CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Shockingly good for $239
Right now’s greatest telephones attempt to satisfaction themselves on how they give the impression of being, however you don’t sometimes discover that with a number of the greatest low-cost telephones. Oftentimes, the very first thing that is compromised as a way to get to a low worth level is how they’re designed and constructed — however that’s not the case in any respect for the CMF Cellphone 1.
The Nothing sub-brand is getting into the area with a refreshingly completely different sort of Android telephone, one which takes a brand new spin on having a modular design. That’s as a result of this 6.7-inch Android telephone options an adaptable design that permits you to simply swap out its rear casing, in addition to having the ability to trend different practical equipment to it; like a kickstand or lanyard.
The combos are infinite with the CMF Cellphone 1, however what’s much more astounding is that you just get this degree of customization for $239. In my CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate, I’ll let you know if this method is sufficient to be a standout amongst funds telephones.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 | CMF Cellphone 1 |
|---|---|
| Beginning worth | $239 |
| Show dimension & decision | 6.67-inch Tremendous AMOLED ( 1080 x 2400 ) |
| Refresh Price | 120Hz adaptive |
| Processor | Dimensity 7300 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP principal, 2MP depth sensor |
| Entrance digicam | 16MP |
| Battery dimension | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging pace | 33W |
| Dimensions | 6.45 x 3.03 x 0.31 inches |
| Weight | 6.94 ounces |
| Colours | black, orange, gentle inexperienced |
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Worth and launch date
The CMF Cellphone 1 went on sale beginning on July 12, 2024, with a beginning price of $239 for a single mannequin that comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You get three colours to select from: black, orange, and lightweight inexperienced.
Fortunately, you’re not locked into one coloration as a result of its adaptable design helps you to simply swap it out for one more coloration, requiring nothing greater than unscrewing a couple of screws and putting in the brand new one. CMF additionally sells extra equipment for the Cellphone 1, similar to a kickstand, lanyard and a pockets case.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Design
As a result of its low price, the CMF Cellphone 1 is constructed primarily out of plastic. I’m not terribly stunned by this as a result of the entire small design selections Nothing makes give it an authentic look that’s not like the rest on the market.
For starters, the plastic physique of my gentle inexperienced evaluate unit has a clean end to it — which supplies it a clear look irrespective of how greasy my fingers get. Small accents just like the silver cowl that wraps across the cameras on the again, in addition to the entire micro screws on its again, additional provides the CMF Cellphone 1 a novel identification. And in contrast to the opposite ginormous telephones I carry round that is equally as massive, the CMF Cellphone 1 is unbelievably light-weight at 6.94 ounces.
However that’s not all. For a telephone of this caliber, you gained’t discover the rest that matches this degree of customization. I additionally love how I can simply set up any of the extra equipment for the CMF Cellphone 1 with ease, which additionally adjustments its seems within the course of.
Even with its modular design, it in some way nonetheless retains an IP52 score for some water and mud resistance. It gained’t survive a full submersion for a time frame, however I’m glad at the very least that I can confidently use it whereas it’s calmly raining exterior.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Show
At first look, I’ve no points in any way with the 6.7-inch (1084 x 2412) AMOLED show. It shines on the similar brilliance because the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE I most just lately reviewed, delivering lush colours that make the display screen pop every time I load a video on YouTube. It additionally helps that it contains a 120Hz adaptive refresh charge that makes the entire animations with the software program look buttery clean.
In relation to brightness, this AMOLED panel manages to muster up a decent peak of 1,129 nits. That’s undeniably brighter than different funds telephones I’ve examined, so it’s robust sufficient for me to see it clearly on a sunny day.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | CMF Cellphone 1 |
| Max brightness | 1,129 nits |
| sRGB | 107.8% (Commonplace) / 152% (Alive) |
| DCI-P3 | 76.4% (Commonplace) / 107.7% (Alive) |
| Delta-E (decrease is healthier) | 0.2 (Commonplace) / 0.25 (Alive) |
Once more, I can’t stress sufficient that different telephones often compromise on this space, however the CMF Cellphone 1 doesn’t — and this solely proves the way it’s far more severe about giving individuals essentially the most bang-for-the-buck worth.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Cameras
In my expertise of reviewing funds telephones for a residing, the one largest letdown is often the digicam’s efficiency.
On the again, there seems to be a twin digicam setup, however it’s actually simply the primary 50MP digicam and a second lens that acts because the depth sensor for portrait photographs. In the meantime, a 16MP digicam serves as its selfie shooter.
The digicam app is as primary because it will get, with entry to ordinary capturing modes like portrait, time-lapse and panoramic. For a funds telephone, I’m stunned to seek out an ‘skilled’ mode that provides lovers like myself entry to parameters just like the shutter pace, coloration temperature, ISO, focus and extra. Nonetheless, this handbook mode is simply reserved for taking photographs.
The 50MP digicam can get the job achieved with most issues, however I discover that the tip outcomes are inclined to look a bit extra low distinction. Within the photograph above of the colourful backdrop in opposition to the Citibikes, the highlights get crushed within the areas the place there’s robust gentle — leading to these areas popping out overexposed.
Dynamic vary efficiency is a wrestle for the CMF Cellphone 1, particularly when it’s a high-contrast scene just like the pictures I captured in-and-around Bryant Park in New York Metropolis. The picture of the New York Radiator constructing is an ideal instance of this as a result of it loses numerous distinction attempting to even out the publicity all through the scene.
Picture 1 of 2
Despite the fact that it doesn’t have a devoted macro mode, the CMF Cellphone 1 does a pleasant job of taking closeups — just like the flowers above in Entire Meals. Discover the quantity of element within the white flower, which manages to take care of its sharpness all through many of the flower.
Selfies from its 16MP digicam wrestle when there’s contrasting gentle sources. From what I can inform, it makes an attempt to spice up the publicity of my face as a result of how I’m within the shade, however the areas the place the solar’s hitting the constructing within the again are blown out.
Portrait photographs additionally endure from the identical qualities, because it overcompensates the shadows by boosting the whole publicity of the shot — leading to a washed out, overexposed composition.
Picture 1 of 2
Do not anticipate a lot from the zooming capabilities of the CMF Cellphone 1. I wouldn’t suggest utilizing it for those who completely have to as a result of it’s nothing greater than a digital zoom with the primary digicam. In consequence, the element loss turns into magnified the extra you zoom.
Picture 1 of 5
Not surprisingly, the CMF Cellphone 1 is a disappointment for low-light pictures. To be truthful, most inexpensive telephones are inclined to underperform on this space. All the pictures I captured in low gentle above with the CMF Cellphone 1 are proof of this, as they’re principally darkish and smudgy with the main points.
Watch On
Recording video isn’t a powerful level both for the CMF Cellphone 1, because it’s marred by the identical qualities I see with taking photographs. Most notably, it’s noisy within the shadows and the dynamic vary efficiency can’t compensate for contrasts in gentle inside the scene — whereas the digital picture stabilization can’t take away all of the shakes from simply strolling.
Don’t get the CMF Cellphone 1 for those who’re actually explicit concerning the digicam as a result of it’s clear that this funds telephone struggles closely on this space. Though, I can vouch that any telephone below $300 will provide related outcomes.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Efficiency
You wouldn’t discover it doing the entire ordinary belongings you do in your telephone, however the CMF Cellphone 1 is hardly a pace demon primarily based on its benchmark efficiency scores. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip and 8GB of RAM it’s packing do little or no to dwell as much as the extent that flagship telephones carry out, however it’s truly a step forward of its funds friends.
In Geekbench 6, the CMF Cellphone 1 delivers common single and multi core scores of 1,028 and a pair of,971, respectively. They’re clearly not outcomes value writing dwelling about, however they beat out different telephones in its worth vary — just like the Moto G (2024) and OnePlus Nord N30.
| CMF Cellphone 1 | Nothing Cellphone 2a | |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional |
| Geekbench (single core/multicore) | 2,161 / 6,386 | 1,103 / 2,586 |
| WildLife Limitless(fps) | 18.84 | 25.46 |
| Adobe Premiere Rush Transcode Time (Minutes:Secs) | 1:19 | 1:40 |
I’m not terribly involved by these scores as a result of the telephone is fluid and responsive with the entire ordinary stuff. Scrolling net pages is silky clean, whereas apps open right away. Plus, its efficiency doesn’t stutter once I’m frenetically switching between apps.
Nonetheless, there’s much more to be desired with the CMF Cellphone 1’s graphics processing efficiency. Frankly, it struggles in protecting a playable body charge with a number of the video games I performed. Its 3DMark Wild Life Limitless take a look at yields a mean body charge of 18.84 frames per second, which is absolutely uneven. I discover that this telephone struggles every time I get into an intense battle sequence in Age of Origins — or once I’m scrolling the map whereas there’s numerous motion occurring.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Battery
As a lot as I’ve been swayed by its adaptable design, one other standout high quality concerning the CMF Cellphone 1 is its unimaginable battery life. The 5,000 mAh battery within it’s undoubtedly beefy by way of dimension, which permits it to achieve a greatest time of 15 hours and 19 minutes in Tom’s Information’s battery benchmark take a look at. Total, it averaged 15 hours and a pair of minutes in our testing.
| CMF Cellphone 1 | Nothing Cellphone 2a | |
| Battery dimension | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Battery life (Hrs:Minutes) | 15:02 | 15:00 |
| Wired Charging | 33W | 45W |
| Recharge proportion (15 minutes) | 30% | 28% |
| Recharge proportion (30 minutes) | 62% | 61% |
That’s longer than what different pricier telephones, just like the Galaxy S24 Plus, achieves with their battery life. In my day-to-day utilization, I additionally observed that the CMF Cellphone 1 gives simply pretty much as good endurance as my iPhone 15 Professional and Galaxy Z Fold 6. Often it’s at about 15% battery life proper earlier than bedtime if I’m not too heavy on utilizing it all through the day.
Over on the recharge facet, 33W wired charging will get the CMF Cellphone 1 to 62% with half-hour of charging. That’s a speedy time I can gladly settle for given the way it doesn’t provide wi-fi charging.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Software program
Nothing brings its signature interface to the CMF Cellphone 1, which is a delight of its personal as a result of it’s one of many extra distinctive wanting custom-made experiences on the market. The truth is, I’d go as far to say it’s the perfect Android pores and skin — thanks partially to the dot-matrix type it employs all through the interface, together with Nothing’s personal set of widgets.
Functionally, Nothing OS 2.6 on prime of Android 14 runs identical to most Android telephones I’ve examined. There’s an excessive amount of customization in the way it seems, however I’m blissful it’s not as heavy with the additional options. Simplicity is a powerful focus with Nothing OS 2.6 and that’s precisely how I desire it.
What’s lacking, although, are the sturdy set of AI options that most of the greatest Android telephones provide. ChatGPT integration is out there solely while you pair the telephone to a CMF or Nothing wi-fi earbuds. Nonetheless, I put in Google Gemini to have entry to an AI-assistant at any time by simply lengthy urgent the facility button. However once more, that is broadly accessible to any Android telephone.
I’m not terribly heartbroken that the CMF Cellphone 1 doesn’t have any cool AI instruments I might use, however at this worth level, I wouldn’t anticipate them. Though AI options aren’t broadly utilized by everybody, I’ll say that having them can add an incredible enhance to your workflow — simply so long as you truly use them. Solely time will inform if Nothing may also be part of the AI revolution, however it’s clearly not occurring right here with the CMF Cellphone 1.
I additionally need to level out the brief 2 years of main Android updates and three years of safety updates. That is tough for those who intend on protecting the CMF Cellphone 1 for longer than 3 years.
CMF Cellphone 1 evaluate: Verdict
I’ve bought at hand it to Nothing as a result of the CMF Cellphone 1 is a refreshing tackle what a funds telephone ought to provide. For lower than $250, its adaptable design, colourful display screen, lengthy battery life and quick charging units the tone for all different funds telephones on this worth vary.
The one space I’m actually dissatisfied about is its digicam efficiency, which for some could possibly be a dealbreaker. I can’t anticipate CMF Cellphone 1 to achieve iPhone 16 Professional Max or Galaxy S24 Extremely ranges, however at the very least get nearer to what the Pixel 8a delivers at its worth level. That is the one compromise you’re going to want to make. In any other case, it’s a wonderful telephone that ticks off numerous the containers of what I need in a telephone.
