The CMF Phone 2 Pro, launched by Nothing’s sub-brand CMF, has taken the budget smartphone market by storm. With its launch on April 28, 2025, this device has surprised many with its impressive upgrades over the CMF Phone 1, while its pricing has left buyers both excited and confused. Priced at ₹18,999, with bank discounts bringing it down to ₹16,999, it offers features that rival the recently launched Nothing Phone 3a, which costs significantly more. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the CMF Phone 2 Pro, exploring its upgrades, performance, and whether it’s the right choice for you. We’ll also compare it with the Nothing Phone 3a to help you decide which one to buy.
Design and Build: Sleek, Slim, and Stylish
The CMF Phone 2 Pro brings a refined design that feels premium despite its budget price tag. Unlike the CMF Phone 1, which had a swappable back for customization, the Phone 2 Pro opts for a fixed back. This change has made the phone thinner and lighter, measuring just 7.88 mm in thickness and weighing 185 grams. It’s the thinnest phone Nothing has ever made, and the rounded edges make it comfortable to hold for long periods.
The phone comes in four colors, with the white dual-tone variant standing out for its unique, premium look. The light green option is vibrant and eye-catching, while the orange and black variants offer more classic choices. The back is made of plastic, but the dual-tone finish and matte texture give it a sophisticated feel. Nothing has also introduced a universal case that can be screwed onto the back, allowing users to attach accessories like wallets or camera lenses, keeping some of the customization spirit alive.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is IP54 rated, offering slight protection against dust and water splashes, which is a small improvement over the IP52 rating of the CMF Phone 1. A new addition is the Essential Key on the right side, a feature borrowed from the Nothing Phone 3a. This customizable button lets you quickly access apps or functions, adding a layer of convenience. However, the buttons are now plastic, and the bottom dial, used for accessories, is less protruding than before, blending seamlessly into the design.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, and Better
The display on the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It features a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. The AMOLED technology delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors, making it ideal for watching videos or gaming. In testing, the display reached a peak brightness of 1270 nits in high brightness mode, making it easily visible even under direct sunlight. This is a noticeable improvement over the CMF Phone 1, which had a less bright screen.
The screen is protected by Panda Glass, which Nothing claims is as durable as Gorilla Glass 5. The bezels are symmetrical, eliminating the thick bottom chin seen on the CMF Phone 1, and the display housing is slimmer, giving the phone a modern look. The in-display fingerprint scanner works reliably, and the addition of an always-on display is a welcome feature that was missing in the CMF Phone 1.
While the display supports HDR10+, the multimedia experience is slightly hampered by the single bottom-firing speaker. The speaker supports a 150% ultravol feature, but at maximum volume, it tends to crackle, which is disappointing. Additionally, Netflix doesn’t come pre-installed, so HDR content on Netflix isn’t immediately accessible. Despite these drawbacks, the display upgrades make the CMF Phone 2 Pro a delight for media consumption.
Camera: A Triple Threat in the Budget Segment
The camera system is where the CMF Phone 2 Pro earns its “Pro” moniker. Unlike the CMF Phone 1, which had a single 50MP main camera paired with a 2MP depth sensor, the Phone 2 Pro boasts a triple rear camera setup. It includes:
- 50MP Main Camera: A 1/1.57-inch sensor, the largest in its segment, but lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
- 50MP Telephoto Lens: Offers 2x optical zoom, a rare feature in budget phones.
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens: Captures broader scenes with decent detail.
- 16MP Front Camera: For selfies and video calls.
This setup is a massive leap over the CMF Phone 1 and brings versatility to budget photography. However, it’s not identical to the Nothing Phone 3a’s camera system, despite sharing the same 50MP main sensor. The Phone 3a has OIS on its main camera and different secondary sensors, which affects performance.
In daylight, the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s photos are sharp with decent colors, but they appear slightly dull compared to the punchier, more vibrant images from the Nothing Phone 3a. Nighttime shots are comparable, but the Phone 3a pulls ahead with better details and textures due to its OIS. Portrait shots from both phones have good edge detection, but the Phone 3a captures more detailed skin tones. Interestingly, the CMF Phone 2 Pro excels in 2x portrait shots, delivering natural skin tones and impressive details.
The ultra-wide camera performs similarly on both phones, with the main difference being color reproduction. Videos from the CMF Phone 2 Pro, recorded at 1080p or 4K at 30fps, are less stable than those from the Phone 3a due to the lack of OIS. Selfies from the Phone 3a are sharper, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s front camera is still adequate for casual use.
Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s camera is a solid upgrade over the CMF Phone 1 and one of the most versatile in its price range. While it’s not as consistent as the Phone 3a, future software updates could improve its performance.
Performance: Reliable for Everyday Use and Gaming
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The processor is a minor upgrade over the Dimensity 7300 in the CMF Phone 1, with similar scores in benchmarks like AnTuTu and Geekbench. However, the increased RAM in the base variant ensures smoother multitasking.
In daily use, the phone is snappy, with no lags or stutters. It handles social media, browsing, and streaming effortlessly. For gamers, the CMF Phone 2 Pro shines, supporting 120fps in BGMI, 90fps in COD Mobile, and 40-45fps in Genshin Impact at high settings. These gaming capabilities are on par with the CMF Phone 1, but the extra RAM gives it a slight edge in performance consistency.
The phone runs Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15, offering a clean, bloatware-free experience. Nothing promises three major OS updates and six years of security patches, which is excellent for a budget phone. The Essential Key integrates with Nothing’s AI-powered Essential Space, allowing quick access to personalized features. A standout feature is Private Space, an Android 15 addition that lets you create a hidden space for private apps, files, and accounts, accessible only with authentication.
Battery and Connectivity: Consistent with a Bonus
The CMF Phone 2 Pro has a 5,000mAh battery, the same as the CMF Phone 1, and supports 33W fast charging. What sets it apart is the inclusion of a 33W charger in the box, a rare move by Nothing, which typically excludes chargers to keep costs down. The battery life is solid, easily lasting a full day with moderate use, and the charger ensures quick top-ups.
In terms of connectivity, the phone supports more 5G bands than its predecessor, ensuring better network compatibility. However, it lacks NFC in the Indian variant, which is a drawback for contactless payments. Other features, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the USB-C port, remain unchanged. The inclusion of a microSD slot is a nice touch for expandable storage.
Pricing and Value: A Budget Champion
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is priced at ₹18,999 ($228) for the 8GB/128GB variant, with bank discounts reducing it to ₹16,999 ($204). Compared to the CMF Phone 1, which launched at ₹15,999 ($192), the Phone 2 Pro offers significant upgrades for a modest price increase. The inclusion of a charger and a transparent silicone case adds even more value.
CMF Phone 2 Pro vs. Nothing Phone 3a: Which Should You Buy?
The CMF Phone 2 Pro’s pricing and features make it a direct competitor to the Nothing Phone 3a, priced at around ₹25,999 ($312). Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:
- Design: The CMF Phone 2 Pro is slimmer and lighter with a plastic back, while the Phone 3a has a premium transparent glass back. The Phone 3a also has a better IP68 rating compared to the Phone 2 Pro’s IP54.
- Display: Both phones have a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering similar quality.
- Performance: The Phone 3a’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is slightly faster, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro matches it in gaming with higher FPS support.
- Camera: The Phone 3a’s camera is more reliable with OIS and better color consistency, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s triple camera setup is more versatile for the price.
- Battery: Both have a 5,000mAh battery, but the Phone 3a supports faster 50W charging. The CMF Phone 2 Pro includes a charger, while the Phone 3a does not.
- Features: The Phone 3a has stereo speakers and NFC, which the CMF Phone 2 Pro lacks in India. However, the CMF Phone 2 Pro has a microSD slot and a lower price.
If you prioritize a premium design, better cameras, and features like NFC and stereo speakers, the Nothing Phone 3a is worth the extra ₹6,000-7,000 ($72-84). However, if you want a versatile camera, slim design, and great value with a charger included, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is hard to beat.
Specifications Table
| Feature | CMF Phone 2 Pro |
|---|---|
| Price | ₹18,999, ₹16,999 with bank discounts |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, Full HD+, 1270 nits, HDR10+, Panda Glass |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB LPDDR4X / 128GB UFS 2.2, microSD slot |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main (1/1.57-inch, no OIS), 50MP telephoto (2x zoom), 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 33W fast charging (charger included) |
| Software | Nothing OS 3.2 (Android 15), 3 OS updates, 6 years security patches |
| Design | Plastic back, 7.88mm thick, 185g, IP54, Essential Key |
| Connectivity | 5G (multiple bands), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, no NFC (India) |
| Colors | White (dual-tone), Light Green, Orange, Black |
| Extras | Transparent silicone case, Private Space, 120fps BGMI gaming |
Is the CMF Phone 2 Pro Worth It?
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a fantastic budget smartphone that feels like a two-generation leap over the CMF Phone 1. Its sleek design, vibrant display, versatile triple camera, and solid performance make it a standout in the sub-₹20,000 segment. The inclusion of a charger and case, along with Nothing’s clean software and long-term update promise, adds to its appeal.
While it doesn’t match the Nothing Phone 3a in camera consistency or premium features, it offers 90% of the experience for a significantly lower price. If you’re a student, young professional, or anyone looking for a feature-packed phone without breaking the bank, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a no-brainer, and you might also consider checking Nothing Phone 3a Pro before taking any decisions. It’s not just worth it—it’s one of the best value-for-money phones of 2025.
