Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Enhances the core experience without overcomplicating things

The Hindu

12-05-2025

Nothing has launched the second CMF phone, building on the legacy of its predecessor. To start with, I would like to inform the readers here that the new CMF Phone 2 Pro starts at ₹18,999, a bit more than its predecessor. However, the company has tried to justify the price tag by giving the charging adapter, which was missing in its CMF Phone 1. And, if you like to add a bit of cool quotient, then there are accessories available, designed specifically for the CMF phone 2 Pro. So, let's check out what the latest Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro has to offer.
Design
Nothing continues to lean into its industrial, modular aesthetic with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, and that's a good thing. You're greeted with familiar stainless steel screws at each corner of the device, a visual cue that also serves a purpose. These screws allow users to attach a new set of accessories like the magnetic wallet-stand, universal cover, and even interchangeable lenses — a quirky but creative addition. Though the back panel is no longer swappable, the design remains dynamic and fun.
What stands out instantly is how comfortable the phone feels in the hand. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is among the slimmest and lightest in the Nothing portfolio. Even with the new multifunctional universal cover attached, the device retains its sleek profile. Our review unit came in the frosted light green variant, framed with a metallic sheen that feels premium. On the right, you'll find the Essential Key and the power button, while the left hosts the volume rockers. The hybrid SIM tray, USB-C port, and speaker grille sit neatly at the bottom.
Durability has also seen a bump, with an IP54 rating offering better splash resistance than before. The triple camera rings on the rear — now individually framed in aluminum — lend a more sophisticated look. Meanwhile, the front houses an expansive display with razor-thin bezels, enhancing the visual appeal.
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Display
Up front, the CMF Phone 2 Pro features a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel with a full-HD+ resolution (1080 x 2392 pixels). It supports a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 10-bit color, HDR10+, and boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The 1,000 Hz touch sampling rate and 2160 Hz PWM dimming ensure a smooth, flicker-free experience. Despite relying on Panda Glass instead of Gorilla Glass, the screen impresses in everyday use. It stays legible even under bright sunlight, and content consumption feels immersive.
OS and Essential Key
Running on Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a clean, bloat-free software experience. The UI is slick and responsive, with minimal animations and intuitive gesture controls. Nothing promises 3 years of Android upgrades and 6 years of security patches — a solid commitment for a phone in this price bracket.
A standout feature is the 'Essential Space,' accessible via the physical Essential Key. This space allows users to store notes, screenshots, and voice recordings in one place. What makes it interesting is the AI engine that analyses this data and generates contextual suggestions, like setting reminders based on your notes or voice memos. While it may not be groundbreaking AI, it's smart enough to be genuinely useful for productivity-driven users.
Performance
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. The chip is a modest upgrade over the original 7300 but delivers enough grunt to handle everyday tasks with ease. Personally, I would have liked a bit more powerful processor to make the phone more appealing.
In benchmark testing, the phone scored 1011 in single-core and 2957 in multi-core Geekbench tests. The GPU score hovered around 2500 — respectable numbers for a mid-range device. Whether you're switching between apps, editing photos, or jumping into Zoom calls, the performance is consistently smooth.
Gaming, too, is a strong suit here. Titles like BGMI ran flawlessly on high settings, aided by the phone's excellent thermal management system and Performance Mode toggle. The graphics-intensive segments rendered smoothly without heating issues. For a phone in its category, the CMF 2 Pro stands out as a well-optimised, efficient performer for both regular and power users.
Camera
The CMF Phone 2 Pro comes equipped with a triple-camera setup featuring a 50 MP main sensor, a 50 MP telescopic lens with 2x optical zoom (20x digital), and an 8 MP ultrawide unit. For selfies, there's a 16 MP front-facing camera. All cameras are enhanced by Truelens Engine 3.0 and Ultra XDR processing for dynamic lighting and improved shadows.
In daylight, the primary 50 MP sensor shines. It captures crisp, vibrant images with plenty of detail and good dynamic range. Colors tend to be slightly saturated, giving photos a punchy aesthetic that many users actually prefer for social media-ready results. Portrait shots are especially impressive — edge detection is sharp and subject separation is clean, even in complex backgrounds. The software does a good job optimizing tone and skin texture, making portraits look natural yet polished.
The telescopic lens, which is rare in this price segment, brings added depth to the camera system. At 2x optical zoom, images retain good clarity, and the 20x digital zoom, while understandably less sharp, still manages passable results for casual use.
The ultrawide sensor is decent for casual landscape shots. While it doesn't match the detail or color richness of the main lens, it handles broad compositions and wide-angle selfies adequately in good light. In lower lighting, it does struggle with noise, but that's expected in this category.
Night photography, overall, sees a lift thanks to the enhanced Night Mode. Images turn out brighter with improved shadow detail and less noise, although sharpness could be a bit better.
Selfies taken with the 16 MP front camera look clear and well-exposed in most situations. Skin tones are slightly beautified by default but not overly so, and the camera performs reliably in both bright and moderately lit conditions.
What elevates the experience further is the support for external, screw-on lenses — a macro and a fisheye, which are sold separately. These add creative versatility and are a thoughtful addition for content creators or hobbyists looking to experiment. The image quality with these lenses is decent, and while they won't replace dedicated gear, they certainly expand the camera's playbook in fun and useful ways.
Battery
Packing a 5,000 mAh battery, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comfortably lasts a full day, even with moderate gaming and media consumption. On light usage, you might even stretch it into the next day. Battery drain is well-optimised, and idle consumption is minimal thanks to Nothing's clean OS.
Charging is handled via 33 W wired fast charging, which takes the phone from 0 to 100% in just under 80 minutes. There's also 5 W reverse wired charging — a neat addition for topping up accessories. While not blazing-fast, the charging speed is sufficient for most users.
Verdict
Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro is easily one of the most interesting devices in its segment. It builds meaningfully on the CMF 1 by refining its design, offering better durability, adding functional accessories, and enhancing the core experience without overcomplicating things. The camera system — especially with the optional lenses — adds a layer of creativity that'll appeal to a niche but loyal audience.
Sure, there are a few misses: the ultrawide camera could be better, Panda Glass isn't the toughest, and the chipset, while competent, isn't class-leading. But if you're someone looking for a well-rounded phone with a unique personality, smart features, and just enough power to game and create, the CMF Phone 2 Pro makes a strong case for itself.