Nothing CMF Phone 1 Review: Appealing to tech-savvy consumers without overspending

Nothing has launched the first phone in its CMF series, strategically targeting the entry level of the mid-range segment, or what could be called the upper end of the budget range. This bold move marks Nothing's foray into a highly competitive price range, aiming to capture the attention of price-conscious consumers who want premium features without worrying about their budget. The CMF Phone 1 represents a calculated step for Nothing, bringing its unique design philosophy and user experience to a wider audience.

The CMF Phone 1 aims to redefine expectations at this price segment with a combination of carefully curated features including a 6.67-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, 50MP main camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset.

And, admittedly, the phone doesn't come with a charger, which may frustrate some users.

design

The CMF Phone 1 has a distinctive design, especially on the back panel. Rounded corners create an elegant silhouette, while stainless steel screws give it an industrial feel, embodying what CMF calls an “engineer aesthetic.” The color choices and materials give the phone a playful, not-too-serious look.

(For the day's top tech news, subscribe to our tech newsletter, Today's Cache)

A standout feature is the removable back panel, secured by functional screws. This design choice offers customization options and potentially ease of repair, reminiscent of previous phone models; however, while the back is removable, the battery remains fixed and protected. The back of the phone also features a circular “accessory point,” which resembles a control dial but serves as a point for attaching accessories. This element adds to the phone's unique aesthetic.

In terms of durability, the CMF Phone 1 is IP52 splash-proof. The build is solid with minimal flex in the chassis, and the curved edges contribute to a comfortable feel in the hand.

There's a volume rocker on the left side and a power button on the right. For audio, the phone relies on a single downward-facing speaker and there's no 3.5mm headphone jack. The device uses a hybrid SIM tray, allowing for dual-SIM functionality or a combination of SIM and microSD cards. It includes an under-display optical fingerprint reader, which excels in terms of speed and accuracy.

screen

CMF Phone 1 features a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED LTPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, delivering a crisp 395 ppi density. It has an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz and a responsive 240Hz touch sampling rate. The screen offers 8-bit color depth and supports Ultra HDR+ with a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, delivering vibrant and dynamic visuals.

One standout feature is the brightness of the display. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and a typical brightness of 700 nits, the CMF Phone 1's screen remains easy to read even in bright outdoor conditions. A 960Hz PWM frequency helps reduce eye strain even after extended use. Considering the price point, this display has excellent specifications, making it an attractive choice for users who prioritize screen quality when using their smartphone.

OS

The CMF Phone 1 runs on Nothing OS 2.6, which is based on Android 14. The operating system offers a clean and uncluttered interface, free of unnecessary pre-installed apps that often crowd the screen on other devices. Nothing promises to provide two years of major Android updates and three years of security updates, ensuring that the phone will remain up to date and secure for a period of time.

Processor

The CMF Phone 1 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset, an 8-core processor manufactured using TSMC's 4nm process and capable of reaching speeds of up to 2.5GHz. The processor is paired with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU. In practical terms, the phone handles everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media use, and casual gaming with ease. It also performs well in more demanding scenarios, managing multitasking efficiently and running graphic-intensive games without any major issues. Frame rates will drop in larger games, but standard settings provide a good gaming experience.

Benchmark results back up the real-world performance observations. The device scored 1042 in GeekBench's single-core test and 2932 in the multi-core test, achieving a GPU score of 2511. These figures, coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and Nothing's RAM Booster technology, point to a device that performs above and beyond its price range. Effective thermal management prevents overheating even with extended use, which is essential for sustained performance. While the processor configuration in the CMF Phone 1 is not flagship-level performance, it does provide a good, well-rounded experience that should satisfy most users in this segment.

camera

The CMF Phone 1 sports a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor (f/1.8) and a 2MP depth sensor, along with a 16MP front camera. The camera system is backed by Nothing's “True Lens Engine” which includes features like Ultra XDR, AI Vivid Mode, Night Mode, Portrait Optimizer, and Motion Capture.

In daylight, the main camera performs brilliantly, taking images with sharp details in both the foreground and subject. Colors are natural and pleasing, with good contrast and dynamic range. AI Vivid mode provides subtle enhancement, slightly increasing contrast and color saturation. Low light performance is surprisingly good, with good noise control, good retention of details, and natural colors. The camera handles HDR stacking effectively, balancing dark areas and highlights without blowing out light sources.

Portrait mode has good edge detection for a budget phone, and nighttime and low-light shots taken with the main camera maintain color accuracy but lose detail and produce blurry images.

The 16MP front-facing camera delivers mixed results. It captures facial features and colors pretty well, but overall image quality falls short in some areas. High-contrast scenes can suffer due to limited dynamic range. For a budget smartphone, the selfie camera performs adequately, but it's definitely not the device's best feature.

battery

The CMF Phone 1 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that is durable enough for everyday use. In fact, users can expect the device to last a full day and even part of the next day. The phone supports 33W fast charging, allowing you to charge it up relatively quickly when needed. However, a charger is not included in the box, which may be inconvenient for some buyers.

verdict

Starting at ₹15,999, the new Nothing CMF Phone 1 comes with impressive features that put it ahead of the competition. Users who prefer a drab back design with no customization options will love this phone. The unique aesthetics and carefully selected features of the CMF Phone 1 will appeal to tech users who want to stand out without overspending.

But the inclusion of a charger and stereo speakers in the box might have added a bit more appeal to CMF's first smartphone.