The markets are saturated with phones. But the CMF Phone 1 stands out. Unveiled on July 9, 2024, it presents a no-frills mentality, added with some well-thought-out touches. If you’re tired of confusing UIs, unnecessary gimmicks, or shady upgrade promises, this device offers a genuinely different perspective. But does it hold up in daily use? Let’s dive into what this phone delivers. At length and with no exaggerations or fluffy marketing lines.
Clean, Concise Design
First, let’s look at Nothing Phone 1 specifications. At 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm, it is comfortably held in the hand. Neither too thin nor too wide for a one-handed hold. Coming in two weight options, 197 g or 202 g, it is substantial without being clumsy. Fit, shape, and materials all add to its attractiveness. The Nothing Phone 1 release date has been confirmed to be July 9th.
Back Cover
The back cover is removable. A luxury not commonly found these days. Whether you like the eco-leather texture or the traditional plastic vibe, the ability to swap out without scrapping your entire phone is convenient. It’s a small victory for self-expression. Throw in splash protection and a bit of dust resistance!
Display: Responsive, Vibrant, & Easy on Eyes
Where most mid-range phones cut it at 60 or 90 Hz, the Nothing Phone 1 screen size arrives with a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen running at 120 Hz. Content flows smoothly, animations are responsive, and gaming is decidedly smoother. But the screen’s not all about the refresh rate—peak brightness reaches 2000 nits, ensuring legibility under direct sunlight.
Cares for Eyes
Regular consumers may gloss over phrases like “960 Hz PWM dimming,” but remember that. It does make a difference. Dimming frequencies lower than this one can be eye-straining. This device mitigates that strain.
Performance: CMF Phone 1
Beneath its sleek shell, a MediaTek Density 7300 chip keeps things going. Midrange? You bet. Pleasant? Absolutely. You get a chipset based on the 4 nm process, coupled with 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. Nothing excessive, but by no means slow. The GPU is a Mali-G615 MC2, just powerful enough for graph-heavy casual games and normal apps.
With Android 14 pre-installed, Nothing OS 3.0 on top, and a promise of two future major Android upgrades, updates appear better than most manufacturers’ longevity commitments.
Commendable Storage and Expandability
The device has a unique but appreciated feature: expandable storage. The CMF by Nothing Phone 1 5g comes in 128 GB with either 6 GB or 8 GB RAM, and a 256 GB/8 GB option, with a microSDXC slot. That’s something you hardly ever see anymore. Even as video streaming services and camera resolution require more storage.
For anyone taking lots of pictures, making long videos, or storing PDFs and documents on the go, being able to add storage can be a meaningful advantage.
Camera: Functional, Honest Results
Let us dispose of the canard right away: this is not a camera-oriented phone. The dual rear configuration features a 50 MP primary shooter (f/1.8) and a 2 MP depth camera. The primary sensor shoots neat, vibrant photos. Particularly in the daytime. HDR maintains balance, while 4K video at 30 fps (1080p up to 60 fps with “gyro-EIS”) makes it reliable.
The 16 MP front-facing camera takes selfies and video calls smoothly, in reasonable light. Worst scenario: it turns grainy when it’s dim. Best scenario: it does exactly what it’s said to do.
Battery life: Day to Night
The 5000 mAh battery is a solid foundation. The CMF Phone 1 gets through a whole day of light to heavy use. Calls, browsing, streaming, and light gaming. Indeed, an “active use” benchmark saw more than 16 hours and 13 minutes, easily enough to leave many of the competition in the dust.
Speedy Charging!
When it does require recharging, the 33 W wired charging speeds it along. If you’ve left your power bank behind but have a friend handy, the 5 W reverse wired charging allows you to borrow a little juice. Convenient when you’re short. Wireless still has yet to arrive, though it’s reasonable to anticipate it only in more expensive devices.
Audio, Connectivity, More
CMF full form is, of course, Color, Material and Finish. The phone contains a single loudspeaker. Crisp, loud enough, nothing exciting. There is no headphone jack, but if you stay with Bluetooth or earbuds, you’re set with Bluetooth 5.3. Wi‑Fi 6 enables faster speeds and dual-band connections. GPS is comprehensive, supporting multiple satellite systems. So, navigation is trustworthy.
Key Features
- A fingerprint scanner under the display that unlocks very quickly.
- Basic sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity and compass.
- Daily use is smooth, silky, and secure. Nothing flaunts, it just gets them all done.
Colours, Style and Personalization
There’s something fresh about the colour options: Black, Orange, and Light Green. The phone looks modern without being flashy. And because you can pop the rear cover off, you get a splash of fun without buying a whole new phone.
CMF Phone 1 Price
Let’s talk money. Prices are as follows:
- ₹15,898 or around $190 for 128 GB + 6 GB RAM
- ₹16,095 for 128 GB + 8 GB RAM
- 256 GB + 8 GB RAM goes for around $235 or ₹19,500
Similar Alternatives
Within that bracket, the CMF by Nothing phone competes with the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, Xiaomi Redmi Note 13, Xiaomi Poco X7, and Infinix Note 50s. Here’s why the CMF Phone 1 is a cut above:
- 120 Hz refresh rate AMOLED display (the rest are LCD or 90 Hz)
- 2000 nits’ peak brightness. Better outdoor screen legibility than most rivals.
- Expandable storage. Not a common feature.
- Stock-like OS with upgrade commitment.
- Customizable back panel. More individuality, less waste.
CMF Phone 1: Possible Drawbacks
It’s not flawless. If you require wireless charging, the CMF Phone 1 has nothing to provide. If you simply can’t survive without NFC for tap-to-pay, this could be a deal breaker. And if ultra-low light photography or super-fast charging is important to you, you’ll need to look up the chain.
Still, those compromises are deliberate. Not random. The phone isn’t trying to be the jack‑of‑all‑features flagship. It’s trying to deliver just enough where it matters.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 1 is not a statement phone. It is not attempting to blow minds with gimmicks or shatter sales records with wildly ambitious marketing. Rather, it has a package of sensible choices: Replaceable backs. High-end display. Real-world performance. Decent battery life. Pure software.
If you’re a value-oriented user who cares most about usability, clarity, and durability, this phone is a serious contender in 2024. It’s reasonably priced, smooth to use, and refuses to overdeliver. For what it aims to be, the CMF Phone 1 does it. Simply, consistently, and with unusual elegance.
