CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: This Is the Phone to Buy for Under $280

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is priced at just $279, but it offers specs that you usually find on devices that cost more than twice that amount. Nothing’s sub-brand has launched its second phone, now bearing the “Pro” in its name. Beyond its marketing appeal, the phone retains the core value of the CMF Phone 1: an exceptional value and software that stands out.

I’ve been using the CMF Phone 2 Pro for a little over a week, and I believe it’ll be one of my top recommendations for value for money in 2025.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Specs

CMF Phone 2 Pro Smartphone, Android Cell Phones with MTK 7300 Pro,4 Camera System, 50 MP Camera, 6,67" Flexible AMOLED Display, 5000mAh, 33 W Fast Charge, NFC, Nothing OS 3, 8+256GB - Black

Today on Amazon — $339.00

* Some prices may have changed since the last update

Design, Display, and Audio: Mostly Good News

Like in 2024, I have good and bad news regarding the design. The good news is that the phone clearly stands out from the competition. In an era where all devices look the same, it’s something I appreciate.

In the 2025 model, the back features a two-tone finish. The stainless-steel screws and the removable wheel for attaching a strap are still here. When you turn the phone around, you see a flat front, a front-facing perforation, and solid bezels.

Despite being original, the design won’t suit everyone. I’ve asked my friends what they think about it. No one has found the design particularly appealing. In fact, when I first unboxed it, I thought it lacked some charm. It’s one of the few phones that looks better in pictures than in person, especially in this color.

The design includes distinctive details such as the camera shapes with no module and a small wheel for attaching a strap. There are also flathead screws to allow users to replace the back cover if it gets damaged. The level of attention to detail in the CMF phone is extremely high, a quality you don’t often see in devices in this price segment.

The power button is located above, while the Essential Key is positioned below it. It can get confusing.

The volume button remains in its usual location. However, on the right side, there’s now the Essential Key, which is inherited from the Nothing Phone. I’m not too fond of this positioning. It’s located where power buttons typically are, making it easy to press accidentally.

The buttons have a plastic feel, but there are no issues with their stability. Considering the price of the product, you shouldn’t expect metal casing on the sides.

The standout feature of this phone is its level of customization. Nothing offers an impressive range of accessories:

• A case and magnetic accessory adapter
• A wallet and stand
• A lanyard
• Interchangeable lenses

Having accessories such as interchangeable fisheye and macro lenses is a big advantage. I also like that the wallet doesn’t rely on a MagSafe-like system but uses screws instead. Overall, this CMF phone is the most customizable mid-range device currently available.

The phone features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. It also boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (with a typical brightness of 1,300 nits) along with HDR10+ support. Both the brightness level and HDR10+ compatibility are uncommon, if not unheard of, in phones priced under $280.

In practical terms, the display is impressive. In fact, it looks like what you would typically find in phones around $400 rather than under $280. However, the peak brightness of 3,000 nits is only applicable to HDR content, and it could be a bit too bright when under direct sunlight. Overall, these results are excellent.

The phone’s calibration has been improved compared to last year. Users can only adjust the color modes (Active and Standard) and the white balance. This is the native setting provided by Android Stock, with no additional customization options.

You can also adjust the screen refresh rate, setting it to always be at 120 Hz. Alternatively, you can choose to limit it to 60 Hz to extend battery life, or allow it to dynamically switch between 60 and 120 Hz as needed.

Additionally, sound quality is solid, but nothing exceptional. I’ve noticed some distortion when playing videos or music. The phone only has one speaker, which is unusual even for budget models.

Performance, Software, and Battery: A Clean ROM and a Chip That Looks Familiar

The main issue with budget phones often revolves around their performance. Manufacturers frequently cut corners when it comes to the processor. In 2024, the Phone 1 featured the MediaTek Dimensity 7300. The new generations offer a “Pro” variant of the same chip, which provides a 10% improvement in both CPU and GPU performance.

However, the improvement is barely noticeable. In fact, benchmarks show that it scored even lower than the CMF Phone 1 on Geekbench. The CMF Phone 2 Pro performs well, especially considering its price. The Dimensity 7300 Pro chip is MediaTek’s alternative to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, although it lags behind in graphics performance.

Overall, I haven’t encountered any issues in everyday tasks such as browsing, using social media, and multitasking with several apps.

While playing games like PUBG Mobile, I’ve noticed that the phone experiences some lag after extended gameplay. This isn’t due to overheating, given that the device dissipates heat effectively. Rather, it’s a limitation of its processor, which isn’t particularly optimized for gaming.

On a positive note, the CMF Phone 2 Pro excels in its software capabilities. It comes without bloatware and features its own apps for Gallery, Recorder, and Weather. If you own a Nothing headset, you’ll appreciate that the Nothing app is pre-installed, allowing for easy configuration.

Additionally, this phone will receive software updates for three years (up to Android 18), and support will last six years for security updates.

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The CMF Phone 2 Pro includes an AI-powered feature called Essential Space, where you can store voice or text notes alongside corresponding screenshots. It’s easy to use:

• Double-tap on the desktop: open Essential Space.
• One tap: screenshot + notes.
• Long press: screenshot + voice memo.

It’s not the most revolutionary feature, and I wish the button dedicated to this space were programmable. Still, CMF is trying to stand out from the competition in these areas.

As for AI systems, Gemini integrates natively into the lock button (just press and hold) and the Essential Key. This setup lets you add notes or voice recordings within the Essential Space app. In short, it’s a kind of Google Keep with AI summarizing what’s on the screen. It’s not the craziest or most helpful feature, but it’s there.

Regarding autonomy, don’t expect silicon-carbon technology in a phone at this price, so the 5,000 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging doesn’t sound too bad. I was hoping for slightly faster charging, but it goes from 0 to 50% in half an hour and takes just over an hour to fully charge. Not a big deal.

Battery life is excellent, delivering more than seven hours of screen time under heavy use. The extra brightness stands out under direct sunlight. It does use a bit more power, but that’s acceptable given the payoff. It’s an area where I’m more than satisfied.

Cameras: The Third Camera Isn’t a Macro, Make a Wish

I’m tired—so tired—of 2-megapixel macro cameras on mid-range phones. CMF didn’t just fill space this year: all three cameras actually work.

• 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.57”, 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF
• 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm telephoto, 1/2.88”, PDAF, 2x
• 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚, 1/4.0”, 1.12µm

The sensors are small, so you shouldn’t expect spectacular results. But adding a 2x telephoto lens at this price is rare.

The camera app is nearly identical to Nothing’s: very simple, with no frills or AI tricks. It’s a straightforward photography app, which I appreciate in a phone focused on simplicity.

As for results, it’s what I expected from a $279 phone—nothing more, nothing less. The images lean toward oversaturation and, at times, overexposure (as seen in the photo of the building). Sharpness drops off at the corners, though the center remains well preserved.

Like most phones in this range, the photos are heavily processed. Ironically, reducing the noise reduction and sharpening could lead to more natural and detailed images—even with these small sensors.

The telephoto lens is short but helpful for 2x zoom shots of decent quality. “Decent” being relative, since the sensor is tiny. Sharpness takes a hit compared to the main lens, and color consistency drops—telephoto results often appear paler.

The ultra-wide performs as expected: decent and useful for adding versatility, but only when lighting is ideal. Don’t count on it in low light or challenging scenes.

Night photography isn’t bad. It won’t win awards, but you won’t need to avoid using it after sunset. Processing helps preserve enough brightness, despite the small sensor.

The selfie quality is average, with a portrait mode that looks a bit artificial and processing that leans too heavily on orange tones. The lens is wide enough for group shots, though at 22 mm, it’s not the widest I have used.

Video recording goes up to 4K at 30 fps. Quality is okay, though stabilization feels artificial—which makes sense, given the lack of optical stabilization. Still, for this price range, it’s more than acceptable.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Xataka’s Opinion

I have mixed feelings about the CMF Phone 2 Pro. In a world where design didn’t matter, I’d recommend this phone with my eyes closed. Let me explain: It’s the perfect phone for many of our readers—but not one my mother would want. Design plays a major role in phone buying decisions, and this model struggles to stand out among mainstream options.

This happened last year. I recommended the CMF Phone 1 often, and no one listened: “I don’t like it” was the most common response. People picked alternatives with worse specs but flashier designs. I’m not saying CMF should lose its essence, but shifting to more industrial design might be smart.

That aside, I have no major complaints. The screen is excellent, the performance is solid, battery life is strong, the camera setup is great for the price, and the software is a joy to use.

At the moment, it’s tough to find better alternatives for the price—especially since it runs stock Android and delivers a Pixel-like user experience.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Smartphone, Android Cell Phones with MTK 7300 Pro,4 Camera System, 50 MP Camera, 6,67" Flexible AMOLED Display, 5000mAh, 33 W Fast Charge, NFC, Nothing OS 3, 8+256GB - Black

Today on Amazon — $339.00

* Some prices may have changed since the last update

Images | Xataka | CMF

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