The first ever CMF by Nothing budget smartphone is here and we have to talk about it. The CMF Phone 1, launched in India this week, is grabbing attention for its interchangeable back panel, fascinating set of accessories and overall jubilant aesthetics.
The Nothing’s budget sub-brand, taking a leaf out of its parent brand’s booklet, is focusing on design disruption and it is time to see where they have landed. The CMF Phone 1 is priced at Rs 15,999 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model.
To say the smartphone design landscape is dull at the moment is an understatement. To an average user, everything when it comes to smartphones looks the same. So, whenever a brand brings even a slight personality to their devices, we are bound to be excited about it.
Nothing started out with similar promise a couple of years ago and it has managed to build phone on its own set of design principles. But now within 3 years of entering the smartphone bandwagon, the brand is branching out with its new budget sub-brand – CMF by Nothing.
CMF, as in Colour, Material, Finish (yes that’s what the acronym CMF stands for), is promising to make great design more accessible. The idea of unique design customisation options within budget isn’t something we see everyday in the smartphone industry.
The highly-competitive mid-range smartphone segment, which is where CMF by Nothing will land, has hardly offered much design possibilities to users. So, without further ado, let’s get into the details and see what we have got with Phone 1.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Feature
- 6.67-inch Super AMOLED Display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G Processor
- Adaptable Design
- 16GB RAM (8GB + 8GB RAM Booster)
- 256 Storage (2TB Expandable)
- 50MP Sony Read Camera with Ultra XDR
- 16MP Front Camera
- 5000mAh Battery
- Nothing OS 2.6
- Android v14
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Design
CMF by Nothing is bringing hardware customisation at the forefront of smartphone design and on an immediate glance, it all looks both thoughtful and interesting. There is clearly a lot of thought gone into the design choice of Phone 1. So, let’s talk about it.
First thing first, Phone 1 comes with interchangeable back panels, which for obvious reasons has been the marketing highlight so far. The back has four silver screws and with the help of the tool provided, you can open the screws to change the back panel. The back panel options are available in a bunch of different colours — blue, orange, light green, and black. These are available in both matte and vegan leather finish, each priced at Rs 799. Both the finishes offer a good grip and don’t attract fingerprints.
There is also a functional accessory loop on the right bottom corner of the back panel that is used to attach the set of accessories that CMF Phone 1 comes with. Speaking of accessories, the phone comes with a Lanyard, a stand and card case as accessories to complete the CMF design eco-system.
The phone has received IP52-rated, which is understandable since there are no secure seals and the back panel completely dismantles. This basically means the phone can survive minor water splashes and there is no protection against dust.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Display
The Phone 1 is equipped with a stunning 6.67-inch Super AMOLED LTPS display. It comes with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and transitions, enhancing the overall user experience. On top of that, the 240 Hz touch sampling rate ensures responsive touch interactions. The display is sharp and offers detailed visuals, making text, images, and videos look clear and vibrant.
The screen boasts a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a crisp 395 pixels per inch (ppi) density. With 8-bit colour support, the display can render up to 16.7 million colors.
The display offers Ultra HDR+ with a remarkable contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. This means deep blacks and bright whites, contributing to an immersive viewing experience, especially in HDR content. The peak brightness of 2000 nits sounds excellent but that can only be achieved in ideal circumstances. The typical brightness we can expect is 700 nits, which promises an ease of use indoors under various lighting conditions.
Moreover, Phone 1 comes with 960 Hz PWM frequency. This ensures that the display reduces flicker, making it easier on the eyes during prolonged use.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Hardware and Software
Phone 1 is packed with an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G Processor featuring TSMC’s 4nm process technology. The brand claims this is the fastest processor in the segment with 670,000+ AnTuTu Score. It will be available in two storage variants, a base variant of 6 GB RAM with 128 GB internal storage and a high-end variant of 8 GB RAM with 128 GB Internal Storage.
Further, CMF has powered the Phone 1 with Nothing OS 2.6 and Android 14. The Nothing OS is designed and developed keeping the philosophy of “utility with personalisation.” The monochromatic themes, the hidden app labels or versatile Nothing Widget library, all makes the overall appearance of the phone a lot more unique with unlimited customisation options.
The phone comes with 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security updates.
Moreover, CMF by Nothing is also following the AI trend with a voice control ChatGPT integration that the brand claims is uniquely designed for the Nothing ecosystem. It is compatible with CMF Phone 1, Phone (1), Phone (2) and Phone (2a).
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Camera
The Phone 1 boasts an impressive main camera setup, featuring a 50 MP primary sensor paired with a portrait sensor, and an aperture of f/1.8. This combination promises high-resolution images with excellent detail and vibrant colours. The large sensor size allows for greater light intake, which significantly enhances low-light performance, producing sharp and clear images even in dim conditions.
For selfie enthusiasts, the Phone 1 is equipped with a 16 MP front camera. This high-resolution sensor is perfect for capturing detailed and vivid selfies.
CMF Phone 1’s video recording capabilities are equally impressive. It supports 4K recording at 30 FPS, ensuring ultra-high-definition videos with stunning clarity and detail. For those who prefer Full HD recording, it offers 1080p recording at both 30 and 60 FPS. The Live HDR feature at 1080p and 30 FPS ensures videos have a broader dynamic range, capturing both highlights and shadows more effectively.
The slo-mo feature allows for dramatic slow-motion videos at 120 FPS, making it perfect for capturing fast-paced action in exquisite detail. The Night Mode in 1080p at 30 FPS is ideal for shooting in low-light conditions, ensuring your night-time videos are bright and clear.
The Action Mode, combined with EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), ensures smooth and stable video recordings, even during intense movement. Additionally, the Time Lapse feature in 4K allows you to create stunning time-lapse videos with impressive resolution.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing – Battery
With so much customisation detailing that also features an open back panel, some of us were initially assuming that there is a chance of some compromise in battery functionality. But this is where CMF has done an exceptional job.
They have managed to pack a robust 5000 mAh battery, which provides ample power for a full day of usage and then some. With such a high-capacity battery, you can expect extended screen-on time, making it ideal for heavy users who rely on their phone for gaming, streaming, and productivity tasks.
As per the brand’s claim, CMF Phone 1 can last up to two days on a single charge. It also supports 33W Fast Charging, delivering 50% of power in just 20 mins. Additionally, we’ve developed Battery Health technology to prolong your battery’s lifespan through smart and custom charging modes.
You also get the 5W reverse wired charging capability. Although 5W is relatively slow, it allows CMF Phone 1 to work as a power bank to charge other devices, such as wireless earbuds and smartwatches.
Feature Image – CMF By Nothing X account @cmfbynothing