The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a refreshing take on the modern smartphone. It delivers surprising creativity and fun without the hefty price tag, retaining essential features and challenging the status quo of expensive flagships. In a market saturated with predictable devices, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out as a true rebel.
A person taking the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro out of a pocket.
A Breath of Fresh Air in Smartphone Design
Many smartphones today are designed by committee, prioritizing mass appeal and profit margins over innovation and personality. The CMF Phone 2 Pro breaks this mold. While still a product of a large company, it exudes a sense of playful experimentation that shines through in the final product.
The vibrant orange color option is a bold statement, setting it apart from the usual muted tones. The dual-tone finish, with a matte top and glossy bottom, adds a touch of sophistication to the plastic back cover, which cleverly mimics the look of glass or metal. Aluminum rings accentuate the cameras, further enhancing the phone’s unique aesthetic.
A person holding the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro.
The exposed screws aren’t just for show; they allow for swapping the back cover, offering a modern twist on modular phone design. A circular attachment point accommodates a chunky lanyard, and a kickstand can be added for hands-free viewing. Perhaps the most exciting feature is the compatibility with macro and fisheye lens accessories, adding genuine versatility and a dose of playful fun to the camera experience.
A Lightweight and Feature-Packed Device
A person holding the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro.
At just 186 grams, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is remarkably light. The plastic back cover curves around the edges, providing a comfortable grip, though it can feel slightly slippery due to its light weight. An additional button on the side activates Essential Space, an AI-powered feature also found on the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro.
Essential Space intelligently organizes screenshots and voice notes, using AI to summarize and categorize them. This innovative feature sets the CMF Phone 2 Pro apart from similarly priced competitors, offering added value typically reserved for higher-end devices. The button placement, however, could be improved, as it’s easily mistaken for the power button.
The charging port on the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Another welcome surprise is the 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. This addition provides bright, detailed images without digital cropping, exceeding expectations for a phone in this price range. Combined with Essential Space, these features elevate the CMF Phone 2 Pro beyond the competition.
Areas for Improvement
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro
While initial impressions are positive, further testing is needed to fully assess the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s performance and software. The screen appears to be a potential weakness. The Panda Glass attracts fingerprints easily, viewing angles are limited, and the actual brightness falls short of expectations.
The phone runs Android 15, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro processor and 8GB of RAM. Performance is generally smooth, with support for a handy floating window mode and Nothing’s signature pixel art theme. However, some power-saving measures are evident, causing occasional lag when launching infrequently used apps or features.
A photo taken with the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro.
A photo taken with the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro
A photo taken with the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro
Even after a camera software update, photos can appear slightly washed out, and the 8MP wide-angle camera lacks detail. However, having three functional cameras on a budget phone is a notable achievement.
Raising the Bar for Budget Smartphones
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro
The 128GB CMF Phone 2 Pro is priced at £219 in the U.K., while the 256GB version costs $279 in the U.S. While purchasing through Nothing’s Beta Program may require some effort, the CMF Phone 2 Pro promises to be worth it. It injects excitement into a price segment often dominated by bland devices.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro sets a new standard for budget smartphones. Its unique design, innovative features, and competitive price challenge other manufacturers to rethink their approach to entry-level devices. It proves that interesting and exciting phones don’t have to break the bank.
