Review: CMF Phone 1 - A Customizable and Fun Budget Phone Under ₹20,000
The CMF Phone 1, a sub-brand of Nothing, has entered the Indian market with a bang. This budget phone offers a unique design, solid performance, and impressive features, all under the affordable price tag of ₹15,999. Let’s dive into our review to see if it’s worth your money.
Customizable design and accessories
Design: A Refreshing Change
The CMF Phone 1 stands out with its design. Our review unit came with a Blue vegan leather back plate, which can be swapped out for Black, Light Green, or Orange. These back plates, referred to as “covers,” can be easily replaced, adding a touch of customization to the phone. The phone also features a circular widget called the ‘Accessory Point,’ which pops out to let users attach various accessories like a stand or lanyard.
While the design is a refreshing change, the edges of the CMF Phone 1 feel a bit sharp due to the boxy design. The leather back is comfortable and soft to touch, but the phone lacks a headphone jack, which might be a drawback for some. The phone has an IP52 rating, offering basic water resistance.
Display: Impressive for the Price
The display of the CMF Phone 1 is impressive for its price range. The 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility.
Performance and Thermals: Solid for the Price
Under the hood, the CMF Phone 1 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 4nm processor, scoring an impressive 6,72,414 on AnTuTu. During gaming, titles like BGMI ran smoothly on high settings, maintaining a stable 60fps without breaking a sweat. The Dimensity 7300 handles thermal management well, keeping the device cool even during extended gaming sessions.
Battery and Charging: A Full Day’s Use
The CMF Phone 1 comes with a 5000mAh battery that easily lasts more than a full day with light to moderately heavy usage. The compatible 33W fast charger takes around 90 minutes to fully charge the device from 0 to 100%. However, there’s no charger included in the box, which is a bit disappointing.
Camera: Decent for the Price
The CMF Phone 1 features a 50MP main camera with a flagship-grade Sony sensor. Daylight shots are detailed with great colors and contrast. Portrait mode does a decent job with subject separation, and the AI Vivid mode adds a pop of color when needed. Low-light performance is surprisingly good, with the main camera capturing plenty of detail with minimal noise.
Verdict: A Stylish and Customizable Budget Phone
The CMF Phone 1 is all about style and customization. While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, it nails the essentials with a great display, solid battery life, and a design that turns heads. Priced starting at ₹15,999, it offers an affordable entry into the Nothing ecosystem.
I recommend the CMF Phone 1 for those who value unique design and customization. It’s a solid budget phone that checks most boxes.
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