The CMF Phone 2 Pro is equipped with a triple-camera system. Unlike many budget phones that include a 2-megapixel macro sensor, this device offers a more advanced camera array typically seen in higher-priced models. It features a 50-MP main camera, a 50-MP telephoto camera with 2X optical zoom, and an 8-MP ultrawide lens. The front of the phone houses a 16-MP selfie camera.
These sensors may encounter difficulties in high-contrast scenes, such as sunny days with bright highlights and shadowy areas, which can lead to overexposed images. In low-light conditions, it is necessary to remain steady to prevent blurry photos. However, the output from this camera system generally remains detailed and colorful. The inclusion of a telephoto camera is notable, as it is preferred over ultrawide options, and there is hope that this feature will become more common in budget phones.
A previous criticism of the original CMF Phone 1 was its lack of NFC, which has been addressed in the Phone 2 Pro. With the addition of near-field communication, users can make payments through Google Wallet. The phone also offers 256 GB of storage, a feature that is uncommon even among midrange devices, and includes a microSD card slot for space expansion.
Software is a crucial aspect of budget smartphones. The CMF Phone 2 Pro avoids the bloat of preloaded apps and games, unlike many competitors. The Nothing OS is praised for being aesthetically pleasing, featuring beautiful widgets and a monochrome home screen design that is considered superior to stock Android on rival devices.
CMF has incorporated the Essential Key from the Nothing Phone (3a) series into this model. This physical button activates Essential Space, an application that stores screenshots and audio clippings and uses artificial intelligence to provide to-do lists and suggestions. Users can activate a voice memo with a long press, and the app efficiently transcribes voice notes.
The phone promises six years of security updates and three Android OS upgrades. This commitment is surpassed only by Samsung’s recent Galaxy A series, which offers comprehensive six-year software and OS support. Motorola, in comparison, has only offered two OS updates for its Moto G smartphones alongside three years of security updates.
Regarding the accessory capability, the phone includes four screws on the back and a rounded corner, which can be adjusted with a screwdriver. By removing the circular Accessory Point manually, users can attach various colored back plates, similar to those available for the original CMF Phone 1.
