Key Highlights
- Unique, modular design
- Full HD+ Display
- Dimensity 7300 5G Processor
- 5,000mAh Battery
When Nothing first came out, it quickly became known for making stylish and cool tech products. Their sub-brand, CMF by Nothing, inherited this inventiveness and just unveiled the CMF Phone 1, their first smartphone. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the CMF Phone 1 early. After a week of using this customizable phone, I’m here to share my thoughts in this review.
Coming from using high-end smartphones with all the fancy features, I was curious and a bit skeptical about trying out the CMF Phone 1. This phone stands out with its unique modular design. This gives you more customization options than with other phones. But is this cool look just a cover for average performance? Keep reading as I dive into my full review of the CMF By Nothing Phone 1 to find out if it truly shines or falls short.
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| Pros | Cons |
| Unique design and customization | No 3.5mm audio connector |
| AMOLED display | Average camera |
| Long battery life | No included charger |
What’s Inside The Box?
- CMF By Nothing Phone 1 handset (Black)
- USB-C charging cable
- SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide
CMF Phone 1 Design: Stand Out From The Crowd
The CMF Phone 1’s greatest selling feature is its design. In contrast to Nothing’s standard Glyph LED lighting, the CMF Phone 1’s mechanical design aims for a distinctive appearance. It has a detachable, rotatable dial and an interchangeable rear panel with four exposed screws around the sides. These sturdy screws and the rotating wheel give it a distinctive appearance. You can attach different back panels in various colors and textures, or add accessories like a pouch, phone stand, or lanyard cable. Each accessory is sold separately. Simply unscrew the back panel and swap it out. Our review model came in Black color with a matte texture that feels durable and nice to the touch.
On a pill-shaped bulge in the upper left corner is the dual camera arrangement. The front has a flat display with narrow bezels. The phone has a plastic body that feels solid with no creaking sounds or bending. On the left side, across from the power button on the right, is the volume rocker. The buttons are clicky with good tactile feedback.
The CMF Phone 1 lacks a 3.5mm audio connector and features a single bottom-firing loudspeaker. Because the SIM tray is hybrid, you can use a microSD card or an additional nano-SIM card. It has an under-display optical fingerprint reader, which is both fast and accurate. Facial recognition is also available but could be slightly improved.
The CMF Phone 1 is splash-resistant thanks to its IP52 certification. Overall, the phone feels very solid in hand, with no flex or hollowness in the chassis.
CMF Phone 1 Display: Smooth And Bright
The CMF Phone 1 sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a crisp 1800 x 2400 pixel resolution. And the refresh rate is a buttery smooth 120Hz, making everything from scrolling through your Instagram feed to intense gaming sessions feel like a breeze. With typical brightness between 500 to 700nits and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, you won’t be squinting to see your screen even on the sunniest days.
Now, they’re calling this refresh rate “adaptive,” meaning it switches between 120Hz and 60Hz. It’s a bit like having a car that only drives at 60 or 120mph, no cruising at 90 here. The screen is flat, and instead of indulging on Corning’s Gorilla Glass, Nothing went with Dragontail Pro Glass. Don’t worry; it’s as tough as Gorilla Glass 5, so your phone is in safe hands.
Visually, the display is sharp and clear, although the colors might not be as vibrant due to a warmer tone. Think of it like your favorite movie with a cozy filter, not too bad, right? It’s perfect for daily tasks, scrolling through social media, and binge-watching your latest Netflix obsession. The brightness levels are on point, making outdoor use a breeze. Everything will be very obvious to you, even in bright sunshine.
The 120Hz refresh rate really ups the game, making everything super smooth. In the display settings, you get to pick between two color modes: Alive and Standard. Both do a great job with color accuracy. Reading content on this screen? No problem at all, thanks to its decent brightness and clarity. So go ahead, enjoy those cat videos and meme marathons on the CMF Phone 1’s dazzling display.
CMF Phone 1 Performance: Punching Above Its Weight
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset, this phone packs a punch, especially for its price. You usually don’t see this kind of powerhouse under the Rs. 20,000 mark. Web surfing, casual gaming, and scrolling through social media are all smooth sailing with CMF Phone 1.
The smartphone comes with up to 8GB of RAM, and Nothing’s RAM Booster technology gives you an extra 2GB. My review unit has 128GB of internal storage. When it comes to gaming, the CMF Phone 1 holds its ground. Games run at medium graphics settings without any hiccups at a steady 30fps. However, pushing it to 60fps makes things a bit unstable, but for everyday gaming, it’s more than capable. Plus, Nothing has done a great job managing the phone’s thermals, so it stays cool even during intensive use.
One standout feature of the CMF Phone 1 is its clean user interface. It runs on Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.6, which is as clean as it gets. No bloatware, no annoying ads, and a minimal number of pre-installed apps make for a seamless user experience. NothingOS also brings a fresh approach to home screen organization, allowing you to place quick setting widgets right on your home screen for easy access to specific settings.
So, whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or just browsing, the CMF Phone 1 delivers a solid performance without breaking a sweat.
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CMF Phone 1 Camera: Decent For The Price
Let’s chat about the CMF Phone 1’s camera setup, which is both simple and surprisingly capable. You get a single main camera with a 50MP sensor and a 16MP selfie camera. The main lens uses a Sony IMX882 sensor, which isn’t top-tier but does a solid job, especially considering the phone’s price.
In daylight, the 50MP main camera performs well, capturing clear and detailed shots. The sensor does a good job of capturing topic and foreground details. For taking portraits, the second lens is a 2MP depth sensor. While portrait mode shots are decent with clean clipping and reliable subject detection, it doesn’t exactly blow us away. Edge detection is impressive for a budget phone, though. Under artificial lighting, it tends to brighten and soften facial details, resulting in a slightly warmer tone compared to standard images.
The main camera handles low-light conditions admirably. It captures plenty of detail with minimal noise, and the colors look natural. Contrast is good, and HDR stacking ensures well-developed darker areas and highlights. Light sources don’t get blown out, making for a great overall performance.
Selfie shots are decent. Facial features and colors look nice, though we wished for a bit more skin texture. My skin lacked a little texture, but my complexion appeared natural.
Now, the CMF Phone 1 doesn’t have a telephoto lens, and the digital zoom can go up to 10x. However, anything beyond 2x zoom tends to disappoint, with photos losing sharpness as the algorithm smooths out noise, resulting in a loss of detail.
Videography is where the CMF Phone 1 shines. You can record 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at up to 60fps. It also provides 30fps HDR filming at 1080p resolution. The front camera enables HDR recording and can capture at up to 60fps in 1080p. For the price, the CMF Phone 1’s camera configuration is generally respectable.
CMF Phone 1 Battery: Reliable
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 packs a 5,000mAh battery, which means it’s got plenty of juice to keep you going all day and then some. With moderate use, you can expect it to last through a whole day and still have enough charge left for another half-day.
On the charging front, it supports wired charging up to 33watts. There is no wireless charging support. Plus, you’ll need to buy the charger separately for Rs. 799 since it’s not included in the box.
During our testing, we didn’t have the official Nothing charger, so we used a OnePlus 80W charger instead. Charging speed wasn’t particularly impressive. In 15 minutes, we went from 17 percent to just 30 percent, and a full charge took over an hour. While that’s not terrible, you can find faster-charging options in this price range.
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 offers solid battery life that will comfortably get you through a busy day. Just be prepared for average charging speeds and remember to factor in the cost of the charger when making your purchase.
CMF Phone 1 Price: Value For Money
Before our final verdict, let’s break down the pricing for the CMF Phone 1. The 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model is available for Rs. 15,999, while the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage version will set you back Rs. 17,999. Accessories are sold separately, so if you want to jazz up your phone, you’ll need to budget for a few extras. Each accessory, like the lanyard, stand, and card holder, costs Rs. 799.
The removable back covers come in a range of colors: Blue, Black, Orange, and Light Green. These will cost you Rs. 1,499 each, letting you switch up your phone’s look whenever you fancy a change.
Also, don’t forget the charger. You’ll need to grab one separately for Rs. 799, but there’s a little perk if you’re buying the CMF Phone 1. So, when you add it all up, you’re looking at a bit more than the base price if you want to deck out your phone with all the accessories.
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Giznext’s Final Verdict: Should You Go For The CMF Phone 1?
Absolutely, yes! The CMF Phone 1 is a standout choice, and here’s why. The team at CMF deserves a high-five for bringing something truly unique to the table. The removable back cover and the quirky dial knob add a touch of individuality that you won’t find with other smartphones. It’s a design that shines without skimping on the essentials.
Sure, it’s not a flagship device, but not everyone is on the hunt for the latest high-end specs. The CMF Phone 1 offers solid performance, impressive battery life, and decent camera capabilities, all wrapped up in a package that won’t break the bank. It’s a great pick for younger users who love to switch up their devices or anyone who values simplicity and affordability over top-tier features. So, if you’re looking for a phone that stands out from the crowd while delivering the essentials, the CMF Phone 1 is definitely worth considering.
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