Latest news with #Phone2Pro
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Your Phone's Next Big Innovation Is… a Dedicated AI Button?
I love buttons. I like them in cars (sorry, touchscreens), I like them in my games (not sorry, iPad touchscreen controls), and I love them on my phones. I'm apparently not alone in that love for phone buttons, and more and more phone makers are taking note. Even Apple, for all of its contributions to the world of touchscreens, is hopping on that tangible train, adopting the Action Button, its programmable key for launching basically anything you want, and the Camera Control, which controls your camera (duh), including shutter, launching the camera app, etc. But as much as I love buttons on my phone, there is one button I've yet to fully come around to, and it's seemingly slated to be the next big pushable thing on your phone—I'm talking about the trendy new 'AI button.' AI buttons are real, physical, tactile keys that do exactly what they sound like—they trigger AI features. More and more phones in recent months have been adopting them, too. There's Nothing's 'Essential Key,' which is a button on the side of the company's phones (Nothing and its cheaper CMF phones like the Phone 2 Pro) that can look at what you're doing on your device and take certain actions. For example, if you're looking at tickets for a show, you could smash the Essential Key and then tell your phone to remind you to buy tickets at a later date/time. Similarly, Motorola and its high-end Razr Ultra flip-style foldable includes an 'AI Key' that triggers a host of AI features like 'next move,' which can automatically open apps or provide suggestions based on what you're doing on your phone at the time. It can also activate AI features like 'look and talk,' which combines Moto AI with a voice assistant to help you use your phone hands-free when you're in 'tent mode.' And the dedicated button party doesn't stop there. Just this week, OnePlus announced its 13S phone, which does away with the company's signature Alert Slider switch in favor of the Plus Key button. In OnePlus's defense, the Plus Key is similarly all-purpose and programmable like Apple's Action Button but seems to also be geared heavily towards activating AI Plus Mind, a feature that's very similar to Nothing's Essential Space. Smarter than ever. The all-new OnePlus AI- intelligently yours, coming to the #OnePlus13s June 5th, 12 noon. Know more: — OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) May 27, 2025 And on the one hand, this all makes sense. AI is the Next Big Thing, according to *checks notes* everyone who makes gadgets right now, so of course that ethos is going to inform hardware as well as software. On the other hand, there's kind of a big problem with the whole AI button craze, and that's that a lot of people just aren't really using AI enough to justify a whole-ass button yet. Recent polling from CNET suggests that the overwhelming number of people (73% of iPhone users and 87% of Samsung users, to be exact) who can use AI on their devices say that they think the features add little to no value to their general phone experience. Contrast that sentiment with the fact that phone makers think AI features are important enough to stand among the ranks of (and this is the truth) the power/lock button. And that's not the only downside to the AI button. There's also the fact that this new crop of buttons may actually be an insidious billboard for both AI and AI subscriptions. According to Android Authority, which did a teardown of the Essential Space app in March, plans for monetization may be on the horizon for Nothing. While the company has given no official indication that it intends to turn Essential Space into a money-making machine, according to the teardown, the company's AI app may not come cheap if and when that moment arrives. The teardown suggests that Nothing could charge as much as $120 to use Essential Space, though it's unclear if that's an annual subscription or a one-time fee. I love physical buttons as much as the next nerd, but when you're dealing with the limitations of the physical world and the need for practicality that goes along with it, I'm not sure that AI quite rises to the occasion yet. Maybe that will change, and Apple Intelligence will soon warrant its coveted spot next to the Camera Control, but for now, I'm guessing most of your AI button presses might be the result of an accident while trying to do something truly useful, like locking your phone.
India Today
22-05-2025
- India Today
CMF Phone 2 Pro review in 5 points: Meaningful upgrades over CMF Phone 1 make it an easy recommendation
Phones under Rs 20,000 often make many compromises. The CMF Phone 2 Pro makes a few, too, but it still gets the basics right (meaning that it has a good display, clean software, dependable battery life, so on and so forth), while putting in a few extras that together make it a strong contender in its price range. I tested the CMF Phone 2 Pro for two weeks and I believe that it is one of the most well-rounded smartphones you can get below Rs 20,000 today. You can read our full review of the CMF Phone 2 Pro here. Here, we give you a more concise take on why it could – and should – be your next Phone 2 Pro: Key specificationsBefore I summarise my experience with the CMF Phone 2 Pro, here is a quick look at the key specifications of the 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000nits peak brightness Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 ProStorage and RAM: 8GB RAM, up to 256GB storageRear camera: 50-megapixel primary sensor, 50-megapixel telephoto lens (2x optical zoom and up to 20x ultra zoom), 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 119.5-degree field of viewSelfie camera: 16-megapixelBattery: 5,000mAh with 33W fast charging supportOS: NothingOS 3.0 based on Android 15 advertisement CMF Phone 2 Pro review in 5 points-Design and ergonomicsNothing says that the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the slimmest phone it has made so far. At 7.8mm, its sleek profile stands out. The phone is light and easy to handle even with one hand. Basically, it is a big-screen phone that doesn't feel sent us the mint green variant, which is a nice departure from the usual colour palette we typically see in this price range, and the shimmer finish adds a playful touch while maintaining a premium signature back panel design of the CMF Phone 1 is continued on the CMF Phone 2 Pro with screws and a small dial to attach accessories. However, swappable panels are no longer part of the product offering.-DisplayThe CMF Phone 2 Pro's display is quite bright, which means you will never find yourself struggling with legibility even under direct sunlight. The display's colours are punchy, and scrolling or gaming feels smooth and responsive. Compared to the CMF Phone 1, bezels on the CMF Phone 2 Pro have been trimmed down, and the large bottom chin is almost gone. There is room for some more refinement, but this screen is among the best you'll get in this and UIPowered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, the CMF Phone 2 Pro can handle day-to-day tasks like calling, multitasking, and social media, effortlessly. Even with heavy use, the phone does not lag while switching between multiple on the CMF Phone 2 Pro is also mostly fine, though the phone struggles a bit in sustaining peak performance during particularly with demanding really stands out, just like all Nothing phones, is the clean and ad-free software. The CMF Phone 2 pro runs NothingOS 3.0, which is based on Android 15. It is intuitive and easy to get used to. Even my 60-year-old mother-in-law had no trouble adapting to it. Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches. -Battery performanceThe CMF Phone 2 Pro has excellent battery life. I regularly got a full day of use even with 5G and heavy usage. On lighter days, it could stretch even beyond a day. Nothing's software optimisation plays a big role here, and it shows in how it performs in the real world. This is a phone you can depend on to keep up with your routine without hunting for a charger towards the end of the debut triple-camera setupThe CMF Phone 2 Pro's camera is a major upgrade. The company has debuted a triple camera system on the CMF-branded phone with the Phone 2 Pro. And the phone is able to largely deliver on the hype it created around it. Photos come out sharp, with accurate colours and decent background blur in portrait mode when you give it lots of light. Low-light shots aren't perfect (you can notice some noise and dynamic range doesn't go very wide) and the shutter can be a bit slow. Regardless, it performs better than most phones in this range. Nothing also offers swappable lenses for those who want to experiment a bit more with Phone 2 Pro: Quick verdictThe CMF Phone 2 Pro feels like a sensible step up from its predecessor. It does not overwhelm you with gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on the things that matter – display, performance, battery, and usability. At a starting price of Rs 18,999, and the promise of long-term software support, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers great value for money. If you are looking for a dependable daily driver that also looks good, it should be on your list.
India Today
16-05-2025
- India Today
CMF Phone 2 Pro review: The best phone to buy under Rs 20,000 today?
What makes a sub-Rs 20,000 smartphone tick? It could be a mix of a few different things, but generally, people who are buying these phones – much like any other phone across any other price point – want to get the most value and, if given a choice, use them for as long as they possibly can (yes, there is great value in that, too). So, the question is not so much about what these phones can get right, but how much bang for your buck they can deliver to pique the interest of the average buyer. Because let's face it, this is also a segment of intense buzz and activity. There are so many nice and trendy and putting in a few gimmicky features here and there is not enough. Rather, all this is a distraction. The phone must pass the basics. In other words, it must have a slick user interface (the cleaner, the better), a smooth display, and reliable battery life. If you can get a functionally good camera, that would be a bonus. In my experience of using the CMF Phone 2 Pro for two weeks, I found that this new affordable Nothing phone comfortably ticks all these boxes, almost, and that is why I feel it is now the phone to beat in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment. CMF Phone 2 Pro with 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED display advertisementIt's the year of slim phones and CMF Phone 2 Pro got the memoNothing claims that the CMF Phone 2 Pro is its slimmest phone ever. It comes in at 7.8mm (versus CMF Phone 1 which was 8.2mm). Those numbers, however, don't tell the complete story. I held the CMF Phone 2 Pro and the Nothing Phone 3a (which is technically a more premium Nothing phone) and the difference was evident. The Phone 2 Pro feels slimmer and lighter. It has a great in-hand feel. And if you prefer over 6-inch-displays phones, you will really enjoy using this one. Unless you have small hands, this phone is an absolute joy to operate with one hand. The edges of the phone have a metallic finish that is soft to touch and very premium to look at. The mint-green variant I have for review looks very nice and fresh even if it is a tad unusual at this price point. The back panel also has a bit of a shimmer, which adds a touch of playfulness to the about design, the CMF Phone 2 Pro continues to feature exposed screws at the back (like the CMF Phone 1) to accentuate its modular aspect. However, the industrial design leans more towards the aesthetic this time. Sure, the little wheel in the bottom-right corner has been retained. You can use it to connect a few accessories, but the stand and the wallet accessories (that have launched alongside the phone) are slapped on magnetically through an optional backplate now. There is no option for changeable back panels any more. But the good thing is, this doesn't come in the way of the phone's experience, which is mostly clean and minimal. Similar to the Phone 3a series, the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with a dedicated Essential Space button Essential Space: Some AI goodness now, some maybe laterEssential Space, an AI feature that launched with the Nothing Phone 3a series, has been added to the CMF Phone 2 Pro as well. At the most basic level, it is meant to aggregate and sort information in your screenshots automatically, so that you don't have to scramble through them for information when you most need instance, you take a picture of a pamphlet that has information about a play – the day, date, time and the works. You don't have to go back to that picture to look at the details of the play. In a few days, when the time comes, and you need that information, Essential Space will sort it for you in one place, think that is quite useful. However, I also think the feature is still quite limited in functionality at this point. Nothing has promised more helpful features are in the works for a future update. Be that as it may, the dedicated key that invokes the Essential Space, could have been placed better. The CMF Phone 2 Pro supports up to 20x digital zoom Big screen experience that is mostly good newsThe CMF Phone 2 Pro has a 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED display with support for up to 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3,000nits peak brightness. In real-life use, the smartphone's display is bright, it has rich colours, and it is super responsive. Even if you are using the phone outside, under direct sunlight, the phone's brightness adjusts well enough for the content to remain legible making the CMF Phone 2 Pro well suited for multimedia bezels on the phone have also been made more even this time (compared to the CMF Phone 1). They are relatively slimmer, too. Nothing has done away with the big chin we saw on Phone 1. But there is room for some more improvement. Maybe the next version will cut down on bezels even performance and outstanding battery lifeThe Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip. It supports up to 120fps in games like BGMI and comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage and 8GB RAM. It runs NothingOS 3.0 based on Android 15, and Nothing promises 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches. Rounding off the package is a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.I have been using the CMF Phone 2 Pro as my primary device which means, all my work apps, social media apps, and some gaming apps are all loaded on the device. I was switching between multiple apps, and scrolling through social media for hours, and I did not face any lag while doing all played BGMI on the phone, and as Nothing promises, you can play graphic-intensive games on the device, but I found that if you play in high graphs mode for a long time, the device is not able to sustain peak performance. That said, over the CMF Phone 1, you can see visible improvement in performance here. For everyday use, which is taking calls, surfing through social media, and even multitasking, the CMF Phone 2 Pro will not the performance is a battery that's built to last. I used the phone on 5G with all the usual heavy usage I mentioned earlier, and I was easily able to get a full day's worth on a single charge. On lighter days, the battery has lasted me well over a day. A big reason for this is the optimisation in the CMF Phone 2 Pro's operating system, which is one of my favourite things about the phone. NothingOS is clean, ad-free, and very intuitive. And it's not just me — my mother-in-law used the CMF Phone 1, and she was able to pick up the UI quickly. For someone who isn't very tech-savvy and is over 60, that says a lot about the quality of work Nothing has put into it. The CMF Phone 2 Pro comes with a charger and adapter in the box More camerasThe CMF Phone 2 Pro brings a major step up over its predecessor, especially when it comes to the cameras. It now features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom (and up to 20x ultra zoom), and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a wide 119.5-degree field of view. For selfies, there's a 16-megapixel front camera. These upgrades put it in line with Nothing's higher-end offerings, and for the price, you're getting solid hardware on the photography camera performance of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is certainly not perfect. Low-light shots are sometimes noisy, the dynamic range could be better in some shots, and the shutter speed is a bit slow when taking portrait shots, but if you compare it to other phones in this price segment, the CMF Phone 2 Pro does well. In good lighting conditions, the phone's camera captures good details, portrait mode does decent background separation, and the colours are close to the natural tones. To make photography more fun on the CMF Phone 2 Pro, Nothing also sells interchangeable lenses that you can play around CMF Phone 2 Pro is easy to recommendOverall, despite a few minor shortcomings, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is an easy phone to recommend. As I mentioned at the start of this review, what really matters is that it gets the essentials right — and it does do that. You get reliable everyday performance, a vibrant display, and a battery that comfortably lasts over a day. With the added promise of six years of security updates, the Phone 2 Pro stands out as a solid option under Rs 20,000, especially if you're looking for a phone that can go the distance.
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Business Standard
12-05-2025
- Business Standard
CMF Phone 2 Pro review: Design, UI highlight Nothing's 'modular' smartphone
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is Nothing's latest attempt to shake up the budget smartphone space with a focus on modular design. Building on the foundation laid by last year's CMF Phone 1, the successor brings several upgrades, including a larger display, a telephoto camera, and, more notably, a more premium look and feel. But are these upgrades meaningful and elevates the user experience in real life? Let us find out. Design and Modularity As with most Nothing products, design remains a highlight of the CMF Phone 2 Pro. The smartphone is both thinner and lighter than the CMF Phone 1 from last year, and the updated build adds a more premium touch thanks to the glass-like finish on the back (review unit) and a sleek, metal-textured frame. Despite the changes, the phone retains the CMF identity, with visible screws along the back edges and the signature wheel screw at the bottom right. Among the new additions is a 'Essential Key' placed just below the power button, featuring a smoother texture that makes it easier to distinguish by touch. Up front, while the bezels do not appear much slimmer than last year, they are more uniform, which gives the front profile a cleaner look. The new triple rear camera setup does cause the phone to wobble when the phone is laid flat on a surface. However, I mostly used the device with the attachable 'Universal Cover' and the magnetic 'Wallet and Stand' accessories, which even out the surface and improve stability. Important to note, these accessories are sold separately and currently not available for purchase in the country. When it comes to modularity, the CMF Phone 2 Pro takes a slightly different direction. The back panel is no longer removable or swappable like on last year's model. Instead, Nothing has introduced a new approach: modularity through the Universal Cover. This may actually broaden the phone's appeal – many buyers may prefer a sleeker, more premium-looking device over one with easily replaceable parts. By offloading accessory attachment to a custom case rather than the phone itself, Nothing has managed to make the phone thinner and lighter while still offering modular options for those who want them. So how does modularity work on the Phone 2 Pro? First, you attach the Universal Cover to the device using screws. The case includes built-in magnets and precisely cut inlets that allow compatible accessories to latch on. The Universal Cover itself only protects the back of the phone and not the metal side frame, which could reduce protection in the event of a drop. Also, it's currently available in just a matte white finish, which tends to attract dirt and smudges fairly quickly. Hopefully, Nothing will introduce more colour and texture options for this cover in the future. Of all the accessories, I found the new Wallet and Stand to be the most useful. Unlike last year's cardholder, this one feels more premium and uses strong magnets to attach securely to the Universal Cover. While you can only store a few cards or some cash, the fact that it also functions as a phone stand adds welcome utility. Other accessories include the returning Lanyard from last year and a pair of new interchangeable camera lenses. These new lenses are especially interesting: one provides a fisheye effect, while the other works as a macro lens. Both attach only to the primary rear camera via a dedicated socket on the Universal Cover. I'll cover their performance in the camera section, but visually, they certainly make the phone stand out. It's worth reiterating that all accessories are sold separately, and most of last year's CMF Phone accessories are not compatible with the Phone 2 Pro—with the Lanyard being the only exception. Display The display on the new CMF-branded phone receives a modest yet meaningful upgrade. It now features a larger 6.77-inch FHD+ panel, made possible by a thinner chin bezel that gives the front a more uniform and balanced look. Brightness has also improved, with the company claiming a peak of up to 3000 nits. While I couldn't verify the exact number, the display remains easily readable in nearly all lighting conditions. There is some glare under direct sunlight, but overall visibility and viewing angles are solid. One of the key upgrades is the addition of dynamic refresh rate adjustment. The panel can now switch between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz refresh rates depending on usage, which should help improve power efficiency. This is a step up from last year's model, which was limited to just 60Hz and 120Hz. Another important improvement is the touch sampling rate, which jumps from 240Hz on the Phone 1 to 1000Hz on the Phone 2 Pro – making touch interactions, especially in gaming, noticeably more responsive. Overall, the display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals for its price. Scrolling feels smooth, and HDR playback is supported on YouTube. The phone also supports Widevine L1, enabling high-definition streaming on platforms like Netflix, though HDR streaming support is not available on such services. Camera The CMF Phone 2 Pro brings a substantial upgrade to its camera system – at least on paper – and deserves credit for introducing a truly usable telephoto lens in the budget segment. In terms of real-world performance, the 50MP primary camera captures good detail in natural lighting, although colours can sometimes appear a bit washed out. The 8MP ultra-wide sensor goes in the opposite direction, often oversaturating images under bright light. Interestingly, the 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom delivers the most colour-accurate results outdoors while retaining solid detail. However, under artificial lighting, the roles are reversed, with the primary camera emerging as the best performer. The telephoto lens proves particularly useful for portrait photography, allowing users to take close-up shots of subjects without physically moving in. That said, edge detection in portrait mode remains hit or miss. As for the new attachable lenses, Nothing includes a macro lens and a fisheye lens—both of which can only be mounted on the main camera via the Universal Cover. The fisheye lens produces the expected wide-angle distortion, but the results do not differ much from what software-based filters could offer. The macro lens, on the other hand, lets you get impressively close to subjects and capture finer details. However, focus becomes a challenge with this lens, largely due to the camera's lack of optical stabilisation. In terms of video, the phone supports 4K recording at 30FPS using both the main and telephoto cameras, while the ultra-wide is limited to 1080p at 30FPS. The 16MP front camera captures decent selfies in outdoor lighting, but tends to smooth out facial details under indoor conditions to compensate for sensor limitations. Front camera video recording is capped at 1080p at up to 60FPS. Performance The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G, a slight upgrade over the standard Dimensity 7300 5G used in last year's CMF Phone. In day-to-day use, the phone handles routine tasks well – I experienced no slowdowns while browsing, switching between apps, or streaming videos. Network performance was stable, and general UI responsiveness felt smooth. However, the phone begins to show its limitations when pushed with heavier workloads. For instance, I noticed occasional lag when downloading multiple apps in the background while simultaneously scrolling through Reddit. The experience wasn't unusable, but there was a definite drop in smoothness. Gaming performance is decent for casual titles, but if you're planning to run more demanding games like BGMI or Genshin Impact, don't expect consistently smooth gameplay – especially at medium to high graphics settings. The phone can handle short sessions, but it's clearly not tuned for intensive gaming. Software Software remains one of the CMF Phone 2 Pro's strongest areas. Nothing has maintained its philosophy of delivering a consistent user experience across its product range, meaning the interface here is nearly identical to what you'd find on the higher-end Nothing Phone 3a Pro. The UI carries Nothing's signature minimalist aesthetic – clean, responsive, and refreshingly free from bloatware or intrusive ads. All the signature widgets and customisation options are present, offering a polished and flexible experience. Nothing has also brought its full suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. This includes the Magic Eraser tool in the Gallery app, AI-generated wallpaper options, and a smart app drawer that automatically groups similar apps. Additionally, the AI-powered 'Essential Space' is a notable new addition, accessible via the dedicated 'Essential Key' on the side of the phone. As with the 3a series, this space acts like an AI hub, allowing users to save screenshots, audio notes, and more. It intelligently organises content and can even set reminders based on context. Another standout new addition is the 'Private Space' feature. Swiping right on the app drawer reveals this secure zone, where users can store apps, files, and images behind a separate password, PIN, or fingerprint. Battery With a 5000mAh battery, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers excellent battery life. Throughout my review period, the phone consistently lasted a full day on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy use. On several occasions, I forgot to charge it overnight, yet it still had enough power to get me through the morning and into work without shutting down. For charging, Nothing includes a 33W charger in the box. It takes just over an hour to fully charge the device, which is convenient enough for daily use. Verdict The CMF Phone 2 Pro by Nothing comes across as a more refined and practical evolution of last year's CMF Phone 1. It retains the distinctive design language and modular elements, while improving on usability and polish. Priced at Rs 18,999 onwards, the device strikes a good balance between style and substance, delivering a solid experience for everyday users. The standout features remain its clean and capable software experience – unmatched at this price – and impressive battery life. While it doesn't aim to be a powerhouse in terms of performance or photography, it still delivers reliable day-to-day output in both areas, making it a well-rounded choice in the budget segment.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Went hands-on with Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro, and who said budget phones can't be fun
A "Lego-like" phone has been every nerd's dream ever since Project Ara was announced back in 2013. Sadly, Ara met its end in 2016, and we've spent the past decade still hoping for a phone that lets us swap out screens, batteries, cameras, and whatnot. Of course, that kind of true plug-and-play modularity would wreak havoc on the business model of phone manufacturers, why buy a whole new handset when you could just swap a component once a year (or once a month, if boredom strikes)? That's almost certainly why Ara never materialised. That said, modular phones do and did exist, but not in the way we originally imagined. Operation Sindoor India-Pak tensions: All eyes on DGMO talks today Before & after: Satellite pics show Op Sindoor's impact on Pak air bases, terror camps 'Shameful': Support pours in for foreign secretary Misri as trolls target his family Fairphone is still trying; LG and Motorola tried, yet never really caught on. Now, years later, Nothing is trying something similar with its sub-brand, wisely named CMF. Yes, it's the same Nothing known for phones with blinking LEDs. While the company says CMF largely focuses on playing with colour, material, and finish (hence the name), it's also where they're exploring this modular phone concept. Last year, the ₹15,000 (or $200) CMF Phone 1 sold 100,000 units, that too, within three hours of launch, so there's clearly demand. Now, about a year later, the brand is back with a sequel, and it's been upgraded to "Pro" status. The Phone 2 Pro arrives at ₹18,999 (about $250). The slight price hike comes with a tad better specs: a 6.77-inch 120 Hz AMOLED screen, a 5,000 mAh battery, and a trio of rear cameras. Sadly, these components aren't modular. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo What's modular here is that look at the screws on the back. Unscrew them, and you can attach a small but respectable array of accessories—camera lenses, a kickstand-card wallet, or a lanyard. The system hinges on two pieces: the round mount at the bottom and a universal cover that screws onto the phone's back. If you're familiar with CMF Phone 1, you'll immediately understand what's going on here. Even though the concept is familiar, Nothing's approach is a little different this time around. Phone 1 let you swap out the entire back case—perfect since you could take out the whole plastic shell and replace it with another one if you broke it or got bored with it. On Phone 2 Pro, that isn't an option anymore: you're stuck with the cover you choose, and if it breaks, you'll need to visit a repair shop. Nothing says they ditched the removable backplate to make the phone thinner and more water-resistant. Compromises have to be made, right? I do have mixed feelings about this trade-off, but more on that later. With the universal cover in place, you get mounting points for the new lenses and the kickstand-card wallet. There's a MagSafe-style magnetic ring that you can see when you flip around the case, which keeps accessories firmly attached—though it sadly doesn't support wireless charging. While I'm not a huge fan of the kickstand-card wallet, it's quite generic, and you'll find dozens of cases with this design in the market, the lenses are where things get interesting. External phone lenses aren't new—you'll find hundreds of clip-on lenses on shopping sites—but they've mostly remained niche accessories. Why? Picture quality often suffers, and the good ones are expensive and limited to iPhones, Pixels, or Galaxies. No one thought to make them for budget phones, until Nothing did. Nothing is selling a pack of two lenses that includes a fisheye and a macro lens, each snapping neatly into the cover's enclosure. I found myself using the macro lens most. Budget phones usually fake macro shots with low-res ultra-wides or tiny sensors, and the results are awful. With Nothing's clip-on macro, you can shoot at the phone's full 50MP resolution and get detail you simply don't see on other budget phones. And, you get a total of five lenses with these two add-ons. The only other Nothing-made accessory is the lanyard: screw it into the bottom mount and sling your phone around your neck. I tried it and got a few curious glances, but roaming hands-free was fun. Nothing also hopes the 3D-print community that sprang up around Phone 1 will return with quirky, useful screw-on mods for Phone 2 Pro. So far, Nothing itself hasn't released many new accessories in a year, nor maintained backward compatibility with Phone 1, but that openness could let third-party creators take the reins. All told, CMF phones aren't exactly the fully modular phones we once dreamed of, but they're the most practical, playful concept we've seen in years. In 2025, at least, with the Phone 2 Pro, Nothing is giving us a fresh taste of what true customisation could look like and how phones can still be fun without emptying your whole wallet for it. As for the Phone 2 Pro itself, it's a well-done budget phone. I've been using it for a few days now, and I rarely felt like complaining, except when I was unscrewing the screws. They are ever so tiny, and the minuscule screwdriver with a SIM-ejector pin on its other end doesn't really help. Also, if you're clumsy like me, be prepared to lose out on the screws (thankfully, there is an extra set of screws with the universal covers and that covered me up). Back to the phone: it's been smooth so far. The screen is big, vivid, and bright; NothingOS is great as usual; and the battery easily lasts over a day. Nothing is also bringing its AI-powered Essential Space from the more expensive Phone 3(a)s, along with the Essential Key. The cameras don't need to be great at this price point—just good, and they are—though the colour algorithms could use some fine-tuning. All this comes at Rs 18,999 or Rs 20,999, depending on whether you choose 128 GB or 256 GB of storage. The accessories cost extra, and should come out some time 'soon,' says Nothing. The prices for these accessories remain unknown for now. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
