Verdict
The CMF Phone 2 Pro keeps everything that made the original so appealing, and adds much more besides. The cameras are way better (and there are more of them), the screen is improved, it’s slightly quicker, and it has NFC for contactless payments. Combine all this with a fun modular accessory system, and you’ve got a budget phone that’s hard to beat.
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Greatly improved cameras -
Brighter screen with better colours -
Slightly quicker -
NFC Payment support
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Only IP54 rated -
Back isn’t replaceable -
Essential Space could cost money soon
Key Features
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Review Price: £219 -
Triple camera setup
The original CMF Phone only had a single camera on its rear, but this phone comes with three. There’s an ultrawide, a 2x telephoto, and the main camera has a larger sensor for low-light shooting. -
Upgraded display
It’s still a 120Hz OLED panel, but this time it’s much brighter, and it also supports 10-bit colour. This means the screen is easier to see in the sunshine and colours are much more accurate. -
Modular accessory system
Just like the original, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is compatible with an ecosystem of modular bolt-on accessories. It’s a very fun and unique approach, not the kind of thing you’d expect to see on such an affordable phone.
Introduction
I immediately fell in love with the CMF Phone 1 when it launched last year. It cost just over £200, but it was the polar opposite of everything else in the budget market.
Cheap phones tend to be boring. The selling point is the price, and otherwise, brands are trying to cast a wide net, appealing to as many people as possible. CMF dared to do things differently, with a unique modular design and divisive, quirky looks. It delivered the fun that the budget market was missing.
Now, less than a year later, the CMF Phone 2 Pro has arrived. It has a very similar look, supports modular accessories, and comes with plenty of upgrades. Despite the name change, though, the price has only increased marginally – and oddly enough, there doesn’t seem to be a non-Pro version.
The original CMF Phone was already an easy recommendation, and at least on paper, this phone seems even better. I’ve been testing it out for the past week or so to find out whether it really is the best budget phone around.
Design
- 164 x 78 x 7.8 mm, 185g
- Modular bolt-on accessories
- IP54 rated
The CMF Phone 2 Pro looks a lot like the Phone 1 that came before it. It still has exposed screws on the back panel, the modular Accessory Point at the bottom right corner, and it’s about the same size.
It’s a bold design, and it won’t be for everyone, but personally, I’m a huge fan. I love to see Nothing continuing to take risks with such unique aesthetics, especially in the budget market, where most brands tend to play it safe.
This year, there are a few changes to the design. For starters, the cameras are much more prominent, and there are more of them. While I wouldn’t call the CMF Phone 1‘s cameras a weak point, they certainly weren’t class-leading, and the design change is our first indicator that we’re in for some upgrades.
Next is the finish of the rear panelling. I have the Light Green model in for testing, and Nothing says it’s designed to mimic the look and feel of a matte glass back with metallic side rails. It’s still made from plastic, and the effect isn’t entirely convincing, but it feels a little more premium than the matte black model I tested last year. It also feels like it’ll be less prone to scratches in the long run.
If you choose the signature Orange model, you get a two-tone finish that’s half matte and half metallic, meanwhile, the White version has a panelled sandstone finish. It’s nice that there’s more variety this year, but you should note that the panels won’t be sold separately, and they aren’t designed to be easily removable like the original CMF Phone.
Instead, Nothing is selling accessory kits that come with a bolt-on adapter plate called the Universal Cover. It adds a lens thread, so you can use the new screw-on macro and fisheye adapters, as well as MagSafe-style magnets that work with the new wallet-kickstand combo accessory.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try these new accessories myself, but I did get my hands on the lanyard. It screws into the Accessory Point, just like older version, and indeed, it works on both the Phone 1 and the Phone 2 Pro.
It’s a fairly odd approach this time around, and I can only assume it was done in the name of water resistance, as the CMF Phone 2 Pro has an IP54 rating, up from IP52.
Despite Nothing’s recommendations, though, I couldn’t help but try to remove the back. And it turns out it’s very easy to get into. You’ll need a spudger to do so, but it only takes a few minutes with the screws removed, and then you’ve got full access to the battery and the rest of the internals.
This means repairs will be very easy for anyone with the right skillset, and that’s something I always like to see. It’s worth noting, though, that there’s some adhesive holding the rear panel in place, and once it has been taken apart, I can’t imagine it being quite so water-resistant.
Another change with this model is the addition of the Essential Key, which recently debuted with the Phone 3a series. It works in the same way on this phone, and I’ll go into more detail about that later on. I like that it has a distinct feel, just as it did on the 3a, but I still ended up pressing it when I was aiming for the lock button quite frequently.
Screen
- 6.77-inch 1080 x 2392 120Hz OLED
- 3000 nits peak brightness
- 10-bit colour
The CMF Phone 1 came with a 120Hz OLED panel, which is pretty standard for higher-end phones, but not a given in the budget market (the £599 iPhone 16e still has a 60Hz panel, after all).
I thought it was more than good enough, but not one to rest on its laurels, Nothing has upped the specs for the CMF Phone 2 Pro. This time it boasts a peak brightness of 3000 nits, up from 2000 nits.
It also now supports 10-bit colour, whereas the older panel was 8-bit. If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, it essentially means the Phone 2 Pro can display over a billion colours, while the Phone 1 is working with around 16.7 million.
Viewing the two phones side by side, the difference is easy to see. The CMF Phone 2 Pro shows a lot less banding when gradients are on screen, and colours appear more vivid and accurate, too.
The bezels are also more symmetrical on the newer model. The original had a slight chin, in that the lower bezel was slightly thicker than the others. That’s no longer the case, and it makes the phone look much more premium.
Finally – and this is a very minor thing, but it’s a detail that I think matters – there’s a new chamfered bezel at the edge of the display. The original had a microscopic lip that stuck out more than the glass, and I could feel it every time I performed a swiping gesture from the edge.
On the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the screen is still completely flat, but this new bezel provides a smooth surface to swipe from. It almost makes the screen feel like a quad-curved panel. It’s these kinds of minute details that are often overlooked in the budget segment. So, hats off to CMF for addressing it.
Cameras
- 50MP main camera (1/1.57-inch sensor)
- 8MP ultrawide (1/4-inch sensor)
- 50MP 2x telephoto (1/2.88-inch sensor)
- 16MP selfie camera (1/3-inch sensor)
Probably the most impactful change with the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the upgraded camera system. While the older model may have looked like it had two cameras on the rear, there was really only one; the other was a depth sensor to aid in Portrait Mode effects.
It wasn’t a bad camera, but having a single lens feels dated in 2025, and that all changes with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. An 8MP ultrawide and a 50MP 2x telephoto have been added to the roster, and the main sensor has been upgraded, too.
The main sensor is now a 1/1.57-inch unit, up from 1/2-inch. This is one of the largest sensors that you’re likely to find in this price range, and it results in much better low-light shots. It can even create some natural bokeh when you get up close.
As you might expect, the 8MP ultrawide is by far the weakest camera, but it’s not any worse than the ultrawide cameras that you find on some of the best mid-range phones around. Compared to the main lens, you lose a lot of detail, and images often look harsh and oversharpened. Still, it’s a useful focal length, and I’d rather have a mediocre ultrawide than no ultrawide.
The 2x telephoto, on the other hand, is quite impressive. It seems to be mainly designed as a portrait lens, and when you switch into Portrait Mode, it’s the default. It works great for this purpose, but it’s also just a nice way to get photos with slightly more considered framing and less distortion.
I really like the way close-up shots look on the 2x lens, as the longer focal length creates some pleasing background compression. Unfortunately, at present, you have to fight with the camera software to achieve this. It tries to switch into macro mode whenever you get close, which uses the main sensor. I kept having to switch into Expert mode just to force the phone to use the camera I had selected.
If the conditions are less than perfect, your best bet is to stick to the main camera. The larger sensor does a much better job when it’s dark, while the auxiliary lenses are prone to motion blur and graininess. It’s also the most detailed, regardless of lighting conditions, but on bright days, the gap between the main and 2x is fairly small.
Around the front, there’s a 16MP punch hole selfie camera, and it appears to be unchanged from the last model. It’s not the most remarkable camera, but it gets the job done nicely. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it handled challenging lighting, too.
I feel like Nothing has been working on its Portrait Mode effects lately. I was pleasantly surprised by the Nothing Phone 3a‘s capabilities, and the CMF Phone 2 Pro seems to be greatly improved too. Despite lacking a depth sensor, Portrait cutouts were much more reliable.
In video mode, you can shoot at up to 4K 30fps on either the main or telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the ultrawide can only shoot at up to 1080p 30fps. The selfie camera is also limited to 1080p, but it can shoot 60fps.
I wouldn’t call this a video workhorse; you’ll often see dropped frames, and the stabilisation could still use some work, but we have to remember that this is a budget phone. The footage is more than good enough for the odd social media post.
Performance
- MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro
- 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
- Single speaker
The CMF Phone 2 Pro has the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro inside. It’s essentially the same chip that was in the CMF Phone 1, but it has been tweaked to deliver 10% faster processing and a 5% graphics improvement.
There are two versions to choose from. Both come with 8GB of RAM, but you can select either 128GB or 256GB of storage. I’m testing the latter model, but that shouldn’t have any impact on the performance.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro has a microSD card slot, and it’ll accept up to 2TB of additional storage, so you could always save a bit and buy an SD card instead. I’m always happy to see expandable storage options – it’s something that’s becoming more scarce every year.
As the spec sheet suggests, this new processor isn’t a huge upgrade over its predecessor. Benchmark scores show a decent uplift in CPU-intensive tasks, while graphics performance is only slightly better. In reality, I couldn’t really feel a difference.
Gaming felt about the same, too. Frame rates might be higher, but we’re talking a frame or two per second, and it’s not enough to make a noticeable difference. I found that Genshin Impact ran well on the lowest graphical preset at a solid 30fps, but you’ll see dips if you push the graphics any higher. It’s a decent showing at this price.
Outside of gaming, the CMF Phone 2 Pro feels very quick and snappy. It’s very easy to forget that it’s a budget device and not an upper mid-ranger. Swiping through the OS is as smooth as can be, apps open fairly quickly and the only time I could feel the difference was when loading search results, which took a fraction of a second longer than it would on a higher-end handset.
Software
- Nothing OS 3.2, based on Android 15
- Essential Space
- Longer support window
The CMF Phone 2 Pro runs Nothing’s heavily stylised version of Android 15, called Nothing OS 3.2. It’s the same software that you’ll find on the brand’s other devices, and while the styling likely won’t be for everyone, the efficiency and bloat-free install almost certainly will.
I’m a big fan of Nothing OS, and I love how easy it is to make my apps monochromatic; it makes for a nice minimalist homescreen. For my tastes, it’s one of the best-looking Android skins around.
The best thing, though, is that it doesn’t come loaded with tonnes of unwanted apps. Budget phones are usually a nightmare for this, as companies attempt to offset the hardware cost with bundled software, but somehow Nothing manages to keep things clean. It’s the kind of software experience that normally demands a premium price.
The Google integration runs deep, too. You get all the latest features, like Gemini and Circle to Search, and services like Google Password Manager work more seamlessly on this phone than they do on competing devices.
The big new feature this year is called Essential Space – and if you’ve read up on the Phone (3a) series, you’ll no doubt be familiar. There’s a physical button underneath the lock button that’s designed especially for this new feature.
A single press of the Essential Key takes a screenshot, a long press takes a voice note, and a double press takes you into the Essential Space, where these images and recordings are stored. If the camera app is open, you can now use the Essential Key to take a photo, which will then be stored in the same location.
The idea is that it acts as a second memory, so when you come across anything you need to remember, you just tap the button. Then, AI summarises the images, transcribes the screenshots, and makes them searchable.
I like the concept, but there are a couple of issues: The first is that it’s not cross-platform, so you can only access the Essential Space on a Nothing device. As a tech reviewer, that’s never gonna work for me, but it could pose less of an issue to others.
The second is a big one. There are plenty of reports suggesting that the Essential Space will be a paid feature in the future. Unless lots of impressive features are added, I can’t see many people being tempted – and I hope Nothing decides to let us remap the button if it goes that route.
One of my biggest gripes with the CMF Phone 1 was that it didn’t support NFC, so you couldn’t use it for contactless payments. Thankfully, with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, that has been addressed, and I’m pleased to report that Google Wallet works flawlessly.
Another big win is that the software support window has been increased. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is set to receive three years of major Android OS upgrades, as well as six years of security patches. Sure, it doesn’t quite compete with Samsung and Apple’s flagship policies, but it’s a big improvement over the two years of upgrades and three years of security patches offered previously.
Battery life
- 5000 mAh battery
- 33W charging
- No charger in the box
The CMF Phone 2 Pro has the exact same battery capacity and charging speed as its predecessor. However, despite packing the same 5000 mAh cell, Nothing reckons it’ll last about an hour longer than its predecessor. I’d assume that’s thanks to some software tweaks.
To be honest, with my normal use, I didn’t notice much of a difference. That’s not a bad thing, though; the original already had great battery life, and this is just as good.
On average, I was ending the day with about 40% battery remaining, and if I used the phone more conservatively, I could just about manage two days between charges.
There’s no charger in the box, just a nice Nothing-branded USB-A to USB-C cable. If you wanted to complete the set, you could grab the CMF 65W GaN charger – although that might be a little expensive to pair with a £219 phone that only utilises 33W.
I used my Ugreen Nexode desktop charger, which should be able to deliver the maximum advertised speed. It was able to take the phone from dead to around 60% charged in half an hour. It’s not blazing-fast, but it’s definitely not a chore to keep this handset topped up.
Should you buy it?
You want bang for your buck
For just £219, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a wonderfully complete package. The cameras are solid, the screen is lovely, the performance is great, and the software is excellent. It’s hard to find a phone that offers as much for such a low asking price.
You’re looking for the best gaming performance
If you’re a hardcore gamer, you might find the performance of the CMF Phone 2 Pro to be lacking. It gets the job done, but you can currently grab a Poco F6 for just £30 more, and it’s much more capable.
Final Thoughts
The CMF Phone 1 was already my go-to budget phone recommendation; The second version is significantly improved, and it only costs £10 more than its predecessor (at MSRP). The styling won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re into the look, this is easily one of the best phones in its price range.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is stylish, it comes with premium, streamlined software, it has great cameras, and most importantly, it’s fun. You won’t find this kind of modular accessory ecosystem anywhere else, and the fact that it can be had at such a low cost is astonishing.
The pain points of its predecessor have been addressed, too. There’s now NFC for contactless payments, multiple cameras for versatile framing, a higher water resistance rating, and a longer window of software support.
Of course, it won’t be the perfect fit for everyone. If gaming is your thing, you might want to look at the Poco F6, which can be had for just £249 now that it has been out for a while. Meanwhile, if you want something with more traditional looks, the Motorola G85 might be a good pick.
As a complete package, though, I think you’ll need to spend significantly more to beat the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It’s an absolute bargain.
How we test
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Used as a main phone for over a week
- Thorough camera testing in a variety of conditions
- Tested and benchmarked using respected industry tests and real-world data
FAQs
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is IP54 rated, which means it can handle splashes of water from all directions, but it won’t survive full submersion.
Yes, the CMF Phone 2 Pro supports microSD cards with up to 2TB capacity.
Test Data
| CMF Phone 2 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single core | 1003 |
| Geekbench 6 multi core | 2910 |
| 1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR) | 7 % |
| 30 minute gaming (light) | 5 % |
| Time from 0-100% charge | 65 min |
| Time from 0-50% charge | 26 Min |
| 30-min recharge (no charger included) | 57 % |
| 15-min recharge (no charger included) | 29 % |
| 3D Mark – Wild Life | 852 |
| GFXBench – Aztec Ruins | 22 fps |
| GFXBench – Car Chase | 29 fps |
Full Specs
| CMF Phone 2 Pro Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £219 |
| USA RRP | $289 |
| Manufacturer | Nothing |
| Screen Size | 6.77 inches |
| Storage Capacity | 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 50MP + 8MP |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Video Recording | No |
| IP rating | IP54 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | No |
| Size (Dimensions) | 78 x 7.8 x 164 MM |
| Weight | 185 G |
| ASIN | B0F2T4LT17 |
| Operating System | Nothing OS 3.2 (Android 15) |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 05/05/2025 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 |
| HDR | No |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Ports | USB-C, microSD card slot |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Colours | White, Black, Orange, Light Green |
| Stated Power | 33 W |
