Nothing’s sub-brand CMF has announced its new products, and we think the company is on to something substantial with its latest line. Marketed as a Nothing alternative for those who want to try its products out without spending too much, the recent Nothing CMF launch had a few weeks of creative teaser releases before the details were finally confirmed during the Q2 2024 Community Update on July 8, 2024.
CMF’s new products include the CMF Phone 1, the CMF Watch Pro 2, and the CMF Buds Pro 2. Each product features elements of Nothing’s unique design aesthetic but is distinct enough that you won’t confuse them for the company’s main product line.
Image: The CMF Phone 1, CMF Buds Pro 2, and the CMF Watch Pro 2
Exploring CMF’s New Products in 2024
The brand CMF by Nothing was launched around August last year and initially only had a pair of earbuds and wired earphones, a watch, and fast-charging blocks to their name. The latest release of the CMF Phone 1 has brought considerable attention back to the brand, but the new watch and earbuds also demand some attention. Instead of relying on rumors, a majority of CMF’s launch details were revealed slowly by the company over the last week, and now, it’s great to see Nothing’s finished product.
The new CMF product lineup includes three products in four bold colors (orange, dark gray/black, light gray/light green, and blue) creating a cohesive ecosystem of products, but what’s most interesting about each device is Nothing’s focus on functionality. Each gadget has a unique feature integration that we haven’t seen from others in the category, so Nothing is getting set to start a lot of new trends.
The stated goal of @nothing is to make tech fun again – and its new “CMF” brand is the most (non-folding) fun I’ve seen in phones in a while.
The @cmfbynothing Phone 1 is the latest attempt to bring modularity to mobile, with removable backplates and an attachment point that can… pic.twitter.com/Ch8psGIIr6
— Michael Fisher (@Captain2Phones) July 8, 2024
So I’ve had a chance to use the new CMF by Nothing products over the last few weeks — Phone 1, Watch Pro 2, and Buds Pro 2 — and came away pretty impressed about what you get for a modest amount of money, these days. pic.twitter.com/ll3fhzbndi
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 8, 2024
The Latest Nothing CMF Launch Celebrates a New Smartphone, the CMF Phone 1
Of the three new products, the CMF device making the biggest splash is the CMF Phone 1. The internal specs of the smartphone are not the best on the market, but at $200 USD, they’re more than you’d expect to see. The slim device has a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G processor, a 5,000 mAh battery, and 8GB RAM with an 8GB RAM booster. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits peak brightness. The 50 MP rear camera isn’t anything spectacular, but it can get the job done for you.
What’s So Special About the Nothing CMF Phone 1?
The Nothing CMF Phone launch is noteworthy because of its interchangeable rear covers. The phone comes with an adorable screwdriver that you can use to remove the back panel and change it out for a different color. The removable cover also makes it easier to access the internal mechanisms for repairs, which is a bold move in an industry that doesn’t approve of you fixing your device instead of replacing it.
The rear panel also allows for some customization. A cardholder can be purchased separately and screwed onto the back cover if that is something you enjoy having at your disposal, but that’s not all. The accessory port dial on the bottom right of the device can also be removed to add a kickstand or a chunky lanyard, with the potential for greater customization in the future. The accessories will be available later in the month at $25 USD each so you can purchase the ones you want to try out with the phone.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 Is Great But We Can’t Look Away From Its Charging Case
The CMF Buds Pro 2 is a pair of $59 USD earbuds that feature the company’s first-ever custom dual drivers that take the shape of an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm tweeter for dedicated focus on a range of frequencies. The earbuds promise high fidelity audio from 20 Hz to 40 KHz with a 5000 Hz frequency range with its Smart Adaptive Mode. Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation is available up to 50 dB.
Battery Life of the New Buds Pro 2
With its 60 mAh battery, the CMF Buds Pro 2 promises up to 10 hours of non-stop play on a single charge and 43 hours of total playback with the case. Even if your device dies on you, you get 7 hours of playback on a 10-minute charge. An IP55 water and dust resistance rating isn’t ideal but it’s something we’re willing to make do with. With dual-connection support and spatial audio effect to boot, the many details focus on how to make the listening experience better for you. The Nothing X app also adds an additional touch of customizability.
What is the Main Highlight of the Buds Pro 2?
One of the most interesting aspects of the new buds is how the case has been designed. Usually used only for charging and storing the buds, this time, the case features a round dial in the corner that adds a nice stylized touch to it. Beyond that, it is also functional. The dials can be rotated to change the volume or pressed for features like activating the Voice Assistant, controlling noise cancellation, or switching to the Low Lag Mode. These can be customized on the Nothing X app, so you decide how you use your device.
Not everyone will find the feature useful or start a new habit of reaching for the case every time they want to change a setting, but the function is a step forward in the evolution of the earbud.
Finally, We Have the CMF Watch Pro 2
Wearable technology isn’t a new concept and Nothing has worked on watches before, but the Watch Pro 2 continues the CMF design concept of customization. The watch has an interchangeable bezel for its round dial so you can pick a style and change your mind when you want. The bezels don’t look particularly different from each other, but they’re there all the same. The 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a 60fps refresh rate supports over 100 dynamic watch faces, and we enjoy them much better than any Pixel or Galaxy watch on the market.
An 11-day battery life, gesture control compatibility, the functional crown, and the device’s fascinating provision of 3D visuals for warm-up exercises on the watch are some of the more interesting elements of the CMF Watch Pro 2, but they have all the expected features like a sleep tracker and sports modes as well. At $69 USD, you’re really getting a great deal with the smartwatch.
The new products offered by the CMF by Nothing brand are unique, versatile, and affordable, which makes them all good options to consider for your next purchase. The CMF Phone 1 stands out the most among the new products, but the smartwatch and buds are quite enticing too. Preorders are open and the devices will begin shipping on July 12 so if you’re considering giving the gadgets a go, now is a good time before they release the next community edition of the Nothing Phone and tempt you in a different direction.