Nothing’s sub-brand CMF is increasing its portfolio, and has now unveiled its first Pro phone, expanding its lineup focused on providing a functional modular design. It is technically a successor of the CMF Phone 1, but with slightly spruced-up specifications, represented by ‘Pro’ in the name. However, the Phone 1 offers a similar Nothing OS experience and is currently available at a lower asking price.
So, you might want to know whether the CMF Phone 1 is still the budget smartphone to go for, or the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a worthy upgrade. Let’s look at each device and compare them in different departments.
Design and display
Despite the similar design language of the two smartphones, there are slight differences between them. The CMF Phone 2 Pro features Panda Glass protection on the front, while the Phone 2 Pro uses Gorilla Glass 5, which is more prone to scratches or accidental falls. The CMF Phone 2 Pro also has a slightly taller display at 6.77 inches, while the former has a 6.67-inch screen.
While both devices have plastic frames and back designs, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with a lighter weight, which provides a more premium feel in hand. It also comes with IP54 certification, which makes it prone to dust and water splashes. In contrast, the CMF Phone 1 skimps out on any such certification.
Performance
Both devices come with the company’s native Nothing OS with multiple customization features and a bloat-free experience. However, the CMF Phone 2 offers Android 15 out of the box, while the CMF Phone 1 has received the update a couple of months ago. The Phone 2 Pro also supports up to three major Android upgrades, while the Phone 1 only has support for two Android updates, meaning it won’t be updated post Android 16.
While the Phone 1 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, the Phone 2 Pro comes with a slightly improved Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset. Both phones are capable of running all day-to-day tasks easily and come with UFS 2.2 storage type.
Camera and battery
The biggest upgrade in the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the inclusion of extra telephoto and ultrawide camera sensors. It has a combination of a 50MP wide sensor, a 50MP telephoto sensor, and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. On the other hand, the CMF Phone 1 uses a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor on the back. The Phone 2 Pro also comes with interchangeable lenses, one for macro photography and one for a fisheye look
Further, both smartphones come with a 16MP selfie camera. In the battery department, both smartphones come with a similar 5,000 mAh battery with support for 33W charging and 5W reverse charging. However, the company has provided the charger with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, which the Phone 1 missed out on.
Verdict
There’s no question the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a better smartphone with an upgraded camera setup, bigger display, and more accessory support. It also has support for more Android updates in the future and comes with a charger in the box, reducing the burden of spending extra for prospective buyers.
Therefore, if you want longer software support and a more versatile camera setup at a slight premium, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the better buy. However, for users who have a strict budget of less than Rs 15,000, the CMF Phone 1 is still one of the best smartphones in that price range, especially if you don’t have a specific use case with those upgrades.
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