CMF Phone 1: CMF’s First Phone Is as Affordable as It Is Innovative

CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand, has already released its first phone, the CMF Phone 1. We’re currently in the process of testing it at Xataka On, but we can already tell you that it’s simply awesome. While we work on the full review, let’s take a look at the phone's technical specs and features.

This phone proves that straightforward, uncomplicated devices that don’t require much can enter the market at an affordable price. The fact that it offers great software, design, and performance for just $200 is exciting news.

CMF Phone 1 Specs

A Phone With User-Replaceable Back Cover

In the age of seamless, unibody phones, CMF is ahead of European right-to-repair regulations by making replacing components easier. This phone allows you to change the back cover, which means you can have a phone with a different color and finish. It comes with its own tool to remove the four screws that hold the chassis. However, if the tool is lost, you can use a flat screwdriver to remove the screws without any issue.

An important detail is that the screws are made of stainless steel. This is crucial to prevent rusting or easy breakage because otherwise, it would hinder the phone’s functionality.

When removing the back cover, there are no trims like those in the Nothing Phone 1. Instead, you’re faced with an old-school mobile with exposed components and minimal decoration. Due to the large battery, many of the internal components remain hidden from view. The first time I dismantled the CMF Phone 1, I couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of nostalgia: There’s something enjoyable about performing a task as simple as removing a back cover.

There’s a small rotating button at the bottom left of the phone. When removed, it allows for the attachment of various accessories to the phone, such as a wallet, a kickstand, and a lanyard (for the time being). This is a remarkable feature that allows for native attachment of accessories to the phone.

In terms of materials, the phone is predominantly made of plastic with some metallic finishes, such as the piece that houses the camera. The texture is non-slip and resistant to fingerprints: It’s unlike any plastic we’ve tested before.

Hardware That Doesn’t Need Much More

The CMF Phone 1 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, which is usually found in much more expensive phones. In the U.S., it’s only available with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded using an SD card. This configuration is typically found in mid-range phones.

The phone runs on Nothing OS, and comes with two years of operating system updates and three years of security patches. Despite the clean ROM, Nothing OS is one of our favorite systems.

Surprisingly, even though it’s a mid-range phone, it comes with a liquid cooling system. This system uses a heat pipe with high thermal conductivity to dissipate heat from the chip, and CMF has used materials like graphite to help reduce high temperatures.

The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging, which is one of its weaker points. The settings offer various modes to help charge the phone more efficiently and preserve the battery life.

The screen is 6.67 inches and AMOLED, with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. However, typical brightness is only 700 nits, so it’s not a top-of-the-line panel. It supports HDR10+ and has a refresh rate ranging from 30 to 120 Hz, although it’s not an LTPO-type display.

Lastly, the phone features a 50 MP main camera along with a depth sensor, but it doesn’t have an ultra-wide-angle lens. It’s compatible with Google’s Ultra HDR technology, so we expect it to deliver excellent results.

CMF Phone 1’s Price and Availability

The CMF Phone 1 has been released in the U.S. at an amazing price: $199. You can add a lanyard or kickstand for $25 or a wallet case for $35. CMF Phone 1’s cases are also available beginning at $35.

Image | CMF

Related | Best Mid-Range Smartphones 2024