Wednesday, 11 June 2025
31.1 C
Singapore
33.5 C
Thailand
25.3 C
Indonesia
29.6 C
Philippines

CMF Phone 2 Pro review: Playful power meets practical design

CMF Phone 2 Pro blends standout design, smooth performance and creative features into a lightweight phone that’s fun and practical to use.

Smartphones often feel like they’re cut from the same mould—sleek and functional but lacking personality. The CMF Phone 2 Pro, however, tries to shake that up. It leans into a more expressive identity, aiming to be a phone that feels as unique as the person using it. With its bold design elements and thoughtful touches, it’s not just another slab of tech but a statement piece.

From the moment you pick it up, it’s clear this isn’t a device trying to blend in. The CMF Phone 2 Pro encourages interaction, personalisation, and creativity. It’s built for those who want more than utility from their phone and for people who want their devices to reflect their style and attitude.

But while it embraces fun and flair, it doesn’t lose sight of everyday needs. It feels lightweight in hand, easy to carry, and enjoyable to use, whether capturing a quick snap, firing off messages, or watching a video on your commute. It makes everyday moments a little more joyful, without being over-designed or distracting.

Ultimately, the CMF Phone 2 Pro challenges the idea of what a budget-friendly smartphone should look and feel like.

Bold design language with refined detailing and lightweight build

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 6

Right away, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out with a slim, well-proportioned body. At just 7.8 mm thick and weighing only 185 g, it’s one of the lightest phones in its class, yet it doesn’t feel fragile. There’s a deliberate balance between minimalism and detail here; exposed screws around the camera module hint at its modular design philosophy, while the metallic edges give it a polished and premium presence.

The phone comes in four colour options—Black, White, Orange, and Light Green (unavailable in Singapore). Each finish adds a different personality. The White version features a sandstone-textured rear panel that offers both grip and a matte aesthetic. Meanwhile, Black and Light Green have a frosted glass-like back with a slightly translucent, modern touch. Orange is by far the boldest, with a glossy metallic sheen that immediately catches the eye.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 4

The edges are rounded just enough to make it comfortable without slipping, and the symmetry of the design, especially the button placement, makes for an intuitive feel in the hand. Buttons are responsive and positioned logically on the sides. There’s also an extra “Essential Key” that doubles as a shortcut for taking screenshots or recording voice notes, which feels like a small but genuinely thoughtful addition.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 3

CMF pays attention to materials, textures, and tactile responses. This wasn’t built to mimic flagship phones; it’s meant to stand apart. The result is a device you’ll probably want to use without a case to enjoy the craftsmanship.

Vibrant AMOLED display built for brightness and clarity

One of the biggest highlights of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the display. The 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED screen is the largest in the CMF range so far and one of the best in its segment. With a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and support for over a billion colours, it offers a rich, smooth visual experience that’s enjoyable for browsing, gaming, or video playback. The screen’s brightness peaks at 3000 nits, significantly higher than many rivals in the same category. Even under direct sunlight, it remains visible. This makes it particularly useful in outdoor scenarios.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 5

CMF has also focused on eye comfort. The panel uses high-frequency PWM dimming at 2160 Hz, reducing eye strain during nighttime or in darker environments. Scrolling through apps or reading in bed feels easier on the eyes, with no noticeable flicker.

HDR10+ support and improved contrast help boost vibrancy without oversaturation. Everything looks balanced while watching YouTube in HDR, scrolling through Instagram reels or editing a photo, with each activity feeling vibrant and well-tuned.

Smooth multitasking, cooling efficiency and thoughtful software features

Powering the Phone 2 Pro is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset. It may not be a flagship processor, but it’s fast, efficient, and more than capable of handling real-world use. Daily multitasking, like switching between apps, navigating maps, or replying to messages, feels smooth. Thanks to the phone’s graphite-based cooling and internal heat pipe system, it doesn’t heat up quickly.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 1

CMF has included RAM Booster, which uses part of the phone’s storage as extra memory. With up to 16 GB of available RAM through this method, background apps stay active longer. It’s a subtle upgrade that improves responsiveness, especially for users who multitask.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 7

The phone runs on Nothing OS 3.2, based on Android 15. The interface is lightweight and distraction-free. Features like Essential Space and Privacy Space are genuinely useful. Essential Space acts like a smart notebook—collecting screenshots, notes, and voice memos and then organising them using AI. Privacy Space creates a secure zone that hides selected apps and files, even if someone has access to your main password.

Gaming is solid, too. You won’t push the highest graphics settings, but with the 120 Hz refresh rate and performance mode enabled, games like PUBG or Asphalt 9 play without noticeable lag or frame drops. It’s well-suited for casual and moderate gaming needs.

Capable quad-camera setup that brings portrait versatility

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 2
CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 8

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is fitted with a four-camera system that’s ambitious for a mid-range device. The main 50 MP sensor captures natural colours and a strong dynamic range. It performs well in daylight, producing sharp images with good exposure control. Thanks to the larger sensor, it handles low light better than expected.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 9
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 10
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 11
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro

Portraits are a strong point, with AI processing and multiple focal lengths mimicking DSLR-like effects. The bokeh remains natural, and edge detection is accurate when capturing both people and objects. It works well in different lighting environments, with the option to save and reuse your favourite portrait styles.

CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 12
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 13
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro review- Playful power meets practical design - 14
Photo taken with CMF Phone 2 Pro

The 50 MP telephoto camera offers a 2x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom. While 2x images are crisp, detail falls off beyond 10x—still, it’s useful for far-off subjects. The 8 MP ultra-wide lens is decent for landscapes or group shots but doesn’t match the clarity of the main sensor.

Video quality is reliable, especially with 4K recording at 30 FPS and AI-powered stabilisation. Night mode enhances shadow detail fairly well. Overall, the camera system is versatile, fun to use, and capable of delivering solid results for its price.

Comparing CMF Phone 2 Pro with Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro

While CMF and Nothing share the same ecosystem, their phones serve different audiences. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is expressive and modular, while the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro are more minimalist and polished in aesthetic.

FeatureCMF Phone 2 ProNothing Phone (3a)Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Release dateMay 2025March 2025March 2025
Dimensions & weight164 × 78 × 7.8 mm, 185 g163.5 × 77.5 × 8.4 mm, 201 g163.5 × 77.5 × 8.4 mm, 211 g
Display6.77″ AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3000 nits peak6.77″ AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3000 nits peak6.77″ AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3000 nits peak
ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4 nm)Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)
RAM & Storage8 GB RAM; 256 GB + microSD-XC12 GB RAM; 256 GB; no microSD12 GB RAM; 256 GB; no microSD
Battery & charging5,000 mAh; 33 W wired; 5 W reverse wired5,000 mAh; 50 W wired5,000 mAh; 50 W wired
Main camera50 MP wide, 50 MP 2× telephoto, 8 MP ultra-wide50 MP main with OIS, 50 MP 2× telephoto, 8 MP ultra-wide50 MP wide with OIS, 8 MP ultra-wide, 50 MP 3× periscope with OIS
Selfie camera16 MP32 MP50 MP
Zoom capability2× optical; up to 20× digital2× optical; up to 30× digital3× optical; up to 60× digital
OIS supportMain and telephoto supported by EISOIS on main camera onlyOIS on both main and periscope cameras
AI & software featuresNothing OS 3.2; Essential Key & SpaceNothing OS 3.1; Essential Space via buttonNothing OS 3.1; Essential Space, periscope zoom AI enhancements
Unique selling pointsLightweight, modular accessories, MediaTek chipsetMore RAM options, standard telephotoOIS periscope, strongest camera flex, premium design
Target audienceExpressive, creative phone usersMid-range users needing balance & AI featuresPhotography enthusiasts, performance-minded users

The verdict: CMF Phone 2 Pro

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is a rare mix of fun, function, and forward-thinking design. It’s built for people who want a phone that works well and reflects their personality. From its playful accessories and lightweight build to a clean OS and dependable battery life, it’s packed with details that elevate the daily experience.

In Singapore, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is only available in a single configuration: 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. While this is sufficient for everyday tasks, it may not meet the demands of heavier users who multitask frequently or run intensive apps.

It isn’t flawless—the ultra-wide lens could use more clarity, and power users might crave more GPU strength and storage. But for its price and positioning, the CMF Phone 2 Pro gets more right than wrong.

Hot this week

Atome secures US$75 million funding to boost financial inclusion in the Philippines

Atome secures US$75 million from Lending Ark to expand responsible digital credit access in the Philippines.

Dark Chinese visual novel returns to Nintendo Switch after age rating delay

The Hungry Lamb returns to the Nintendo Switch store in Japan after a three-month suspension due to age rating issues.

SEON unveils AI-powered AML suite to unify fraud and compliance efforts

SEON launches AI-powered AML suite with real-time monitoring, helping risk teams manage fraud and compliance from one unified platform.

Switch 2 earns a lower repair score than its predecessor

Nintendo Switch 2 gets a poor 3/10 repair score from iFixit because glued batteries, soldered parts, and hidden screws make repairs harder.

Updated BMW iX lands in Singapore with fresh look and tech upgrades

The updated BMW iX arrives in Singapore with fresh design touches, new tech, and free charging perks for EV lovers.

Nothing to launch new over-ear headphones and flagship smartphone on 2 July

Nothing will unveil its first over-ear headphones and flagship smartphone, Phone (3), in a global launch event on 2 July.

Singapore Airlines and PALO IT test generative AI for faster software development

Singapore Airlines and PALO IT successfully trial Gen-e2, an AI-first software development approach powered by GitHub Copilot.

AI helps uncover gender-specific drug combinations to improve heart valve disease treatment

Researchers use AI to find gender-specific drug combinations for AVS, aiming to improve personalised treatment for heart valve disease.

OpenAI delays the release of new open model until later this summer

OpenAI delayed its new open AI model, now expected later this summer, aiming to rival Mistral and Qwen.

Related Articles

Popular Categories