CMF Phone 1 Specs, Features, Our Opinion, Pros & Cons

Nothing is relatively a new brand focusing on the mid-range smartphone market. Recently, the company introduced a new sub-brand, CMF, which targets the budget smartphone segment.

After much anticipation, Nothing has launched its first smartphone under the CMF sub-brand, the CMF Phone 1, aimed at budget-conscious consumers.

Here are the Nothing CMF Phone 1 specs, features, pricing, and pros and cons to help you decide if this phone is worth buying.

Nothing CMF Phone 1 Specs

As a mid-range option, the CMF Phone 1 offers good specifications. While the on-paper specs may not be groundbreaking, they are certainly good, considering the price of this phone.

Featuring the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which may raise some questions, the CMF Phone 1 nonetheless handles everyday tasks smoothly.

Compared to similarly priced phones, the CMF Phone 1 packs some attractive specifications.

Nothing CMF Phone 1 Pricing and Availability

In line with rumors, Nothing claimed that their sub-brand CMF’s Phone 1 would be competitively priced, and they have delivered on that promise.

The Nothing CMF is priced at $199 in the US and £209 in the UK, making it a very aggressive pricing strategy. Considering the overall specifications, this pricing appears to be highly competitive.

As for availability, you can purchase the CMF Phone 1 from CMF Tech’s official website or from online marketplaces like Amazon, subject to availability.

You should also check out the Dimensity 7300 vs 7300X comparison.

CMF Phone 1 Features: What Makes the Nothing CMF Phone 1 Stand Out?

The CMF Phone 1 stands out for several key reasons:

• Design:

Nothing is known for innovative design, and the CMF Phone 1 continues this trend. It features appealing colors and a unique design with removable backs, allowing users to easily change the back cover.

The distinctive screws, non-functional rotating crown, and prominent camera bump give the phone a unique look that sets it apart in the crowd. The customizable design available on a $200 smartphone is commendable.

• Software:

Another standout feature of the CMF Phone 1 is its software experience. It boasts one of the best UIs available, ranking among the top five.

The clean, nearly stock Android UI delivers a premium device-like experience without any bloatware or ads. Additionally, users can enjoy extensive customization options, enhancing the overall user experience.

Thanks to its clean UI, the animations feel smooth as the UI imposes minimal burden on the CPU. For those seeking a near-stock UI experience on a budget, the CMF Phone 1 is an excellent choice.

• Accessories:

The CMF Phone 1 comes with a range of accessories including back panels in different colors, a versatile stand for both portrait and landscape modes, a lanyard for added drop protection, and a card case for securely holding credit cards or IDs.

While the utility of these accessories may vary among users, having such options adds uniqueness to the phone. Future accessory launches could expand these offerings further.

Please note that these accessories are sold separately and not included with the phone.

• Battery:

Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and paired with a lightweight OS and moderately powerful CPU, the CMF Phone 1 delivers impressive battery life.

Under normal to heavy use, users can expect around 6.5 hours of screen-on time or more, depending on usage patterns. The overall battery performance is reliable even for heavy users.

The smartphone supports 33W fast charging, but unfortunately, the charger needs to be purchased separately. Considering it’s a budget device, it would have been beneficial for the company to include a charger, as is typical in this price range.

• Other Features:

The CMF Phone 1 also includes features like a 50MP main camera, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 CPU, integrated ChatGPT, single speaker, 5G support, AMOLED display, and IP52 water resistance.

While these features are useful, they are not unique to this phone and can be found in others at this price point.

Unfortunately, corners have been cut in areas like having a single speaker, no charger included, no proper IP rating, and lacking wireless charging. However, it’s important to note that expecting all premium features on a $200 device would be unrealistic.

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Our Honest Opinion

• The CMF Phone 1 certainly looks appealing, but how practical are its design elements? Changing the back panel only alters its color, offering limited variation.

• The rotating crown serves no functional purpose and is merely for attaching accessories. While some accessories may be useful to many users, others may find them unnecessary.

• Despite adding four screws and a rotating crown, the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack and the inclusion of just a mono speaker are significant downsides.

• Moreover, the non-removable battery raises questions about the utility of a removable back cover. Had the company opted for a removable battery, it could have made a more impactful start.

• Additionally, the 2MP camera is notably underwhelming. While this issue isn’t exclusive to the CMF Phone 1, any phone with such a camera resolution typically offers poor performance.

It’s evident that the company made several compromises in these areas. However, the competitive pricing of the CMF Phone 1 is commendable.

For those unimpressed by gimmicky accessories and design, focusing on practical features is crucial. The phone’s clean UI stands out among its Chinese competitors at the $200 price point, offering a significant advantage for most users.

In our honest opinion, while the CMF Phone 1 has a pleasing appearance, the company could have prioritized practical features like NFC, a higher IP rating, and improved cameras instead of emphasizing removable backs and a few accessories. These enhancements would have solidified its position as a clear standout at this price point.

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CMF Phone 1 Pros and Cons

The Pros

• Distinctive and unique design
• Customizable accessories
• High-quality AMOLED display
• Outstanding battery life
• Clean, nearly stock UI
• Competent main camera
• Solid performance for the price
• Great Pricing

The Cons

• No charger in the box
• Average single speaker
• No NFC support
• No OIS in the main camera
• Ineffective 2MP camera
• No headphone jack
• Overemphasis on design features

You might find the Dimensity 8300 and 8300 Ultra comparison interesting.

Conclusion: Is the Nothing CMF Phone 1 Worth Buying?

The CMF Phone 1 has its share of pros and cons. While many smartphones typically have more pros than cons, the CMF Phone 1 heavily prioritizes design, leading to more compromises in other areas to maintain affordability.

If you value a clean UI and a distinctive design in a budget-friendly smartphone, the CMF Phone 1 is certainly worth considering.

However, if practical features such as dual speakers, a robust IP rating, versatile cameras, and an included charger are important to you, you may find other brands like Motorola offer these features at a slightly higher price point.

Ultimately, the decision rests on your priorities. If you know your priorities, then you already know whether this phone is worth it for you or not.

Also, check out the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 7+ Gen 3 comparison.

FAQs

So, these were the CMF Phone 1 specs, standout features, our opinion, and pros and cons.

You might also find the Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus comparison interesting.

What’s your take on this smartphone? Do you believe it’s a worthwhile choice? Please share your thoughts.