CMF Phone 1 Price : Is it the Budget-Friendly Game Changer of 2025?

There is a lot of competition in the Indian smartphone market right now, and CMF, a sub-brand of Nothing, is making a strong impact with its budget-friendly CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 1 is its latest offering, which tries to offer premium features at an affordable price. This phone was launched in July 2024 and it gets a 120Hz AMOLED display, replaceable back cover along with MediaTek Dimensity 7300 powerful chipset. With a focus on design, performance, clean UI, and long-term software support, it can be a good option for budget-conscious users.

What is so special in CMF Phone 1?

Unique Design: Comes with a replaceable back cover, which allows users to customize the look of their phone.
Smooth Performance: Multitasking and gaming happen smoothly with MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset.
Immersive Display: Gives a buttery smooth experience with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate.
5G Connectivity: Multiples 5G bands are supported, which gives a future-ready network experience.
Nothing OS (Android 14): Near-stock Android experience is available in which regular updates will be received.
Long Battery Life: 5000mAh battery which gives all-day usage and supports 33W fast charging.

In this detailed review, I will discuss its full specifications, features, pros & cons, real-world performance, and whether it is worth buying in 2025 or not.

CMF Phone 1 Features & Highlights

Premium and Unique Design

The CMF Phone 1 is different from the typical design of budget phones as it has replaceable back covers. This means you can change the look of your phone without buying a new phone. This phone is available in Black, Blue, Light Green and Orange color options.

Build Quality and Durability

The back of the phone is made of plastic but it gives a solid and premium feel.
The matte finish reduces fingerprints and smudges.
IP54 splash resistance provides light water and dust protection.
Being slim and lightweight (197g, 8.2mm thickness) makes it easy to handle.
The in-display fingerprint sensor which provides fast unlocking.

Smooth Display which is perfect for daily use

A good display improves user experience, and CMF Phone 1 does not disappoint in this. It has a 6.67-inch AMOLED Full HD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) display which gets 120Hz refresh rate.

Brightness and Outdoor Visibility
Its 2000 nits peak brightness is the best in the budget segment, which gives clear visibility even in direct sunlight.
The punch-hole design makes it look more stylish and impressive.
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection ensures durability.

Performance that is good for Gaming and Multitasking

The CMF Phone 1 comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which is based on 4nm architecture and is power-efficient and delivers good performance.

Real-World Performance

Casual Use: Daily apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube run smoothly without lag or stutter.
Gaming: It is good for gaming and delivers a smooth experience.
Multitasking: Switching apps is fast due to 6GB/8GB RAM.

Key Performance Features:

MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor (4nm)
6GB/8GB RAM options
128GB storage (expandable via microSD)
Mali-G615 MC2 for gaming
Nothing OS (Android 14) with 2 years OS update.
Decent Cameras for Budget Price

CMF Phone 1 Camera Performance

The CMF Phone 1 comes with a dual-camera setup that includes a 50MP main camera (f/1.8) that helps to take clear photos . There is also a 2MP depth sensor that mainly provides a depth effect for portrait shots. There is a 16MP front camera for selfies that works well in daylight but doesn’t take good photos in low light.

The phone also has a night mode that improves low-light photos. The Portrait mode gives good background blur and subject focus. The phone also supports 4K video recording (30fps) and offers extra video options like Slow Motion and timelapse. This phone may not offer as much performance as flagship cameras, but the CMF Phone 1 offers good camera features in its price range, which can be a good option for everyday photography.

CMF Phone 1 has a dual-camera setup:

50MP Primary Camera (f/1.8, OIS): Captures sharp and detailed photos in good lighting.
2MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.24 depth)
16MP Front Camera: Selfies are decent, but low-light performance is average.

Camera Features & Modes

Night Mode: Improves low-light photos, but results are average.
Portrait Mode: Gives good edge detection.
4K Video Recording: Available at 30fps.

Battery & Charging

Battery life is a strong point of CMF Phone 1. The 5000mAh battery provides all-day usage and supports 33W fast charging.

Battery Performance:

Screen-on Time: 7-8 hours on moderate use.
Charging Speed: 0 to 50% charges in ~30 minutes.
Power Efficiency: Being a 4nm chipset, we get better battery optimization.
No charger is given in the box, you will have to buy it separately.

Clean and Fast Software Experience

CMF Phone 1 comes with Nothing OS (Android 14), which provides a near-stock Android experience.

Software Features:

There is no bloatware or ads.
Smooth UI which is fast and responsive.
This comes with 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Premium & Unique Design – Replaceable back covers add customization options.
Smooth 120Hz AMOLED Display – Great for gaming, social media, and overall usage.
Powerful Performance – MediaTek Dimensity 7300 ensures smooth multitasking.
Long Battery Life – 5000mAh battery offers all-day usage.
Clean Software Experience – Nothing OS (Android 14) with no bloatware or ads.
5G Connectivity – Future-proof with multiple 5G band support.

Cons

No Stereo Speakers – Single speaker limits audio experience.
No Charger in the Box – You need to buy one separately.
Average Low-Light Camera Performance – Struggles in night photography.
Plastic Build – Feels solid but lacks the premium feel of glass-backed phones.

Who Should Buy CMF Phone 1?

Want a premium-looking phone at a budget price – This phone offers a stylish design with a sleek finish, giving it a high-end appearance without breaking the bank. If aesthetics matter to you, this is a great choice.
Need 5G connectivity for future-proofing – With 5G support, you can enjoy faster internet speeds and better network performance, ensuring your phone remains relevant as networks evolve.
Prefer a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display – The high refresh rate makes scrolling, gaming, and animations buttery smooth, while the AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience.
Like gaming and multitasking with a capable chipset – Equipped with a powerful processor, this phone handles gaming, app switching, and multitasking efficiently, ensuring a lag-free experience.
Want long battery life with decent charging speed – A large battery ensures all-day usage, while fast-charging support (though the charger isn’t included) minimizes downtime.

Who Should Skip CMF Phone 1?

Want stereo speakers – The phone features a single bottom-firing speaker, which may not deliver the best audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
Need a charger in the box – You’ll have to purchase a charger separately, as many brands now exclude it from the packaging to cut costs and reduce e-waste.
Expect flagship-level cameras, especially in low light – While the cameras perform well in good lighting, low-light photography may not be on par with flagship devices, leading to grainy or less detailed shots.
Prefer a 3.5mm headphone jack? – This phone lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, so you’ll need to use wireless earbuds or a USB-C adapter for wired audio.

Final Verdict on CMF Phone 1 Price and all details : Should You Buy CMF Phone 1 in 2025?

The CMF Phone 1 is a solid budget phone with a stylish design, smooth performance, and a bright AMOLED display. While it lacks some extras like stereo speakers and a charger in the box, it still offers great value for money. If you can grab it during Flipkart sales or with bank offers, it becomes an even better deal.

Verdict: A great budget smartphone if you can overlook minor compromises.