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 just launched a brand-new smartphone under its sub-brand CMF by Nothing, called the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Interestingly, there is no standard CMF Phone 2 for now — perhaps it will launch later, but Nothing is starting strong with this ‘Pro’ variant.

Let’s dive into what’s new and what makes this phone a compelling choice in the budget segment.

Unboxing Experience

The CMF Phone 2 Pro comes in a brand-new lightweight paper-type box, staying eco-conscious while still feeling premium. Inside the box, you’ll find a TPU silicone case, a CMF 33W charger, Type-C charging cable, a uniquely designed CMF SIM ejector tool, and of course, the phone itself.

The first impression is quite striking — especially due to its dual-tone finish. The Orange variant, in particular, stands out with its vibrant and fresh look. Other available colors include White, Green, and Black — each with a distinct texture and finish, which adds variety for buyers.

Also notable is the return of the CMF dial knob, positioned on the lower right side, but now it’s slimmer, matching the sleek design of the phone.

Sleek and Functional Design

The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a dual-tone finish and a triple-camera setup with a stylish silver ring around the lenses. With a thickness of just 7.8mm, it’s one of the slimmest phones in its category. It weighs 185g, making it lightweight and very comfortable to hold.

The edges have been slightly curved, improving the in-hand feel significantly over the previous generation. It’s also rated IP54, offering protection against dust and light splashes.

Although the back panel isn’t easily swappable like on the CMF Phone 1, you can still customize it by unscrewing and applying a different back cover. The phone features a hybrid SIM slot, allowing you to use either two SIMs or one SIM with a microSD card (up to 2TB).

There’s a USB Type-C port that supports 33W fast charging, and the phone comes with a mono speaker. While it’s loud enough, the lack of stereo output and slightly weaker bass (compared to CMF Phone 1) might be a letdown for some.

AMOLED Display with Dynamic Refresh Rate

The CMF Phone 2 Pro sports a 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate (switching between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz). The 91% screen-to-body ratio and 2.3mm symmetrical bezels offer an immersive viewing experience.

This is the same panel found in phones like the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, protected by Panda Glass. The display supports HDR10+, 1.07 billion colors, and Always-On Display at 30Hz.

In terms of brightness:

• Peak Brightness: 3000 nits
• High Brightness Mode: 1300 nits
• Normal Brightness: 800 nits
• Touch Sampling Rate: 1000Hz

It performs well indoors and outdoors. Watching HDR videos on YouTube works perfectly with great colors and contrast.

Performance: Good, but Familiar

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, the CMF Phone 2 Pro performs very similarly to the CMF Phone 1, which had the non-Pro version of this chip. It’s paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, which might feel a bit outdated for some power users.

The phone starts with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, with a higher-end 256GB variant also available.

Benchmark Scores:

• Geekbench: Single-core – 995 | Multi-core – 2919
• AnTuTu: 675,555

App opening times are fast, and general multitasking is smooth. There are no noticeable lags or stutters during normal use.

Connectivity is robust:

• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
• 5G (10 bands), 4G (8 bands), 3G & 2G supported
• No NFC

Gaming: 120FPS in BGMI!

For gamers, the CMF Phone 2 Pro supports 120FPS in BGMI. In TDM mode, the performance is smooth and playable. In classic matches, especially during hot drops, performance can vary — but it’s still playable. Gyroscope performance is excellent and responsive.

The phone includes a Game Mode with Performance Mode, and more features may be added in future software updates. Other popular games also run well at medium to high settings.

Software: Nothing OS 3.2

The CMF Phone 2 Pro runs on Nothing OS 3.2, which introduces several enhancements and features:

• New Camera App with LUT support
• Red Volume Bar indicator at full volume
• Private Space for apps
• Hotspot Manager
• Lockscreen and Quick Settings Customization
• Essential Space Key for app switching
• Nothing Gallery (though missing some advanced AI editing features)

The experience is clean and fluid, with minimal bloatware. Also, unlike CMF Phone 1, this model promises 3 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches — a big improvement.

Camera Setup: Triple Lens with Telephoto

The CMF Phone 2 Pro boasts a triple-camera setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP, 1/1.57-inch sensor, f/1.88 aperture, with EIS, supports 4K@30fps
• Telephoto Lens: 50MP, 1/2.88-inch sensor, f/1.85 aperture, up to 20x digital zoom, also supports 4K@30fps
• Ultrawide: 8MP, f/2.2, supports 1080p@30fps

The telephoto lens is the standout feature and works well in daylight. However, low-light processing, especially on the telephoto lens, needs some improvement — something that can potentially be fixed via software updates.

The 16MP front camera supports 1080p@30fps and 60fps but lacks autofocus. Selfies are decent, and video recording is acceptable for social media use.

For camera samples, you can scroll through the above Twitter thread.

Battery Life & Charging

The phone comes with a 5000mAh battery, which charges fully in about 1 hour and 10 minutes as per official claims. However, in real-world usage, it takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Battery life is impressive:

• Normal Usage: 8–9 hours of screen-on time
• Heavy Usage: Around 7 hours

This includes social media use, light gaming, YouTube streaming, and occasional camera use.

Haptics and In-hand Feel

Nothing has used an X-axis linear motor for haptics, which is a big improvement over CMF Phone 1. It feels sharp and premium. Combined with the slim design and lightweight build, the phone offers an excellent in-hand feel.

The dual-tone design, updated OS, and thoughtful UI tweaks make the user experience genuinely enjoyable.

Pricing and Availability

💰 CMF Phone 2 Pro India Pricing:

• 8GB + 128GB – Rs 17,999 (after bank/exchange offers)
• 8GB + 256GB – Rs 19,999 (after offers)

🔥 Day 1 Special Offer (May 5 only):

• 8+128GB – Rs 16,999
• 8+256GB – Rs 18,999

This pricing makes it a solid contender in the sub-₹20,000 category, especially considering the display, telephoto camera, software support, and refined design.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a solid all-around experience. You get:

• A stunning AMOLED display
• Triple-camera setup with telephoto
• Excellent in-hand feel
• 120Hz gaming in BGMI
• Nothing OS 3.2
• And long-term software support

✅ Pros:

• Slim and lightweight
• Telephoto camera at this price
• Smooth display with 1000Hz touch
• 3 major Android updates
• Improved haptics

❌ Cons:

• Same processor as CMF Phone 1
• Mono speaker
• UFS 2.2 storage
• Camera needs optimization
• Gaming frame rates could be more stable

For the price, CMF Phone 2 Pro is a very competitive offering — perfect for users wanting clean software, a premium design, and great camera versatility in a budget-friendly package.

Nothing has released a new Nothing OS 3.1 update for its latest smartphones, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The update comes with the build number Asteroids-V3.1-250417-1222-IND and is around 115 MB in size. It brings several new features, camera improvements, and overall system enhancements.

New Features Introduced

One of the major highlights of this update is support for 4K video recording using the telephoto camera. This will help users capture videos with sharper details.

Another big feature is Private Space, a new secure zone that can be accessed by swiping right in the app drawer. It allows users to keep private apps and data safely tucked away. To make it even more secure, users can now set separate passwords for App Locker and Private Space.

The update also adds a Hotspot Manager feature, which shows all the connected devices and lets users manage them easily.

Camera Improvements

The camera system has received some great enhancements. Selfies are now clearer with improved face details and more natural skin tones. Photos taken at night, especially under streetlights, now have better image quality.

Users can now apply filters to 50MP high-resolution images, which adds more flexibility while editing. The telephoto camera also performs better in low-light conditions, with improved brightness and reduced flickering.

System and Security Enhancements

This update includes the April 2025 Android security patch, which brings important security fixes to keep your device safe from potential threats. Along with that, general bug fixes and system stability improvements have been made to enhance the overall user experience.

Essential Space App Update

Along with the system update, the Essential Space app has also received an update through the Google Play Store. The new version allows users to edit reminders, provides faster analysis, and improves app stability. Users are advised to check the Play Store and update the app to enjoy these new changes.