CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: A True Example of an Upgrade Done Right

The first CMF Phone surprised everyone with its stylish design, affordable price, and bold approach. A year later, the novelty has faded, and real expectations are now set for the brand. After using the CMF Phone 2 Pro for nearly a week, this review will answer whether it’s a device worth your attention in 2025 or just another budget phone you can safely ignore.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Key Specifications

Before diving into the review, here’s a quick look at the key specifications of the CMF Phone 2 Pro.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Box Contents

Following in the footsteps of their parent company Nothing, CMF keeps the box contents fairly minimal. However, this year they’ve included a few extra goodies. Let’s take a look:

• CMF Phone 2 Pro
• CMF 33W charging adapter (India-only)
• Nothing Type C to C cable (100 cm)
• Silicon transparent case
• Safety and warranty cards
• Screen protector (pre-applied)
• SIM tray ejector

Design, Build, and Comfort

The CMF Phone 2 Pro retains a design similar to the Phone 1, but there’s little to complain about considering how great it feels in hand. It features the same plastic build with a sharp matte texture, paired with an additional material. This dual-tone finish not only improves grip but also gives the device a distinctive look. Depending on the color variant, you’ll either get a brushed aluminum-like feel or a coarse marble texture.

The combination of plastic and other materials on the back is a great twist on the Phone 1 design. It feels so good to hold that it’s hard to put the phone down. CMF has also made the phone slimmer and lighter, weighing in at just 185 grams (6.52 oz). The construction feels solid, and the device never gave off a fragile impression that would make you feel the need to hide it in a case. It also boasts an IP54 rating, providing ample protection from dust and minor splashes.

However, this comes with the trade-off of a non-removable back. Unlike before, you can’t swap out the backs or directly attach accessories to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. This change has been met with some controversy, and many consider it a significant downgrade from the previous model. The reason behind this could be the underwhelming sales of additional covers and accessories from last time. However, I believe the issue was more likely due to the pricing and the complex process involved.

That’s not to say CMF has completely removed modularity from the Phone 2 Pro. The device still features screws that allow you to attach a separate back cover. This cover can be used to mount new camera lenses or the MagSafe wallet stand. Additionally, you can still use the lanyard dial directly with the phone. So, for those who wanted to use accessories, there’s still an option available.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Display and Speakers

The design isn’t the only area where the CMF Phone 2 Pro has improved. The display has been upgraded to a larger 6.77-inch 1080p AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It appears to be the same panel used in the latest Nothing Phone (3a) series. Despite being a budget device, the display never makes you feel like you’re using one.

The panel features fairly slim and uniform bezels, easily putting the Pixel 9a to shame. The expansive screen space makes it a great choice for binge-watching, as I’ve been doing while catching up on Jujutsu Kaisen thanks to my AzMo Tech buddies who won’t stop talking about it. The colors are vibrant and punchy, though I did notice some jagged lines and shadow crushing during particularly dark scenes.

When it comes to brightness, the Phone 2 Pro is just barely visible under direct sunlight, as I found out while photographing the timeless beauty of Delhi’s Safdarjung Fort. This was expected for a device in this category, and I’m satisfied with it. However, I can’t say the same for the single bottom-firing speaker. It gets decently loud, but I often found myself wishing it could push just a little more. There’s a new volume boost option, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference.

Performance, Gaming, and Software Experience

These days, no matter which phone you choose, performance usually isn’t a major concern unless you’re aiming for heavy-duty tasks. The same applies to the CMF Phone 2 Pro, where the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset easily handles everyday activities. It delivers a smooth experience with no noticeable hiccups, stutters, or interruptions.

If you compare the benchmark results side by side with the CMF Phone 1, you’ll notice there isn’t a huge difference in performance between the two devices. And that’s perfectly fine, considering I didn’t encounter any performance issues with last year’s model either. In fact, you can even enjoy some popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 without any trouble on this phone.

I played COD Mobile at low graphics and 90FPS, and the gameplay stayed consistent throughout the matches. The phone barely got warm, which is a good sign, and even after five matches, while I was exhausted, the device showed no signs of strain. For BGMI or PUBG Mobile fans, the phone supports a 120FPS frame rate, but I did notice occasional dips down to 100FPS and even 90FPS.

However, in day-to-day usage, the UI remains just as smooth as it was at launch, and the phone ships with NothingOS 3.2 based on Android 15, with three years of promised updates. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to see Essential Space make its way to the CMF device. I won’t go into too much detail about this feature since I’ve covered it before, but just like on other Nothing or CMF devices, the software experience is a real treat—and that continues to hold true here.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Camera and Videos

For the camera, the CMF Phone 2 Pro receives the same upgraded treatment as the Nothing Phone (3a). It features a 50 MP main shooter, a 2x telephoto lens, and a downgraded ultrawide lens. The phone also benefits from the new Camera app, which includes portrait mode and color presets. Now, let’s take a look at some camera samples.

The main 50MP lens captures some impressive photos with minimal effort, as seen here. The shots come out with rich detail and natural colors, often with a warmer tone. The dynamic range is decent, and the post-processing helps prevent overexposure of the subject. Daylight photos are sharp and crisp, while nighttime shots have slightly softer details.

The 50MP telephoto lens gets you close to the subject, without compromising much on quality. You can see that the results have come out quite detailed. You can tell that in photos with the flock of pigeons enjoying the morning at Connaught Place or the Urdu writing at the entry of Safdarjung Fort.

The telephoto lens allows you to zoom up to 20x, but that’s pushing its limits, as the photos become grainy and lack clarity. It’s also not suited for macro shots, and getting close-up photos requires some effort. This is due to the fixed-focus telephoto lens, which needs the subject to be at a specific distance to focus properly.

However, I do want to point out that the overall camera experience isn’t flawless. There’s noticeable stuttering when switching between lenses or taking photos. On one occasion, it seemed like I accidentally took an extra photo, only to realize it was a delayed animation of the shutter button. Another issue is the color disparity between lenses, which persists here as well.

The 8MP ultrawide lens isn’t too bad either, delivering the wide-angle shots you’re looking for. However, a quick zoom-in will reveal its limitations, making you wish for a larger sensor. That said, I still enjoyed the shots I captured with this lens, and it beautifully captured the grandeur of the fort.

As for selfies, the 16MP front shooter delivers decent shots with a natural tone. What impressed me the most was its ability to handle exposure from harsh light sources. Some photos I took were shot against sunlight, yet the background remains clear and visible. While post-processing plays a role, the results were better than I expected from this lens.

On the video front, it’s important to note that none of the three lenses feature Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This means you’re reliant on Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which can lead to some cropping. Additionally, you can only record with the main lens, as the telephoto lens doesn’t support 4K resolution, and even with the main lens, 4K video is capped at 30FPS due to the limitations of the processor.

CMF Phone 2 Pro: Battery Life and Charging

Despite the slimmer design, CMF hasn’t reduced the battery capacity of the Phone 2 Pro, which remains at 5,000 mAh. If you’re into browsing social media, making calls, and general usage, you can expect around 6 hours of screen-on time or a full day’s worth of battery life. By the end of the day, though, you’ll likely need to charge it. With heavy usage, such as extensive gaming, I got around 5 hours of screen time.

For charging, the device can be fully topped up in about an hour with a supported 33W adapter, which is included in the box for the Indian unit. In other regions, you’ll need to buy the adapter separately if you don’t already have one. It also supports reverse charging at 5W if the need arises.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Verdict: A Winner Gets Even Better

To wrap up this review, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is more than just an evolution it’s a victory. The company has taken user feedback into account, retaining the beloved features of the original while adding significant upgrades. The thoughtful design and material choices further elevate it, making it a standout in the budget smartphone category. While the Camera app does have its shortcomings, which we hope will be addressed soon, the CMF Phone 2 Pro remains an easy recommendation for budget-conscious buyers seeking a well-rounded device.

PROS & CONS

The CMF Phone 2 Pro brings meaningful upgrades over its predecessor, featuring a sleek, slim, and lightweight design alongside a spacious 6.77-inch AMOLED display. It retains the strengths of the Phone 1, such as the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset and 5,000 mAh battery, while enhancing the experience with a triple-camera setup that includes a 50MP telephoto lens. All of this at under $250 makes it one of the best budget smartphones currently available.

AzMo Tech Score

---

---

---

The CMF Phone 2 Pro builds upon its predecessor in several key areas, featuring a sleek, slim, and lightweight design alongside a large 6.77-inch AMOLED display. It retains the successful elements of the Phone 1, such as the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset and the 5,000 mAh battery, while enhancing the experience with a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP telephoto lens. All of this comes at a sub-$250 price, making it one of the best budget phones available.