The budget smartphone from CMF by Nothing—the CMF Phone 2 Pro—has just been awarded “Best Value Smartphone of the Year (2025)” by Marques Brownlee (MKBHD). The award highlights how the Phone 2 Pro manages to deliver near-premium performance and features while staying affordable — a win for budget-minded users looking for maximum value.
What is CMF Phone 2 Pro
Released in May 2025, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the second phone from CMF (the budget-focused sub-brand of Nothing), designed to bring strong specs and modular style without a steep price.
I also reviewed this phone earlier and published a detailed breakdown of its performance, camera quality, software experience, and overall value.
Key Specifications
- Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED, full HD+ (1080 × 2392 px), 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR support.
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro – octa-core CPU.
- RAM & Storage: 8 GB RAM; internal storage options 128 GB or 256 GB.
- Rear Cameras (Triple):
- 50 MP wide (main)
- 50 MP telephoto (2× optical zoom, up to 20× digital zoom)
- 8 MP ultra-wide
- Front Camera: 16 MP for selfies and video calls.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh capacity, with 33 W fast charging support.
- Software: Ships with Nothing OS 3.2, based on Android 15.
- Other: Dual SIM (Nano + Nano), 5G connectivity, modular design with optional accessories (like snap-on lenses and back covers) that add customisation possibilities — a nod to its modular spirit inherited from CMF’s previous devices.
In short — the Phone 2 Pro packs a large, high-quality display, a powerful modern chipset, multi-lens cameras including telephoto and ultra-wide, and a large battery — all wrapped in a design that keeps the phone relatively slim and attractive.
Why It Got “Best Value Smartphone of 2025”
- Premium-like performance at budget price: The combination of a 120 Hz AMOLED screen, a capable Dimensity 7300 Pro chip, and 5G puts it close to more expensive phones — but at a fraction of the cost.
- Versatile camera system: The triple rear cameras, including a telephoto lens with optical zoom, give users flexibility for wide, zoomed, and ultra-wide shots — rare at this price.
- Balanced battery + features: A 5,000 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging ensures long usage without sacrificing speed or performance.
- Modular, customisable design: Modular accessories (lens attachments, covers, stands) help it stand out from typical budget phones.
- Clean software + future-proofing: Nothing OS (Android 15), plus commitment to updates, means longer usable life compared to some entry-level phones. Promised 3 Major Android updates and 6 years of security patches, giving the CMF Phone 2 Pro long-term reliability.
All of this adds up to a phone that delivers features and quality far beyond what you’d expect at this price — making the award from MKBHD a reasonable nod.
Pricing (India & Other Markets)
In India, at launch (May 2025):
- 8 GB + 128 GB — ₹ 18,999
- 8 GB + 256 GB — ₹ 20,999
- With bank / exchange offers, some units were available for as low as ₹ 16,999.
In the other market, the CMF Phone 2 Pro retailed at around US$ 279 in the U.S. beta release, making it very competitive globally.
Final Word
With the CMF Phone 2 Pro, CMF by Nothing has shown that you don’t need to spend top-dollar to get a smartphone that feels premium, performs smoothly, and takes good photos. The MKBHD “Best Value Smartphone of 2025” award seems well-deserved — especially for users in markets like India, where balancing features and cost is often the priority.
