In a world saturated with smartphone options, CMF Phone 1 emerges as a breath of fresh air. As a sub-brand of Nothing, CMF focuses on making sophisticated design accessible while maintaining an uncompromised user experience. After a few weeks of using the CMF Phone 1, here’s a comprehensive review.
What’s in the Box?
Unboxing the CMF Phone 1 is an experience in itself, reflecting the brand’s attention to detail. Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- CMF Phone 1: The main attraction, sleek and ready for use.
- CMF Cable (USB-C to USB-C): A durable and high-quality cable for fast charging and data transfer.
- Safety Information and Warranty Card: Essential documents providing warranty details and safety instructions.
- Screen Protector (pre-applied): A thoughtful inclusion that saves you the trouble of applying it yourself.
- SIM Tray Ejector: A handy tool for inserting and removing your SIM card.
Additionally, there are a variety of accessories available for purchase separately, such as:
- Stand: Perfect for hands-free use during video calls or watching media.
- Lanyard: Adds convenience for carrying the phone around.
- Card Case: Useful for carrying essential cards without needing a separate wallet.
The inclusion of these items ensures you have everything you need to get started with the CMF Phone 1 right out of the box.
Design and Build Quality
From the moment you unbox the CMF Phone 1, it’s clear that this phone is designed to impress. The interchangeable covers and visible stainless steel screws highlight the engineering aesthetics, making the phone look both bold and approachable.
My favourite was the Light Green cover with its subtle texture, which felt great in hand and resisted fingerprints remarkably well. The review unit that was sent is in black – it also feels good in the hands with a textured back.
The phone’s modular design is not just about looks; it also adds functionality. I tested the attachable accessories like the fold-out stand and card holder, which can be quite handy during your daily commute.
The robust build quality, reinforced by the stainless steel screws, gives confidence in the phone’s durability.
Holding and using the CMF Phone 1 feels comfortable due to its well-thought-out design. The rounded edges and slip-free materials make it easy to grip, reducing the chances of accidental drops. The placement of buttons and ports is intuitive, allowing for effortless one-handed use. During extended use, whether browsing the web or playing games, the phone remained comfortable to hold without causing any strain.
Accessories and Customization
As mentioned, one of the standout features of the CMF Phone 1 is its modular design. The ability to switch out covers and add functional accessories like stands, card holders, and lanyards allowed you to customize the phone to fit your lifestyle. This adaptability is a surely a refreshing change in a market where most phones look and feel the same.
The fold-out stand will be particularly useful during video calls and watching movies, providing a stable base for the phone. The lanyard add convenience when traveling, ensuring the phone is always within reach. Now, the card holder attachment. You’re going to need it – why? One notable omission in the CMF Phone 1 is the lack of NFC support, which is commonly used for contactless payments.
The accessory card holder provides a workaround by allowing you to carry your essential cards with you. While not as convenient as NFC, this solution ensures you can still make payments on the go without much hassle.
Display Performance
The 6.67” Super AMOLED display on the CMF Phone 1 is nothing short of stunning. With over 2.5 million pixels and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight. Watching videos and playing games on this display was a delight, thanks to the vivid colours and deep blacks.
The HDR10+ support and P3 color gamut make content consumption a treat. Whether watching high-definition videos on YouTube or streaming movies on Netflix, the HDR support ensured vibrant visuals with excellent contrast. The AMOLED panel’s color accuracy is commendable, making images and videos look lifelike. The in-screen fingerprint scanner is also responsive and conveniently placed, adding to the seamless user experience. No complaints.
Performance and Gaming
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G processor, the CMF Phone 1 delivers top-notch performance. With an Antutu score of 673,000, CMF claims that it’s the fastest phone in its segment. Sure enough, I multitasked with ease, switching between multiple apps without any lag.
Gaming on this phone was a breeze. The Game Mode improved picture quality and frame rates while blocking notifications and calls. The advanced liquid cooling system kept the phone cool even during extended gaming sessions. Popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG ran smoothly with high graphics settings, showcasing the phone’s impressive gaming capabilities.
Software Experience with Nothing OS 2.6
Nothing OS 2.6 offers a clean and smooth user experience. It’s free from bloatware and comes with the latest Android 14 features and optimisations. The monochromatic theme and customizable home screen layouts allowed me to tailor the phone’s interface to my liking.
The inclusion of widgets like the AI Wallpaper Generator and the Community hub added a layer of functionality and personalization that I found quite useful. Like the Nothing phone, the software on the CMF Phone 1 is clearly designed to minimize distractions and promote intentional smartphone use. Grouping apps into folders and customizing the size and layout made navigation intuitive and clutter-free.
Camera Capabilities
The CMF Phone 1’s camera setup includes a 50 MP main sensor and a 16 MP front camera, both equipped with TrueLens Engine 2.0 and AI Vivid Mode. In my tests, the rear camera captured exceptional photos with accurate colours and sharp details. Portrait Mode worked beautifully, creating a pleasing bokeh effect that separated subjects from the background.
Low-light performance was surprisingly good, with the camera capturing detailed shots with minimal noise. The Night Mode, enhanced by Ultra XDR and Advanced HDR software, worked well in challenging lighting conditions, producing clear and bright images. The 16 MP front camera also delivered great selfies, making use of the latest photography algorithms to enhance image quality.
Please stay tuned for some photos taken on the CMF Phone 1:
Battery and Connectivity
With a 5000 mAh battery, the CMF Phone 1 easily lasted me up to two days on a single charge. This is particularly impressive given the high-performance display and processor. The 33W Fast Charging was a lifesaver, allowing me to charge the phone to 50% in just 20 minutes.
With moderate to heavy use, including streaming videos, playing games, and using GPS, the phone comfortably lasted through the day. The battery optimization features in Nothing OS 2.6 also helped in managing power consumption effectively.
In terms of connectivity, the CMF Phone 1 supports the latest connectivity protocols, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Dual 5G capabilities ensured that I had fast internet access wherever I went. Call quality was excellent, and I experienced no issues with network connectivity during my usage.
Pricing and Availability
The CMF Phone 1 is available at S$369.
The accompanying accessories will only set you back S$19 each.
You can get them on CMF’s official Lazada, Shopee, or at Challenger!
Verdict
The CMF Phone 1 is a compelling option for those looking for a stylish, high-performance smartphone that doesn’t break the bank. Its standout design, impressive display, robust camera capabilities, and strong performance make it a great choice for early smartphone buyers and enthusiasts alike.
The phone delivers on its promise of bringing great design and core functionalities to the forefront. While the lack of NFC is a minor drawback, the phone’s overall performance, design, and customizability more than make up for it. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone that offers both style and substance, the CMF Phone 1 is definitely worth considering.
What can we say? We’re excited for the CMF Phone 2 already (with NFC maybe?)
