A few days ago, we talked about budget smartphones. Today, we’ll take a look at the Nothing CMF Phone 1, to see if it actually meets the claim of being the best budget smartphone in the market.
We’ve reviewed a Nothing product in the past; the CMF Watch Pro 2. Now while Nothing might see like they’re new in the market, they are relatively not. Nothing gained some level of popularity back in 2022 when they released their Nothing Phone 1 which looked like a transparent iPhone from the back that has a huge ringlight for a flash, which was supposed to make pictures look better but didn’t really live up to the hype.
Fast forward to July 8 2024, they released the Nothing CMF Phone 1, which many claim to be the best budget smartphone in the market, which in my opinion is a very bold statement to make as there are many good smartphones out there that one could get at a relatively friendly price.
Table of Contents
Design & Customization
Like any phone in the market right now, design is a key component. It speaks about the appeal and aesthetics of a device; a device can have all the functionalities in the world, if its not pleasing to look at, no one would want to buy it.
Nothing had this in mind as they ditch their usual transparent back panel look, to an opaque one. The Nothing CMF Phone 1 stands out with a unique twist to it, and this is not just because it features four exposed screws around the edges of the back panel, but it also has a rotatable and removable dial/wheel, and a dual-camera setup on a pill-shaped elevated bump in the top left corner.
A pill-shaped dual-camera setup in the top left corner? Hmm…I wonder where they got that idea from.
The unique twist to this phone is that the design elements aren’t just for aesthetics—they offer a range of customization options, including attachable back panels in various colors and textures, accessories like an attachable pouch, phone stand, and lanyard cable. This level of customization and personalization is what presumably makes the CMF Phone 1 unique. The accessories and back panels, which you purchase separately, come with a unique miniature screwdriver, making the entire process more engaging.
Display
The 6.67″ AMOLED screen provides a good balance between size and image clarity. While the panel delivers sharp and detailed visuals, the color reproduction isn’t as vibrant, possibly due to its warmer color temperature, which dulls the overall color intensity. Despite this, the display performs well for everyday use, including browsing social media and watching videos. It’s also sufficiently bright for outdoor visibility, maintaining clarity even under direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a smoother, more fluid user experience.
Camera
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 sports a 50-megapixel primary sensor aided by a 2MP depth sensor. In low-light conditions or at night, the sensor preserves color accuracy but sacrifices some detail, causing parts of the image to appear slightly softened. The 16MP front camera captures decent selfies in daylight but just like the rear camera has difficulty maintaining quality in low-light settings, leading to grainy and less vibrant photos.
The smartphone seams to impress with its videography capabilities. The smartphone allows recording 4K videos at 30 frames per second and at 1080p quality at up to 60fps. It also gets the HDR recording option but is limited to 1080p resolution recording at 30fps. The front camera can record up to 60fps at 1080p and also gets the HDR recording option.
Performance and Software
Driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G chipset, which is uncommon in smartphones priced in its price range, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 delivers impressive performance for its cost. Whether you’re browsing the web, engaging in casual gaming, or scrolling through social media, this phone handles it effortlessly. It also excels in multitasking and performs admirably when playing graphic-intensive games like Real Racing 3.
The CMF Phone 1 has a trio of memory variants: 6GB / 128GB, 8GB / 128GB and 8GB / 256GB. Additionally, Nothing has effectively managed the thermals, ensuring the smartphone never gets uncomfortably hot.
The CMF Phone 1 offers users a choice between the standard Android interface and Nothing’s custom UI, NothingOS 2.5, both free of unnecessary bloatware and distractions.
Battery
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a robust 5,000mAh battery, providing excellent longevity. With typical use, it should (presumably) lasts an entire day and still has enough power left to carry you through part of the next day at least. The phone supports 33W fast charging, however, a charger is not included in the package and has to be bought seperately.
Verdict
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 seems to stand out with its wide range of design customization options, enabling users to create a personalized look by mixing and matching different elements making it somewhat bespoke. Nothing has managed to offer this level of customization without sacrificing essential features, which is commendable. The phone provides reliable performance, strong battery life, and camera quality suited for social media.
For a price starting at $199 or close to ₦500,000 or more, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 seems to excel in a price-to-functionality but for the title, “Best Budget Smartphone”, that might seem a bit far fetched especially considering that each customizable part and the charger is sold separately.