The recently launched CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers many of the features its predecessor lacked. It features a thinner body, an additional 50MP telephoto camera, and finally adds NFC support – a much-requested feature whose absence held back the Phone 1 from ranking among last year’s top midrange smartphones. All while retaining more or less the same, yet still attractive price point from before.
First things first: why the Pro moniker? According to CMF’s parent company Nothing, this isn’t entirely a name change, but an indication of what’s to come. Essentially, this means that a base version may be in the works, though – as expected – the brand is still keeping a tight lid on any further details. Launching with a Pro model also helps differentiate it from its predecessor on a technological level, the company added.
With that out of the way, let’s start with its design. As mentioned earlier, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is noticeably thinner than last year’s model – coming in at only 7.8mm, as opposed to the Phone 1’s thickness of 8.2mm. It is lighter too, which combined with the thinner form factor, enables for quite a comfortable experience in hand.
Featuring an updated design and an extra camera, the Phone 2 Pro retains its predecessor’s minimalist yet eye-catching appeal. Similarly, it offers a plastic (but still solid) rear case, which now comes in a two-tone colour scheme available in Orange, White, and Black finishes. The phone’s global launch also revealed a Green colourway, but Nothing confirmed that that particular option is only available for select markets.
In case you’re wondering, you can still swap the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s rear panel for a different colour. However, the company has clarified that it won’t be selling either the panels or the new add-ons in Malaysia, which is disappointing. On the bright side, the Phone 1’s existing kickstand and lanyard accessories remain compatible, adding a touch of playfulness to what is otherwise a more serious upgrade.
On the software side, the Phone 2 Pro runs on the same Nothing OS 3.2 platform from the brand’s mainline Phone (3a) model from earlier this year. It also comes with the handy AI-powered Essential Space planner that’s accessible via a dedicated button on the right side of the phone’s frame, just below the lock button. Similarly, swiping up in the camera app lets users choose from various colour presets or create their own custom profiles.
Speaking of imaging, the primary and ultra-wide cameras on the Pro feel more or less like the Phone 1, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The only exception is the new 50MP telephoto, which is very useful during certain situations, but its optical zoom range of just 2X does seem quite limiting. As with its predecessor, videos can be recorded in either 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, but only with the primary and telephoto lens.
Sample Images
As usual, I won’t delve deeper into the performance or battery life just yet. For your reference, the Phone 2 Pro is equipped with a much powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, while its battery has the same 5,000mAh capacity as the Phone 1. In Malaysia, Nothing is offering the device in a single memory configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with the latter expandable to a higher capacity via microSD if needed.
All I can share for now is that things are looking promising for CMF’s second generation smartphone, especially in the midrange segment. And with the addition of NFC support, it could finally stand a chance in becoming one of the more solid choices within the RM1,000 – RM1,500 price range. That said, it is still unfortunate that Nothing isn’t supporting its accessories locally.
The Phone 2 Pro is priced at RM1,199 – RM100 more than its predecessor. Pre-orders are available now via the CMF’s official Shopee page, ahead of the official sales launch on 6 May 2025.
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