Over All Rating 3.5/5
PROS 👍
- Unique Design
- Great Battery Life
- Primary Camera Performance
CONS 👎
- Single Loudspeaker
- No Charger in the box
When Nothing launched its first-ever smartphone, it created a wave of excitement, and now the smartphone launched by its sub-brand, CMF, is making a noise in the smartphone world. The CMF Phone 1 is priced at ₹15,999 but has all the features an average smartphone user looks for. After reviewing the CMF Buds Pro 2 and CMF Watch Pro 2, we are back again with a review of the most desirable smartphone of 2024.
Here's an in-depth review of CMF Phone 1
Design and Build Quality
Nothing is the new IKEA, especially when the talk is about design. Earlier, the company brought a transparent smartphone, and now, its sub-brand has brought a smartphone with a removable back panel, and that’s not just a design gimmick, it’s functional, just like the smart dial we see on the CMF Buds Pro 2. Along with a review unit, we received one back panel, and it’s damn sick for a smartphone that’s priced under ₹20,000.
The brand is selling various additional accessories (to be purchased separately) that can make CMF Phone 1 one of the most desirable devices in the market. The list includes removable back panels, a phone stand, a lanyard cable, a card case, and a 33W fast charger. The back covers of the CMF Phone 1 come with a miniature screwdriver, allowing you to remove the back panel and swap it out with a new one.
The review unit we received had a light green back panel with a matte finish, which seemed relatively fresh as a colour, while the additional cover we received was blue with a vegan leather finish. In addition to these two colours, the back panel is also available in orange and black, each priced at ₹799. Both matte and vegan leather finishes offer an excellent grip over the phone and don’t attract fingerprints.
The back panel of the CMF Phone 1 also features a rotary dial, which can be removed by rotating 4-5 times, and you can attach a lanyard to it for easy carrying (best for senior citizens) or a small stand for comfortable content viewing. However, one can’t carry a smartphone in a pocket when a stand is attached, it’s pretty uncomfortable. The device is IP52-rated water and dust-resistant, meaning it can survive water splashes and dust particles.
Display
The CMF Phone 1 boasts a sleek design with a flat 6.67-inch AMOLED display encased in a thin plastic frame. The display is clear and sharp, though its slightly warmer tone may make the colours seem less vibrant. Despite this, it’s perfect for everyday use, social media, and watching movies. It’s bright enough for outdoor use, providing clear visuals even under direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and fluid navigation.
The screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which is rare for a smartphone under 20k. For media enthusiasts, the phone supports HDR10+, enhancing colour differentiation and adding depth to your viewing experience. There’s also an HDR display mode that boosts brightness for HDR content, seamlessly integrating with third-party apps like YouTube. Overall, the CMF Phone 1’s display is well-suited for both casual and immersive media consumption.
Performance
The CMF Phone 1 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G processor and outperforms many phones under ₹20,000. The smartphone handled games such as Call of Duty smoothly at default settings, with no frame drops or lag. The phone performs flawlessly when it comes to day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and app launches. The CMF Phone 1 has a mono speaker, which delivers loud sound but lacks the richness of stereo speakers.
The biometric system is fast enough for quick unlocks. Promising two years of Android OS upgrades, the phone will receive Android 15 and 16. Nothing OS is minimalist and bloatware-free, offering a choice between Nothing OS and stock Android. Essential features like App Locker and Cloned apps are included, along with a clean, uncluttered UI. Overall, the CMF Phone 1 provides an excellent user experience with its polished Nothing OS.
Camera
The CMF Phone 1 features a 50-MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, delivering decent performance for its price. Daylight shots are clear, capturing detailed foregrounds and subjects. However, in low light, while colours remain accurate, details can soften. Portrait shots show impressive edge detection, though artificial lighting can increase brightness and soften facial details, adding a warmer tone.
The 16MP front camera provides good selfies in daylight but struggles in low light, producing grainy images. Videography capabilities are impressive, allowing 4K recording at 30fps and 1080p at up to 60fps. HDR recording is available at 1080p and 30fps. The front camera also supports HDR and 1080p recording at 60fps. While the video quality aligns with the camera’s imaging, the microphone tends to pick up significant background noise during recording.
Verdict
At ₹15,999, CMF Phone 1 offers unique design customisation, letting users create a personalised look and deliver solid performance. Its vibrant display and 5000 mAh long battery life make it perfect for binge-watching. However, it features a single speaker and lacks a charger in the box. Also, all the accessories, like the stand and lanyard, must be purchased separately, making it somewhat of a half-baked offer. However, at this price, you can’t expect a mermaid.
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