The CMF Phone 2 Pro by Nothing’s sub-brand CMF (Color, Material, Finish) stands out as a beacon of creativity and value. Launched globally on April 28, 2025, this mid-range marvel redefines what a budget-friendly smartphone can achieve, blending modular design, robust performance, and a segment-leading camera system. With its vibrant aesthetic, thoughtful features, and a price tag that punches above its weight, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is poised to capture the hearts of tech enthusiasts and casual users alike in the global market.
A Design That Dares to Be Different
The CMF Phone 2 Pro embraces Nothing’s signature philosophy of transparency and modularity, but with a refined twist. At just 7.8mm thick and weighing 185 grams, it’s slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, the CMF Phone 1, despite packing the same 5,000mAh battery. The phone sports a sleek, dual-tone back available in four striking color options: Black, Light Green, Orange, and White. These hues, combined with a plastic frame and back, give it a playful yet premium feel that’s rare in the sub-$300 segment.
What truly sets the CMF Phone 2 Pro apart is its modular design. The back panel, secured with stainless steel screws, invites customization through interchangeable covers, wallets, stands, and even add-on lenses for the camera. This approach not only enhances personalization but also makes the device feel like a creative canvas. The inclusion of an Essential Key—a programmable side button that provides quick access to features like screenshots, voice notes, or the AI-driven Essential Space—adds a layer of intuitive functionality that feels futuristic yet practical.
The phone’s 6.77-inch AMOLED display is another highlight. With a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2412), a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, it delivers vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and outdoor use. Protected by Panda Glass and boasting HDR10+ support, the display is a significant upgrade over the CMF Phone 1, offering a 10-bit color depth and 2,160Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. An IP54 rating for dust and water resistance further ensures durability, a step up from the IP52 rating of its predecessor.
Performance That Keeps Up
Under the hood, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, a 4nm processor that offers a 10% faster CPU and 5% improved GPU performance compared to the Dimensity 7300 in the CMF Phone 1. While not a massive leap, this chip handles multitasking, gaming, and everyday tasks with ease, supporting up to 120fps gameplay in titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The inclusion of a 6th-generation MediaTek NPU rated at 4.8 TOPS ensures efficient AI processing, enhancing features like camera optimization and voice recognition.
The phone comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB (UFS 2.2), with a microSD slot supporting up to 2TB of expandable storage—a rarity in 2025. Running Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a clean, bloatware-free experience with thoughtful customizations like widgets and a dot-matrix aesthetic. CMF promises three years of OS updates and six years of security patches, ensuring longevity that rivals premium flagships.
A Camera System That Steals the Show
The CMF Phone 2 Pro’s camera setup is a standout feature, particularly for its price point. Departing from the dual-camera system of the CMF Phone 1, the Phone 2 Pro boasts a triple-camera array that’s among the best in its segment:
- 50MP Main Camera: Featuring a 1/1.57” sensor, it captures 64% more light than the CMF Phone 1, delivering sharp, detailed shots with AI-powered stabilization. It supports 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
- 50MP Telephoto Lens: A rare inclusion in this price range, this 1/2.88” sensor with 2x optical zoom (f/1.85) and 20x digital zoom adds versatility for portrait and zoomed shots.
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens: With a 119.5° field of view (f/2.2, 1/4” sensor), it’s perfect for landscapes and group photos.
The 32MP front camera ensures crisp selfies and video calls, enhanced by Nothing’s TrueLens Engine 3.0 for improved low-light performance and portrait modes. CMF takes modularity to the next level with optional macro and fisheye lenses, priced at €35/£35 each, allowing users to experiment with creative photography. These accessories, along with sample images shared by the CMF community, highlight the phone’s ability to produce vibrant, detailed photos that rival more expensive devices.
Battery and Connectivity: Built for the Long Haul
The CMF Phone 2 Pro houses a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging and 5W reverse wired charging. CMF claims up to 22 hours of YouTube playback or 10 hours of gaming, with the battery retaining at least 90% capacity after 1,200 charge cycles. Notably, the phone includes a 33W charger in the box—a bold move in an era where many brands omit chargers, particularly appreciated in markets like India.
Connectivity is robust, with 5G support, Wi-Fi 6. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a phone that doesn’t compromise on style, performance, or innovation. While it lacks optical image stabilization (OIS) and uses a plastic build, these are minor trade-offs for a device that delivers flagship-like features at a fraction of the cost. Competing with the likes of the Vivo T4 and Moto Edge 60 Fusion, the CMF Phone 2 Pro carves its niche with its modular design, clean software, and camera versatility.