Nothing CMF Phone 2

[eddy0505]

I have used the CMF Phone 2 Pro (“CP2P”) for around 1 month, and thought I would write a short review for those interested. Previously owned a Poco F4. Am using this as a secondary phone/music player. Tl;dr – I like it! And it could work for you too!

Look and feel: [+] CP2P feels lighter but slightly wider than Poco F4. Well-built and seems able to take knocks, however I use it with the accompanying plastic phone case. Didn’t care for the custom screws etc.

Software: [+] Nothing OS feels like what a great custom ROM would be like – a Google Pixel experience with just the right customisations, base software and fuss free usage. All apps that I used installed without hiccups. The Nothing Icons and customisations provide a consistent interface experience. Definitely an upgrade over Xiaomi’s OS.

[?] Essential Space/Key is a mixed bag as it serves as a screenshot but without an immediate feedback (you got to check the Essential Space later after capturing with the Essential Key). There are some interesting bits – what really surprised me was that it could translate Japanese and Chinese, extract the information and provide accurate information! (It should work with other languages as well).

Hardware: [+] All hardware components (NFC, SD card etc.) were tested and working fine.

[+] Display is great. No complaints.

Battery life is good. Easily 2 days based on casual usage.

[?] CPU: The phone runs competently without any lags for most tasks. Doesn’t heat up. Didn’t test for gaming as I don’t game.

Speaker: Not great but can be fixed partially with Wavelet. I don’t use much as I am on earphones. I happen to think this downside it overemphasized.

[+] SD Card: This is mostly found on mid-range phones, and really works if you have a lot of music or videos. I love the idea of bringing my entire high quality music collection around on the phone without having to use cloud (and pay subscriptions).

Camera: [-] It doesn’t have OIS, which is still a big downer. I have shaky hands.

[+] That being said, the Nothing camera presets are fun and usable! It is a throwback to the early Instagram/niche camera days. No one likes to edit photos after taking the shots. In that regard, the photos do some out quite nicely! The camera app is good enough for the casual user.

Overall: For the price, CP2P feels more at the higher end of mid-range phones given the snappy overall performance and usability. I agreed that many would find the Poco models more performance value for the money – but the niche value (SD card, Nothing OS) works better for what I want.

Happy to share if those interested have any questions.

You still own the F4 as main phone or CMF is your main phone now? 2 days casual usage feels like more or less you are on wifi/no sim card and very minimal SOT, contrary to most reviews which concluded battery life is worse than previous gen.

 

[mdsummer]

You still own the F4 as main phone or CMF is your main phone now? 2 days casual usage feels like more or less you are on wifi/no sim card and very minimal SOT, contrary to most reviews which concluded battery life is worse than previous gen.

I've sold the F4. Yes, am on WiFi with no SIM card. I could try with SIM on the next weekend and share further. To be candid i don't use the phone as much as the average user.

The F4 likely would have lasted longer prior to installing HyperOS (urgh).

 

[eddy0505]

I've sold the F4. Yes, am on WiFi with no SIM card. I could try with SIM on the next weekend and share further. To be candid i don't use the phone as much as the average user.

The F4 likely would have lasted longer prior to installing HyperOS (urgh).

Got it. Ya HyperOS drains battery quite badly. Glad you found your perfect secondary phone.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Also, asking the owners of Phone 2 Pro if buying 33W chargers would work properly for the phone since it's the max wattage the phone can charge. SG never sells 33W chargers (only 20W or 35W ones), but 33W chargers are available across the Causeway (source: Just went to KSL City in JB 2 days ago and found them selling such charging plugs widely both in the mall and phone shops surrounding it, selling around half the price of 35W charger here converted into S$) as I recently discovered.

 

[caterham7]

Also, asking the owners of Phone 2 Pro if buying 33W chargers would work properly for the phone since it's the max wattage the phone can charge. SG never sells 33W chargers (only 20W or 35W ones), but 33W chargers are available across the Causeway (source: Just went to KSL City in JB 2 days ago and found them selling such charging plugs widely both in the mall and phone shops surrounding it, selling around half the price of 35W charger here converted into S$) as I recently discovered.

any charger will do, no need to look for specific 33w charger

u can look for PPS protocol charger if u want to be specific
https://support.nothing.tech/hc/en-...one-2-Pro-and-how-long-does-it-take-to-charge
https://support.nothing.tech/hc/en-...-use-other-wired-chargers-to-charge-the-Phone

 

[mdsummer]

Also, asking the owners of Phone 2 Pro if buying 33W chargers would work properly for the phone since it's the max wattage the phone can charge. SG never sells 33W chargers (only 20W or 35W ones), but 33W chargers are available across the Causeway (source: Just went to KSL City in JB 2 days ago and found them selling such charging plugs widely both in the mall and phone shops surrounding it, selling around half the price of 35W charger here converted into S$) as I recently discovered.

If possible, would recommend getting a GaN charger so you can charge laptop and phone and other peripherals using USB-C. Lazada sells a Prolink GaN with interchangeable adapters for various power plug profiles and is a real lifesaver when traveling - I only bring one GaN charger around without all the extra frills now.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Also, apparently CMF Phone 2 Orange already SOLD OUT at retailers, same at official Online Stores too.
Don't even get me started on Red White Mobile, they don't even carry that colour anyway, only Dark Grey and White available there.

Only CMF Phone 1 Orange still in stock though.
Only perk is free stand (Orange) + back cover (Green or Blue) and S$289 retail price, downsides are up to Android 16 update only (2 Android Version + 3 years Security Updates) and no NFC meaning potential problems with SimplyGo (recent updates require verification of Travel Card using NFC, so those with CMF Phone 1 need special back-end support with SimplyGo CS to get that done).

UPDATE: Apparently Challenger has somewhat reserved some stock only for offline walk-ins, meaning you cannot order said phone through their Online store anymore (same as Nothing Phone (3) too), which might be helpful to those scared of ordering water products via online shops, got to ask around if the specific stock and colour will be available to purchase on the spot.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

This month saw CMF Phone 2 Pro getting its 1st discount at retail sites (Challenger & Courts), possibly online & offline, now selling at $359 (from $399), but no more freebies this time, may need to spend the $40 savings on charger and Type-C earphones already......

Shopee & Lazada Official Online Store (operated by Official Distributor EiN) sells same device at $379, but claims to still give the CMF Buds 1 with purchase despite launch offer officially ended on 31st July.

RWM see no change in price and colour options (Dark Grey & White only).

Official Nothing SG Store still kept their $399 launch price intact......

Info as of 2nd August 2025 btw. That could mean stock either not moving or restocking has been done somewhat...

 

[caterham7]

This month saw CMF Phone 2 Pro getting its 1st discount at retail sites (Challenger & Courts), possibly online & offline, now selling at $359 (from $399), but no more freebies this time, may need to spend the $40 savings on charger and Type-C earphones already......

Shopee & Lazada Official Online Store (operated by Official Distributor EiN) sells same device at $379, but claims to still give the CMF Buds 1 with purchase despite launch offer officially ended on 31st July.

RWM see no change in price and colour options (Dark Grey & White only).

Official Nothing SG Store still kept their $399 launch price intact......

Info as of 2nd August 2025 btw.

shopee, $354 after vouchers
https://shopee.sg/-NEW-CMF-Phone-2-...34?xptdk=e5ef7bd5-4efe-4335-8290-534431d0a08a

lazada, $359 after vouchers
https://www.lazada.sg//products/i3460942198-s22950154173.html

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

shopee, $354 after vouchers
https://shopee.sg/-NEW-CMF-Phone-2-...34?xptdk=e5ef7bd5-4efe-4335-8290-534431d0a08a

lazada, $359 after vouchers
https://www.lazada.sg//products/i3460942198-s22950154173.html

Kinda only for online buyers though.
For those not into online shopping or need to earn Mall Rewards (Capitastar or FRx rewards etc.), sources for offline purchase:
Challenger, $359 (-$40) without vouchers or points offset, although they updated the site to claim freebies (CMF Buds 1 & 1-year warranty card) still available. Orange listed as "Out of Stock" for Online purchase at eStore, but trips to Offline stores suggest availability for that Orange colour for walk-in purchases only.
Source: Orange colour stock available at Causeway Point outlet.
https://www.challenger.sg/nothing/s...one-2-pro-8256gb-dark-grey-5g0--6974434225510
Courts also $359 (-$40) without vouchers or points offset, price drop only with no mention of freebies. Upside being all 3 colours listed as available Online on their eStore.
https://www.courts.com.sg/nothing-a001-orange-cmf-phone-2-pro-8gb-256gb-orange-ip211979
Gain City only has CMF Accessories (officially distributed by iFactory Asia) available on their own eStore atm.

Also, on the same day, Nothing Phones (3a) and (3a) Pro both received $60 discounts, $489 (from $549) for (3a) and $589 (from $649) for (3a) Pro respectively.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Update: Finally pulled the trigger and secured the CMF Phone 2 Pro (Orange) at Challenger Tampines Mall, got the two freebies promised (CMF Buds 1 & 1 year Warranty Extension Card) and additional $5 eCapitaStar voucher added for the purchase.

Damage to wallet: $359 + $32.90 for UGreen 35W GaN Charger with foldable legs.
Total price still cheaper than the Phone itself at launch ($399).

 

[Shutterbox]

Update: Finally pulled the trigger and secured the CMF Phone 2 Pro (Orange) at Challenger Tampines Mall, got the two freebies promised (CMF Buds 1 & 1 year Warranty Extension Card) and additional $5 eCapitaStar voucher added for the purchase.

Damage to wallet: $359 + $32.90 for UGreen 35W GaN Charger with foldable legs.
Total price still cheaper than the Phone itself at launch ($399).

Enjoy!

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Hilariously people complain of the Essential Space button below the power button, but forgot how HTC U11 Series has Edge Sense built below that same button in its design.

Source: Former owner of HTC U11+ who STILL has the phone kept properly in storage since its 4G Modem got damaged.

 

[mdsummer]

Congrats bro! Enjoy the phone

On the point of Essential Space/button: it is actually a very good productivity concept tool but many will find it difficult because of the delayed gratification - you literally screenshot something and wait/have to go into the essential space. Otherwise, below are a few things I found really useful:
1. Identifying plants. Snap and see what it says.
2. Translation services. It translated a Japan concert detail from Japanese to English correctly.
3. Just storing anything you see as a to do.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Congrats bro! Enjoy the phone

On the point of Essential Space/button: it is actually a very good productivity concept tool but many will find it difficult because of the delayed gratification - you literally screenshot something and wait/have to go into the essential space. Otherwise, below are a few things I found really useful:
1. Identifying plants. Snap and see what it says.
2. Translation services. It translated a Japan concert detail from Japanese to English correctly.
3. Just storing anything you see as a to do.

2025 CMF Phone 2 Pro (6.77-inch display) with 2018 HTC U11+ (6-inch display) side by side.

Another surprise I discovered while using Phone 2 Pro: The quite-damaged HTC USonic USB-C Earphones (that came with the U11+ back in 2018, and yes I still have them!) still works surprisingly well when plugged into the new device, DAC included (yes, that's still a luxury for a flagship device back then, the era when HTC truly is making good products & LG is in the game).

Also, the USB-C to 3.5mm dongle provided by the U11+ also worked nicely with the CMF Phone 2 Pro as well despite being just as old as the USonic Earphones itself.

Like this phone brings me back to HTC's decent MIT era of the U11 line of products.

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

Another thing I start to like about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the INSANE battery efficiency and relative ease to debloat gapps I don't really use (via Canta+Shizuku method) alongside adding the F-Droid Store (for installing FOSS alternatives to Google Apps).

Not to mention I still have not given it full charge yet since purchase 2 days ago, trying to discharge the battery (65% charge out-of-box) to 15% for battery app (AccuBattery Pro) to do full charge assessment, just to keep the battery as healthy as possible. Tells plenty about how optimized NothingOS has been for their devices.

Like those Chinese Phones that like to profess ultra-speed wired charge and wireless charge that encourage users to abuse them and chalk up massive charge cycles just to end up wearing the battery down so much that you get low trade-in value due to bad battery health.

 

[Shadowz1984]

Another thing I start to like about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the INSANE battery efficiency and relative ease to debloat gapps I don't really use (via Canta+Shizuku method) alongside adding the F-Droid Store (for installing FOSS alternatives to Google Apps).

Not to mention I still have not given it full charge yet since purchase 2 days ago, trying to discharge the battery (65% charge out-of-box) to 15% for battery app (AccuBattery Pro) to do full charge assessment, just to keep the battery as healthy as possible. Tells plenty about how optimized NothingOS has been for their devices.

Like those Chinese Phones that like to profess ultra-speed wired charge and wireless charge that encourage users to abuse them and chalk up massive charge cycles just to end up wearing the battery down so much that you get low trade-in value due to bad battery health.

Android phones are all having low trade-in and resale values to begin with.

 

[Spectre007]

Another thing I start to like about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the INSANE battery efficiency and relative ease to debloat gapps I don't really use (via Canta+Shizuku method) alongside adding the F-Droid Store (for installing FOSS alternatives to Google Apps).

still need to debloat? I thought Nothing OS is pretty light with almost no junk apps?

 

[Tsurugi_Matsuda]

still need to debloat? I thought Nothing OS is pretty light with almost no junk apps?

The main target of debloating would be replacing Gapps with FOSSapps which works on phones with unlocked Bootloaders.

And Nothing Phones belong to that category and is one of top brands for Pro-privacy Users in US & EU for that reason. Nothing Community even have users providing a DeGoogle Guide for those interested in doing just that.

And hilariously, the only other non-Pixel phones that can do this is Sharp Aquos lineup due to their Sharp UI being another near-stock OS like NothingOS. OxygenOS on the other hand is getting increasingly harder under Oppo nowadays.

Debloating also ensures your common apps like Calculator, Internet Browser, Keyboard apps etc do not get tracked unnecessarily and waste mobile data in doing so, saving data and battery power as a side benefit, while keeping your use of some local apps (Singpass, Local Banking apps etc) intact due to the unlocked bootloader it has.

And since debloating is done on the OS itself, it works on all Nothing Devices that has it.

 

[Shahmatt]

Hi all. I got a few questions about this phone. Appreciate any answers:

1. Does hotspot work well on this phone?
2. Does it have a TRUE Always on Display that shows the time/notifications?
3. Can I use a 67W Xiaomi charger (from my Poco F5) on this phone? Will it charge at 33W?
4. Seems like some find the Essential button a nuisance because of accidental presses. Do you really find it to be a problem? Can disable?
5. Anyone tried shooting in RAW? Is there any advantage in postprocessing on desktop compared to the inbuilt software?

Also, will it feel like a downgrade from the F5? I actually like the F5, but after a recent update I get phone freezing and restarting once or twice a day. I don't know if a fix will happen, and I can't live with an unreliable device.

Also, I am thinking about moving on from MIUI/HyperOS. Video Toolbox is crippled now and I am forced to use Brave. True AOD only works allegedly on 600+ SGD devices like the Poco F7 pro and Xiaomi 15T, and I don't need something that powerful as I rarely play games. I will miss the double-click power for Flashlight though.