Nothing CMF Phone 1 Review : The Best $200 phone I've ever seen
In a market saturated with numerous smartphone options, Nothing, the brainchild of Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, has once again disrupted the industry with its new offering, the Nothing CMF Phone 1. Designed to deliver premium features at an affordable price, this device is part of Nothing's new CMF lineup, which stands for "Color, Material, and Finish." Let's explore what makes the Nothing CMF Phone 1 a standout in the mid-range smartphone segment.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | starting at $199 in the US |
| Colors | Blue, Light Green, Orange, Black |
| Display | 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, 5G |
| Rear camera | 50MP, ƒ/1.8, EIS, 79-degree FoV, Ultra XDR |
| Front camera | 16MP |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Wired charging | 33 W fast charging |
| OS | Nothing OS 2.6, Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 77mm wide x 164mm tall x 8mm thin |
| Weight | 197g standard, 202g vegan leather |
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Design and Build Quality
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 boasts a minimalist design that sets it apart from conventional smartphones. True to Nothing's design philosophy, the phone features a sleek and transparent back that reveals the inner workings of the device, making it an intriguing conversation piece. The transparent rear panel is reinforced with Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability while maintaining a lightweight profile.
The CMF Phone 1 stands out not only for its high-quality materials but also for its interchangeable covers, a feature that's becoming increasingly rare with the widespread adoption of unibody designs in modern smartphones. Users can easily swap the cover by removing just four screws, allowing them to personalize their device with a variety of color options offered by CMF. This design choice provides a refreshing level of customization, enabling users to change the phone’s appearance to suit their personal style and preferences.
With dimensions that fit comfortably in hand, the CMF Phone 1 is easy to use one-handed, and its aluminum frame provides a solid and premium feel. The edges are gently curved, enhancing grip and ergonomics. Available in vibrant color options, the phone caters to users who seek a device that reflects their personality.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Display
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 sports a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, providing an immersive viewing experience for multimedia consumption and gaming. The 90Hz refresh rate further enhances smoothness and responsiveness, making interactions with the phone feel fluid and dynamic.
The CMF Phone 1 boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate, with enhanced PWM dimming now at 960 Hz. While this may not be the highest spec available, it's a noteworthy feature in this price range, where such enhancements are often overlooked. The improved flicker rate of the display reduces eye strain and helps to delay the onset of eye fatigue, providing a more comfortable viewing experience.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds a layer of defense against scratches and accidental drops. With a peak brightness of 800 nits, the CMF Phone 1 remains legible even under direct sunlight, ensuring usability in various lighting conditions.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Performence
Under the hood, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, a capable processor that strikes a balance between performance and efficiency. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking with ease, allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly without noticeable lag. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing graphics-intensive games, the CMF Phone 1 delivers consistent and reliable performance.
The phone comes with 128GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. While there is no microSD card slot for expandable storage, the available space should suffice for most users' needs.
Although the CMF Phone 1 supports 5G, it lacks a crucial feature: NFC. This omission is difficult to justify, especially considering the minimal cost of integrating an NFC chip. NFC technology has been standard in entry-level phones for years, and users of a device of this caliber should have access to it. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the next iteration of the phone.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Camera System
The camera system on the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is impressive for its price point, featuring a triple-lens setup on the rear :
🔹 8 MP Ultra-Wide Sensor : The ultra-wide lens expands the field of view, making it ideal for landscape and group shots. It offers flexibility in capturing creative perspectives, adding versatility to the camera system.
🔹 2 MP Macro Sensor : The macro lens allows for close-up shots with intricate details, perfect for photographing small subjects like flowers or insects.
The camera app includes a range of features, including Night Mode, Pro Mode, and AI Scene Detection, which optimize settings for different scenarios. The device also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, ensuring high-quality video capture.
On the front, the CMF Phone 1 houses a 16 MP selfie camera with AI beautification features, producing clear and vibrant self-portraits.
The camera app on the CMF Phone 1 offers a minimalist set of features, including preinstalled filters, Google Lens integration, and a straightforward yet effective interface. I appreciate its distinct personality at the UI level, as it combines the best features of Google's camera app with its own unique adaptations.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Battery Life
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Whether you’re streaming videos, browsing social media, or engaging in productivity tasks, the phone comfortably lasts through a full day without requiring frequent recharges.
I really appreciate the battery-preserving features in the settings. You can set charge limits to 70%, 80%, or 90% to prevent the battery from draining quickly when it exceeds 90%. Additionally, there's an option to enable Nothing's smart charging, which charges the phone slowly overnight to help maintain the battery's long-term health.
The device supports 33W fast charging, allowing users to quickly top up their battery in a short amount of time. While it doesn't include wireless charging, the fast-charging capability compensates for this omission, making it convenient for users who are always on the go.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 review : Conclusion
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 delivers an impressive package at an attractive price point, making it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. With its distinctive design, robust performance, and versatile camera system, it offers a compelling option for users seeking a device that stands out from the crowd.
The CMF Phone 1 is an impressive device with a wide range of features. However, it lacks both NFC and FM radio, which could be deal-breakers for some users. The absence of these features is hard to justify, especially since incorporating NFC is now very inexpensive.
While there are a few compromises, such as the absence of expandable storage and wireless charging, the overall experience remains highly satisfying. The Nothing CMF Phone 1 exemplifies Nothing's commitment to innovation and quality, setting a new standard for what a mid-range smartphone can offer. For those looking to make a statement with their smartphone choice without breaking the bank, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is undoubtedly worth considering.
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