The CMF Phone 1 by “Nothing”, has been hyped to be quite “Something”. But is it?
After shaking up the smartphone world with Nothing, Carl Pei, the maverick behind OnePlus has now set his sights on the budget market with CMF, a sub-brand aimed at tech-savvy individuals who crave something different. The CMF Phone 1 has been generating buzz in international markets with its impressive specs and affordable price tag, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype.
I imported one from Amazon’s U.S store for $289(R5,112) excluding shipping and taxes to see if it lives up to the hype. You can read about more about importing from Amazon here.
Having spent some time with the device, it’s time for a quick review and first impressions. A full review will be posted in the next week.
Unboxing: Keeping it Simple
The CMF Phone 1’s packaging is refreshingly minimalist. No fancy extras here, just the phone, a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and some paperwork. It’s a no-frills approach that reflects the brand’s focus on functionality and affordability.
Design: Bold and Customisable, But with a Catch
The Phone 1’s design is where it truly shines… or at least, it should. With interchangeable back covers in a variety of colours and finishes, the idea is that you can personalise your phone to match your style. The functional screws add a utilitarian touch, allowing for easy swapping of accessories or back covers.
However, there’s a catch. Finding those accessories is “Nothing” but impossible. CMF seems to have fumbled the ball on this one, making it nearly impossible to actually customise the phone as intended. It’s a major disappointment, especially considering that customisation is a key selling point for the Phone 1.
Display and Sound: A Mixed Bag
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is a real treat, boasting vibrant colours, a 120Hz refresh rate, and impressive brightness. But the single bottom-firing speaker is a letdown. In a world where even budget phones are embracing stereo sound, the Phone 1 feels a bit behind the curve.
Camera: Decent, But Not Spectacular
The 50MP main camera captures decent photos in daylight, but struggles in low-light conditions. The software processing can also be a bit heavy-handed, resulting in oversaturated colours at times. The 16MP selfie camera is similarly decent, but has a tendency to add an unnatural orange tint to skin tones.
Performance: Decent performance but no NFC
The Phone 1 packs a surprising punch for its price, thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, a processor typically found in more expensive devices like the OPPO Reno 12 Pro. Day-to-day performance is smooth and responsive, with no noticeable lag or stuttering.
The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day, even with heavy use, and the 33W fast charging gets you back in action quickly. The lack of a charger in the box is a minor inconvenience, but it’s becoming increasingly common, even with flagship devices. The biggest let down, is the absence of NFC, so no tap to pay and also no wireless charging.
Software: Clean and Functional
The Phone 1 runs on a clean, bloatware-free version of Android, and the user interface is visually stunning. It’s a smooth and user-friendly experience, with a fingerprint sensor and face unlock that work reliably. In fact, this is probably one of the best software experiences I’ve had on a phone, rivalling even Google’s Pixel devices.
The Verdict: There’s better options locally
The CMF Phone 1 is a bold and refreshing entry into the budget smartphone market. It offers a unique design, a vibrant display, and solid performance. However, it falls short in areas like camera quality, speaker performance, and overall build quality.
If all you’re looking for is a phone that stands out from the crowd, (if you can get your hands on the accessories) and offers a clean software experience, the CMF Phone 1 may be worth considering. But if you prioritise camera quality a more refined design and importantly local after sales support, we are spoilt for choice with the excellent offerings in South Africa, so take your pick.
