The budget segment was already quite saturated with a plethora of devices from numerous OEMs. So it was always going to be quite a challenging task for a newcomer to step into this domain and make its presence felt. However, Carl Pie, co-founder of OnePlus, decided to take this risk and launch its own brand named Nothing.
But don’t get fooled by its name, it tends to offer a plethora of intriguing features and a power-packed specs sheet at a price that isn’t going to burn a hole in your pockets. While this company is going pretty strong, we now have its own sub-brand in the form of CMF which has left many users scratching their heads.
So what exactly is this device all about, why is it in the news lately [hint: it’s related to its unique hardware], and most importantly was it even required when we already have the Nothing series going pretty strong? Let’s find out!
CMF Nothing Phone 1: What’s under the Hood?
Before we proceed ahead and be a tad bit judgmental, let’s first have a look at the specs sheet. The most important thing to keep in mind while you go through this write-up is the fact that this device only costs $200! This could prove to be a deal breaker by the time we reach the end of this post and name a sounding and concluding remark.
| DISPLAY | Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | |
| Always-on display |
| PLATFORM | OS | Android 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 |
| MEMORY | Card slot | microSDXC |
|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| MAIN CAMERA | Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| SELFIE CAMERA | Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
|---|---|---|
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| SOUND | Loudspeaker | Yes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| COMMS | WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, BLE | |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | |
| NFC | No | |
| Radio | No | |
| USB | USB Type-C |
| FEATURES | Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
|---|
| BATTERY | Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired 5W reverse wired |
CMF Nothing Phone 1: Plenty of Goodies in Store
First things first, what does CMF actually stand for? Well, the CMF in Nothing Phone 1 is Color, Material, Finish, which might sound a tad bit non-technical in nature, but it simply gets the job done. For instance, if you opt for the all Blue color, then the CMF will be C: Blue, M: Polycarbonate+Vegan Leather, and F: Coated Plus Leather Texture. But what about the rest of the departments?
Well, during our initial impressions, it seems to have checkmarked most of the requirements, considering the price bracket to which it belongs. First things first, right out of the box, two things are going to catch your attention- the metallic screws and the circular knob at the bottom right. So what are they?
Well, the screws would already have given you some hints; it is a self-removable back cover that could be replaced with a different color like Orange, Black, or Light Blue. Don’t worry, you also get a screwdriver in the box itself! Moreover, even the SIM ejector tool has been designed to go with the current theme. Along the same lines, the knob could also be replaced via different colors, but why is it there in the first place?
Well, we hate to break it to you but it is not a fidget spinner! It is infact a mount attaching point for accessories. Talking about which, you can attach three different types: kickstand, lanyard, and card holder wallet with space for up to 4 cards which could be slapped at the back of the device via Magnet. Moreover, this knob balances out the rear camera bump thereby making your device not wobble and lay still on a flat surface.
If we come to the software side, then it houses the slightly weaker MediaTek Dimentsity 7300 chipset [which is comparable to Snapdragon 7 Gen 1]. This is coupled with up to 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM which might just about get the job done. Talking about the display, you get a 6.67-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 2000 peak nit brightness.
The operating system is the exact same Nothing OS based on the latest Android 14 that you get on its premium variants. Likewise, there are icon packs, home screen widgets, and customizations that will give you the liberty to tweak the UI at your convenience.
If we turn our attention towards the camera, it has a 50MP wide and a 2MP depth, the latter, unfortunately, fails to meet the expectations in every possible manner. All this is supported with a mammoth 5000mAh battery that supports 33W charging. All in all, it is a decent phone at this price point, with some major shortcomings, as is evident from the below section. Let’s read on to find out more about it.
CMF Phone 1: Is It a Case of Missed Opportunities?
While we are giving it some leverage considering its extremely low price, still, there are still a few boxes that it should have checked or at least given due consideration to them. While some like the missing NFC and Glyph interface might not be a cause of much infuriation, others like the IP 52 rating, 2 years of OS upgrades, and the non-removable batteries are surely going to ruffle quite a few features.
Even though Near Field Communication is quite a useful feature, there is still a major chunk of the population that doesn’t use this feature, especially in developing countries which are the stronghold of this device. Likewise, the Glyph Interface is something that one could easily live without. However, the low IP52 rating means that it could only withstand minimal water splash and specks of dusts.
Likewise, 2 years of OS upgrades is way too less in today’s time. However, the thing that has angered the users the most is the fact that they cannot remove the battery, as it nullifies the ability to have a replaceable and removable back cover. Doing so just for the sake of changing color isn’t worth the effort or value addition.
But from the OEM’s point of view, they didn’t provide this option because battery degradation is one of the biggest reasons why users have to upgrade their devices. If it gave the users the option to replace the battery, then they wouldn’t buy a new device but would instead only get their hands on the battery, thereby lowering the company’s revenue.
Concluding Remarks: Nothing Needs to Do Something with CMF
So this brings us to an end to this intriguing journey. While Nothing has done a great job in creating a new ecosystem [CMF smartwatch for $69 and CMF earbuds for $59] with this device and has indeed added some nifty features in the device’s arsenal, however, there seem to be more questions that answer.
The device might end up. being one of the biggest “what if” the tech community if Nothing doesn’t do something about it in the next year or so. With that said, what are your views on this unique offering from CMF? Are you looking to shell out some bucks and get your hands on this device or will wait a tad bit longer and try out its second/third iteration? Do share your valuable opinions with us in the comments section below.
