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Tom's Guide
14-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: The bar for cheap phones just got higher
Nothing's been on a roll the past few years with its budget phone releases, including the the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro models it launched earlier this year. While they're both solid best cheap phone contenders, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is shaping up to be yet another ultra-affordable Android phone. And this one is even cheaper. A follow-up to last year's CMF Phone 1, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is an improvement in nearly every aspect. Not only does it have design upgrades, like a more durable IP54 rating, but it gains a triple camera system — complete with a dedicated telephone camera with 2x optical zoom. Everyone knows how much I prefer budget phones to more expensive flagships, so I'll explain in my CMF Phone 2 Pro review if this cheap device can set the bar even higher for bargain handsets. CMF Phone 2 Pro Starting price $279 / £219 Display 6.77-inch AMOLED (1080 x 2392) Refresh rate 120Hz adaptive Rear cameras 50MP main (f/1.88), 50MP 2x telephoto (f/1.85), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2) Front cameras 16MP selfie (f/2.45) Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G RAM 8GB Storage 128GB / 256GB, expandable up to 2TB Battery 5,000 mAh Charging 33W wired Operating system Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.2 Water/dust resistance IP54 Size 164 x 78 x 7.8mm / 6.46 x 3.0 x 0.31 inches Weight 185 grams (6.53 ounces) Colors Black, white, orange, light green Similar to its last phone release, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in the U.S. through a beta program, with only a $279 model offering 8GB RAM and 256GB. That's not too shabby given the $239 cost of the CMF Phone 1. In other markets, like the U.K., Nothing offers an 8GB RAM with 128GB storage option for £219. While the price certainly is a big draw factor, the worst part about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is actually trying to get one. The U.S. model comes in three colors: white, black, and orange. My review unit's in white, but it features a sandstone finish that gives a shimmery effect at the right angles. While the price certainly is a big draw factor, the worst part about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is actually trying to get one. Hopefully it won't take long for the phone to land on Amazon or at other retailers. Now that it's referred to as a "pro" model, the CMF Phone 2 Pro inevitably has a more premium finish than the previous version. Although the overall design language and style hasn't changed all that much, I do like how the new version has a more solid build quality. Just as before, there are screws all around the back and a cap in the corner gives the CMF Phone a unique look among other handsets. What really amplifies its build quality is the metal trim bezel that wraps around the entire phone and the shimmering effect of the sandstone finish of the back. It also helps that the phone is pretty thin at 0.31 inches. Considering its price, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a remarkable looking phone for under $280. With the screw cap, I like how I'm able to install previous accessories for the CMF Phone 1, such as the lanyard attachment. I really like this ability to modify the phone's design, mainly because it gives me a bit of control to make it distinctive and not just conform to what the phone maker wants. Other small details, like the thicker lens covers that wrap around each camera, show off how the CMF Phone's design evolves to be a bit more premium. And finally, it's nice knowing that it's better equipped with improved water resistance thanks to its IP54 rating. Considering its price, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a remarkable looking phone for under $280. Even though it's hard to see side-by-side against the CMF Phone 1, Nothing manages to cram a larger 6.77-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate into the CMF Phone 2 Pro — all without adding more length and depth to its size. Again, I'm blown away by how sharp and iridescent the CMF Phone 2 screen looks while watching videos. Not only do the colors pop, but the screen doesn't distort like other budget phones at odd angles. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Max brightness 1,179 nits 1,129 nits sRGB 125.2% (Standard) / 172.2% (Alive) 107.8% (Standard) / 152% (Alive) DCI-P3 88.7% (Standard) / 122% (Alive) 76.4% (Standard) / 107.7% (Alive) Delta-E (lower is better) 0.21 (Standard) / 0.3 (Alive) 0.2 (Standard) / 0.25 (Alive) Nothing claims that the display is rated for up to 3,000-nit peak brightness. That's an ambitious mark, especially when the brightest screen that the Tom's Guide labs has recorded was the Pixel 9 Pro XL's mark of 2,469 nits. The CMF Phone 2 Pro peaks at 1,179 nits, which barely pushes past the 1,129 nits achieved by the CMF Phone 1. Despite this, I can't complain too much because the CMF Phone 2 display remains visible in most situations outdoors, though it's still tough to make out under direct sunlight. Overall, I wish the screen were brighter, but the rich color tones it produces combined with its smooth dynamic 120Hz makes it a visual feast that I'm not often exposed to with budget phones. I can't believe there are still phones out there that have only a single rear camera, like the iPhone 16e. Most budget phones come with at least two, but one with three cameras is hard to find. That's why I'm really stoked about the CMF Phone 2 Pro's setup: a triple camera system that consists of a 50MP main lens, 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. There's also a 16MP selfie cam around the front, which appears to be unchanged from the CMF Phone 1. Nothing claims that the main sensor can draw in 64% more light than the one on the CMF Phone 1, so you'll see how it compares in the side-by-side snapshots I've captured with both phones. For a budget phone, there's a healthy set of controls and settings to choose from — including an expert mode that lets me dial in manual controls such as its shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more. First of all, the main camera of the CMF Phone 2 Pro has a wider field of view that lets me capture more of the Citibikes in the photos above. While this is fine and dandy, I don't see many differences between the two cameras as they capture the same amount of details all throughout the scene. Despite the lack of a dedicated macro mode, the CMF Phone 2 Pro still lets me get close to subjects with its main camera. There's a lot of detail with the sunflower with the CMF Phone 2 Pro's snapshot, but the CMF Phone 1 does just as good of a job at capturing all the fine details — including the prickly parts of the center and its petals. When I look at the produce shelves filled with all the different kinds of peppers, I do like how the CMF Phone 2 Pro casts a more accurate tone. That's because it doesn't wash out the red and green peppers compared to the CMF Phone 1. The 16MP selfie camera of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is better equipped at handling high-contrast scenes, which is where the CMF Phone 1 really struggles in with the photos above. Highlights in particular are blown out to the point that the details around my shirt are too irreversibly gone to make out, whereas the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a better tone to the exposure. Optical zoom is better than none at all, right? I think so, but there's a certain threshold where its advantage is more prevalent. At 2x zoom, it's hard to see how much better it is, but there's no arguing how the shot at 10x zoom above looks much sharper with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. In comparison to the CMF Phone 1 shot with its main camera, it's not as sharp or defined. I'm not convinced that the main camera draws in 64% more light than what Nothing claims, evident in the night time snapshots I captured above using their respective night modes. There are certain parts of the tree and surrounding branches that look a smidge brighter in the CMF Phone 2 shot, but they're not overwhelmingly brighter to convince me it's a big improvement. When it comes to video recording, the CMF Phone 2's package isn't a tremendous boost when it tops out at 4K 30fps — just like the previous CMF Phone 1. However, I can tell from the video I recorded near Times Square above that there are a couple of improvements. First of all, the CMF Phone 2 Pro footage looks a tiny bit sharper to the eye. The bigger improvement relates to its stabilization, which manages to mitigate the unintentional shake as I proceed to walk. Overall, there's not an overwhelming improvement to the camera performance from one year to the next — which is a little bit of a letdown because this is the one area where I expect wider disparities. The best thing about this new setup is the introduction of a dedicated telephoto camera with optical zoom, along with a much improved stabilization for video recording. Usually newer phones see at least some improvements around their processing performance, but synthetic benchmark tests show that's not really the case for the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It's powered by a Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset, a follow up to the Dimensity 7300 in the CMF Phone 1. Geekbench 6 single and multi-core scores are flat, reaching on average around 1,016 and 2,961 respectively. These scores are roughly the same as what I've tested with the CMF Phone 1, so I'm a bit at a loss because Nothing claims a 10% CPU performance boost. In 3DMark's Wild Life Unlimited test to see how its GPU performance handles, the CMF Phone 2 reaches an average frame rate of 18.62 fps. This actually turns out to be less than what the CMF Phone 1 delivered. Despite the lackluster benchmark scores, I can at least verify that the phone runs responsively with most everyday tasks. From browsing sites on Chrome to scrolling through my different social media apps, the CMF Phone 2 Pro handles them with finesse, including how animations have a fluid look throughout the interface. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Nothing Phone 2a Processor MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G MediaTek Dimensity 7300 MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro Geekbench (single core/multicore) 1,016 / 2,961 1,028 / 2,971 1,103 / 2,586 WildLife Unlimited(fps) 18.62 18.84 25.46 Adobe Premiere Rush Transcode Time (Mins:Secs) 1:19 1:19 1:40 I even tried a couple of the games I play religiously, like Age of Origins, which maintains decent frame rates when there's moderate action. However, it does stutter every now and then when there's a lot of explosive effects happening with some of the battle sequences. I know that benchmark tests aren't the definitive measure of a phone's real-world performance, but I was hoping to see the minimum improvements that the phone maker claims. That didn't happen, and it's a bit perplexing. As the CMF Phone 2 keeps the same overall size as its predecessor, there's no change to the size of the 5,000 mAh battery powering the device. So battery improvements boils down to the power efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chip. In the Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test, the CMF Phone 2 pulls in an average time of 15 hours and 24 minutes in dynamic mode, where the refresh rate changes to deliver the most optimal results. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Battery size 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh Battery life (Hrs:Mins) 15:24 15:02 Wired Charging 33W 33W Recharge percentage (15 mins) 28% 30% Recharge percentage (30 mins) 55% 62% This puts it slightly ahead of the CMF Phone 1, but our lab testing shows it's able to go for much longer at 16 hours when you set the refresh rate to standard mode. For a budget phone, nearly 15.5 hours is impressive endurance beating out other, more expensive models like the Pixel 9a. While the CMF Phone 2 lacks wireless charging— an expected omission for a phone at this price— Nothing at least gives it 33W wired charging. After 15 minutes, the CMF Phone 2 gets up to 28%, while 30 minutes yields a 55% charge. Strangely, that's not as fast as the CMF Phone 1, but it's not a deal breaker in my opinion. Just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, you'll find the CMF Phone 2 running Nothing OS 3.2 on top of Android 15. I've always been a fan of Nothing's custom skin, mainly for how it employs Nothing's bespoke icons and animations — which gives it a dot matrix style look that's so different from other Android skins. The only thing missing is the customization of the Glyph Interface, which you don't get here because it doesn't have the LED light strips around the back that's needed for it. Despite this, there's still plenty of customization for anyone to make the CMF Phone 2 match their preference. Similar to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, you get access to the Smart App Drawer, which I like for its ability to intelligently group apps together, making for yet another unique look to the app drawer. There's also the Essential Key on the side of the phone, one of the CMF Phone 2's key AI features. Pressing it captures a screenshot of whatever I'm looking at, which then is archived into the Essential Space. There, it can use AI magic to pull details from my screenshots and present it to me in a meaningful way. My only complaint about this feature is that it requires a lot on my part to "save" these screenshots for it to work effectively, instead of doing it all proactively without my intervention. Compared to other Android phones I've tested, I like how Nothing OS 3.2 doesn't try to overwhelm me with too many features. It's clearly lacking AI features that make the best Android phones even more useful, but I can't complain too much here because the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a fraction of the cost of those phones. While I've seen better support elsewhere, like the Pixel 9a's seven years of support, Nothing offers three years of Android updates and six years of security patch, which is fine for a phone of this caliber. Only $40 separates last year's CMF Phone 1 and the new CMF Phone 2 Pro, which is peanuts when I think about the price difference between an iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. There's a lot to like about the CMF Phone 2 Pro, like its more premium design, longer battery life, brilliant looking screen, and the addition of a telephoto camera. However, I have higher expectations around any phone that's deemed a 'pro' model because it should present itself as a much improved version. There are aspects about the CMF Phone 2 Pro that I find underwhelming, namely its lackluster processing performance scores and how there's no big improvement to its camera performance. But at the same time, I can't neglect how this phone costs $279 — and good phones don't often come this cheap. All things considered, I think CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a fantastic value for anyone on a tight budget and wants a phone that punches above its weight. And that's despite its 'pro' designation not quite living up to the performance hype.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nothing sale is here: Check offers on Nothing Phone 3a series, CMF Phone 2 Pro, and others
In search of an all-rounder smartphone that offers powerful performance, impressive camera capabilities, and a clean OS, in an affordable range? Then the latest lineup of Nothing Phone 3a series and the CMF Phone 2 Pro could be a great option. With the latest phones, the company has announced a 'Now or Nothing' sale in India in which several of its smartphones and accessories are available at discounted prices, allowing buyers to get a great deal on the latest products. The sale comes just a few weeks ahead of the Nothing Phone 3 and Headphone 1 launch, which will soon take the centre stage in the flagship market. Therefore, know about the latest Nothing sale and what offers you can get on its smartphones and wearable accessories. Nothing has introduced the 'Now or Nothing sale,' bringing limited-period offers across products and categories. The sale will go live on June 11 and it will last till June 15 on online and offline platforms such as Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Myntra, Vijay Sales, Croma, and all leading retail stores. The sale not only includes price drops but also offers buyers, but also include exclusive discounts and exchange options. During the sale, buyers can get the Nothing Phone 3a at just Rs.22999 with Rs.2000 instant bank discount. On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro will be available at the sale price of just Rs.26999, which will include Rs.1000 sale discount and Rs.2000 bank offer. Therefore, buyers are getting up to Rs.3000 off on the latest smartphone series. Alongside these mid-rangers, the new CMF Phone 2 Pro will also be available at a sale of Rs.17999 that will include a Rs.1000 bank offer. Apart from the latest smartphones, Nothing is also offering discounts and offers on its wearables and accessories, including Nothing Ear (a), Nothing Ear, CMF Cables, 140W Charger, and much more, with discounts ranging up to Rs.3500. The CMF Watch Pro and CMF Watch Pro 2 will also get Rs.1500 and Rs.800 discounts. Note that the bank offers will be available on ICICI Bank, SBI Card and IDFC FIRST Bank. Therefore, if you are planning to buy any of these devices, then keep an eye out for the Nothing sale that starts from tomorrow. Smartphones Product Sale Price Offer Details Phone (3a Pro) ₹26,999 Includes ₹1,000 price discount + ₹2,000 bank offer Phone (3a) ₹22,999 Includes ₹2,000 bank offer CMF Phone 2 Pro ₹17,999 Includes ₹1,000 bank offer CMF Audio Product Sale Price Discount CMF Buds ₹1,999 ₹300 off CMF Neckband Pro ₹1,899 ₹200 off CMF Buds Pro ₹2,499 ₹500 off CMF Buds Pro 2 ₹3,499 ₹800 off Nothing Ear (a) ₹5,499 ₹2,500 off Nothing Ear ₹8,499 ₹3,500 off CMF Wearables Product Sale Price Discount CMF Watch Pro ₹2,999 ₹1500 off CMF Watch Pro 2 ₹4,199 ₹800 off Charging & Accessories Product Sale Price Discount Nothing 100W Charger ₹2,999 ₹1,000 off Nothing 140W Charger ₹3,499 ₹1,500 off CMF Power 33W ₹999 ₹300 off CMF Power 65W ₹2,499 ₹500 off CMF 45W Charger ₹2,299 ₹200 off CMF 1m Cable ₹599 ₹400 off CMF 1.8m Cable ₹799 ₹700 off
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nothing Phone 3 isn't the only launch coming on July 1; CEO Carl Pei confirms entry into new category
Nothing, over the last few months, has released several new products, including the Nothing Phone 3a series, as well as the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Now, on July 1, the company is all set to reveal the Nothing Phone 3, the company's true flagship. But it is not just the Nothing Phone 3 that is going to launch on July 1. Nothing's CEO, Carl Pei, at SXSW London on June 5, revealed that Nothing is going to be entering a new product line, and this is going to be headphones, called the Nothing Headphone 1. Nothing's CEO, Carl Pei, confirmed that Nothing Headphone 1 will indeed launch on July 1, the same date as the Nothing Phone 3 launch. This is notably going to be Nothing's first product in the over-ear audio category. 'Nothing Headphone (1) is coming very soon. Our first over-ear headphones are launching on July 1. A whole new product category for us as we continue to level up audio in 2025,' Carl Pei posted on X. However, it is certainly not going to be the brand's first audio product, as it has launched several truly wireless earbuds like the Nothing Ear Stick and Nothing Ear line, and more, including the CMF line, like the CMF Buds 2 Pro, and more. So far, the company has put out several teasers about the Nothing Phone. From the teasers, we do know that the phone will retain mostly the same design as its previous Nothing models, with industrial elements like exposed screws, etc. However, the company did reveal an interesting detail when it said that the company has killed the Glyph Interface. The company's CEO, Carl Pei, also replied to the same post on X, saying, 'RIP.' This is certainly an interesting move, but it is certainly not confirmed at the moment because Nothing seems to be teasing something. It could be possible that the company replaces the LED Glyph lighting interface with something else entirely, or perhaps it could be just wordplay, and we may get to see even more LEDs than before. Again, all should be confirmed on 1 July, when Nothing is going to launch the Nothing Phone 3 as well as the Headphone 1.
India Today
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Nothing CEO Carl Pei says Indian food tastes better in London, sparks debate
Nothing CEO Carl Pei stirred the internet with his bold take on Indian cuisine as he claimed that Indian food in London tastes better than in India. As expected, it didn't sit well with a section of the internet. Carl Pei, the Chinese-Swedish entrepreneur behind tech brands Nothing and OnePlus, dined at a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in London and shared his review online. But instead of just posting a picture, he delivered a 'hot take' that set X on take: Indian food in London is better than Indian food in India,' Pei said in a now-viral post on X, pairing the comment with a photo of his meal. The remark, predictably, didn't go down well with Indian users, who were quick to clap back in the comments a look at the post here: The 35-year-old founder revealed that he had dined at Jamavar, an upscale restaurant in Mayfair that belongs to The Leela Group. The fine-dining spot, described as a culinary jewel, is known for serving refined Indian dishes with a luxurious had visited India earlier this year for the CMF Phone 2 Pro launch, so the claim felt even more personal to his Indian followers. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carl Pei (@getpeid)While several users understood that his opinion might stem from taste preferences, especially around spice levels, many weren't ready to let him off that easily.'NOTHING you said makes sense,' said a user as they cleverly played on the name of Pei's company. Another user explained, 'It's because non-Indians are the target market for westernised Indian food.'Several users did agree with Pei's point, to an extent. Investor Sheel Mohnot said that Indian food in London is good, but quite different. Another user added, 'Rather than a 'hot take', it's actually a 'mild take'. Most non-Indians prefer milder spice levels.'On the other side of the spice spectrum, a few users insisted Pei simply hadn't explored India's true culinary gems. 'It seems you haven't been to the right places for good food in India,' one X user wrote as they said his experience might've been the comments here: Carl Pei's post turned into more than a dinner update, it turned into a full-blown flavour war. While the verdict on the best Indian food remains divided, one thing's clear: when it comes to cuisine, Indians take their masala and opinions Watch
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nothing CEO Carl Pei enjoys Indian food in London, says it's better than…
Nothing CEO Carl Pei recently enjoyed Indian food at a Michelin-star restaurant in London. While sharing a picture of his meal on social media, the Chinese-Swedish entrepreneur also shared a polarising take on Indian food. His post has sparked a debate on X. Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, said that Indian food in London is better than Indian food in India. 'Hot take: Indian food in London is better than Indian food in India,' the 35-year-old entrepreneur wrote on X. Pei had visited India in April this year for the launch event of CMF Phone 2 Pro. His use of the words 'hot take' indicates that he already knew his post would prove to be provocative - and he was right. Social media users were quick to denounce Pei's take on Indian food. Many Indians said he was 'wrong' for saying that Indian food in London is better than Indian food in India. Others, however, conceded that foreigners may find Indian food in London more palatable due to lower spice levels. 'Rather than 'Hot take', it's actually a 'Mild take'. Most non-Indians think London's Indian food is better because the spice level is mild which suits them,' wrote X user Shantanu. 'It seems you haven't been to the right places for good food in India,' another X user countered. 'NOTHING you said makes sense,' one person quipped. 'It's because non-Indians are the target market for westernized Indian food,' one commenter said by way of explanation. In the comments section, Carl Pei revealed that he ate at Jamavar restaurant in London, which is part of the Leela Group. Jamavar is a Michelin star restaurant in the upmarket Mayfair neighbourhood. This Indian fine dining restaurant is described as the 'culinary jewel of The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts'.
