If you read my quick take on the CMF Phone 1 last year, you’ll remember I called it “a rare kind of fun in a boring budget phone world.” It brought swappable backs, bold design, and a sense of play that most entry-level devices just didn’t bother with.
Now, CMF Phone 2 Pro is here. It’s louder, smarter, more polished—and while it ditches the full panel-swapping party trick, it leans harder into modularity where it matters. And yes, it still costs less than my monthly electricity bill.
Design: Goodbye to Lego Backs, Hello to Actual Useful Mods
CMF has toned down the “DIY aesthetic” but kept the spirit alive. The Phone 2 Pro is thin (just 7.8mm), light (185g), and still looks like something that came out of the Nothing design lab—because, well, it did. You won’t be swapping whole backs anymore, but you can snap on accessories via the new Universal Cover system.
We’re talking magnetic wallet-stand combos, fisheye and macro lenses, and even a lanyard attachment for folks who miss their Nokia 3310 neck cords. It’s playful and practical—which, let’s be honest, is rare in this price range.
Display: Don’t Call It Midrange
The 6.77-inch AMOLED panel might sound standard, but it’s packing flagship energy. You’re getting FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an absolutely wild 3,000 nits peak brightness. That’s brighter than some TVs. Outdoors in Jozi? No problem. Watching YouTube during load-shedding? Also no problem.
The colours pop, the blacks are deep, and the refresh rate makes everything feel smooth—even when you’re scrolling through endless WhatsApp voice notes you didn’t ask for.
Performance: MediaTek Enters Its Redemption Arc
Powering the Phone 2 Pro is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, paired with 8GB RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. It’s not a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, sure—but it doesn’t need to be.
This thing handles multitasking, light gaming, and everyday use with no complaints. No stutters, no overheating, and definitely no “you get what you pay for” vibes. Bonus: it ships with Android 15 and Nothing OS 3.2, and you’re getting three years of major updates and six years of security patches. That’s serious long-term support—especially for a budget phone.
Camera: Not Just for the Numbers Game
On paper, the camera setup looks ambitious:
- 50MP main sensor
- 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom
- 8MP ultrawide
And modular magic means you can slap on external fisheye or macro lenses and get genuinely creative. Honestly, for the price, it’s doing a lot. Main shots look crisp in daylight, with solid dynamic range and surprisingly accurate colours. The telephoto holds up well to 5x, but 10x and beyond is more of a novelty. The ultrawide is fine—not amazing, but usable.
Low light? The sensor size starts to show its limits, but the software works overtime to keep things looking decent.
Battery: Reliable Workhorse with a Bonus Party Trick
A 5,000mAh battery keeps this thing alive for a full day and then some. And when it dies? 33W wired fast charginggets you back up fast. There’s also 5W reverse charging, which is cool if you want to top up your earbuds or flex on your friends with iPhones.
Extras That Actually Matter
You still get the things that make tech nerds smile:
- NFC for contactless payments
- In-display fingerprint scanner
- 3.5mm headphone jack (yes, still alive)
- IP54 splash resistance
Pricing & Availability: Here’s the Local Angle
Now the juicy part—price. The CMF Phone 2 Pro starts at $229 (Roughly R4,300) for the 128GB version, and $279 (Around R5,200) for the 256GB variant.
There’s no official South African launch—yet. So your best bet? Import it from Amazon US, where it’s already available as part of Nothing’s Beta Program. Even with shipping and duties, it’s still going to be cheaper than most local midrangers with less personality and fewer updates.
And honestly? For under R6K all-in, you’re getting better design, brighter screens, longer support, and actual modular fun compared to most plastic-fantastic competition on local shelves.
GeekVerdict: Budget Done the Right Way
CMF Phone 2 Pro doesn’t just build on the fun of the Phone 1—it evolves it. Sure, you lose the swappable backs, but what you get is a more refined, smarter, more capable phone with actual legs. The modular add-ons aren’t just gimmicks; they’re useful. The OS is slick. The specs are solid. And the price? Still ridiculous in the best way.
If you were even slightly curious about CMF after the Phone 1, this is your sign to go Pro. Just be ready to import.
