CMF Phone 2 Pro Review

The CMF Phone 2 Pro has made waves since its introduction, building on the foundation laid by the CMF Phone 1 last year. Renowned for its striking design, robust performance, and outstanding value for money, the previous model did have its drawbacks, particularly concerning camera quality and the absence of a power adapter in its packaging. In response, Nothing has sought to address these issues with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Here is an overview of the CMF Phone 2 Pro.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Box Contents

Typically, box contents may not feature prominently in reviews, but in this case, it’s essential. The lack of a charger with the Phone 1 drew criticism, which Nothing has rectified this time around. The CMF Phone 2 Pro now includes a 33W adapter and a transparent case, a standard at this price range, marking a first for Nothing.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Design

The phone’s back continues to attract attention, echoing its predecessor’s aesthetic. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in vibrant hues: White, Black, Orange, and Light Green. The reviewer received the Light Green model and was immediately impressed by its appearance. The phone retains removable screws on the back, allowing for the back panel to be swapped out for a universal cover accessory. This feature enables users to personalise their devices with additional Nothing accessories.

Notably, Nothing has managed to slim down the device this year, measuring just 7.8mm thick. Weighing in at 185g, it sits comfortably in hand, making it the slimmest smartphone in Nothing’s lineup to date.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Display

The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2392 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Unlike its predecessor, which offered a basic 60Hz or 120Hz switch, this model includes a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Additionally, with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, visibility outdoors during harsh Delhi summers is no longer an issue.

The display excels in colour reproduction thanks to its 10-bit capabilities, allowing it to display over 1 billion colours. Watching IPL games and films on the screen was an enjoyable experience.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Performance

Equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, the phone provides optimal performance, demonstrating a slight upgrade over last year’s Dimensity 7300 found in the CMF Phone 1, handling various tasks with ease. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is outfitted with 8GB of RAM, and users can also utilise an additional 8GB of virtual RAM.

In practical use, the phone effectively managed a variety of activities, from video streaming to web browsing and intensive gaming with titles like COD Mobile and Pokemon Unite. Even under the strain of graphics-intensive gaming at low battery levels, there were no noticeable lags or jitters.

Throughout the testing period, the phone remained cool, suggesting efficient thermal management. It features a speedy and dependable in-display fingerprint scanner as well.

Moreover, users can expand storage by up to 2TB, which is a valuable feature for many.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Camera

This year, camera performance was a primary focus for the Nothing team. Critique from last year highlighted the absence of an ultra-wide or telephoto sensor on the CMF Phone 1. In response, the CMF Phone 2 Pro includes both cameras, comprising a triple rear camera setup.

The camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. While camera performance is satisfactory for its price, the reviewer noted excessive softening in shots, particularly with selfies. Despite good colour reproduction in portrait shots, there were high hopes for improvement from Nothing. Low-light performance underwhelmed, with images appearing washed out and lacking vibrancy.

However, users can look forward to enhanced camera capabilities, as Nothing is known for rolling out regular software updates to boost the performance of its smartphones. Yet, initial results left room for improvement.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Battery

The device is powered by a 5000mAh battery, accompanied by the included 33W fast charger, particularly beneficial for Indian consumers. Users can expect the battery to comfortably last a full day without issue, negating the need to invest in a premium power adapter as experienced with the previous model.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Software and UI

The CMF Phone 2 Pro operates on Nothing OS 3.2, built on Android 15. This iteration introduces a “Private Space”, which allows users to securely hide their applications, files, or images. A significant feature is that even if someone knows the main lockscreen password, they cannot access the Private Space, as a new password, fingerprint, or alternative pattern is required.

The Essential Space feature, previously introduced with the Nothing Phone 3a series, remains functional and serves as an efficient “second brain”, which can be particularly useful for more forgetful users.

In terms of updates, Nothing has committed to providing 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security updates. While an extended support cycle for OS updates would have been preferable, the long-term security updates provide reassurance.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Price and Verdict

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in two storage configurations: the 8+128GB model priced at ₹18,999 and the 8+256GB model at ₹20,999. This pricing strategy from Nothing is very competitive, and there is an additional ₹1,000 discount available on the launch day, making it an even more appealing option.

Aside from the camera performance that could be improved, the CMF Phone 2 Pro does not have many significant flaws. Given Nothing’s history of optimising software, improvements in this area can be anticipated in the near future.