Is This Budget Phone About to Shock the Smartphone World? CMF by Nothing Drops a New Contender and Fresh Earbuds!

CMF by Nothing, the more accessible arm of the design-focused tech company, just pulled back the curtain on its latest lineup, and it’s certainly making waves. Headlining the announcement is a new smartphone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro, alongside a trio of new audio products: the CMF Buds 2, Buds 2 Plus, and Buds 2a. These releases signal CMF’s clear intent to offer compelling technology that doesn’t break the bank, aiming to deliver that signature Nothing experience to a wider audience.

For months, rumors swirled about CMF’s next move in the smartphone space following the intriguing, albeit somewhat niche, CMF Phone 1. Now, the CMF Phone 2 Pro arrives with the weight of expectation, promising a blend of distinctive design and improved performance at a competitive price. The phone sports a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering vibrant visuals and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Peaking at 3000 nits brightness for HDR content and a solid 1300 nits outdoors, the screen looks capable of handling various lighting conditions. Gamers might appreciate the 1000Hz touch sampling rate for more responsive gameplay.

Under the hood, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset. CMF highlights a 10% boost in CPU performance and a 5% gain in graphics compared to the standard Dimensity 7300 found in its predecessor. This should translate to snappier everyday use and better handling of demanding applications and games. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, thankfully expandable up to a generous 2TB via a microSD card – a feature increasingly rare in today’s market.

Photography sees an upgrade as well. The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. CMF claims the main camera captures 64% more light than the Phone 1, promising more vivid and true-to-life photos. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps with improved stabilization. For selfies, there’s a 16MP front camera. The camera system also incorporates features like Ultra XDR, co-developed with Google, and an AI Vivid Mode to enhance colors.

Borrowing a page from the Nothing Phone 3a series, the CMF Phone 2 Pro includes the “Essential Key.” This customizable button allows for quick access to “Essential Space,” an AI-powered feature designed to help users quickly capture and organize thoughts through voice notes, screenshots, and photos, with AI assisting in organization and creating reminders.

CMF didn’t just focus on the phone; audio enthusiasts have new options to consider. The company unveiled three new sets of earbuds: the CMF Buds 2, Buds 2 Plus, and Buds 2a, slotting in below their existing CMF Buds Pro 2.

The CMF Buds 2 feature 11mm custom drivers tuned with Dirac Opteo and Nothing’s Ultra Bass Technology 2.0. They support Bluetooth 5.4 with dual device pairing, Google Fast Pair, and Microsoft Swift Pair. For silencing distractions, they offer 48dB hybrid ANC and come equipped with six microphones (three per earbud) utilizing CMF’s Clear Voice Tech 3.0 for clearer calls. They also support spatial audio. The Buds 2 boast an IP55 rating for water resistance (IPX2 for the case) and promise up to 55 hours of total playback with the case.

Stepping up, the CMF Buds 2 Plus target audiophiles with LDAC and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. They feature 12mm Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm drivers and a more powerful 50dB ANC. These earbuds claim a remarkable 61 hours of total battery life with the charging case and sport a metallic finish.

Finally, the CMF Buds 2a aim to deliver strong bass and effective noise cancellation at a more accessible price point. Tuned by Dirac with Ultra Bass Technology, they are designed to make low frequencies more pronounced. While specific battery life details for the 2a were less prominent in initial reports compared to the other models, the focus appears to be on providing a powerful audio experience on a budget.

The design language across the new products maintains CMF’s distinct aesthetic, incorporating the signature orange color option alongside dark grey, light grey, and light green for the phone. The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a dual-tone rear panel with varying textures. It also retains a modular hardware approach, with hints of upcoming attachable accessories like a wallet, back cover, and potentially camera lenses, though availability may vary by region.

For those in the United States, the CMF Phone 2 Pro starts at a competitive $279, available initially through Nothing’s beta program.  Alongside the phone, CMF also introduced new audio products with approachable price tags. The CMF Buds 2 are priced at $59, offering a compelling wireless audio option. Stepping up slightly, the CMF Buds 2 Plus come in at $69, while the most budget-friendly option, the CMF Buds 2a, are available for $49.

CMF by Nothing continues to build its reputation for offering well-designed, feature-rich tech at prices that challenge the market. The CMF Phone 2 Pro, with its improved specifications, unique design elements like the Essential Key and modular approach, and aggressive pricing, positions itself as a serious contender in the crowded mid-range smartphone segment. Coupled with the new range of earbuds catering to different audio preferences and budgets, CMF’s latest releases demonstrate a commitment to making thoughtful and capable technology accessible, leaving many wondering if this lineup will indeed shake up expectations for affordable devices.