CMF Phone 2 Pro: Budget Phone of the Year!

Author

Ark
May 02, 2025

CMF Phone 2 Pro: A Budget Phone with Bold Personality

The CMF Phone 2 Pro, a sub-brand of the budget-focused Nothing, has arrived with a unique design and a compelling price tag of $279 (or ₹20,999 in India). While opinions on its aesthetics and specs may vary, one thing is clear: this phone is an incredible value for the money. Let’s dive into what makes this device stand out in the crowded budget smartphone market.

A Distinctive Design with Modular Flair

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is anything but ordinary. Its flat back, metallic camera rings, and vibrant color options—like a striking orange—give it a personality that’s rare in today’s sea of similar-looking slab phones. The plastic back feels surprisingly premium, with the bottom half mimicking a metallic texture, while other color variants feel entirely metallic.

What sets this phone apart is its modular design. While it doesn’t support accessories from last year’s CMF Phone (except for the lanyard), the Phone 2 Pro introduces a new modular system. By removing four screws and a thumb screw, you can attach an add-on back that includes camera lens mounts and an exceptionally strong MagSafe-compatible magnet array. This allows you to slap on accessories like a wallet that doubles as a vertical kickstand or even stick the phone to a car mount or desk stand. The magnets are so robust that accessories feel securely locked in place, unlike some competing solutions.

The modular camera system is another bold move. The primary 50-megapixel camera features a plastic ring that serves as a mounting point for two external lenses: a macro and a fisheye. While these lenses are fun and functional, they’re not groundbreaking—other phones may offer comparable macro shots with built-in cameras, and the fisheye is more of a niche feature. The lenses are also prone to fingerprints and lack a dedicated storage solution, which may deter users from carrying them daily. Still, the concept is innovative, even if it feels like a one-year experiment.

A Display That Punches Above Its Price

The CMF Phone 2 Pro’s 6.77-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature. With a 1080p resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, and 480Hz touch sampling rate, it’s smooth and responsive. The screen gets impressively bright, reaching up to 1,300 nits for outdoor visibility and 30,000 nits in HDR content. It also features 2160Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. The in-display fingerprint reader and slim, even bezels add to the premium feel, while the small hole-punch selfie camera keeps distractions to a minimum.

The only minor gripe is the pre-installed screen protector, which has a slightly rough cutout around the selfie camera. At $279, though, this display rivals those found on phones costing significantly more.

Software That Feels Premium

Running Nothing OS 3.2, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a software experience that’s unmatched in the sub-$400 category. Smooth animations, custom widgets, and a cohesive design language make it a joy to use. Unlike some budget phones, it’s ad-free and doesn’t artificially lock features behind higher-end hardware. The software carries over the polish of Nothing’s more premium devices, complete with the brand’s signature “dots” motif.

An extra button on the side opens Nothing’s early-stage AI tool, Essential Space, adding a touch of forward-thinking functionality. The software’s refinement makes it easy to forget you’re using a budget device.

Performance and Specs: Good Enough

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, which performs comparably to a five-year-old flagship chip like the Snapdragon 865. Paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable via a microSD slot), it handles everyday tasks like social media and light gaming with ease. A 128GB version is available outside the US for an even lower price.

The phone lacks wireless charging but supports 33W fast charging for its 5,000mAh battery, which delivers excellent battery life. It also includes NFC for contactless payments, a feature missing from last year’s model, and an IP54 rating for splash resistance. The haptics are decent, but the single bottom-firing speaker is underwhelming.

Cameras: Fine, Not Fantastic

The “Pro” moniker comes from the triple camera setup, but don’t expect flagship-level performance. The 50-megapixel primary camera is serviceable but tends to overexpose and has a warm, pinkish cast. Without optical image stabilization (OIS), it struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects. The 2x telephoto and 8-megapixel ultrawide cameras are fun additions but use smaller sensors, sacrificing quality for versatility. They’re good enough for casual use, but serious photographers may want to look elsewhere.

The Verdict: A Budget Champion

The CMF Phone 2 Pro isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. Its bold design, modular accessories, stellar display, and polished software make it a standout in the sub-$300 category. While the cameras and performance won’t blow you away, they’re more than adequate for the price. The phone’s limited US band support is a slight drawback, but internationally, it’s a no-brainer.

For those tired of generic budget phones, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a refreshing dose of character and innovation. It’s a reminder that affordable doesn’t have to mean boring. If you’re in the market for a budget phone with personality, this is the one to beat.

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