Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: The New Budget King of 2025?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro arrives with a lot to prove and even more to live up to. After the unexpected success of the original CMF Phone 1, which won hearts thanks to its incredible modularity, low price, and reliable performance, expectations for the sequel were sky-high. Now priced slightly higher at £219, the Phone 2 Pro claims to offer better design, upgraded cameras, slicker performance, and a whole ecosystem of new accessories. The question on everyone’s mind: does it actually pull it off? Or is the original still the smarter buy?

From the very first unboxing experience, the CMF Phone 2 Pro shows that it’s determined to offer more value than ever before. Inside the package, you’ll find not only the phone itself but a generous set of accessories like a wallet-stand combo, interchangeable lenses, new Buds 2 earphones, and even a heavy-duty lanyard that could almost tow a car. It’s clear that Nothing (CMF’s parent brand) wants you to feel you’re getting much more than just a phone for your money.

At first glance, the Phone 2 Pro doesn’t reinvent the wheel – but it does refine nearly everything. It’s thinner, lighter, more comfortable to hold, and the new “Essential Key” adds a unique control method. Yet, with new features comes new compromises. The original’s easily removable backplate, one of its most charming features, is now glued on, slightly reducing the modularity that fans loved. Still, on paper, the CMF Phone 2 Pro looks like an absurdly good deal: a slick AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, a big battery, upgraded cameras, and an affordable price.

But does the real-world experience live up to these promises? Let’s dive deeper.

Display Specs and Biometrics:

The CMF Phone 2 Pro makes a bold statement with its display, especially at its price point. At the front, you’re greeted by a flat AMOLED panel that boasts a symmetrical bezel design—something we rarely see in budget or midrange phones. There’s no overly thick chin here, and it makes the viewing experience feel a lot more balanced and premium.

Measuring 6.7 inches diagonally, the AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors, true blacks, and excellent contrast. It’s a Full HD+ panel with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, delivering crisp text and sharp images, whether you’re browsing articles or watching YouTube. The 120Hz refresh rate adds fluidity to swipes and animations, and it can scale down dynamically to conserve battery life when you’re reading static content.

 

While the display isn’t breaking any records in brightness, it still performs admirably in sunlight. The peak brightness can hit around 1200 nits in HDR conditions and comfortably above 800 nits in regular high-brightness mode. That’s bright enough for outdoor use without excessive glare. It supports HDR10 and HLG, but Dolby Vision is not available, which is understandable at this price.

CMF has added thoughtful features like “Ultra Volume” to enhance audio performance beyond what you’d expect from a mono speaker setup. When paired with the display, this makes video watching and podcast listening far more immersive than you’d expect from a phone that costs around £219.

Touch responsiveness is on point, and there’s a layer of Gorilla Glass protecting the front panel. Finger smudges are still visible but manageable. Speaking of touch, biometric authentication is handled via an under-display optical fingerprint sensor. It’s accurate and decently fast, though not as instant as more expensive flagships. Some users may find its placement a little low, especially when using the phone one-handed, but it’s still easy to get used to.

Facial recognition is also available via the front-facing camera, and it works well in daylight, but it lacks infrared depth sensing, so security-wise, it’s not the most robust. If you want a faster unlock experience, the fingerprint scanner is more reliable under all conditions.

One standout usability upgrade over last year’s model is the smoothness of the software in tandem with the display. Combined with the AMOLED panel and responsive biometrics, navigating Nothing OS on this device feels like a flagship-lite experience. The CMF 2 Pro screen feels far above its class in real-world usage, especially for content consumption, reading, and scrolling.

Software Updates and Apps:

One of the most pleasant surprises with the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the refinement of its software. Running a clean version of Nothing OS built atop Android 14, the phone feels lightweight, fast, and bloatware-free. Unlike many budget phones that bog down with unwanted apps or intrusive skins, this experience is polished and user-first right out of the box.

Nothing OS here offers a refreshing balance between minimalism and utility. It includes subtle design animations, carefully chosen default apps, and just the right amount of customization. CMF has kept the interface familiar but added a few unique twists—like the new “Smart App Drawer,” which intelligently sorts your apps by category. For users who install dozens of apps, this helps keep everything tidy without needing to manually organize folders.

The company has also added a secure “Private Space” where you can store sensitive apps, photos, and files. It’s protected separately from your main data, ideal for anyone who shares their device or simply values privacy.

Another big addition is the new “Essential Key.” It’s a glossy, tactile side button unique to the CMF 2 Pro, and it opens a customizable shortcut menu. A single press takes a screenshot, a long press allows voice commands, and a double-tap opens your “Essential Space”—a hub where you can store saved notes, reminders, screenshots, and more. While still a bit buggy and undercooked, the potential here is massive, especially for productivity-focused users.

The app compatibility is also excellent. Thanks to full Google Play access, you can download virtually any Android app. Despite being a budget phone, the CMF 2 Pro doesn’t limit you. Navigation is smooth, transitions are fluid, and the whole OS feels more expensive than the phone actually is.

Notably, CMF promises 3 years of major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. That’s nearly unheard of in the sub-£250 bracket and adds serious long-term value to this phone. Most budget devices get left behind within a year or two, but Nothing’s track record with software suggests they’ll deliver on this commitment.

From widgets on the lock screen to a light but capable dark mode, this phone gets the balance just right. It’s simple enough for minimalists, but powerful enough for users who want full app compatibility without going over budget.

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Performance and Chipsets:

At the heart of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, a modest but efficient 4nm chipset that delivers more than you’d expect for a phone in this price range. It’s paired with 8GB of RAM in the base model, and despite this seemingly average spec sheet, the day-to-day performance is impressively smooth. From swiping through menus to loading social apps, the phone rarely stutters.

The chip itself brings a 5–10% improvement over the previous generation, but what really makes the difference is how well Nothing has optimized its OS. Animations glide smoothly, multitasking feels fluid, and apps stay in memory longer than you’d think possible for a budget-tier device. Even heavier tasks like opening maps or switching between media apps are handled with surprising ease.

OnePlus, Samsung, and Xiaomi often reserve this level of polish for phones at least twice the price, but CMF has clearly focused on tuning the experience at the software level. Transitions are snappy, scrolling is consistent, and there’s no sense of lag even after a week of continuous usage.

Benchmark results are solid for this class of phone, placing it in line with mid-range 2023 phones rather than bottom-tier 2024 devices. While it won’t match Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Elite chipsets, it’s not trying to — and most users won’t feel the difference unless they’re running multiple demanding apps back-to-back.

Also impressive is thermal control. The phone maintains reasonable temperatures even during extended sessions, never becoming uncomfortably warm. That’s likely helped by the more efficient processor, a physically slimmer body, and refined power management.

It’s not a powerhouse, but for £219, this is probably the most consistent performance you’ll find. If you’re coming from an older Android or a bloated budget phone, the CMF 2 Pro will feel like a leap forward in speed and responsiveness.

Gaming Performance and Tests:

Gaming on the CMF Phone 2 Pro isn’t just possible — it’s actually enjoyable, which is rare at this price. While the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro isn’t a flagship chip, it’s competent enough to handle modern mobile titles at medium settings with consistent frame rates and minimal heat buildup.

Popular games like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run smoothly on default settings. On CoD Mobile, the phone sustains 50–60 FPS during multiplayer matches, with only occasional frame drops when effects get intense. The 120Hz display helps make gameplay feel fluid, even if most titles don’t fully utilize the higher refresh rate.

More demanding games like Genshin Impact will require a dip in graphics settings. You can play on low or medium with acceptable frame pacing, though the phone can struggle with consistent performance during heavy combat scenes or large world exploration. Still, for casual sessions, it’s more than playable.

Thermal performance is excellent. Thanks to efficient silicon and Nothing’s well-optimized software layer, the phone remains cool even during 30+ minute gaming sessions. No throttling, no discomfort in-hand — just a steady, reliable experience that budget phones rarely offer.

Battery drain during gaming is reasonable. In our tests, a 30-minute session of PUBG Mobile used roughly 8–9% battery with brightness at 70% and sound enabled. That aligns with mid-range phones, and is helped by the CMF 2 Pro’s power-efficient 4nm architecture.

Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated gaming mode or GPU acceleration features like those found in more gaming-focused devices, but that’s expected at this price. What you do get are consistent frame rates, low temperatures, and responsive touch — three of the most critical elements for a decent gaming experience.

Ultimately, the CMF Phone 2 Pro won’t replace a gaming phone, but it absolutely punches above its weight class for casual and mid-level mobile gamers.

Battery Life and Charging Speed:

The CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a surprisingly robust battery experience, especially considering its sub-$250 price. It comes equipped with a 5,000mAh lithium polymer battery — a size that’s standard in many flagship devices — and it’s paired with an efficient 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip and a software layer that’s clearly been optimized for battery conservation.

In typical day-to-day use, the phone performs admirably. With balanced usage — a few hours of YouTube, social media browsing, photo-taking, some messaging, and even occasional gaming — the CMF 2 Pro consistently lasts a full day and well into the next. Most users should expect 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time, depending on screen brightness and refresh rate settings. When left idle or on standby overnight, it barely sips any power at all, typically losing less than 1% in 6–8 hours.

For light users who aren’t pushing the phone constantly, the device can stretch comfortably into a two-day battery phone. Those who lean more toward gaming or extended media streaming can still expect a full-day experience without needing to recharge mid-day.

Charging speed is another highlight. While it doesn’t feature flashy 100W fast charging, the bundled 33W wired charging is more than adequate at this tier. In testing, it charged the device from 0% to 50% in about 28 minutes and completed a full charge in just under 70 minutes. That’s fast enough for most people, especially if you’re plugging it in at night or during work hours.

Wireless charging is not supported, which isn’t surprising for this price range. However, reverse wired charging is available, letting you top up accessories like earbuds in a pinch — another thoughtful touch for users who might own the matching CMF Buds.

Overall, battery life is one of the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s strongest selling points. Between excellent standby performance, reliable all-day usage, and respectable fast charging, it easily outperforms most phones in the budget-to-midrange category.

Connectivity:

The CMF Phone 2 Pro packs a solid set of connectivity options that make it a reliable daily driver in 2025. Starting with the basics, it supports dual SIM functionality with 5G on both slots, a welcome feature for anyone who frequently travels or balances work and personal lines. The 5G bands cover a wide range, ensuring compatibility across global networks, although mmWave is not supported — which is expected in this price bracket.

Wi-Fi performance is dependable thanks to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) support, which, while not cutting-edge like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, still delivers stable speeds for streaming and app updates. In real-world testing, the phone maintained a strong signal even in congested urban environments and handled video calls without buffering or dropouts.

Bluetooth 5.3 is on board, which allows for fast pairing, reliable connection with wireless earbuds like the CMF Buds 2 or Buds 2 Plus, and support for lower energy usage over longer periods. In our tests, Bluetooth connectivity remained stable over multiple hours of music playback, with no interference or signal drops even when walking away from the paired device.

The inclusion of NFC is a major step forward from the original CMF Phone 1. Now, users can tap to pay using Google Pay or any other supported service. This makes the 2 Pro much more viable as a daily smartphone in urban environments where contactless payments are the norm.

One downside: the USB-C port is only rated for USB 2.0 speeds, meaning data transfers from phone to computer won’t be blazing fast. That said, charging performance isn’t affected — and for most users who rely on cloud syncing or media streaming, it’s a non-issue.

The GPS module performs as expected. Navigation via Google Maps was responsive, with quick satellite locks and no erratic drifting, which can sometimes plague budget phones. It supports A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou for global accuracy.

Also of note is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack — a rarity in 2025, even among budget phones. It allows for direct plug-in of wired headphones and doubles as an antenna for the phone’s built-in FM radio. This simple port remains a huge plus for audiophiles and offline radio listeners.

All in all, the CMF Phone 2 Pro doesn’t push boundaries in connectivity, but it nails all the essentials and throws in a few nice bonuses — like NFC, the headphone jack, and dual SIM 5G — that elevate it well above the average budget phone experience.

Camera Specs and Performance:

Triple-Lens Setup Overview

The CMF Phone 2 Pro takes a major leap over its predecessor by offering a full triple-lens setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto camera, and an 8MP ultrawide. That’s a substantial upgrade from the original’s dual-lens system, and it dramatically increases the phone’s shooting versatility — especially at this sub-$250 price point.

Main Camera Performance (50MP)

The new 50MP main sensor is larger than what was found on the original CMF Phone 1, and it immediately shows. Photos in daylight are crisp, vibrant, and rich in contrast, with good dynamic range and balanced exposure. The detail retention, especially in textures like foliage or brickwork, rivals some $500 phones. Skin tones are natural and well-preserved — something budget phones often struggle with.

At night, the main sensor does well — surprisingly so. Images retain a respectable level of detail without the heavy noise or smearing we often see on devices in this segment. Colors are punchy without being exaggerated, and while there’s no optical image stabilization (OIS), the software handles low-light scenarios reasonably well, assuming your hands are steady.

Telephoto Camera (2x Optical Zoom)

The 2x telephoto camera, also clocking in at 50MP, offers a clear edge in portrait photography. Subject separation is quite solid, and it adds a more professional look to people shots compared to digital zoom. In well-lit conditions, even 4x zoom shots are usable, although detail does drop slightly. At night, the absence of OIS and smaller aperture means you’ll see more motion blur unless you brace the phone or use a tripod.

Still, the inclusion of a true telephoto lens in this price class is almost unheard of — and a big win for creative users.

Ultrawide Camera (8MP)

The 8MP ultrawide camera is decent but not exceptional. It’s more about utility than precision. Daytime shots are acceptable for social media use, with reasonable sharpness and color matching with the main sensor. There’s some edge softness and distortion, but that’s to be expected at this price point. At night, quality dips — noise creeps in quickly, and dynamic range narrows. Still, it gets the job done for capturing a wider field of view when you need it.

Interchangeable Lens Attachments

One of the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s most exciting features is the support for interchangeable lenses. These screw-on accessories include a macro lens and a fisheye/ultrawide attachment. The macro lens is particularly impressive — delivering extreme close-up shots that capture details like leaf veins or circuit boards in sharp clarity. It completely outclasses the 2MP “macro” sensors found in competing phones.

The fisheye lens is more niche, introducing heavy edge softness and warping, but it’s still fun for creative photography. And because these lenses use the phone’s main camera sensor, quality remains relatively high compared to built-in budget ultrawides.

Front-Facing Camera

The front camera is a modest 16MP shooter. During the day, selfies are sharp, with pleasing tones and solid HDR performance. In low light, the quality degrades, but remains usable for video calls or casual social media posts. Unfortunately, video recording on the front is capped at 1080p 30fps, which may feel limiting in 2025 — though still typical in this price range.

Video Recording

Video is where the CMF Phone 2 Pro shows its budget roots. The main camera maxes out at 4K 30fps and offers decent footage with vibrant color and respectable dynamic range — as long as you’re in good light. There’s no stabilization, so walking shots are jittery unless mounted. The telephoto and ultrawide lenses only record at 1080p, and detail softens considerably.

Low-light video is passable but lacks the dynamic range and clarity of mid-range or flagship phones. Autofocus hunting also becomes an issue, especially indoors.

Conclusion

Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a wildly capable camera system for the money. While you’ll see its limitations in dim environments or handheld video, the combination of a great main sensor, functional zoom, and macro lens potential make it a standout in the budget space. It’s not just good for its price — it’s fun to shoot with, which matters just as much.

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Price and Availability:

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is officially priced at £219 in the UK (approximately $250 USD), making it one of the most affordable smartphones in its class. For that price, you get the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model, though a higher 256GB variant is also expected in select markets.

It’s currently available through Nothing’s official store and major online retailers, with pre-orders open globally. Early buyers also get access to discounted accessories such as the universal cover, wallet stand, and interchangeable lenses. Availability in the U.S., India, and EU regions is rolling out in phases, with black, green, and orange color variants all included from launch.

Considering the included accessory ecosystem and clean Android experience, this is an aggressive value offering. Just be aware that demand is high — some regional stock is already backordered. For those wanting to experiment with unique modular features without overspending, the 2 Pro is now arguably the best entry point.

Conclusion:

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is proof that innovation doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While the interchangeable accessories may not be as impactful as the original CMF Phone 1’s modular backplate, the core experience of the Phone 2 Pro has matured in meaningful ways. From a sharper AMOLED display and expanded camera system to the new essential key and stronger IP54 rating, this sequel feels like a complete upgrade — not just a cosmetic refresh.

You still get the screw-on ecosystem if you want it, but now paired with a phone that holds up even without the gimmicks. The essential space is a smart idea that still needs polish, but it shows that Nothing is thinking differently about smartphone UX.

If you’re shopping in the sub-$250 category, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mix of hardware refinement, modular personality, and future-focused software. The CMF Phone 2 Pro isn’t just a fun budget phone — it’s shaping up to be the budget phone to beat in 2025. Buy it on Amazon now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is the CMF Phone 2 Pro worth buying in 2025?

• Yes, if you’re looking for a feature-packed budget phone with modular accessories, a triple-camera setup, and a premium AMOLED display under $250, it’s one of the best options available right now.

Does the CMF Phone 2 Pro support 5G?

• Yes, the phone supports 5G networks, making it future-ready for faster data speeds and better connectivity.

How good is the camera on the CMF Phone 2 Pro?

• Surprisingly solid for the price — it features a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and 50MP 2x telephoto. While it lacks optical image stabilization, daylight photos and portraits are excellent.

What accessories are compatible with CMF Phone 2 Pro?

• It supports both old and new CMF modular accessories like magnetic wallets, screw-on lenses, and stands. However, you now need the new Universal Cover to use most of them.

Can I expand storage on the CMF Phone 2 Pro?

• Yes! It supports microSD cards up to 2TB, a rare feature in 2025, especially for phones in this price bracket.

Does CMF Phone 2 Pro have wireless charging?

• No, wireless charging is not supported — but it does offer USB-C fast charging with a 5,000mAh battery that lasts up to two days.

Is the CMF Phone 2 Pro waterproof?

• The device is rated IP54, meaning it’s protected from dust and water splashes from any direction. It’s not submersible or waterproof.

How long will the CMF Phone 2 Pro receive software updates?

• CMF has promised 3 years of OS updates and regular security patches, which is excellent support for a phone at this price point. Buy it on Amazon now!

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