Nothing CMF Phone 1 Review and Verdict

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a unique device that's all about minimalism. It's designed to be a phone that's free from distractions, with a focus on the essentials.

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a 6.55-inch OLED display that's perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. It's also got a 4500mAh battery that's good for a full day of use.

In terms of performance, the phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G processor, which is more than capable of handling demanding tasks. It also comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Overall, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a no-frills phone experience. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done.

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The CMF Phone 1 has a lightweight design, weighing in at just 6.94 ounces. This makes it easy to carry around, especially compared to other large phones.

The phone's plastic body has a smooth finish, giving it a clean look that's resistant to fingerprints. Small accents like the silver cover on the cameras add a touch of elegance.

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature, delivering vibrant colors and a high level of brightness. In fact, it can muster up a peak of 1,129 nits, making it perfect for use on sunny days.

Here are some key specs for the CMF Phone 1's display:

The CMF Phone 1's design is a standout feature. Its smooth plastic body has a clean look that resists fingerprints.

Small details like the silver camera cover and micro screws on the back give the phone a unique identity. The phone's overall weight is a refreshing surprise, weighing in at just 6.94 ounces.

You won't find many phones that match the CMF Phone 1's level of customization. Installing additional accessories is a breeze, and it's easy to change up the phone's look in the process.

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The display on the CMF Phone 1 is a real showstopper, delivering vibrant colors that make videos pop on YouTube. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display shines with a peak brightness of 1,129 nits, making it easy to see on a sunny day.

The resolution is a solid 1080x2412 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 394 ppi. This means text and images will look crisp and clear, even up close.

One of the standout features of the display is the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which makes animations and software interactions feel smooth and responsive.

Here are the key specs of the display:

The display also features a punch-hole design, which gives it a sleek and modern look. Plus, it's protected by Gorilla Glass, so you don't have to worry about scratches or cracks.

The Nothing Phone 1's camera is a highlight of the device. It features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

The phone's performance is handled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G processor, which provides a smooth and efficient user experience.

In terms of memory, the Nothing Phone 1 comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, making it suitable for heavy users.

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The cameras on these devices are quite impressive. The dual-camera setup on one of the devices features a 50 MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which is great for taking high-quality photos.

You can take photos with a resolution of up to 8150 x 6150 pixels, which is plenty for printing or sharing online. The camera also has a 2 MP depth camera for added depth and detail.

One of the devices has a single-camera setup with a 16 MP primary camera and an f/2.0 aperture. This is still a great camera for casual use, but it may not be as powerful as the dual-camera setup.

If you need to take photos in low light, both devices have an LED flash to help illuminate the scene. This is a big plus for taking photos in dimly lit environments.

Here are some of the camera settings you can use on these devices:

Both devices can record video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, which is great for capturing smooth and detailed video.

The CMF Phone 1's performance is a mixed bag. It's not a speed demon, but it's a step ahead of its budget peers.

The phone's MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip and 8GB of RAM deliver average single and multi-core scores of 1,028 and 2,971, respectively, in Geekbench 6. This is clearly not impressive, but it beats out other phones in its price range.

In real-world usage, however, the phone is fluid and responsive. Scrolling web pages is silky smooth, and apps open in an instant. I've found that it handles frenetic app switching without stuttering.

However, the phone's graphics processing performance leaves much to be desired. Its 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited test yields an average frame rate of 18.84 frames per second, which is quite choppy. This means it struggles with demanding games like Age of Origins.

Here's a comparison of the CMF Phone 1's performance with another phone, the Nothing Phone 2a:

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a software experience that's truly unique. Nothing OS 2.6 on top of Android 14 runs smoothly, with a focus on simplicity that I appreciate.

Customization is abundant, with a dot-matrix style interface that's a delight to use. The phone's widgets are a nice touch, but I wish there were more AI features to take advantage of.

The integration of ChatGPT is limited to when you pair the phone with CMF or Nothing wireless earbuds, which is a bit of a letdown. However, installing Google Gemini gives you access to an AI assistant at any time, which is a decent alternative.

The CMF Phone 1 has a 5,000 mAh battery, which is quite large and allows it to last for a long time.

This battery size is a key factor in the phone's impressive battery life, which averaged 15 hours and 2 minutes in testing.

In comparison, the Nothing Phone 2a has the same battery size, but slightly shorter battery life, averaging 15 hours.

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The CMF Phone 1's battery life is actually longer than some pricier phones, like the Galaxy S24 Plus.

In my day-to-day usage, I've noticed that the CMF Phone 1 offers just as good endurance as my iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The phone's battery life is so good that it usually has around 15% battery left right before bedtime, even with heavy usage throughout the day.

To charge the battery, the CMF Phone 1 uses 33W wired charging, which can get the battery to 62% in just 30 minutes.

For comparison, here are the battery details for the CMF Phone 1 and the Nothing Phone 2a:

The CMF Phone 1's battery is also a Li-Poly (Lithium Polymer) type, which is a common and reliable type of battery.

The battery is non-removable and uses USB Type-C for charging.

The CMF Phone 1's software is a unique and refreshing take on Android. It features a customized interface with a dot-matrix style that's a delight to use.

Nothing OS 2.6 is built on top of Android 14, and it runs smoothly without any major issues. The interface is highly customizable, but it's not overloaded with extra features, which is a plus in my book.

One area where the CMF Phone 1 falls short is in AI features. ChatGPT integration is only available when paired with CMF or Nothing wireless earbuds, which is a bit limiting.

You can install Google Gemini to access an AI assistant at any time, but this is not unique to the CMF Phone 1 and can be done on any Android phone.

The CMF Phone 1 only receives 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security updates, which is a relatively short period compared to other phones on the market.

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The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is available starting at $199 in the US for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage model, and it's also available in India for ₹15,999 for the 6GB RAM/128GB storage model.

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The phone comes in three color options: Black, Orange, and Light Green, which can be swapped out with additional color options for $35 each.

You can buy the phone from Amazon or the Nothing.tech website.

The CMF Phone 1 has a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

The phone is powered by the Dimensity 7300 processor and has 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage.

The rear camera setup consists of a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the front camera has a 16MP sensor.

The phone has a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.

The dimensions of the phone are 6.45 x 3.03 x 0.31 inches, and it weighs 6.94 ounces.

Here's a summary of the phone's key specifications:

The phone has a modular design that allows you to swap out the back panel with different color options, and it even has some water and dust resistance with an IP52 rating.

The CMF Phone 1 is a remarkable device that offers an unbeatable value for its price. It's the best $200 phone ever, bar none, with a brilliant display, fast processor, excellent cameras, and a unique, customizable design.

The phone's lack of NFC is a significant drawback, but it's a feature that can be forgone by many users. For those who don't need NFC, there's little else to ask for in a phone. The CMF Phone 1 is impressively fast, has an excellent camera, a bright AMOLED panel, and 3 years of promised software updates.

If you're looking for a phone with a similar price point and features, consider the following alternatives:

Overall, the CMF Phone 1 is a great option for those who want a high-quality phone without breaking the bank.

The CMF Phone 1 is the best budget phone you can buy, period. It's packed with features that make it a standout in its price range, including a brilliant display, fast processor, and excellent cameras.

For less than $250, you get an adaptable design, long battery life, and fast charging, which is a rare combination in budget phones. Its colorful screen and long battery life are definite pluses.

The one big downside is lack of NFC, which is a basic requirement for many people who want to securely pay for things with their phones. This omission is a major drawback, but it's not the only thing to consider.

If you're looking for a phone with a unique, customizable design, the CMF Phone 1 is the way to go. You can swap out its backs and accessories to give it a fresh look.

Here are some scenarios where the CMF Phone 1 is a great choice:

However, there are some cases where the CMF Phone 1 might not be the best fit:

Despite its limitations, the CMF Phone 1 is an excellent phone that offers a lot of value for its price. Its fast processing, excellent camera, and superb multitasking capabilities make it a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and feature-packed phone.

The CMF Phone 1 has some areas where it could improve. Removing the back can be a challenge, requiring a screwdriver and some force to pry it off.

The phone's design makes it difficult to remove the back, and the use of flathead screws doesn't help. I personally found it stressful to remove the back, and I was always worried about cracking the plastic.

Unfortunately, the phone's network coverage is also a concern. Folks using the CMF Phone 1 in the U.S. can expect spotty 5G coverage and slower speeds.

I experienced this myself, and had to resort to the "airplane mode reset" to keep my 5G connection stable. It's not ideal, and it's something to consider if you're looking for a reliable phone.

The phone also lacks NFC support, which can be a deal-breaker for some people. I personally don't use NFC often, but I've seen others say it's a must-have feature.

The wallet attachment is a nice touch, but its construction leaves something to be desired. I wasn't confident in its strength to store important cards.

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The CMF Phone 1 by Nothing is a game-changer in the budget phone market. It's a mere $200 out the door, which is a steal considering its impressive features.

You can get a great phone experience without breaking the bank. The CMF Phone 1 has fast processing, an excellent camera, and superb multitasking capabilities.

But what really sets it apart is its modular design. This means you can customize your phone to fit your needs and preferences.

However, there are some limitations to consider. If you need NFC, you might want to look elsewhere. And if you're on AT&T or Verizon, you're out of luck.

Here are some key specs to keep in mind:

Despite its limitations, the CMF Phone 1 is a great value for the price. If you don't need NFC or you don't live in the U.S., it's hard to beat.

The CMF Phone 1 is a standout in the budget phone market, offering a lot of value for its price. It's available for under $250, making it a great option for those on a tight budget.

The phone's adaptable design is one of its most notable features, with interchangeable backs and a unique look that sets it apart from other phones. The uncovered screws on the back, oversized thumb screw, and chrome accents all contribute to its distinctive appearance.

CMF Phone 1 has a brilliantly bright display, making it a joy to use. The phone's display is also colorful, which is a nice touch.

One of the biggest downsides to the CMF Phone 1 is its lack of NFC, which is a surprising omission given how inexpensive it is to include on a phone. This might be a dealbreaker for some users who rely on NFC for payments or other purposes.

Despite its subpar camera performance, the CMF Phone 1 has a lot going for it, including long battery life and speedy charging. It's also a very customizable phone, with a range of accessories available.

The phone's camera performance is its biggest weakness, but it's not the only area where it falls short. It's not as good as some other phones in its price range, but it's still a solid option for those who don't need a top-of-the-line camera.

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