors

At around $200, the CMF Phone is an attractive option for budget buyers. However, it faces stiff competition from the Samsung Galaxy A35 and Redmi Note 13 Pro, both offering strong alternatives.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

The CMF Phone stands out with its unique design, modular back covers, smooth OLED display, and great battery life. While it lacks stereo speakers and NFC, it delivers solid everyday performance and a clean software experience. If you want something stylish and customizable at a budget price, this phone is definitely worth considering!

Would you pick the CMF Phone over its competitors? Let us know in the comments!