The Most Exciting Budget Phone of the Year?
When almost every smartphone looks like an iPhone clone, brands need bold design to stand out. That’s exactly what Carl Pei’s Nothing has been doing since 2021 with its transparent phones and wireless earbuds. Last year, its sub-brand CMF surprised everyone with the CMF Phone 1—a colorful, unapologetically plastic device that stood out for its modularity more than its performance.
CMF’s Design-First Philosophy
You might not remember the CMF Phone 1’s processor or camera specs, but you likely remember its fun hardware—removable back plates and screw-in accessories like kickstands, card wallets, and neck lanyards. That alone showed where CMF’s priorities were: design, experimentation, and user customization, especially at the budget level.
Enter the CMF Phone 2 Pro
Almost a year later, CMF is back with the Phone 2 Pro. I’ve only had the device for a weekend, so this isn’t a full review yet—that’s coming soon—but there’s already a lot to say. CMF has improved the internal specs with a modestly faster processor, better cameras (including telephoto and ultra-wide), and longer battery life. A new feature, the Essential button, brings AI-powered memory recall features from the higher-end Nothing Phone (3a) line into this budget device.
Modular… But Less So
However, something’s changed: the modular charm of the Phone 1 has taken a hit. While some accessories like the kickstand and neck lanyard still work, the sealed back of the Phone 2 Pro means no more swappable back plates. That also means the card wallet accessory—designed to screw into the back plate—isn’t compatible. If you stocked up on Phone 1 modular gear, you’re out of luck.
That said, all isn’t lost. The Phone 2 Pro still features the same four screw holes, so anyone with a 3D printer—or access to Etsy—can design and attach new accessories. CMF may even be encouraging this growing DIY ecosystem by tweaking compatibility.
Design and Display
Visually, the Phone 2 Pro holds its own. It’s light (185g) and slim (7.8mm), with a bright 6.77-inch AMOLED screen and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, all running on Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.2). It comes in light green, white, black, and a standout orange two-tone option, which arguably looks the best.
Performance Upgrades
The upgrades from the Phone 1 are subtle but appreciated. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G processor offers about 10% more power. Battery capacity remains at 5,000mAh, but CMF claims it should last an hour longer. The biggest jump is in the camera system: from a single rear lens to a triple-lens array—50MP main, 50MP telephoto, and 8MP ultra-wide. I’ll report more on camera performance after further testing, but at least the hardware is now more competitive.
The Essential Button: AI on a Budget
One surprise was the inclusion of the Essential key, a hardware button that ties into Nothing’s generative AI system. Press once to screenshot and add notes or voice recordings. Hold to open Essential Space, where AI organizes screenshots and offers context—summaries, reminders, transcriptions, and more. It’s a neat concept for digital memory, though still in its early stages and somewhat limited (you can’t even search screenshots yet). Expect a subscription model to be introduced later, making this a clever way to seed adoption.
Pricing and Availability
Despite all these upgrades, the CMF Phone 2 Pro keeps its price impressively low:
- UK: £219 (8GB + 128GB), £249 (8GB + 256GB)
- Europe: €249 / €279
- India: ₹18,999 / ₹20,999
- US (Beta Program only): $279 for the 8GB + 256GB version
Accessories and Extras
CMF is also launching official accessories—though only in the UK and Europe. Options include:
- Universal cover (£25 / €25)
- Swappable fisheye and macro lenses (£35 / €35)
- Wallet/stand (£35 / €35)
Two bundles are also available:
- Cover + one accessory: £45 / €45
- Cover + both accessories: £65 / €65
Pre-orders begin April 28, with availability starting May 6 through Nothing and select retailers.
