The CMF Phone 1 from Nothing might have a name that’s a bit confusing, but what it’s trying to achieve is anything but. Love it or hate it, this phone is one of the most intriguing new entries in the market right now. Nothing made waves a few years ago by asking, “What if we made an average budget phone, but with a big focus on software and design?” And guess what? It worked pretty well. Now, CMF, Nothing’s budget sub-brand, is taking that idea even further.
Design
So, what’s the CMF Phone 1 like? At $200, it doesn’t have specs that immediately make it stand out from the crowd of other budget Android phones. But where it truly shines is in its design and software. Let’s start with the design, because that’s definitely the most interesting part of this phone. The model I’m talking about is black, and while it might seem pretty standard at first—flat sides, average bezels around a big AMOLED display, and dual cameras on the back—there are a couple of unique features to notice.
First off, there’s a dial-like knob in the bottom corner of the phone. And then there are metal screws lining the edge of the device.
Removable Back
Here’s where things get cool: the phone’s plastic back is completely removable and replaceable with different colors, including black, orange, blue, and a light blue that can look a bit greenish depending on the light. This is a refreshing throwback to the days when you could customize your phone’s look in a more permanent way, like with Moto Maker. Even though the battery and other parts aren’t removable, being able to swap out the back is a neat touch. The removable back feels a bit flimsy on its own, but once it’s on the phone, it feels sturdy and solid. It’s a smart way for CMF to add a personal touch to an affordable device.
Accessories
In the box, along with the cover, you’ll also find a handy orange combo tool that includes a SIM ejector and a flathead screwdriver. These are necessary for removing the SIM card tray and unscrewing the back of the phone. You also get a matching SIM card tray and dial, which make everything look cohesive. But if you’re into mixing things up, feel free to switch out colors to make your phone feel more personalized. The color-changing back is a cool feature, but there’s also a knob in the corner that had us all guessing. When it first appeared on Twitter and the Waveform Podcast, we wondered if it was a volume control, a fidget toy, or something else. It turns out, it’s actually a mounting point for accessories.
Knob
This knob isn’t a free-spinning gadget; it’s more like a stylish thumbscrew with a colorful cap. You can replace it with one of three accessories currently available: a kickstand, a cardholder wallet, or a lanyard. The kickstand lets you prop your phone up on a table, the cardholder wallet can hold up to four cards and attaches magnetically, and the lanyard lets you wear your phone around your neck if that’s your style. The lanyard might not be for everyone, but the kickstand is a genuinely useful feature. It’s a nice touch that adds a bit of versatility and sets this phone apart from others in the $200 range.
MagSafe
The whole system feels a bit like a budget version of MagSafe. Instead of using magnets, you attach accessories by screwing them on. But here’s a twist: the magnet plate for the wallet has a ring of magnets in the middle. I decided to test it out with a MagSafe mount, and it actually worked really well. So, if you’re thinking of using a MagSafe car mount or any other accessory, it should work perfectly with this phone.
Taking the accessories off the back of this phone is a bit of a process—you’re dealing with screws, a SIM card ejector tool, and a bit of twisting. It’s not something you’d do daily, but it’s definitely doable. When there’s nothing attached, the dial sits flush with the camera bump, so the phone doesn’t rock. Nice job, CMF!
Now, let’s talk about how it actually performs. I’ve been using the CMF Phone 1 for about a week, and honestly, it feels a lot like using a Nothing phone. And that’s a compliment!
Performance
It’s running Nothing OS 2.6, and besides the cool light-up glyph interface, it’s got all the features of the higher-end Nothing phones. You get things like cloned apps, Game Mode, a nifty one-handed pull-down gesture for notifications, and all the same aesthetic touches—the icon pack, home screen widgets, and the dots font. Plus, you can still check out your notification history, which is a nice underrated feature. I actually forgot a few times that I was using a budget phone because it feels so smooth. The display is bright and responsive, peaking at 2,000 nits with an AMOLED screen, and it switches between 60 and 120Hz with a 240Hz touch sample rate. Scrolling through social media, emails, or light web browsing is smooth and pleasant.
Battery and Features
The phone comes with a solid 5000mAh battery, which is great, but it doesn’t support wireless charging, and there’s no charger in the box—though it does support up to 33 watts. It also lacks NFC, has a pretty basic vibration motor, and a single mono speaker that’s surprisingly easy to block with just one finger. The optical under-screen fingerprint sensor is a nice touch for this price range, but it can be a bit slow and sometimes needs a couple of tries to unlock.
The plastic backs feel a bit flimsy when they’re not attached to the phone, and the buttons seem like they’re barely hanging on. Since the backs are removable, the phone isn’t super water-resistant—it’s only IP52 rated, so it’s good for a splash or two. The camera, with its 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 sensor, takes decent photos but doesn’t handle low light very well because there’s no OIS. The second sensor is just a depth sensor for Portrait Mode, which doesn’t add much in practical use.
Market and Conclusion
This phone is mainly aimed at the Indian market, where it competes with other budget phones. While it might be a bit pricier than some, it offers features like microSD expansion and long-term software support that are worth considering. The CMF Phone 1 stands out with its AMOLED screen and solid design. CMF is also introducing other products like a $69 smartwatch and $59 earbuds, showing they’re expanding their range.
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 is a well-designed $200 phone that offers a smooth experience and a focus on design and software. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a budget phone that doesn’t feel cheap.
Let me know what you think! That’s my review of the CMF Phone 1.
