We have been using the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro for a few weeks now, and it’s been a fun ride. Two years ago, Nothing kicked off its CMF sub-brand with a clear plan: make phones that look fancy and work well without costing too much. This April, they dropped the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro, their latest shot at that goal. We wanted to figure out if it really lives up to what the brand says it’s all about.
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro grabbed our attention right away because it promises a lot for a budget phone. CMF says it’s about giving you a high-end feel without the high-end price, and after carrying it around, we can tell they’re serious about that. We felt a little thrill unboxing it, knowing it’d be with us on such a long trip. It’s not flawless, but it’s got personality and does a lot right. We used it hard, from sunrise to late nights, to see how it holds up when you really need it. Now, let’s break down what we learned about this phone, bit by bit.
Style and Build
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro looks sharp, way better than most phones at this price. We picked the light green one, and it’s got this calm, classy vibe that still turns heads. The back has screws you can see, giving it a tough, industrial feel, and they’re not just for looks—you can attach stuff like a case or wallet with them. It weighs 185 grams and is only 7.8mm thick, so it sits nicely in your hand or pocket. On our long drive, we held it a lot, and it never felt heavy or awkward. The glossy plastic body shines, but it does grab fingerprints if you’re not careful.
There are other colors too: black, orange, and white. The orange and white ones mix two tones for a cool twist, while black keeps it simple. We liked the idea of screwing on a universal cover to add things like a stand or lanyard—it’s handy and feels fresh. Older CMF accessories seem to work with it too, which is neat. The only thing that bugged us was the IP54 rating. It’s better than the last model, but some phones in this range go up to IP65, so it’s not the best for water or dust. Still, the design made us smile every time we pulled it out.
Screen Quality
The screen on the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro is a big win. It’s a 6.77-inch AMOLED with bright, punchy colors and a 120Hz refresh rate that keeps everything moving smooth. The touch reacts fast too, thanks to a 1000Hz sampling rate. We watched videos on it during downtime on our trip, and the slim edges made it feel like a tiny TV. It hits up to 3000 nits of brightness, so we could see it fine outside, even on sunny days. Playing around with it, like swiping through apps or maps, felt quick and easy, which we loved.
On that 2000km drive, we leaned on the screen a lot. Navigation apps looked clear, and scrolling through playlists was buttery smooth. We took it out in bright light to check directions, and while it could’ve been a tad brighter, we never struggled to read it. Gaming on it was fun too—the big display and fast response made it a treat. It’s one of those things that makes the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro feel special for its price. After hours of use, our eyes didn’t feel tired, and that’s a good sign it’s built well for long stretches.
Performance
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro runs on a Dimensity 7300 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, and it’s solid for daily stuff. It’s not the quickest processor out there, but we didn’t notice it slowing down. On our trip, we had it running navigation for 7-8 hours straight, flipping between apps like music and messages, and it kept up fine. It didn’t get hot either, even with the GPS going full blast. The 256GB storage, which you can expand, gave us plenty of room for photos and videos from the road. It felt reliable, like a friend you can count on.
Nothing OS 3.2 powers the phone, and it’s clean and light—no extra apps clogging things up. The look is simple but nice, with smooth animations that make it fun to use. We liked that it’ll get three years of big updates and six years of security fixes, which is rare for a budget phone. There’s this new Essential Button for notes and screenshots, but we kept hitting it by mistake reaching for the power button. It’s not our favorite, though some might like it. Overall, the phone handled our busy days without a hiccup, and that’s what matters most.
Camera capability
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro has three cameras: a 50MP main one, a 50MP telephoto, and an 8MP ultra-wide. The main camera takes bright, colorful shots that look good right away. We snapped pics of mountains and cities on our drive, and they had nice detail for a phone this price. It’s not great in low light, but with some tweaks, it’s usable. The telephoto lens surprised us—zooming 2x gave clear shots.
The ultra-wide lens isn’t as strong. In daylight, it’s okay for wide views, but details get fuzzy, and at night, it’s pretty weak. We tried it for big landscapes, but it didn’t wow us. Video recording hits 4K at 30fps, and it’s solid if you hold it steady—there’s no optical stabilization, so shaky hands show. The telephoto and main cameras were our go-tos, and they made the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro fun for capturing moments. On the road, we got some keepers that didn’t need much editing, which was a nice perk.
Power and Charging
The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro has a 5000mAh battery, and it lasted well for us. We got 6-7 hours of screen time, even with heavy use like streaming and GPS on our trip. Driving 2000km, we trusted it to guide us, and it drained slowly, staying cool the whole time. That was a relief compared to other phones we’ve used that heat up fast. Whether we were watching Netflix or checking maps, it had enough juice to get through a long day without making us nervous about running out.
Charging comes at 33W, which isn’t super fast. It takes over an hour to fill up, and we’re used to quicker speeds these days. Still, it’s enough for a decent boost if you plug it in before heading out. On the road, we’d charge it overnight, and it was ready for another full day. The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro’s battery kept us going without fuss, and that reliability was key during our five-day adventure. It’s not the biggest battery around, but it does the job well enough.
Wrapping Up
After testing the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro, we’re impressed by how much it brings for the price. The design is unique with its screws and colors, and the screen shines bright and smooth. Performance stayed steady through our long drive, and the main and telephoto cameras gave us solid pics. Battery life held up, even if charging isn’t the fastest. The ultra-wide camera lags behind, and the Essential Button felt more annoying than helpful. Still, it’s a phone that feels good to use every day, and that’s a big deal.
Using the Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro for real tasks showed us it’s more than just specs. It’s got a vibe that’s hard to find in budget phones—stylish, smooth, and dependable. The 2000km trip pushed it hard, and it came through without breaking a sweat. Weak spots like the IP54 rating or mono speaker don’t ruin the fun. We enjoyed having it with us, and it fits nicely as a solid pick for anyone wanting a phone that looks and works great without costing too much.
