CMF Phone 1 Review

The CMF Phone 1 from Nothing’s CMF sub-brand manages to prove something: you can still find a device that stands out without relying on gimmicks or premium price tags. Designed for users seeking a balance between style, performance, and affordability, the CMF Phone 1 introduces a refreshing take on modular smartphones, offering a unique blend of simplicity and customization. Although it sits in the midrange category, this phone brings enough fresh features to capture the attention of those tired of the same old offerings.

From its unique modular design to the bloat-free software, this phone has plenty to offer, but it’s not without its compromises.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the CMF Phone 1 such a standout device—and where it falls short.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Design

The moment you see the CMF Phone 1, its design stands out right away. While most phones stick to the usual metal and glass look, this one switches things up with a removable polycarbonate back panel. You can easily swap between different colors and textures, giving you the option to change up your phone’s look whenever you want. It’s all about making the phone yours. This design gimmick is not just for looks, though. It’s about having the freedom to refresh your phone’s style with minimal effort.

At first, the plastic build of the CMF Phone 1 might seem like a downgrade compared to the fancy materials other brands use, but it actually holds up well. The phone feels solid and sturdy, so much so that you can confidently use it without a case—which is pretty rare these days. It’s also slim, just 8mm thick (9mm if you go for the leather version), and weighs a decent 197 grams, hitting that sweet spot between being lightweight and durable. Plus, the design is clean and minimalist, with no unnecessary frills, which makes it both practical and stylish.

That said, it’s not perfect. The thick bezels around the screen can feel a bit old-school, especially with most phones going for edge-to-edge displays now. And while the modular design is cool and lets you mix things up, it does mean the phone isn’t water-resistant, since there’s no official IP rating.

Still, the design of the CMF Phone 1 is one of its best features. The customizable back panels add a practical touch that’s missing from a lot of other phones. If Nothing can figure out a way to make the corner dial more functional in future versions—like turning it into a shortcut tool—it could make the design even better.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Multimedia

Up front, the CMF Phone 1 has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display that really pops with vibrant colors and those deep blacks you expect from AMOLED screens. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations super smooth, but it’s smart enough to drop to 60Hz when you don’t need the extra speed, which helps save battery. Whether you’re watching videos, scrolling through social media, or playing games, the screen gives you a solid, engaging experience.

Now, the thick bezels around the screen are a bit of a letdown. Even though the display itself is bright and vivid, the chunky borders make the phone feel less immersive compared to the nearly bezel-less phones out there.

As for audio, there’s a single downward-firing speaker. It’s loud enough for casual stuff like YouTube or TikTok, but if you’re really into music or movies, you might miss the stereo sound you get on other phones in this price range.

Overall, the AMOLED display stands out with its brightness and sharpness, though the audio could definitely be better. But for what you’re paying, the media experience is still solid.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Software

Clean, simple, and efficient.

One of the standout features of the CMF Phone 1 is its software. It runs on Nothing OS 2.6, layered over Android 14, and the combo gives you a clean, streamlined interface that’s easy to use and nice to look at. Unlike other phones that come loaded with a bunch of bloatware, the CMF Phone 1 keeps it simple with a near-stock Android experience, meaning no unnecessary apps or clutter. This not only makes the phone feel faster but also gives you more control over what’s on it.

The dot matrix design used throughout the interface adds a cool, quirky vibe without going overboard. It’s minimal in a way that matches the phone’s overall design. Plus, you can customize widgets to fit your style—whether it’s weather updates, system shortcuts, or even keeping an eye on your screen time right from the home screen.

That said, while the software runs smoothly, it does miss out on some of the more advanced features you’d see in higher-end phones. There aren’t any hardcore multitasking tools or specific gaming modes, but for day-to-day use, it feels polished and responsive.

On top of that, Nothing promises three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, which means your phone will stay up-to-date for a good while.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Performance

Under the hood, the CMF Phone 1 is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and it handles most day-to-day tasks smoothly. With 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it makes multitasking easy, whether you’re scrolling through social media, browsing, or even playing games.

While the processor isn’t a top-tier flagship, it gets the job done. The phone runs popular games like Mobile Legends or Call of Duty just fine, but if you’re into more graphics-heavy games, you’ll need to drop the settings a bit for smoother gameplay. For most people, this level of performance is solid, though it’s not really built for hardcore gaming.

CMF Phone 1 Benchmark Scores:

In everyday use, the CMF Phone 1 performs well, offering a smooth and reliable experience. But if you’re a heavy user or expect the phone to handle demanding apps or intense gaming sessions, you might start to feel its limits.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Camera

The 50MP main camera on the CMF Phone 1 delivers sharp, vibrant photos in daylight, and overall the camera system does a solid job for its price point. You’ll find that photos in well-lit conditions capture good color accuracy and detail. However, with only a 2MP depth sensor backing it up, the camera system does feel limited compared to the versatile setups on other midrange phones.

In low-light conditions, the camera holds up reasonably well, although noise does creep in. While it’s not the best phone for low-light photos, it performs well enough for casual shots. The portrait mode does a decent job, though the depth effects can sometimes appear unnatural.

Nevertheless, its outputs are still great for social media photos, requiring minimal editing.

CMF Phone 1 Sample Photos:

CMF Phone 1 Review: Battery Life

One of the standout features of the CMF Phone 1 is its battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery, it easily powers through a full day of regular use, and with a bit of careful management, it can even stretch into a second day. Plus, with 33W fast charging, you won’t be stuck waiting around for long when it’s time to recharge.

It doesn’t have wireless charging, which might be a bummer for some, but the solid battery performance more than makes up for it. If you’re all about long-lasting power and not worrying about carrying a charger everywhere, the CMF Phone 1 delivers one of the best battery experiences in its price range.

CMF Phone 1 Review: Verdict

If you’re after a phone that’s both practical and fun, the CMF Phone 1 strikes a nice balance. It’s not trying to compete with the big flagship phones, but for what it offers, it hits the mark. Whether you love the idea of customizing your phone or just want something that stands out from the usual crowd, the CMF Phone 1 is a solid pick, especially for budget-conscious buyers.

You can grab the CMF Phone 1 now at Digital Walker, starting at Php15,490. With its removable back cover and support for modular accessories, it offers a unique experience that’s hard to find elsewhere at this price point.