CMF Phone 2 Pro Review – Expert Deep Dive (2025 Edition)

1. Introduction

Nothing’s CMF (Color‑Material‑Finish) sub‑brand sits between flagship design flair and affordability, targeting users who value unique aesthetics on a budget. Launched in May 2025, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the brand’s refined mid-range phone, positioned above the CMF Phone 1 but below Nothing Phone 3a-series in price. Starting around ₹19,000 (~US$279) and available in 128 GB/256 GB options, it appeals to design-conscious buyers, budget gamers, and modular tech enthusiasts.

First impression: A bold, modular budget phone punching above its weight in design and battery life—but slightly compromising on camera and audio polish.

2. Unboxing Experience

Box contents: Phone, pre-installed protective cover, 33 W charger, USB‑C cable, SIM‑eject tool, documentation
Packaging: Sleek, minimalist white box with Nothing’s signature modular aesthetic
First look & feel: The phone comes dressed in a matte cover pre‑installed, revealing its shooter rings and accessory screw port; it immediately feels premium yet playful in the hand

3. Design & Build Quality

Materials: Aluminum frame with removable screw-on cover; glass on front protected by Panda Glass (Tengshu)
Ergonomics: 164 × 78 × 7.8 mm and ~185 g—slender, light, and terraced edges avoid sharp grip edges
Button feedback: Crisp power and volume buttons; tactile side-mounted fingerprint under glass
Aesthetic cues: Industrial look with visible screws, modular accessory dock on the back, and three camera rings; signature Nothing minimalist flair
Modular accessories: Screw-on cases, lanyard, kickstand-card wallet, fisheye/macro lenses—modular ecosystem is unique, though requires base cover and has limited compatibility

4. Display

Specs: 6.77″ AMOLED, FHD+ (2392×1080), 120 Hz refresh, HDR10+ support, 1 B colors
Brightness: Up to 1,380 nits peak, ~2,320 nits with auto mode—excellent visibility even outdoors
Touch sampling: 1,000 Hz instantaneous touch response; adaptive 120Hz that scales to conserve battery
Experience: Rich colors, deep contrast, wide angles, and seamless animation flow praised across reviews

5. Performance

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4 nm), octa-core 2.5 GHz Big + 2.0 GHz Little cores; Mali‑G615 MC2 GPU
Memory options: 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128 / 256 GB UFS 2.2 storage (with microSD slot)
Benchmarks: Future Labs shows notable lead over Exynos 1380 and Dimensity 6300; 3DMark Wild Life Extreme yields ~850 pts (~5 fps), less heavy than flagship chips
Gaming: Smooth with lighter titles like BGMI, CODM; heavy games like Genshin run with compromises. Thermals stay under control thanks to efficient chipset
Everyday use: UI is snappy under Nothing OS, with rare stutters but solid multitasking

6. Software Experience

OS: Nothing OS 3.2 on Android 15—clean, minimalist, and responsive
Features: Essential Space AI key, monochrome icon theming, edge info panels—stylish but light on bloat
Ads/Bloatware: Minimal to none; few pre-installed apps and no disruptive promotions
Updates: Promised 3 major Android versions + 6 years of security updates; first to get Android 16–18, though historically delayed on budget devices
Comparison: Similar in feel to Nothing Phone 3a series’ UI — clean, distraction-free, but less polished than major OEM skins

7. Camera System

Rear Cameras:

50 MP wide f/1.9 (dual-pixel AF)
50 MP telephoto f/1.9, 2× optical zoom
8 MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 120°

Photo Quality:

Daylight: Good detail and dynamic range, though telephoto and ultra-wide lenses show softness and color inconsistency
Low-light: Night mode brightens scenes but grain and muted tones persist
Selfies: 16 MP front produces natural tone photos, good dynamic range

Video:

Up to 4K/30 fps on rear; EIS stabilization is acceptable though not pro-grade.

Overall camera verdict: Decent for social media use but not a photography standout. Slightly behind competitors like Samsung A-series in image consistency

8. Battery Life & Charging

Capacity: 5,000 mAh with 5 W reverse charge support
Charging: 33 W charging (included in India, maybe region-only), from 0–100% in ~70 min; 54% in 30 min
Screen-on-time: Around 7h55m intensive use; video streaming ~13h27m; gaming ~11h58m—above average in class
Real-life use: Easily lasts a full day even with heavy usage; occasional two-day stretched standby
Battery health features: No mention of AI battery lifespan tech; but power management seems efficient

9. Audio & Haptics

Speakers: Mono with middling quality—functional but lacks richness; reviewers noted harsh audio
3.5 mm jack: None; audio output limited to Bluetooth or Type‑C DAC
Wireless codecs: Likely Bluetooth 5.3, but codec support not highlighted (probably SBC/AAC)
Haptics: Strong vibration motor, responsive UI feel

10. Connectivity & Network

5G Bands: Supports key India bands; compatible with n1/n3/n5/n8/n28 etc.
SIM: Dual Nano SIM + dedicated microSD slot
Wi‑Fi: Dual-band Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
Bluetooth: v5.3
Other: IR blaster included; no NFC
Call quality: Typical, with clear voice reproduction (earpiece praised)
GPS: Standard GNSS support—no performance reports of note

11. Security

Biometrics: Under-display optical fingerprint—fast and reliable
Face unlock: Front camera using software; speedy but less secure than fingerprint

12. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Eye-catching, modular design	No wireless charging
Bright and smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display	Mono speaker
Strong battery life with fast wired charging	Cameras lag behind competition
Clean Nothing OS 3.2 (Android 15)	No NFC, limited ecosystem
Long update promise (3 Android, 6 security updates)	IP54 only, modular add-ons not all-in-one

13. Comparison with Competitors

Phone	Display	Processor	Cameras	Battery/Charge	Highlights
CMF Phone 2 Pro	6.77″ AMOLED	Dimensity 7300 Pro	50 + 50 tele + 8 ultrawide	5,000 mAh, 33W, ~7.9 h SOT	Unique modular design, clean UI, strong battery
Nothing Phone 2a	6.7″ AMOLED	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	50 + 50 tele + 8 ultrawide + 50 selfie	5,000 mAh, 50W fast charge	Faster chip, NFC, wireless charging, heavier
Realme Narzo 70 Pro	6.67″ AMOLED	Dimensity 7050	108 + 8 + 2 MP	5,000 mAh, 67W charge	Strong camera, faster charging
iQOO Z9	6.72″ LCD	Dimensity 7050	50 + 2 + 2 MP	5,000 mAh, 66W charge	Gaming-heavy performance, fast charging
Samsung Galaxy M15	6.5″ LCD 90 Hz	Exynos 1380	50 + 5 + 2 MP macro	6,000 mAh, 15W	Massive battery, stock Android, stable UI

14. Final Verdict

The CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers standout value in design, battery, display, and UX. Its modular build reverses the “same bland budget design,” favoring wearer customization. Performance is solid for daily use and casual gaming, though camera and audio quality are modest.

Who should buy it:

Design enthusiasts seeking uniqueness and modular potential
Users who value battery life and smooth screen over elite cameras
Anyone wanting a clean, near-stock interface with update longevity

Who should skip it:

Photography-focused users needing top-tier imaging
Audiophiles seeking stereo sound or headphone jack
NFC-dependent users (mobile payments, transit)

15. FAQs

Is CMF Phone 2 Pro good for gaming?
Yes—for casual to moderate games like CODM or BGMI; heavy games like Genshin run adequately but at lower settings.

Is CMF OS better than Nothing OS?
They share the same core—Nothing OS 3.2 on Android 15. CMF adds modular accessory control and subtle UI tweaks. Both are clean and minimal.

Does it support fast charging?
Yes, it supports 33 W wired charging (charger included in India); no wireless charging.

How’s the camera compared to Phone 2a?
CMF offers similar telephoto but falls slightly behind in image sharpness and color fidelity.

Final Score: 8.2 / 10

CMF Phone 2 Pro proves that creative design and solid fundamentals can flourish in the sub-$300 segment—with room for improvement in audio and photo performance. If you want personality, a vivid display, durable battery, and long updates, it’s a top-tier value.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review concludes: A thoughtful, modular, mid-range favorite—just don’t expect flagship cameras or wireless perks.