The folks who brought us the super cool Nothing Phone are back with something fresh and even more unique. Carl Pei's brainchild, Nothing, is known for its sleek design and minimalist OS. Their sub-brand, CMF, is following suit with its first phone – the CMF Phone 1, aiming for the lower mid-range segment.
We had the opportunity to get our hands on the CMF Phone 1 in Blue, and it truly has style written all over it. Here’s more from our time with Nothing’s latest CMF Phone 1.
CMF Phone 1: Design
The CMF Phone 1 stands out with its design. Our unit came with a Blue vegan leather back plate, but users can swap it out for Black, Light Green, or Orange. Interestingly, CMF refers to these back plates as “covers,” even though they do not entirely protect the phone and the display.
These covers are held in place by tiny stainless-steel screws, which add a cool industrial vibe to the phone. These screws are not just for show; they are functional too, making the back cover easily replaceable. While this might seem like a step towards sustainability and repairability, the battery cannot be removed, and tampering can lead to a loss of warranty. Nevertheless, the customizability of the CMF Phone 1 is a refreshing change.
Additionally, the phone features a circular widget called the 'Accessory Point,' which pops out to let users attach various accessories like a stand or lanyard, now available for the CMF Phone 1.
Although we didn't have these accessories on hand, the idea itself is refreshing and playful. Customization is definitely a big win here, especially when the design itself prioritizes accessorizing.
Moving on to the practical aspects, the edges of the CMF Phone 1 feel a bit sharp due to the boxy design, but the leather back is comfortable and soft to touch. At the bottom, there's a dual hybrid SIM tray, which can also be used for microSD card storage expansion up to 2TB. Unfortunately, there is no headphone jack, which is a bit of a downer even in this range.
The phone has an IP52 rating, offering basic water resistance. The back is not prone to fingerprints but isn’t entirely scratch-proof.
CMF Phone 1: Display
The display of the CMF Phone 1 is impressive for its price range, with a slightly thicker chin at the bottom. It boasts a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility.
CMF Phone 1: Performance and Thermals
Under the hood, the CMF Phone 1 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 4nm processor, scoring an impressive 6,72,414 on AnTuTu, slightly lower than the Nothing Phone 2a. During gaming, titles like BGMI ran smoothly on high settings, maintaining a stable 60fps without breaking a sweat. Users can also go up to 40FPS in HDR settings without facing significant lags or stuttering.
The Dimensity 7300 handles thermal management well, keeping the device cool even during extended gaming sessions. This chip focuses on power efficiency, delivering solid performance without draining the battery excessively.
CMF Phone 1: Battery and Charging
The CMF Phone 1 comes with a 5000mAh battery that easily lasts more than a full day with light to moderately heavy usage. The compatible 33W fast charger takes around 90 minutes to fully charge the device from 0 to 100%. However, there's no charger included in the box, which is a bit disappointing, especially for a lower mid-range device.
CMF Phone 1: Camera
The CMF Phone 1 features a 50MP main camera with a flagship-grade Sony sensor. Daylight shots are detailed with great colors and contrast. Portrait mode does a decent job with subject separation, and the AI Vivid mode adds a pop of color when needed. Low-light performance is surprisingly good, with the main camera capturing plenty of detail with minimal noise. The lack of OIS means a steady hand is needed, especially for videos. The CMF Phone 1 can shoot up to 4K at 30fps, delivering solid quality, though more detail and less noise would be appreciated at times. For selfies, the 16MP front camera is quite good, though a bit more sharpness would be welcome.
CMF Phone 1: Software
Nothing is known for its minimal, clean, and visually distinct UI, which can also be experienced in the CMF Phone 1. Running on Nothing OS 2.6 over Android 14, the software is another strong point of the CMF Phone 1. The custom widgets, monochrome UI options, and minimal bloatware make for a pleasant user experience. Nothing promises two years of major updates and three years of security patches, which is decent but could be better.
CMF Phone 1 Review: Verdict
The CMF Phone 1 is all about style and customization. While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, it nails the essentials with a great display, solid battery life, and a design that turns heads. Priced starting at Rs 15,999, it offers an affordable entry into the Nothing ecosystem. To experience the full perks of customization, users may need to spend a bit more, which might seem inconvenient for a lower mid-range smartphone. However, for those who value unique design and customization, the CMF Phone 1 is worth checking out.
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