CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Can It Finally Beat the Pixel Experience?

When it comes to Android phones, many enthusiasts will tell you, “Get a Pixel.” But for some users, that experience hasn’t been as smooth as expected. From frequent app crashes, disappearing keyboards, to unreliable voice dictation, even the once-praised Pixel can leave people frustrated. So, when a phone like the CMF Phone 2 Pro by Nothing hits the market, it raises a big question: can it offer a better, more reliable experience?

Let’s dive into what the CMF Phone 2 Pro brings to the table—and whether it’s the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.

A Quick Look at CMF’s Confusing Lineup

First off, keeping up with CMF’s numbering scheme is no small task. Is this the third model? Maybe. But one thing is clear: CMF is no longer pretending it’s a separate brand from Nothing. So, what’s the point of the Phone 2 Pro?

In short: value. It’s positioned as a decently priced phone with solid specs. Compared to the CMF Phone 1, the Phone 2 Pro comes with several key upgrades.

Key Improvements and Features

• Ingress Protection: The Phone 2 Pro is now IP54 rated (up from IP52), which means it’s more resistant to splashes from any direction.

• Cameras: You get a 50MP wide, 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 16MP front-facing camera. That’s a serious camera setup for the price.

• Design: This is CMF’s slimmest phone yet. The smaller camera bump is a welcome improvement, making it easier to slide into pockets—unlike the bulky 3A Pro.

• Essential Key: Borrowed from the Nothing 3A series, this button opens an AI notetaker, perfect for quick voice memos.

Hardware and Build Details

The phone has a lock button on the right, noise-cancelling mic on the top, volume rocker on the left, USB-C port at the bottom with USB 2 speeds, speaker, microphone, and SIM tray.

At the back, you’ll find CMF’s modular interface, though unfortunately, accessories from the original CMF Phone won’t work here. The included tools and the square-shaped USB-C to C cable add a stylish touch, even if some features feel gimmicky.

Modular Accessories: Cool or Clunky?

The Phone 2 Pro supports interchangeable lenses and magnetic accessories—but not without hiccups. For example, the €25 universal cover is only available in Europe and the UK, and you need an extra magnetic piece just to use some accessories.

There’s even a lanyard system, but let’s be honest: hanging your phone around your neck isn’t exactly the height of cool in 2025. Whether you wear it as a sling or crossbody, it’s likely more awkward than convenient.

A Surprise Win: Expandable Storage

One pleasant surprise is the SIM tray, which supports SIM 2 and microSD cards. Expandable storage is a rare gem in modern smartphones, and it adds big value for users with lots of media or apps.

Performance and Display

The Phone 2 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset, which is only slightly faster than its predecessor. But thanks to faster touch polling and a 120Hz variable refresh rate display, the phone feels noticeably more responsive—especially in games.

The screen is also rated at a whopping 3,000 nits brightness (at least in lab conditions) and supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Add in NFC (finally!) and you’re looking at impressive connectivity for the price.

Battery Life and Charging

The 5,000mAh battery delivers over 18 hours of video playback, and while there’s no wireless charging, the 33W wired charging gets you a full charge in just over an hour. For a phone under $300, that’s excellent.

Software Experience

Nothing’s custom skin, Nothing OS, has generally been well-received. Although past models like the 3A Pro suffered from bugs—such as random music playback after disconnecting from Android Auto—the Phone 2 Pro seems to have improved.

The Essential Key for quick voice notes is a nice feature, especially for users with ADHD or those who want to stay organized, but it may take some time to build it into your daily habit.

Cameras and Lenses: Hit or Miss?

As for the camera experience, the interchangeable lenses are… well, underwhelming. The telephoto lens offers some improvement over the wide lens, but overall, it’s a mixed bag. Still, for $280, you can’t expect DSLR-level performance.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

At just $280, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a ton of value:

✅ IP54 splash resistance
✅ Solid camera system
✅ Expandable storage
✅ NFC support
✅ Long battery life
✅ Fast 33W charging

Sure, it has its quirks—like questionable accessories and modest performance gains—but overall, this phone punches well above its price point. For budget-conscious shoppers or anyone frustrated with buggy Pixel experiences, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is worth a serious look.

TL;DR

The CMF Phone 2 Pro isn’t perfect, but for under $300, it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck phones in 2025. With thoughtful upgrades, a sleek design, and useful software features, it might just be the phone that finally tempts you away from the Pixel camp.