Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: A Stylish Upgrade That Tries to Do It All

Nothing is back with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the successor to its budget-friendly CMF 1. This time, the company is aiming higher — both in features and in price. At ₹18,999, the CMF Phone 2 Pro costs more than its predecessor but tries to justify it with added accessories and features. So, does this second-gen modular phone live up to the expectations, or is it more style than substance? Let’s find out.

A Unique Design

The CMF Phone 2 Pro sticks to Nothing’s signature industrial style. The visible screws and flat lines give the phone a distinctive look. While the back panel is no longer swappable, you still get new modular accessories. These include a wallet stand, universal cover, and even attachable lenses.

The phone is light and slim, making it comfortable to hold. The frosted green finish on our unit looked fresh and premium. Buttons and ports are well-placed, and the IP54 rating offers basic splash resistance — a welcome upgrade.

Though the design feels thoughtful, the back is now fixed, which may disappoint fans of the original’s full modularity. Still, the CMF Phone 2 Pro finds a smart balance between being playful and practical.

Display

The phone features a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display with full-HD+ resolution. It supports HDR10+, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and reaches a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Even under bright sunlight, the screen stays clear and easy to use.

It uses Panda Glass instead of Gorilla Glass, which is slightly less durable. This might raise concerns about long-term usage, especially if you’re prone to drops. However, for daily use, the display is smooth and responsive, with excellent touch sampling and flicker-free brightness control.

Clean Software With a Touch of AI

Running on Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a clean and fluid user experience. There’s no bloatware, and the UI feels light and responsive. The company promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, which is rare at this price point.

One smart addition is the Essential Key. This physical button opens a private space called “Essential Space” — a place to store voice notes, screenshots, and more. The built-in AI reads these inputs to offer contextual suggestions. It’s not groundbreaking but adds useful daily functionality for students and professionals alike.

Good Performance, But Could Have Been Better

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset and paired with 8GB RAM, the phone handles everyday tasks well. You won’t face slowdowns while using social media, video calling, or light multitasking. The 256GB storage also gives ample room for files and apps.

However, for the price, a more powerful processor would have made it more appealing. Benchmark scores are decent, but the chipset feels like a minor upgrade from its predecessor.

Gaming performance is still strong. BGMI ran well on high settings, with no heating issues, thanks to improved thermal management. But for those who want heavy-duty gaming or video editing, the phone might feel a bit underpowered.

Versatile Cameras With a Creative Twist

The triple camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x zoom lens, and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. Daytime shots from the main sensor are sharp, with rich colors and good contrast. Portraits also look neat with proper background blur and skin tones.

The zoom lens is rare at this price, and it performs well up to 2x optical. The 20x digital zoom is usable but not impressive. The ultrawide lens works fine in daylight but loses clarity in low-light conditions.

Night shots have improved, thanks to an enhanced Night Mode. Photos are brighter and show better shadow detail, though some sharpness is lost.

Selfies with the 16MP front camera come out clean and well-lit. There’s slight beautification, but nothing overdone. The real fun lies in the external lenses — macro and fisheye — that attach magnetically. These won’t match a DSLR, but they do offer new ways to create content.

Solid Battery Life With Decent Charging

The CMF Phone 2 Pro packs a 5,000mAh battery. With normal use, it lasts an entire day easily. If you’re careful, it can go into the second day.

Charging speeds are moderate. The 33W fast charger fills the battery in around 80 minutes. There’s also 5W reverse charging to power smaller devices, which is handy for emergencies. While faster charging would’ve been nice, this speed is acceptable for most users.

Final Verdict: Stylish, Smart, but Not for Everyone

The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out with its bold design, clean software, and modular extras. It’s a clear step up from the CMF 1 and brings unique features like the Essential Key and screw-on lenses.

However, it’s not perfect. The chipset, while reliable, isn’t future-proof. The ultrawide camera and Panda Glass are also areas where Nothing could improve. Still, if you’re someone who values design, clean UI, and creative camera options — this phone could be a solid pick under ₹20,000.

But for those who expect raw power or top-tier durability, better options might exist at a similar price.