Let’s dive into why the CMF Phone 1 is making waves as the ultimate budget smartphone—and where it stumbles.
CMF Phone 1: The Basics
Priced at $200, this phone punches way above its weight. With a sleek OLED display, zippy performance, and modular design tricks, it’s a standout. But is the camera a deal-breaker? Let’s break it down.
The Good vs. The Bad
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Insane value for money | Mediocre camera quality |
| Buttery-smooth 120Hz OLED display | Only 2 years of OS updates |
| Unique swappable back covers | No charger in the box |
| Blazing 33W charging | Mono speaker lacks bass |
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | CMF Phone 1 |
|---|---|
| SoC | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Display | 6.7″ FHD+ OLED, 120Hz |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired (no wireless) |
| OS | Nothing OS 2.6 (Android 14) |
| Main Camera | 50MP + 2MP depth sensor |
Design & Display: Quirky & Colorful
The CMF Phone 1 turns its plastic back into a flexible feature: unscrew it, swap colors, or attach a kickstand! The included screen protector is a nice bonus, but the lack of a charger stings.
Display Performance
| Metric | CMF Phone 1 |
|---|---|
| Max Brightness | 1,200 nits |
| Min Brightness | 2.4 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080×2400 (FHD+) |
Verdict: The OLED screen shines with vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, but it’s too bright at night. The optical fingerprint sensor? Reliable but slightly slow.
Camera: The Weak Link
The 50MP main camera struggles in detail and color accuracy. The 2MP depth sensor? Basically decoration.
Photo Samples Insight:
- Daylight shots: Decent, but colors feel washed out.
- Zoom: Forget it—details turn muddy.
- Low light: Grainy and soft.
Video: 4K recording with solid stabilization, though noise creeps in.
Software: Smooth but Short-Lived
Nothing OS 2.6 is clean and snappy, but updates are limited:
- 2 major Android updates (up to Android 16).
- 3 years of security patches.
Annoyance Alert: The Google Search bar is glued to the home screen—no removing it!
Battery & Charging
| Test | CMF Phone 1 | Avg. Budget Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Video Streaming | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| Web Browsing | 13 hours | 14 hours |
| Full Charge Time | 68 minutes | 85+ minutes |
Takeaway: All-day battery with speedy 33W charging. Middle-of-the-pack endurance, but no wireless charging (expected at this price).
Audio & Haptics
- Speaker: Loud and clear for podcasts, but bass-heavy music falls flat.
- Haptics: Basic vibrations—good enough for notifications.
Should You Buy It?
YES if you want:
- A smooth, fast phone under $200.
- Gorgeous OLED display and fun design.
- Blazing charging speeds.
NO if you:
- Crave great camera quality.
- Plan to keep the phone beyond 2 years.
Review Score Breakdown
| Category | CMF Phone 1 | Budget Phone Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Display | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Battery & Charging | 8/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Camera | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Software | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Overall | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 |
Final Word: The CMF Phone 1 is a budget beast with compromises you’ll notice—but at $200, it’s hard to complain. Just don’t expect flagship-level polish.
