CMF Phone 1 Review: Budget Innovation from Nothing’s Bold Sub-Brand

Introduction

Launched in July 2024, the CMF Phone 1 by Nothing marks the debut smartphone from Nothing’s sub-brand CMF, known previously for its stylish accessories. Priced at ₹ 15,999 in India, the CMF Phone 1 sits in the competitive budget mid-range segment, targeting first-time users, design-conscious buyers, and Nothing fans looking for a more affordable entry point.

Unlike Nothing Phone (1) or (2), the CMF Phone 1 skips the Glyph interface but introduces modularity and vibrant styling, while keeping performance solid for the price.

Quick Take: With its unique modular design, clean software, and reliable battery life, the CMF Phone 1 is one of the most distinctive and functional budget phones of 2024.

Unboxing Experience

In the CMF Phone 1 retail box, you get:

CMF Phone 1 handset
33W fast charger
USB Type-C cable
SIM ejector pin
Pre-applied screen protector
Minimal documentation

Notably, a TPU case is not included. The packaging is eco-friendly and sleek, in line with Nothing’s minimalist branding. First impressions? The phone feels light yet sturdy, and the color pop is eye-catching.

Design & Build Quality

Back Material: Textured polycarbonate (swappable panels)
Frame: Plastic, matte finish
Weight: 197g
Thickness: 8.9mm
Color Options: Orange, Black, Blue, Green (back panel accessories sold separately)
Unique Touch: Modular back panel with custom screws for attaching accessories like card holders, kickstand, or lanyards

The removable back plate secured by screws is the CMF Phone 1’s most talked-about feature. You can unscrew and replace panels with custom options, adding flair or functionality. Despite being plastic, the build feels solid, and the matte texture offers a good grip.

Display

Size: 6.67 inches
Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080)
Panel: AMOLED
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Touch Sampling Rate: 240Hz
Peak Brightness: 2000 nits
Punch Hole: Center-aligned
Widevine L1: Supported

This is one of the best displays under ₹16K. The AMOLED panel delivers punchy colors and deep blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling fluid, and the 2000-nit brightness ensures excellent visibility under direct sunlight. Content consumption is a joy on this panel.

Performance & Hardware

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm)
CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.2GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
RAM: 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2 (expandable via microSD)
AnTuTu v10: ~415,000
Geekbench 6: ~730 (Single), ~1900 (Multi)
Thermal Performance: Minor warming during prolonged gaming, no throttling in day-to-day use

The Dimensity 6100+ performs admirably for daily tasks. Apps load quickly, multitasking is smooth, and there’s no noticeable lag. While it’s not a powerhouse, it’s more than enough for most users at this price.

Software & UI Experience

OS: Nothing OS 2.6 Lite (based on Android 14)
Bloatware: Virtually none
Ads: None
Update Promise: 2 years Android + 3 years security patches

The Nothing OS Lite retains the signature minimalism and fast animations of its premium siblings but skips heavy customization. It’s clean, fluid, and a delight to use—a stark contrast to bloated UIs in this price segment.

Gaming Test

Games Tested:

BGMI: Balanced + Ultra (~40 FPS)
COD Mobile: Medium graphics + High FPS (~50 FPS)
Asphalt 9: Smooth, with minor frame drops in traffic-heavy scenes
Genshin Impact: Low settings only, ~25-30 FPS

There’s no dedicated cooling system, so thermals reach ~41.5°C after 45 minutes. Still, it’s playable, especially for casual gamers. The Game Mode helps optimize RAM and blocks notifications.

Camera Review

Rear Camera: 50MP f/1.8 (Samsung JN1), EIS
Front Camera: 8MP f/2.0
Video:
- Rear: 1080p @ 30fps (EIS)
- Front: 1080p @ 30fps

Real-World Camera Performance

Daylight: Crisp images, well-controlled highlights, decent color balance
Portraits: Good edge detection, natural skin tones
Night Mode: Adequate, though details get soft; needs steady hands
Selfies: Average; lacks dynamic range in harsh lighting
Video: EIS helps, but no 4K support; stable enough for casual use

The camera isn’t revolutionary, but consistent. Night mode and selfies are its weakest points, but daylight shots are surprisingly good for the price.

Battery & Charging

Capacity: 5000mAh
Charging: 33W wired
0–50%: ~28 minutes
0–100%: ~70 minutes
Screen-On-Time (SOT):
- Light usage: 9.5 hours
- Mixed/heavy use: 6.5–7.5 hours

Battery endurance is stellar. You can comfortably get through a day and a half with moderate use. Charging is fairly quick, and the phone stays cool during the process.

Speakers & Audio

Speakers: Mono bottom-firing
3.5mm Jack: Yes
Bluetooth: v5.3 (AAC, SBC supported)
Loudness: ~88dB

Audio is loud and clean, but the mono setup lacks spatial depth. The 3.5mm headphone jack is a win for wired audio lovers. Wireless audio is stable and lag-free.

Connectivity & Sensors

5G Bands (India): N1, N3, N5, N8, N28, N38, N40, N41, N77, N78
Dual SIM: Yes (5G + 5G standby)
Carrier Aggregation: Yes
Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth: v5.3
GPS: Accurate
NFC: No
Sensors: Gyro, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity, compass

No issues with call quality or network switching. CA works well with Jio and Airtel.

Security

Fingerprint: Side-mounted (power button), fast and reliable
Face Unlock: Works fine in daylight, less so in low light

Standard security setup. The fingerprint scanner is consistent, and face unlock is okay for casual use.

Modular Accessories

CMF Phone 1 introduces a screw-based modular accessory system, including:

Back panel replacements (color options sold separately)
Lanyard hook mount (screw-in slot)
Kickstand/case accessories
Card holder (attaches magnetically)

These additions add not only style but utility. It’s a genuinely novel approach in the budget segment.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Bright AMOLED 120Hz display	Mono speaker
Clean, bloat-free Nothing UI	No ultra-wide camera
Modular design and accessory support	No IP rating
Reliable battery life + 33W charging	No NFC
Competitive price for the experience	Limited gaming headroom

Comparison with Rivals

Feature	CMF Phone 1	Redmi 13 5G	Narzo 70 5G	Moto G64	iQOO Z9
Price	₹15,999	₹13,999	₹13,499	₹14,999	₹15,999
Display	AMOLED 120Hz	LCD 90Hz	AMOLED 120Hz	LCD 120Hz	AMOLED 120Hz
Chipset	Dimensity 6100+	Dimensity 6100+	Dimensity 7050	Dimensity 7025	Dimensity 920
Camera	50MP + 8MP	50MP + 2MP	64MP + 2MP	50MP + 8MP	64MP OIS
Battery + Charging	5000mAh + 33W	5000mAh + 18W	5000mAh + 45W	6000mAh + 30W	5000mAh + 44W

Winner Picks:

Design: CMF Phone 1 (modular + aesthetic)
Display: iQOO Z9 / CMF Phone 1
Camera: iQOO Z9 (OIS advantage)
Battery: Moto G64
Performance: iQOO Z9 > Narzo 70 > CMF

Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Buy If You Are:

A design enthusiast looking for a unique phone
A first-time smartphone buyer or student
A Nothing fan who wants a budget experience
Someone who prefers clean Android-like UI

Skip If You Are:

A mobile gamer looking for high FPS
Someone needing NFC, OIS, or stereo speakers
A camera-centric buyer (no ultra-wide, no 4K)

Final Verdict

Rating: 8.5/10

The CMF Phone 1 delivers a refreshing take on the budget smartphone with its modular back, AMOLED display, and clean UI. While it doesn’t lead on raw specs, it wins on experience and design.

Verdict: Buy if you value style, simplicity, and smart features under ₹16,000.