CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Budget ‘Pro’ Phone Done Right?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro has officially launched. We were all expecting the CMF Phone 2, but instead, we got a surprise with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It can be considered as the successor to the CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 1 was a good budget smartphone, retailing for around ₹15,000. Now, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes in to fix some of the issues that people had with the CMF Phone 1. 

The sharp edges are gone, everything is now rounded, and although the backplate is no longer removable, you still get the screws and some accessories, which I’ll talk about later in the review. The CMF Phone 2 Pro does not get a major processor upgrade. It continues with the same processor, but there is a major improvement in the cameras, at least on paper. 

The battery capacity remains unchanged, but there’s a very surprising yet welcome addition: the CMF Phone 2 Pro now includes a charger in the box along with a TPU case. Also, CMF is promising three years of service support, which is quite impressive at this price point. So, should you buy the CMF Phone 2 Pro? Let’s dive deeper into the review and find out.

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CMF Phone 2 Pro Specifications

• Display: 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED, FHD+ (1080 x 2392), 120 Hz, 3000 Nits peak brightness, 1300 Nits HBM, 387 PPI, 10-bit color, HDR10+, 2160 Hz PWM dimming
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G (4nm, 8-core, up to 2.5 GHz)
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB, expandable up to 2TB with hybrid slot
• Main Camera: 50 MP, Samsung ISOCELL GN6, 1/1.57-inch, 24mm, f/1.88, PDAF, no OIS, 9cm – ∞, 4K30, 1080p30/60
• Telephoto Camera: 50 MP, OmniVision OV50D, 1/2.88-inch, 50mm, f/1.88, 2X optical zoom, 20X digital zoom, AF, no OIS, 30cm – ∞, 1080p30
• Ultra-wide Camera: 8 MP, GalaxyCore GC08A8, 1/4-inch, 15mm, f/2.2, fixed focus, 1080p30
• Front Camera: 16 MP, GalaxyCore GC16B3, 1/2.7-inch, f/2.0, 22mm/27mm, fixed focus, 1080p30/60
• Speakers: Single speaker, 150% ultra volume mode
• Battery and Charging: 5,000 mAh, 33W PPS, 5W reverse wired 
• IP Rating: IP54
• Connectivity: 5G (NSA & SA), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 2.0, GPS, dual SIM card 
• Biometrics: Under-display optical fingerprint, 2D face unlock
• Weight and Dimensions: 185g, 164 x 78 x 7.8 mm
• Build: Polycarbonate back, Panda Glass front, pre-applied screen protector
• Software: Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15 (3 years OS updates, 6 years security patches)

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Unboxing

The CMF Phone 2 Pro skips the slim box approach and goes for a thicker box. And yes, it is thick for a reason, because you are getting a charger inside the box along with a clear TPU case. First, you are greeted with a card insert, inside which you will find the TPU case and some documentation. 

Then you find the CMF Phone 2 Pro itself, and beneath that is the 33W CMF PPS charger, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool. Good job to Nothing here, because most brands still use USB-A cables.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Design and Build

The CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with a more refined design compared to the CMF Phone 1. It is now 7.8mm thick, down from the 8.2mm of the CMF Phone 1, and the weight has been reduced to 185g from 197g, even with the addition of more cameras. The phone feels noticeably lighter and comfortable in hand. Even with the included case on, it remains easy to hold.

The camera on the CMF Phone 2 Pro sticks out quite a bit, making it noticeable. However, a welcome change is the rotating dial on the bottom right, which is now leveled with the rest of the back, making it less of a design oddity.

The rear features a triple-camera setup with a flash, along with four screws and a ring for attaching accessories like a lanyard and the universal case (more on this later). The sides are flat and the edges are more rounded now, making it easier to hold. There’s also the new Essential Key, like the Nothing Phone 3a series. 

At the bottom, you’ll find a single speaker, a USB 2.0 port, a primary microphone, and a SIM card tray. The tray can hold two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card, supporting up to 2TB. On the left side, there is a unified volume rocker, and on the right side, you’ll find the power button along with the essential key just below it. There’s another microphone at the top.

The back of the phone has a polycarbonate build, which CMF describes as a “glass-like finish.” And although CMF claims a “metallic frame,” it’s actually just a  plastic frame with a similar finish. You can remove the screws and add the universal case, but the back panel itself is no longer removable. It maintains an IP54 rating, so it isn’t fully water-resistant like IP68 or IP67, but it still offers some protection. 

The phone comes in four colors: White, Black, Orange, and Light Green. The Orange and White have a dual-tone finish, which isn’t my favorite, but the Light Green color (the one I have for review) is definitely a standout. 

That said, anyone who’s seen the CMF Phone 1 can easily recognize that the CMF Phone 2 Pro is from the same company. The design still carries that signature look, but it’s definitely more comfortable and functional this time around. The balance between practicality and uniqueness is well-executed, making the CMF Phone 2 Pro feel both familiar and fresh.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Display

When it comes to the display, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with some nice upgrades over the CMF Phone 1. The display is a 6.77-inch “flexible” screen, which is a 1080p display; pretty standard for this segment. It’s a 10-bit display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, plus a 480 Hz touch sampling rate. 

The major upgrade is the 2160 Hz PWM dimming. This is a big improvement over the CMF Phone 1, which had a 1000 Hz PWM timing that caused eye strain for some. The refresh rate on the CMF Phone 2 Pro seems to be locked at 120 Hz, even in the Dynamic mode.

They claim it’s adaptive, but I haven’t noticed it dropping to 90 Hz, 60 Hz, or 30 Hz, even when viewing photos in the gallery or similar tasks that don’t need a high refresh rate. That’s something that could be improved. Nonetheless, scrolling feels smooth overall. 

You get 800 Nits of typical brightness, 1300 Nits of HBM brightness (which is impressive for the price), and 3000 Nits of peak brightness. HDR playback is supported on YouTube, which is a nice feature in this price range. The brightness is good enough for outdoor use, though you might need to squint in bright sunlight.

The display also supports HDR10+, which is a nice touch. The colors are well-tuned, and you likely won’t have any complaints about the display quality. There’s no major jitter or stutter, and the response time is solid. 

It’s a flat panel, which means there won’t be any issues with screen protectors. Plus, there’s a pre-applied one, as I mentioned earlier. The punch hole for the 16 MP front camera is larger than on the CMF Phone 1, and while the bezels are (kind of) symmetrical, they are a bit thick for the price.

Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro has a solid display for the price. And yes, I didn’t notice any green tint or other QC issues with the display, at least on the unit I have for review. The bezels could’ve been slimmer, though, but that’s a minor thing compared to the overall performance of the screen.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Speakers and Haptics

When it comes to the speakers, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is quite disappointing. The CMF Phone 1 had a single speaker, which was a major downside, and unfortunately, that hasn’t been addressed. You still get a single speaker here, but now it’s just louder by 150% (artificially), which essentially means a volume boost with added distortion. 

It’s not great, and when compared to other phones, like the vivo T4 with its single speaker or the OPPO K13 with its dual stereo setup, the CMF Phone 2 Pro falls short. If you’re gaming with the speakers, you’ll probably need to use wired headphones, though there’s no headphone jack, so that’s a bit of a dilemma.

As for the haptics, they’re surprisingly good for the phone. They’re way better than those on the CMF Phone 1, but they won’t stand out in the upper mid-range or flagship segment. The typing experience feels good, so I’d say they’re among the best in this price range. 

However, there’s no haptic feedback when using the brightness slider, volume buttons, or pulling down the control center. These are areas that could use improvement. There is some haptic feedback when long-pressing the power button or unlocking the phone, but overall, the integration could be improved. 

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Software

When it comes to the software, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers an all-clean and a mostly smooth experience, but it’s not without its shortcomings. You get the latest version of the OS, Nothing OS 3.2, based on Android 15.

Nothing OS gives you the option to choose between a monochromatic “Nothing” theme and an “Android” theme, but honestly, even the Android theme doesn’t fix much. The widgets still stay monochrome (and it just feels boring). 

I really wish there was an option to bring in some colorful widgets, because right now, everything looks a bit too dull. You can’t change this unless you install a third-party launcher (which kind of defeats the whole purpose of using Nothing OS in the first place).

The software is smooth, with animations in place, but it’s disappointing that there’s no gaussian blur or wallpaper scaling, especially when phones with the same processor offer that feature. While you get floating windows and split-screen functionality, the lack of the ability to lock apps in RAM is a missed opportunity. 

Additionally, if you disable the feature to automatically add new apps to the home screen, you’ll run into a strange issue: if you clone an app, its icon won’t show up. To fix this, you have to enable the home screen feature again, uninstall the app, and then reinstall it. It’s a hassle, to say the least.

Organizing the home screen can also be tricky, as there’s no option to select multiple apps at once. On the bright side, the software is clean; there’s no bloatware or annoying ads, and the number of pre-installed apps is minimal. But there are still many features missing, especially when compared to some of its competitors in this price range.

Lock screen customization is quite limited, and I’m not a fan of the available options. However, you can add widgets and quick settings to the lock screen, which is a nice feature. The Inter font also looks nice; however, you will encounter Roboto here and there.

Overall, the software experience is good for the price, but there are some slowdowns here and there, which serve as a reminder that this is still a phone under ₹20,000. If you prefer a clean experience out of the box and don’t mind the missing features, this is very solid.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Essential Key

The new Essential Key is a unique feature, allowing you to quickly take a screenshot alongside a voice note and save a note to the Essential Space. It even tries to assist with reminders, though it’s not as effective as it should be. The speech-to-text functionality is poor and often inaccurate, making it pretty much useless for now, at least for me.

Unfortunately, you can’t disable or remap the Essential Key, which is a bummer. Hopefully, this will be addressed in future updates. As for AI features, the CMF Phone 2 Pro doesn’t offer much. You do get the Circle to Search, which can help with searching and translating on your screen, as well as identifying songs. There’s also Google Gemini with Gemini Live.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Biometrics

The under-display optical fingerprint scanner is quick and reliable, though positioned slightly lower than ideal. It unlocks in under a second, and has a nice animation with haptic feedback. The 2D face unlock works well in good lighting but struggles in dim conditions, so the fingerprint scanner is a better choice.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Performance

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4nm, 8-core, up to 2.5 GHz). It’s paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. I have the 256GB variant with me for this review.

Synthetic Benchmarks 

On paper, the Dimensity 7300 Pro is barely different from the Dimensity 7300 used on the CMF Phone 1 (it’s basically just a 0.1 GHz clock speed boost). This shows up in the benchmarks too, as the performance boost is almost negligible. Here are some benchmarks:

Benchmark Test	CMF Phone 2 Pro	CMF Phone 1	OPPO K13 5G
AnTuTu	661119	616691	711176
Storage Test (AnTuTu)	Score: 71948; Sequential Read: 1042 MB/s; Sequential Write: 522 MB/s	Score: 55807; Sequential Read: 1026 MB/s; Sequential Write: 292 MB/s	Score: 93365; Sequential Read: 1912 MB/s; Sequential Write: 1005 MB/s
Geekbench 6 CPU	Single-Core: 1003; Multi-Core: 2812	Single-Core: 1001; Multi-Core: 2898	Single-Core: 986; Multi-Core: 2873
Geekbench 6 GPU	Vulkan: 2494; OpenCL: 2450	Vulkan: 2486; OpenCL: 2474	Vulkan: 3953; OpenCL: 2933
3DMark Wildlife Extreme	851 (Avg FPS: 5.1)	–	952 (Avg FPS: 5.71)
3DMark Wildlife Stress Test	Best Loop: 853; Lowest Loop: 846; Stability: 99.2%	–	Best Loop: 965; Lowest Loop: 950; Stability: 98.6%
3DMark Wildlife	3115 (Avg FPS: 18.65)	–	–

As you can see, the Dimensity 7300 and 7300 Pro in the CMF Phone 1 and CMF Phone 2 Pro are pretty comparable. There’s really not much difference. The “Pro” in the name feels more like a marketing move rather than an actual performance upgrade. So, I would call this a side grade when it comes to performance. 

That said, when you compare it to something like the OPPO K13, which comes with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 at a similar price point, the story changes a bit. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 pulls ahead in almost every benchmark, making the CMF Phone 2 Pro feel less competitive in terms of raw performance.

Gaming Performance 

However, when it comes to the gaming experience, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a good overall performance. In BGMI, there is support for 120 FPS, though it is not perfectly stable, you generally get frame rates around 100 FPS, with the average temperature hovering around 42°C. If you switch to 90 FPS, gameplay gets different, averaging around 73 FPS, which is lower than expected. But yes, I did not notice any overheating.

In Genshin Impact, you can comfortably play at Medium settings + 60 FPS, or at High settings + 45 FPS. You can also attempt Highest settings + 45 FPS, but the average frame rate then drops. Here are the gaming stats of the CMF Phone 2 Pro: 

Game & Setting	Avg FPS
BGMI 60 FPS	57.0
BGMI 90 FPS	75.3
BGMI 120 FPS	107
Genshin Impact Medium + 30	29.7
Genshin Impact Medium + 60	51.2
Genshin Impact High + 45	40.8

Overall, the gaming experience with Genshin Impact is fine, but other devices at the same price point do offer slightly better gaming stability. That being said, for BGMI, with support for both 120 FPS and 90 FPS modes, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out as one of the best gaming smartphones in its segment.

Day-to-Day Tasks

For regular day-to-day tasks like opening apps, basic photo editing, and casual multitasking, the CMF Phone 2 Pro performs well. However, there are occasional slowdowns, like, for example, opening the screenshot editor can take around 2 seconds. 

Similarly, launching the camera app and previewing photos inside the camera app feels a bit delayed. If you want to quickly capture a moment, then forget it with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Launching the camera app and then taking a phone takes super long. Plus, the phone tends to kill apps in the background, especially when you open the camera or a game in Game Mode. 

These things could definitely be improved or optimized with future updates. That said, basic tasks like opening apps, scrolling, and switching between 3-4 apps work smoothly for the most part.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Cameras

The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a triple-camera setup, which, on paper, might seem similar to the Nothing Phone 3a. However, there are notable differences. The main camera lacks OIS, and while the telephoto lens offers 2X zoom, it uses the OmniVision OV50D sensor, not the JN5 found on the Nothing Phone 3a. 

The ultrawide sensor, although 8 MP, is also from a different manufacturer, GalaxyCore. Even the selfie camera is different from the one in the Nothing Phone 3a. So, aside from the main camera sensor, the camera setup on the CMF Phone 2 Pro is quite different.

That being said, the camera setup is still decent. However, I do think the main camera could have benefited from OIS, especially considering its lack of stabilization. Let’s break it down:

Main Camera

In daylight, the main camera can produce good photos, but you may notice some shakiness in the viewfinder. From 1X to 1.9X zoom, the main camera is fine, with a focusing distance of about 9 cm. This makes close-ups a challenge.

For comparison, the Vivo T4 has a 6.2 cm focusing distance on its main camera, which works better for close-ups. The CMF Phone 2 Pro’s camera tends to be inconsistent, overexposing photos. The HDR, when it hits (because it’s a miss most of the time), is really good. The shutter could’ve been faster.

Low-light performance suffers due to weak highlight control and the lack of OIS, resulting in blurry photos. There’s also an issue flare. The overall photo quality can be improved, especially in low light. Oh, and the color tuning is very poor in general.

Telephoto Camera

Daylight photos from this lens are good, but low-light performance is subpar, with blurry and hazy results. There’s noticeable loss of image quality beyond 4x zoom, and processing could be better. That said, it’s the only phone in the segment with a 2X telephoto. The colors and HDR are inconsistent with the main camera.

Ultrawide Camera

The 8 MP ultrawide camera performs decently in daylight, but it lacks detail around the edges, and even the center doesn’t look sharp. Low-light performance is weak, and it struggles to capture good-quality images in less-than-ideal lighting.

Portrait Mode

Portraits can be taken at 1X, 2X, 3X, and 4X zoom. However, except for the 1X portrait, all other zoom levels use the 2X telephoto lens and crop in to scale. Edge detection is problematic, and skin tones are often off, making the portraits look unnatural. 

I haven’t been able to get a good portrait with accurate skin tones yet. Additionally, there are bokeh effects available for portraits that some might like. The camera definitely needs improvement when it comes to portrait photography.

Macro and Fish-eye Lenses

The CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out with its detachable, or external lenses. The fish-eye lens offers a unique field of view, slightly narrower than the ultra-wide but with noticeable distortion, which could be fun. The image quality coming from this lens isn’t good.

The macro lens, on the other hand, is my favorite lens of the two. It allows you to get very close to subjects and captures impressive shots when attached to the main camera. You’ll need patience, as the depth of field is very thin, and the focus is tricky, but the results can be stunning. 

Third-party lenses can do a similar or better job for cheaper, but the macro lens on the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a good inclusion nonetheless. Both the macro and fish-eye lenses are sold separately and work with the universal case, which is also an extra purchase.

Selfie Camera

The selfie camera is a mixed bag. With a 22mm (1X) and 27mm (1.2X) focal length, it can capture decent selfies in good lighting, but HDR is inconsistent. The details are also soft. In general, selfies are passable, but nothing extraordinary.

LUTs and Presets

The CMF Phone 2 Pro also offers a really cool feature for creative users and it’s the ability to import your own LUTs (Look-Up Tables). This is great for those who like to tweak their photos and videos with specific color grading. You can even set your custom LUTs as the default, just like the Phone 3a and 3a Pro.

Along with LUTs, there are presets available, like Soft Focus and Lenticular, which come with filters and focal length adjustments. You can even make your own presets. These make it super easy to apply different looks to your photos. Being able to import your own LUTs and presets is easily one of the best features on the CMF Phone 2 Pro.

Video 

While the video quality is decent for the price, several key areas need improvement. Exposure control is inconsistent, and the stabilization could be better to avoid shaky footage. These are all things that could be improved with future updates, especially considering how crucial video quality is for many users.

Camera Verdict 

The CMF Phone 2 Pro’s camera setup is good for its price, but it has its shortcomings. The lack of OIS on the main camera and telephoto lens is disappointing, and the portrait mode needs significant improvement. 

The macro and fisheye lenses are fun additions, and so are the LUTs and presets. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly device with versatile lenses, it does offer some interesting features, but overall, it’s not the best option if video is a priority. Hopefully, future updates can address some of these issues.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Accessories

Talking about the accessories you can buy separately for the CMF Phone 2 Pro, there are four main options—the universal case, detachable lenses, the magnetic wallet cum stand, and the lanyard.

Lanyard 

First, you have the lanyard, which is a simple orange-colored strap. You attach it by removing the round dial at the bottom right of the phone and fixing the lanyard there. It’s more for style and convenience if you want to carry your phone around your neck.

Universal Case and Detachable Lenses 

Then comes the universal case. Before anything else, you’ll need this if you want to use any external lenses or the magnetic wallet. The back of the phone itself is not removable, so to install the universal case, you unscrew the 4 screws around the frame, put the white universal case on, and screw it back (you get the screwdriver and 4 additional screws). 

You also replace the original round dial with the white one that comes with the case. Once installed, this universal case allows you to attach the external lenses like the macro lens and the fisheye lens over the main camera.

Magnetic Wallet and Stand

Finally, there’s the magnetic wallet cum stand. After putting the universal case, you get magnetic support (kind of MagSafe-like), so you can stick the wallet onto the back. This wallet can hold 1–2 cards and also doubles as a stand for the phone, so you can prop it up when needed. Personally, I don’t think the product is worth it.

We don’t know the pricing of the accessories yet, so it’s hard to give a final verdict. But I do believe they’ll be more expensive than third-party options. For instance, if you’re looking for a macro lens, you can get a good clip-on one for around ₹1500; no need to buy a universal case, and it’ll be much more convenient to use.

CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Battery Life and Charging

Talking about the battery life, the CMF Phone 2 Pro packs a 5,000 mAh battery, but don’t go just by the numbers; real-world usage is actually very good. On average usage, which includes social media, camera, some gaming, all on dark mode with a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi, you can expect about 8–9 hours of screen-on-time. So endurance is solid.

However, the disappointing part is the charging speed. Even using a PD or PPS charger (like the included CMF 33W charger) the phone charges fully in around 2 hours, which is quite slow compared to the competition. Other phones in this price range, like the OPPO K13 (which has a much bigger 7,000 mAh battery), charge in under an hour.

This likely happens because CMF seems to be capping the PPS temperature limits to keep the phone cooler, but for Indian conditions, they should ideally raise the temperature limit so it can charge faster. 

Also, if you need it, the CMF Phone 2 Pro supports 5W reverse wired charging, so you can charge small accessories if required.