CMF Phone 2 Pro review: Best in its class

It comes with several changes not just in terms of design tweaks but also internal hardware such as a new powerful MediaTek processor, improved build quality and a better camera system. There is hardly any Android competitor for CMF Phone 2 Pro which can match its value in terms and design and performance in the sub-Rs 20,000 price segment.

Nothing's latest device CMF Phone 2 Pro earlier this month hit stores in India.

The new Android mid-range phone is available in two configurations— 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage— with prices starting at Rs 18,999.

It comes with several upgrades not just in terms of design but also internal hardware such as a new powerful MediaTek processor, improved build quality and a better camera system.

I have been using the device for close to a week. Here are my thoughts on the latest offering by Nothing's CMF.

Design, build quality and display

The latest CMF Phone 2 Pro retains the unique modular design language of the predecessor with improved looks and build quality.

Our review unit is a light green variant. It has a frosted glass-like finish. It is really smooth and most importantly does an amazing job with repelling the fingerprint smudges.

It has triple cameras on the back, with two big sensors in the circular islands design and a third sensor with LED flash in capsule form.

CMF Phone 2 Pro.

Though the back panel is fully sealed, the company is offering a universal cover with options to snap on a couple of accessories such as 'Wallet and Stand 'and 'Interchangeable Lenses'.

The company also offers the device in three other colours-- white, black, and orange.

One notable new feature we see in the Phone 2 Pro is the Essential Key, which was first introduced in the Nothing Phone (3a) series.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's Essential Space key.

The Essential Space key is just below the power button. It opens Essential Space, which offers the option to take instant notes. With an Artificial Intelligence-based algorithm, it can also generate personalised suggestions, summaries, or action points.

A single long press on the button will trigger the Essential assistant to record the audio. If you double press, it will open the Essential Space, which houses all the archived to-do lists and notes.

Like I mentioned in both the reviews of the Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro, I reiterate Essential Space button should have been on the other side. Even though the company has put a glossy colour button to differentiate it from the power button, it doesn't help.

Every time I try to touch the power button to view time or notifications, my finger reaches for the Essential Space button and turn on the microphone to record the audio.

Another big addition coming with CMF Phone 2 Pro is that the company is offering a free transparent silicone cover case with the retail box. Further, the device comes with IP54 water splash-resistant rating. Further, the company pre-fits a screen guard on the display for protection against scratches. It should be noted that the phone also comes with Panda glass protection as well.

The company has covered all bases to ensure the device serves the customer for as long as possible.

On the front, it sports a big wide 6.77-inch full HD+(1080 x 2392p) AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 3,000 nits peak brightness.

The display quality is a really good phone for a phone under Rs 20,000 range. It is great for watching movies and TV series indoors.

CMF Phone 2 Pro.

Even outdoors too, I was able to read messages quite easily from a waist height. But, under direct sunlight, there will be reflection issues and one has to take the phone a little closer to the face to read on the screen.

It also features a USB type-c port, dual-speaker, and hybrid dual-SIM slots (nano SIM-1 + nano SIM-2 or microSD card). The in-display optical fingerprint scanner works fine without much issues.

Performance

It houses 4nm class 2.5GHz MediaTek Dimensity 7300 PRO, Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, 8GB LPDD4X RAM with 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 2TB), and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W charger.

It runs Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.2 OS. Though the device runs pure Android OS with just proprietary Nothing apps and core Google apps, it has a unique refreshing UI. There are no issues of ads popping up at random times. It just feels amazing operating the phone.

CMF Phone 2 Pro.

It is guaranteed to get three major Android OS updates and six years of software security patches.

It supports all popular gaming titles available on Google Play Store. Also, it supports generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) features such as Gemini AI, Circle to Search and more.

CMF Phone 2 Pro supports Gemini AI app.

With a 5,000mAh cell capacity, it consistently delivered one and half days of battery life under regular usage with Wi-Fi internet at home and the office.

Besides the cover case, the company is offering a charger brick along with the Type C data cable. It takes less than 90 minutes to fully charge from zero to 100 per cent mark.

CMF Phone 2 Pro runs Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0.

Photography

It boasts of a triple camera module— main 50MP (1/1.57-inch sensor, f/1.88 aperture, EIS: Electrical Image Stabilisation) + 8MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide camera and 50MP 2x telephoto camera (with 1/2.88″ sensor, f/1.85, EIS, 20x digital zoom) with LED flash.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

CMF Phone 2 Pro takes really nice photos with sharp and clear details. It also boosts the colours of subjects such as flowers. They look lively and beautiful in the frame than what they appear to our eyes.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

The wide-angle shot manages to capture the vast area of the field. As you can see the sample photo of under-construction Hebbal flyover ramp (Bengaluru), the camera captures the huge number of vehicles jammed together in the vast space near it. (There will never be enough space to accommodate all personal vehicles in any city in the world).

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample with ultra-wide angle mode.

With portrait mode, CMF Phone 2 Pro does a fine job of artfully blurring the background and keeps a sharp focus on the subject.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

In the night, CMF Phone 2 Pro captures amazingly balanced photos with minimal noise. Also, the colour accuracy too, the camera almost nailed it.

At close range too, the new Android phone does a good job with capturing minute details.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

It supports 2X optical zoom. It takes very good pictures without losing much quality. It can also digitally zoom up to 20X. The picture quality up to 10x is praiseworthy, but after stretching it beyond 15X, the grains creep in.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

It also supports 4K at up to 30 frames per second (fps). it is of decent quality and is on par with rival brands in its class.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

It houses a 16MP (f/2.45) front camera. It takes brilliant selfies in the daylight.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

It can record really quality full HD 1080p videos at 30 fps.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

Final thoughts

CMF Phone 2 Pro offers more than we look for in a mid-range phone under Rs 20,000 price range. It has the most unique design language inside out and the build quality too, is praiseworthy.

It does not come with any third-party pre-loaded apps, except for Nothing and Google Core apps. The camera does a fine job in almost all light conditions.

CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera sample.

It delivers good on smooth performance and long battery life. Have to appreciate Nothing Inc for offering a free silicone case and screen-guard and a charger along with data cable. It will greatly help first-time buyers who want to upgrade from a feature phone to touchscreen-based smartphones.

The CMF 2 Pro comes in four colours— white, black, orange and light green colour. It is available in two configurations— 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage— for Rs 18,999, and Rs 20,999, respectively.

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