The CMF Phone 1 is a breath of fresh air in the overcrowded budget smartphone market, offering premium style and impressive performance at just $199–$239. ╴Brought to life by CMF (Color, Material, Finish), a playful sub‑brand of Nothing—founded by Carl Pei—this phone turns heads with its bold industrial design, customizable back covers, and modular “Accessory Point” that lets you attach stands, wallets, and more with just a twist.
Under the hood, it features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and peaks at 2,000 nits—rare specs at this price. Powered by MediaTek’s efficient Dimensity 7300 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM, it delivers surprisingly fluid everyday performance and solid mid-range gaming capabilities. Camera enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by its sharp 50MP primary sensor and useful 2x portrait lens, which produce results comparable to those of far more expensive phones.
CMF promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches, adding long-term value to a wallet-friendly package. With its unique design, robust specifications, and thoughtful software, the CMF Phone 1 makes a compelling case for anyone seeking flagship flair on a budget.
Overview: What Is the CMF Phone 1?
The CMF Phone 1 is CMF by Nothing’s first-ever smartphone, officially released in July 2024. CMF—a sub-brand of Nothing founded by Carl Pei—focuses on design-driven yet affordable tech, and the Phone 1 blends that philosophy with compelling mid-range specs.
At its core, the Phone 1 sports a 6.67″ Full‑HD+ AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits—a feature rare at this price point. Under the hood is the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, expandable further via micro-SD—great for multitasking, gaming, and everyday use.
Design-wise, it’s distinctly industrial: removable back panels (available in Black, Orange, Light Green, and Blue) are fastened by visible screws, adding charm and personalization. The crowning feature is the “Accessory Point”—a magnetic screw-in hub for accessories like a kickstand, wallet, or lanyard.
Design & Build: A Stylish Budget Phone Like No Other
Stands out in the sea of budget smartphones with a design that’s anything but basic. Inspired by industrial aesthetics, its solid six-sided frame is secured with visible screws—a distinctive touch that communicates both durability and personality. This isn’t just about looks: the quirky hardware aesthetic makes the phone feel substantial and well-built without inflating the price.
Where the CMF truly shines is in its modular design. The back panel is removable and offered in a variety of vibrant colors—bold orange, cool blue, minty green, and classic black—so you can match your style or swap colors whenever the mood strikes. Even more inventive is its “Accessory Point,” a secure screw-in magnetic hub on the back. This clever feature allows you to easily attach and detach accessories, such as a kickstand, a slim wallet, or a lanyard, adding real-world convenience to its style points.
At roughly 199 grams, the CMF Phone 1 strikes a comfortable balance: not overly heavy, yet solid enough to feel premium. Ergonomically, it sits nicely in the hand, with flat edges providing a better grip. Despite its bold design, it remains sleek and pocket-friendly.
Display Quality: Smooth, Bright & Great for Media
The CMF Phone 1 delivers an impressive visual experience, especially for a phone in the budget segment. It features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast—perfect for watching videos, scrolling through social media, or gaming.
One of its standout features is the 120Hz refresh rate, which makes everything from swiping through apps to scrolling web pages feel incredibly smooth. Whether you’re gaming or just navigating the interface, the high refresh rate gives it a fluid, flagship-like feel.
Brightness is another area where the CMF Phone 1 excels. With a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits, the screen stays easily visible even under direct sunlight—something many budget phones struggle with. HDR support enhances video playback, especially in streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube.
Performance: Can It Keep Up with Daily Tasks?
The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 is a 4nm chipset designed to deliver reliable performance while being energy-efficient. UFS 2.2 or 3.1 storage (depending on the variant), this phone is more than capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly.
In day-to-day use—like browsing the web, using social media, watching videos, or messaging—the CMF Phone 1 performs with ease. App switching is quick, animations are fluid (thanks also to the 120Hz Display), and there are no frustrating delays. For users who multitask, the RAM management is solid, especially in the 8GB model, allowing several apps to stay active in the background without slowing things down.
Gaming performance is decent, too. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse, titles like Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt 9, and PUBG Mobile run smoothly on medium to high settings without noticeable lag or heating issues.
Gaming & Multitasking: How Well Does It Handle Pressure?
When it comes to gaming and multitasking, the CMF Phone 1 performs surprisingly well for its price point. Thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, built on a 4nm process, the phone remains efficient while delivering smooth performance, even under moderate to heavy use.
For gaming, titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run well at medium to high graphics settings with minimal frame drops. Casual games like Clash Royale or Subway Surfers run flawlessly. The 120Hz AMOLED Display adds to the experience, providing fluid visuals and better touch response, which gamers will appreciate.
Thermal management is also commendable. Even after extended play sessions, the phone gets only slightly warm—Nothing uncomfortable. While it may not be designed for hardcore mobile gamers, it easily holds its own in long casual gaming sessions.
Camera Review: Capturing the Moment with Style
The CMF Phone 1 may not come with a triple or quad-camera setup, but it proves that quality still matters more than quantity. It features a 50MP primary rear camera paired with a depth sensor and a 16MP front camera—a simple but effective combo that delivers solid photography for everyday users.
The 50MP sensor captures detailed, sharp images with natural-looking colors and a decent dynamic range. Whether you’re photographing people, pets, or landscapes, the shots are vibrant without being overly processed. The phone also includes a 2x digital zoom, which works surprisingly well for portraits, maintaining good clarity and depth.
Low-light performance is respectable for the price. While it won’t compete with flagship night modes, it holds up reasonably well, with minimal noise and decent brightness—especially in well-lit environments.
Read Also: CMF Phone 1 review – Shockingly good for $239
Software & Updates: What You Get Out of the Box?
The CMF Phone 1 comes with Nothing OS 2.6, based on Android 14, pre-installed right out of the box. This clean, minimal, and bloat-free interface delivers a user experience that feels both polished and refreshing—especially in a budget phone.
Nothing OS is known for its sleek design, smooth animations, and thoughtful features without unnecessary clutter. It includes useful tools like a customizable lock screen, smart widgets, and smooth multitasking gestures while avoiding heavy skins or pre-installed junk apps that often slow down budget devices.
In terms of software support, CMF promises 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security patches. That means users can expect at least Android 15 and 16 in the future, which is rare in this price segment and adds long-term value to your purchase.
Pros and ❌ Cons: Quick Summary
Here’s a quick look at what the CMF Phone 1 gets right—and where it falls a bit short:
Pros
Stylish, Modular Design
- Swappable back covers and unique “Accessory Point” add personality and functionality.
Bright 120Hz AMOLED Display
- Smooth, vibrant screen with up to 2000 nits brightness—great for media and outdoor use.
Solid Everyday Performance
- The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip delivers smooth multitasking and casual gaming experiences.
Good Battery Life
- 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day; 33W fast charging included.
Clean Software Experience
- Nothing OS 2.6 is minimal, smooth, and bloat-free with 2 years of Android updates.
Decent Camera for the Price
- 50MP primary camera performs well in good lighting, with sharp, natural shots.
Cons
No Ultra-Wide or Macro Camera
- The camera setup is limited to the primary sensor and depth, offering no versatility for wide shots.
Plastic Build (Despite Looks)
- Stylish, yes—but the body is still plastic, not metal or glass.
No Wireless Charging or IP Rating
- Expected at this price, but still worth noting.
Mono Speaker Only
- The audio is loud enough, but it lacks stereo depth for an immersive experience.
Bottom line: The CMF Phone 1 offers an impressive balance of style, performance, and features for its price—but skips a few extras to keep costs low.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the camera quality?
The 50MP primary camera captures detailed photos in daylight, while the 16MP selfie camera performs well for video calls and social media. However, it lacks ultra-wide or macro lenses.
What version of Android does it run?
The phone ships with Android 14 and Nothing OS 2.6, offering a clean, fast, and bloat-free experience.
Will it receive software updates?
Yes. CMF promises 2 years of Android updates and 3 years of security patches, which is quite competitive in this price range.
Does the phone support fast charging?
Yes. It supports 33W wired fast charging with a 5000mAh battery, but note that the charger may not be included in all regions.
Is the CMF Phone 1 good for gaming?
Yes, it handles casual and mid-level gaming well, thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip and a 120Hz AMOLED display. It’s not a pro gaming phone, but it delivers excellent value for the price.
Conclusion
The CMF Phone 1 is a bold and refreshing take on what a budget smartphone can be. With its unique, customizable design, smooth 120Hz AMOLED Display, reliable performance from the Dimensity 7300 chip, and a clean Android experience, it offers incredible value for the price. While it skips a few premium features, such as an ultra-wide camera, stereo speakers, or wireless charging, it makes up for that with thoughtful extras—like swappable back covers and the innovative Accessory Point. The software experience is clean and future-proof, with solid update support for a phone in this segment.