CMF Phone One: Revolutionary Budget Phone

Introduction

• CMF is a budget sub-brand of Nothing.
• Phone price: £200 / $250.
• Remarkable for its price with a whole ecosystem of accessories.

Accessories Included

• Lanyard.
• Three cases.
• Card wallet for the back of the phone.
• Phone stand.
• CMF Buds Pro 2 and Watch Pro 2.
• Accessories designed to work around the budget phone.

Design and Build

• Slight cheap, thin plasticky feel but tastefully designed.
• Products have high-end design despite basic materials.
• CMF Buds Pro 2: Sophisticated, light, intentionally designed.
• Watch Pro 2: Clean, simple design.

CMF Phone One Details

• Initial Impressions: Thin package, generic white USB-C cable, orange SIM ejector tool.
• **Back Plate Feature: ** Interchangeable back plates for repair ease, customization (cost £29).
  • Tool included for the back plate removal (screwdriver, SIM ejector).
• Customization: Mix and match parts (e.g., back plates in different colors).
• **Accessories Integration: ** Accessories like stands, lanyards can be screwed into the phone.

Functionalities and Features

• Ecosystem: Designed accessories that securely integrate with the phone (e.g., stands, wallets).
• Frugal Innovation: Concept of 'Jugaad' (frugal innovation) applied for high functionality at low cost.

Hardware and Display

• Screen: 120Hz adaptive AMOLED, Full HD+, HDR 10+ content, pre-installed screen protector.
• Bezels: Slightly thicker bottom bezel. CEO KL Pay's design efforts noted.
• Battery: 5000 mAh, efficient, long-lasting (est. 10 hours screen on time).
• Charging: 33W wired charging, no wireless charging, no charging brick included.

Software and Performance

• OS: Nothing OS 2.6 based on Android 14; light and non-intrusive.
• Updates: 2 years of major updates, 3 years of security updates.
• Chip: Mediatek Dimensity 7300, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable to 2TB with SD card).
  • Performance: Acceptable for everyday use, occasional jitters.
  • Gaming: Stable on medium settings, liquid cooling system.
• Audio: Mono speaker, lacks stereo effect but is loud.

Camera and Photography

• Cameras: Dual-camera setup; assist camera for portrait mode.
• Quality: Detailed photos, strong HDR, acceptable 4K video at 30fps.
  • Challenges: Lacks color science refinement, poor zoom, missing ultra-wide.

Conclusion

• Value for Money: Highly recommendable for its price.
• Sub-Brand Strategy: High-quality first offering to generate hype.
• Overall, CMF Phone One offers unmatched design and functionality for its price range.