CMF Phone 2 Pro: The New Budget Contender Of 2025?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro has officially launched, bringing a fresh take on modular design and AI-driven features. Positioned as an upgrade over the CMF Phone 1, it also competes with the Nothing Phone 3A in the sub ₹20,000 INR segment. But does it have what it takes to be the best budget smartphone of 2025? Let’s dive into its specifications, features, comparisons, and pricing.

Specifications and Features

The CMF Phone 2 Pro introduces several upgrades over its predecessor, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.

1. Design & Build

One of the most distinctive aspects of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is its modular design, supporting interchangeable accessories such as the Universal Case, Interchangeable Lenses, Wallet & Stand, and Lanyard. This customisation aspect makes the phone stand out, allowing users to personalise their device in ways most budget smartphones do not. While it carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, it falls short of full waterproofing, which may be a drawback for some users.

2. Display

The CMF Phone 2 Pro builds upon its predecessor with several noteworthy upgrades, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers. At the heart of its appeal is a stunning 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, boasting a 2392 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that dynamically adjusts between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz based on usage. The screen reaches an impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Protected by Panda Glass, the display also supports HDR10+, enhancing contrast and color accuracy for an immersive visual experience.

3. Performance

The performance is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, which delivers efficient multitasking and gaming capabilities. Paired with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2, the device offers smooth operation with ample space for apps and media. Running on Nothing OS 3.2, based on Android 15, users can expect a streamlined and bloat-free software experience. Moreover, CMF promises three years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term usability and stability.

4. Cameras

The camera setup sees a notable improvement, featuring a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens to capture expansive landscapes. For selfies and video calls, the 16MP front camera provides sharp and detailed shots. The device supports 4K video recording at 30fps on the rear cameras and 1080p at 30fps on the front, making it a versatile option for content creators.

5. Battery & Charging

Powering the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage on a single charge. It supports 33W wired fast charging, and unlike some budget models, the charger is included in the box—an appreciated convenience for users. The phone is 7.8mm thick, making it the slimmest CMF device yet, and weighs 185g, striking a balance between premium feel and ergonomic handling. The back panel is crafted with a frosted glass-like texture in Black and Light Green, while the dual-tone finish in Orange and White adds a stylish touch.

6. Unique Features

Among its unique features, the CMF Phone 2 Pro introduces Essential Space and Essential Key, AI-powered tools designed to optimise organisation by handling notes, reminders, and calendar events seamlessly. These additions reflect Nothing's emphasis on practical AI integration, making everyday interactions smoother.

Comparison Against Its Siblings

Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro combines an impressive display, capable cameras, long-term software support, and modular design elements, making it one of the most compelling budget smartphones of 2025. The below table describes how the CMF Phone 2 Pro stack up against its predecessor and the Nothing Phone 3A.

Dimensity 7300 Pro vs Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro and Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 are both mid-range chipsets designed for efficient performance, but they have distinct strengths.

CPU & Performance

• The Dimensity 7300 Pro features 4x Cortex-A78 cores at 2.5GHz and 4x Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz, offering balanced performance for multitasking and gaming.
• The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 uses a 1x Cortex-A720 (2.5GHz), 3x Cortex-A720 (2.4GHz), and 4x Cortex-A520 (1.8GHz), which provides better efficiency but slightly lower raw performance in multi-core tasks.

GPU & Gaming

• The Dimensity 7300 Pro is equipped with the Mali-G615 MP2 GPU, which is optimized for power efficiency but falls behind in raw graphical performance.
• The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 features the Adreno 810 GPU, which delivers better gaming performance and higher benchmark scores in OpenCL/Vulkan tests.

Benchmark Scores

• AnTuTu v10: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 scores 804K, while Dimensity 7300 Pro scores 677K, showing a 19% performance advantage for Snapdragon.
• GeekBench 6: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has a single-core score of 1178 and multi-core score of 3146, while Dimensity 7300 Pro scores 1058 (single-core) and 3025 (multi-core).

Efficiency & Battery Life

• Both chips are built on TSMC’s 4nm process, ensuring good power efficiency.
• Battery consumption scores are similar, meaning neither chipset has a clear advantage in power management.

Memory & AI Features

• The Dimensity 7300 Pro supports LPDDR5 RAM at 6400MHz, while the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 supports LPDDR5 at 3200MHz, giving Dimensity an edge in memory bandwidth.
• Snapdragon benefits from Qualcomm’s AI optimizations, which may provide better real-world performance in AI-driven tasks.

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is better for gaming, AI tasks, and overall performance, thanks to its higher benchmark scores and Adreno GPU. Dimensity 7300 Pro offers better memory bandwidth and efficiency, making it a solid choice for multitasking and power-conscious users.

Pricing in India

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is competitively priced:

• 8GB + 128GB: ₹18,999
• 8GB + 256GB: ₹20,999
• Launch Offers: ₹1,000 discount on select platforms, bringing the price down to ₹17,999 for a limited time.

Is This the Best Budget Smartphone of 2025?

The CMF Phone 2 Pro makes a strong case for being the best budget smartphone of 2025. Here’s why:

Pros:

✅ Modular Design: Unique interchangeable back panel with accessory support
✅ High-Brightness AMOLED Display: 3,000 nits peak brightness
✅ Triple Camera Setup: Telephoto lens adds versatility
✅ Long-Term Software Support: 3 years of Android updates, 6 years of security patches
✅ Competitive Pricing: Under ₹20,000 with launch discounts

Cons:

❌ No Wireless Charging: Unlike some competitors
❌ IP54 Rating: Lower than some rivals offering IP65 or higher
❌ While Dimensity 7300 Pro is efficient, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 offers better optimization

Conclusion

The CMF Phone 2 Pro brings together a unique combination of modular design, high-performance hardware, and long-term software support, making it an exciting contender in the sub-₹20,000 INR price range. With its bright AMOLED display, versatile triple-camera setup, and AI-driven features, it offers a refreshing take on budget smartphones, standing apart from competitors like the Nothing Phone 3A. While it does fall short in areas such as wireless charging and IP rating, its overall value proposition remains strong, especially with its launch discounts. Whether you prioritize customization, AI enhancements, or a well-rounded performance package, the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers a compelling balance of innovation and affordability.

If you're looking for a feature-packed device with long-term software support, this could be the budget smartphone to beat in 2025. However, if faster charging, a more premium build, or Snapdragon-powered gaming performance are your priorities, exploring alternatives may be worthwhile.

Would you consider it as your next smartphone, or are you eyeing another contender in this segment? This article might help you with the decision.