Nothing
Is CMF Phone 1 Better Now? BGMI, Benchmarks & Bug Fixes Tested
The CMF Phone 1 recently received an April update, followed by a small hotfix. These updates aimed to improve system stability and fix issues like the adaptive brightness bug. After using the phone for a few days, we noticed some improvements in both performance and day-to-day usage.
App Performance & Usability
Apps are opening quickly without any major lags or delays. For example, apps like Twitter and Instagram now load faster. The overall user experience feels smoother compared to before the update.
Calling also works well, especially with Jio 5G. However, one thing to note is that the phone switches from 5G to 4G when a call is connected. Still, there are no call drops, and other connectivity features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are stable.
Benchmark Scores Comparison
After the update, the benchmark scores showed slight improvements:
- Geekbench:
- Old Single-Core: 1002 → New Single-Core: 1006
- Old Multi-Core: 2910 → New Multi-Core: 2980
- GPU Score:
- Old: 2452 → New: 2493
- CPU Throttling:
- Old Stability: 87% → New Stability: 81%
- The phone heats up a bit more now, likely because of the summer weather.
- AnTuTu Score:
- Old: 64795 → New: 66977
These results show a minor improvement in overall performance, though the phone heats up slightly under load.
Adaptive Brightness Fix
One major issue that users faced earlier was with adaptive brightness. The phone didn’t adjust brightness properly in different lighting conditions. After the hotfix, this issue seems to be resolved for most users.
BGMI 120 FPS Gaming Test
After the update, BGMI now supports 120 FPS on CMF Phone 1. However, the experience is not completely smooth:
- TDM Mode: Average FPS was around 96, but there were frequent drops.
- Classic Match:
- Played for 20 minutes, max FPS reached was 110, with an average of 88.
- FPS dropped significantly during hot-drops, even going below 30 FPS at times.
So, while 120 FPS is technically available, the game is not fully optimized. For a better experience, we recommend using 90 FPS instead.
Final Thoughts
After the April and hotfix updates, CMF Phone 1 has improved in overall performance. Daily usage feels smoother, and benchmark scores are slightly better. However, in terms of gaming, especially with BGMI, 120 FPS is not yet stable or consistent. More optimizations are needed.
If you’d like to see a full gaming comparison or a camera comparison with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, let us know in the comments.
Nothing has officially announced the Closed Beta program for its upcoming operating system update — Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16. This early build is now available exclusively for Phone (3) users who want to test the latest features before the official rollout. The company is offering this early access as a way to thank its early supporters.
In this Closed Beta, Nothing is focusing on bringing Android 16’s core features along with a stronger and more consistent design system. The new UI changes are expected to lay the foundation for a more polished and cohesive user experience in the future versions of Nothing OS.
Since this is a beta version, users can expect bugs and certain features not working properly. Nothing encourages users to join this program and help them identify and fix issues before the Open Beta release in September 2025. It’s a chance for users to be part of the development process and shape the final software.
To be eligible, participants must use the Phone (3) as their daily device. They should also be willing to provide regular feedback to the Nothing team, maintain information security, and understand that this early build may be unstable. Testing is expected to run from August 2025 to early September.
Nothing also warns users that this Android 16 build is in its early stages of development. Some features may be missing or not function properly. It is strongly recommended to back up your device regularly while testing. More details and disclaimers can be found in the sign-up form.
If you’re interested in joining, you need to fill out the form linked below before 5 PM BST on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Selected users will be informed via email within a week, along with complete onboarding instructions.
Phone (3) Android 16 Closed Beta Sign-Up Form
Himanshu Tandon, the head of POCO India, has stepped down from his role and is likely to join the smartphone company Nothing in August. According to a report by Moneycontrol, he is expected to lead Nothing’s CMF division.
Tandon was part of the founding team of POCO and became the head of its India operations in 2022. He worked under Sandeep Singh Arora, Xiaomi India’s Chief Business Officer, who joined the company from Samsung earlier this year.
This is the second major leadership change at Xiaomi India in less than a year. Earlier, in November 2024, Xiaomi India’s President Muralikrishnan B also left the company.
Xiaomi Faces Market Challenges, POCO Shows Growth
Tandon’s exit comes as Xiaomi is facing tough times in India. In the second quarter of 2025, the company’s smartphone shipments dropped by 25% compared to last year, falling to 5 million units. Its market share also dropped from 18% to 13%.
Despite this, POCO performed well. It increased its share of Xiaomi’s shipments in India from 30% to 41%, with 2.03 million units sold. According to Canalys, POCO’s success came from targeting Gen Z users, offering gaming features, and growing offline sales through JioMart Digital.
Tandon Likely to Lead Nothing’s CMF Division
Tandon is expected to join Nothing’s affordable and design-focused brand CMF. The London-based company recently shifted its global marketing team to India.
Nothing’s CMF brand, led by company co-founder Akis Evangelidis in India, has seen fast growth — 229% in Q2 — thanks to products like the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Phone 3a series.
Both Xiaomi and Nothing are expected to officially announce Tandon’s move in the coming days.
A new app called NoVolume is gaining attention among Nothing Phone users for its clean, minimal design that matches the unique style of Nothing OS. If you’re bored of the default Android volume slider, this app might be the perfect upgrade.
The NoVolume app lets users slide to adjust the volume smoothly, swipe right to show the default Android volume panel, and even change the position and sensitivity of the slider. It works well with Nothing Phone (1), Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a), Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro, CMF Phone 1, CMF Phone 2 Pro, Nothing Phone (3) and even other Android phones.
What makes it stand out is its simple UI and customizability. It blends perfectly with the Nothing Phone’s transparent and minimal design language. Users can personalize how and where the slider appears, making it both functional and stylish.
You can download the NoVolume app from Google Play Store.
The best part? It doesn’t require root access. Just install it like any other app and start using it right away.
For those who love the Nothing OS aesthetic and want to add a new touch to their phone’s interface, the NoVolume app is worth checking out.