7 hours ago
Last Updated:May 14, 2025, 13:14 IST
CMF Phone 2 Pro is the new model battling out in the sub-Rs 20,000 market in the country but does it have enough to get your attention?
CMF Phone 2 Pro is the new model from Nothing's sub-brand in the market.
CMF from Nothing made a promising start with the Phone 1 model that offers a modular design and now we are moving directly to the Phone 2 Pro version this year. Phones being versatile have a fun element but you cannot ignore the basics of the device and everything else should be a bonus. The CMF Phone 2 Pro improves on the first-gen model, looks to give it further finesse and make it a more all-rounded product with performance and experience at the top of its focus.
And like every Pro model, this one costs slightly more than the regular variant at Rs 18,999 and we got down to deciphering its value and purpose in the market and how it compares with its rivals.
The So-So Modular CMF Phone
CMF Phone 1 was a modular delight and showed its versatility from the word go. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is also modular but to less effect which has borne out of the need to make the device slimmer and give it a more premium touch. And the differences between the two are substantial.
Where the Phone 1 measured at 8.5mm with around 200 grams of weight, the Phone 2 Pro comes at 7.8mm and weighs 185 grams. These changes are easily noticeable when you hold both the phones in the hand because of which the CMF Phone 2 Pro has shed a lot of weight without taking a hit on the battery size.
Making these design changes mean you need a separate case to activate the modularity of the Phone 2 Pro. We didn’t get a chance to try those out so will reserve our views on it. The triple camera setup is the other visual change with the Phone 2 Pro and you also get the essential key from the Phone 3a on this model as well. Having said that, the fun element of the CMF Phone series continues with the new model.
The Big Display Push
Nothing has offered the same display as the Phone 3a series which means you get an AMOLED 1B colours panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate and a much higher brightness level. The bezels have been trimmed down on the 6.77-inch screen which offers brighter colours and crisp details.
Watching content on the display is another big highlight about the Phone 2 Pro and most people will enjoy that aspect. The colours are lot more pleasing to the eye and the upgrade in panel improves the viewing experience.
The Nothing Experience
Nothing has gone with incremental hardware upgrade for the Phone 2 Pro using the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, the next in the series for the company. Moving from the Dimensity 7300 to the Pro version has delivered some improvements but the benchmark tests show the changes are incremental and not very significant.
You can play games like BGMI with ease but with some stutters expected, and handle multitasking activities on the device.
The Phone 2 Pro starts with 8GB RAM now, which obviously shows its impact in daily performance. You get up to 256GB storage which is further expandable, something that you don’t get with the Nothing phones.
The phone has a bright display but you are only getting a mono speaker which definitely plays spoilsport with the multimedia experience on the Phone 2 Pro and we would have at least liked another unit to compliment the suite.
The main focus for Nothing is usually the OS and the Android 15-based version shows its clean, fluid nature once again.
The lack of pre-loaded apps or bloatware (with annoying ads) is another big point for CMF Phone, and probably the only brand in the range to not have those on their phones. The brand is offering 3 OS upgrades along with 6 years of updates for all security issues, which is again a segment-leading support.
The almost stock Android-like features and interface makes a good impression and people will surely appreciate how it differs from the same looking Android UI across brands.
The Pro Camera Upgrades
Three cameras is the first thing you notice about the back panel of the CMF Phone 2 Pro. But do they add some value and substance? You get a 50MP primary sensor without OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens and an 8MP ultra-wide lens.
The first two show their quality in decent lighting and the details are mostly clear, with natural colour tones in most cases. The low-light imaging results were less satisfying and surely needs better tuning or else the lack of proper hardware will keep it dull.
The telephoto lens in this range was a surprise but it manages to exceed our expectations in terms of how it captures the close shots and how it processes the details. The quality can definitely get better with some tweaks that can be done via updates.
Long Life Assured
The CMF Phone 2 Pro packs a 5000mAh battery like all the other Nothing models, and you get this one with 33W charging supported. CMF is offering the adapter and a case in the box for the Indian market this time around, which is a very good move from Nothing.
The battery tests delivered mixed results, as the PC Mark score of 18 hours usually translates into multiple days of backup but the CMF Phone 2 Pro will probably last just over a day with moderate usage.
The unit takes over an hour and twenty minutes to fully charge using the bundled adapter from the company. The battery life in general is decent but there are much better options for heavy users in this range these days.
CMF Phone 2 Pro is a good second attempt from Nothing in the sub-Rs 20,000 bracket. The modular design has been muted a bit to make the device slimmer and lighter. The display upgrade and camera additions add value to the package and OS brings a light and clean touch to a crowded market. The Phone 2 Pro will get you excited with its colours and all-round value.
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Location :Delhi, India, India
First Published:News tech CMF Phone 2 Pro Is Modular Phone 2.0 But In A New Skin
