Is the Nothing CMF Phone 1 the Best Budget Phone of 2025?

Nothing cmf phone 1 all colour

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is the new model released by the brand that targets budget buyers with minimal feature missing from higher end devices brutalist. It reassures the vigorous mid-range smart phone category, as it takes a differentiating approach on these interims with the smartphones build quality and looks. Having used the device for months, this review will cover the nitty-gritties aspects of this device from its aesthetics to its performance and software. Therefore, it’s worth finding out whether this phone is all that it was said to be.

Unique and Customizable: The Standout Design of the Nothing CMF Phone 1

cmf 1 by nothing changable back
nothing cmf phone 1 blue colour

When it comes to the Nothing CMF Phone 1 one of its most terrific developments has to be the design. Staying in line with Nothing’s ethos of being different, CMF Phone 1 also comes with replaceable back covers meaning that consumers can modify their phones as they wish. This is not common nowadays as design trend is towards more sealed and non-modular constructions which makes it diffrent and quite nice. Accessory Point gives additional features for example additional extensible accessories can be fixed under the detachable hood.

Coming to the device, it retained an IP52 rating which gives some basic dust and splash resistant. It will not guarantee its use underwater but it elevates the worries of using it over innocent liquids for define periods of time. The plastic build, however, manages to give an impression of sturdiness regardless of the device weighing 197g (or 202g with the vegan leather variant). It is 164 mm tall and 77 mm wide so it offers a good grip without taking too much space in the palm of the hand.

Display: Vivid Colors and Smooth Refresh Rates

Nothing cmf phone 1 display

The 6.67-inch Super AMOLED LTPS display is one of the focal points of the Nothing CMF Phone 1. The 1080 x 2400 resolution with a pixel density of 395 ppi makes sure that images are clear and colorful. Because of its Ultra HDR+ support, users will experience better contrast and brightness from the phone, enhancing media enjoyment. The screen has a peak brightness of 2000 nits, which is great for outdoor use, whereas the typical room brightness of 700 nits is quite manageable for everyday indoor use.

The display’s 120Hz adaptive refresh rate enhances fluidity, especially during activities such as app scrolling or playing games. It has a 240Hz touch sampling rate so responsiveness in touch is excellent, enabling seamless interaction. Also, the 960Hz PWM frequency will be great when playing games or watching videos since it minimizes flicker, preventing strain on the eyes even after long periods of usage.

Powerful Performance: Exploring the Capabilities of the CMF Phone 1 Processor

cmf phone 1 processor

The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G praise processor powers the CMF Phone 1. This processor is built on a 4nm process and features 8 cores that are clocked at a speed of 2.5 GHz. It then follows that this combination of hardware features allows the phone to perform any activity without a hiccup and even go ahead to play graphic intensive games. When I used the device for a few months, I discovered it was able to run several applications simultaneously, play back videos, and do some simple gaming without stuttering or lag.

As far as performances are concerned, the CMF Phone 1 has AnTuTu scores of almost 642,000, so it can be classified in the mid-range segment. This is a decent score and helps in ensuring this smartphone does not lag behind other gadgets in the same price category even when it comes to intense activities like 3D games or video graphics editing.

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 processor offers a decent all-round performance. And, while it does not reach the levels of the flagship phones, it is sufficient for everyday tasks, aided by a 4nm fabrication that keeps it cool even when operating at full throttle.

Memory and Storage: Adequate for Most Users

The device is offered in two configurations – 6GB RAM + 128GB and 8GB RAM + 128GB. For most users, both sizes are adequate for everyday needs, while the annoyance of dealing with 8GB RAM on a phone is only for users who wish to keep ahead of the game, or who multitask heavily. 128 GB of internal memory alone may not seem much, but there is an option of extending the storage memory of the phone to an extra 2TB using a microSD card. This is very advantageous to people who have a lot of content to store within their devices such as images, videos and applications without the fear of the space getting full.

Capture Every Moment: A Deep Dive into the Camera Features

cmf phone 1 camera

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 adopts a dual camera system where a 50 MP primary camera is complemented by a 50 MP portrait camera. The lens has an f/1.8 aperture. The pictures taken in the daylight are crisp and contain a lot of detail, have good colors and a wide range of colors present in the shots. AI Vivid Modes are a welcomed addition to the photography features making the colors in the images more pronounced while Motion Capture guarantees that no action will go uncaptured.

While taking photos at night when there is little light, the Night Mode is effective, as it illuminates the picture without producing so much noise. Once more, photos and video recordings taken with both the TrueLens Engine 2.0 and Ultra XDR are enhanced and retain marvelous color quality and sharpness.

For video the CMF Phone 1 is suited for 4K videos at 30 FPS and 1080p at 60 FPS maximum. The Action Mode and EIS image stabilization techniques minimize shakes while shooting smooth videos on the go. The 16 MP front-facing camera is pretty good for taking selfies, particularly where there is enough light. Video calls and vlogs are equally clear with the support of 1080p recording based on actual HDR.

Battery: Solid All-Day Performance with Fast Charging

cmf phone 1 battery

The 5000 mAh battery provided in the CMF Phone 1 is efficient enough to last for an entire day of average usage. I also realized that the device could easily manage a full day on the social network, instant messengers, the World Wide Web while playing some online games, or watching a video or two even with the screen’s 120Hz refresh rate.

Further, with the 33W charging support, you are not likely to be stuck near an electrical outlet for too long. Within the duration of using the phone, I managed to establish that it takes approximately one and a half hours to charge the device fully from zero battery charge. Moreover, the phone is equipped with 5W reverse wired charging enabling the device to charge its users’ other devices when needed. Even so, the feature of wireless charging is not available, which may be disappointing to those users who have gotten used to such comforts.

Stay Connected: Exploring the Connectivity Features of the CMF Phone 1

Nothing cmf phone 1 backlook

Moving on to connectivity, Nothing’s CMF Phone 1 performs excellently. The device boasts of dual-mode 5G support and comes with an extensive range of 5G bands, thus making it usable in various parts of the globe. While using Gigabit LTE or 5G you can be sure to achieve high data rates combined with stable connections.

The user almost need not worry about the Wi-Fi performance with the device as it also supports Wi-Fi 6 ensuring fast and stable internet connection even when on a congested network. Alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Global Positioning System components, GLONASS, and Galileo, the device is also comprehensive and competent in all-round connection accuracy. In spite of this, the absence of NFC may be a turn-off for some users who make frequent use of mobile payments.

Software: Clean, Customizable, and Regular Updates

Nothing cmf phone 1 OS

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is powered by a Nothing OS 2.6 based Android 14. It’s a sleek, uncluttered interface with snappy performance, easy tweaks and considerate elements that do not hinder the performance in any way. Nothing OS is minimalistic and optimized for usability, enabling the user to adjust certain parameters and use the interface in a preferable way without the need for a myriad of applications.

As for the CMF Phone 1 software update policy, the device is backed by a 2 years guarantee period for any major Android upgrades and an additional 3 years for security updates which is fair for a device at this price point given the nature of the market. This translates to users being assured of having access to new features as well as the security updates for a reasonable period.

Value for Money: Understanding the Nothing Phone CMF 1 Price

Nothing cmf phone 1 orange colour

The cmf phone 1, like its many counterparts in the market, is focused on producing value while keeping the price within reach of the average customer. Therefore, as regards the CMF Phone 1 release, the phone has its cost pegged at between ₹14,000 and ₹17,000 depending on the area in India and the storage variant (6 GB RAM + 128 GB and 8 GB RAM + 128 GB) and on flipkart offers are available.

At this pricing, it shares a similar shelf with other low-priced mobiles, but additional aspects such as the fine craftsmanship, dimensions, and display performance sets it apart from others. The phone is designed at a competitive price aimed at those who want to acquire a well-built phone with numerous features with minimal costs incurred.

Conclusion: A Strong Competitor in the Budget Market

The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a remarkable occurrence within the budget smartphone range. It even features an unconventional design with removable back covers, a powered MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chip and a large 6.67 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen. Offered at a reasonable price considering the performance of CMF Phone 1, this device manages to deliver performance along with low cost.

Of course, it has its drawbacks, such as the missing support for wireless charging and NFC, but still, the CMF Phone 1 offers sufficient advantages to become successful in its segment. In case you are searching for an affordable smartphone that is both interesting in design and user-oriented in functioning, you definitely should consider the Nothing CMF Phone 1.

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