CMF by Nothing has recently launched its inaugural smartphone, the CMF Phone 1, which saw immense popularity right from the start. The brand managed to sell over 100,000 units within just three hours of the live sales event, leading to the device quickly selling out post-launch in India. CMF has now announced a restock scheduled to take place tomorrow on Flipkart.
The restock is planned for July 19, starting at 12 AM. Additionally, an instant discount of ₹1,000 will be available for Axis Bank users, making the effective starting price ₹14,999. For those not availing of the discount, the phone will be priced at ₹15,999.
CMF Phone 1 Specifications
The CMF Phone 1 boasts a 6.67-inch display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and superior brightness for outdoor visibility, accompanied by a fingerprint reader.
The design of the phone is customizable, featuring a camera module and four screws on the back panel. Users can swap out back covers available in Light Green, Blue, or Orange, and attach accessories such as a stand or lanyard using a special dial and the included screwdriver.
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, the CMF Phone 1 offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM, expandable with virtual RAM, and 128GB of storage. It packs a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging capability and operates on Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.6.
Camera and Additional Features
The camera array includes a 50MP main sensor paired with a secondary lens for portrait shots, while the 16MP front camera is tailored for selfies and can capture 4K videos at 30 fps. The device also incorporates Ultra XDR technology, co-developed with Google, to enhance low-light photography.
The CMF Phone 1, recognized for its unique design, was anticipated to be straightforward to repair. Yet, a recent teardown by PBKreviews reveals a more complex reality. While the phone’s distinctive back cover is easy to remove, accessing and repairing the internal components proves more challenging than initially thought.
The back cover is secured with four flathead screws and an "Accessory Point" knob, avoiding the usual adhesive method. Unscrewing these allows the plastic back to pop off, but getting to the battery involves further steps that could invalidate the warranty.
Warranty Concerns
A thin protective layer must be peeled back to reach the battery, a step PBKreviews strongly advises against as it voids the warranty. Following this, twelve Phillips screws with tamper-evident stickers need to be removed. These stickers act as another deterrent to ensure the warranty remains intact, highlighting the phone’s less-than-ideal repairability. The top portion of the back cover contains the camera lenses and antennas.
Motherboard Access
Eventually, the motherboard, which includes the front and back cameras, chipset, RAM, storage, and various sensors, is accessible. However, the battery remains difficult to reach due to a concealed screw beneath the Accessory Point. Only after removing this hidden screw can the battery be extracted using dedicated pull tabs.
PBKreviews ultimately gives the CMF Phone 1 a moderate repairability score of 6.5 out of 10. The hidden battery screw and tamper stickers on easily accessible screws introduce unnecessary complications for repairs. Moreover, the plastic covers over the motherboard and speaker assembly are harder to remove compared to other smartphones.
Final Thoughts
In summary, while the CMF Phone 1 makes a minor advancement towards repairability with its easily accessible back cover screws, hidden components and warranty-voiding steps mean that independent repairs are still a challenging task.
Nothing’s latest CMF Phone 1 recently debuted with remarkable success, selling over 100,000 units within three hours. This achievement outperformed the Nothing Phone (2a), which took 24 hours to reach the same sales milestone.
The CMF Phone 1 is priced starting at Rs. 15,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model and Rs. 17,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant. The launch was accompanied by promotional discounts with select banks and a lower price on the CMF Power 33W charger for Flipkart customers. The phone is available for purchase on Flipkart, Croma, Vijay Sales, and other partner retail outlets.
CMF Phone 1 Specifications
The CMF Phone 1 boasts a 6.67-inch display with a fingerprint sensor. It provides FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and sufficient brightness for outdoor visibility.
The device features a customizable design, including a camera module and four screws on the back panel, enabling users to swap back covers available in Light Green, Blue, or Orange. Additionally, accessories like a stand or lanyard can be attached using a special dial and the provided screwdriver.
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, the phone comes with options of 6GB or 8GB of RAM, expandable with virtual RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. It includes a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging and runs on Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.6.
Camera and Additional Features
The camera array includes a 50MP primary sensor and a secondary lens for portrait shots. The 16MP front camera is designed for selfies and supports video recording in 4K at 30 fps. The device also incorporates Ultra XDR technology, co-developed with Google, to enhance low-light photography.
The CMF Phone 1, a new release from Nothing’s sub-brand, is now available, featuring a unique back design that can be customized with various color panels. But the innovation extends beyond just the phone itself. CMF has introduced a range of accessories to enhance your experience with the CMF Phone 1. Let’s explore these accessories to see if they might be a valuable addition for you.
CMF Replaceable Back Covers
The standout feature of the CMF Phone 1 is its variety of replaceable back panels available in four colors: Black, Light Green, Orange, and Blue. These panels are designed to complement the overall aesthetic of the phone, and each one comes with matching wallpapers to further personalize your device.
Both the Black and Light Green panels offer a matte plastic finish for a sleek look, while the Orange and Blue panels come in a vegan leather finish, providing a premium appearance and comfortable grip. CMF includes matching SIM trays, rotating dials, and even screws with each panel to maintain a cohesive look. You can mix and match these components to create a unique style for your Phone 1.
Switching the back panels is straightforward: remove the rotating dial and screws, replace the existing back cover with the new one, and refit the components.
CMF Card Holder
The CMF Card Holder offers convenient storage for cards and cash, similar to MagSafe wallets for iPhones. However, it lacks built-in magnets. Instead, a separate magnetic plate, included with the case, must be screwed onto the phone’s back. This process may require longer screws, possibly adding bulk and affecting the phone’s handling.
Despite this, the magnets are strong, ensuring that the card case stays securely attached. The case is made of plastic with a soft, leather-like finish and has a magnetic lid for added security. Future accessories that utilize the magnetic back plate more seamlessly would be a welcome improvement.
CMF Lanyard Cable
The lanyard cable is a unique accessory designed for a specific audience. It features a neon orange rope and an adjustable length mechanism. While the term “cable” might be misleading, it essentially functions as a wearable strap for your phone.
This accessory is ideal for users who frequently misplace their phones or for those purchasing the CMF Phone 1 for older family members. Wearing the lanyard around the neck or shoulder minimizes the risk of losing the phone.
CMF Phone Stand
Among the CMF Phone 1 accessories, the CMF Phone Stand is arguably the most practical. It is a collapsible stand with a circular dial that screws into the phone’s back panel for secure attachment. The stand is made of plastic and is available in bright orange.
Considering the phone’s design, it would have been nice if CMF had offered stands and lanyards in colors matching the back covers. Personally, I prefer accessories that blend in rather than stand out. While the Phone 1 is flashy, matching accessories would create a more cohesive look.
Functionally, the stand allows for both portrait and landscape viewing modes. It can also be used alongside the card case accessory, as the back plate accommodates both attachments. Like the lanyard cable, attaching the stand requires screwing it into the phone’s back after removing the dial.
Print Your Own Accessory
If you’re interested in creating matching lanyards, stands, or other attachments, you’re in luck. These separate accessories can be easily produced by case makers. Spigen appears to be interested in making accessories for the CMF Phone 1. Additionally, a user on X has designed a rough version of a camera grip, showcasing the potential for customization thanks to the phone’s modularity.
Shantanu Goel tweeted about printing accessories for the CMF Phone 1, including files shared by @getpeid / @cmfbynothing for phone cases and a rough design for a camera grip.
Nothing has also released documentation containing all the necessary details to allow you to 3D print your own back covers. You can learn more about it here.
Conclusion
The CMF Phone 1, with its promise of cool accessories and modular design, seemed like an exciting project, and seeing it in action has only reinforced that belief. You could create a lens attachment holder, a bike mount, or any number of other accessories. The possibilities are endless.
Overall, Nothing has achieved something impressive with the CMF Phone 1, especially given its budget-friendly price. The phone doesn’t skimp on specifications and offers customization options to change its design or expand its functionality.
