Nothing’s budget sub-brand, CMF, has just added another bold chapter to its playbook in India’s hyper-competitive smartphone scene. The new CMF Phone 2 Pro dropped officially on April 29, and it’s aiming to punch way above its weight — at least on paper — with features that feel more flagship than entry-level.
It’s got a dazzling AMOLED screen, triple cameras, reverse charging, and a massive battery. All that, starting at just ₹18,999? It’s not a flagship killer, but it’s definitely raising eyebrows.
A Flashy Spec Sheet at a Budget Price
CMF isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here — but it’s certainly giving it a fresh coat of bright, matte paint.
At its heart, the Phone 2 Pro runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset. This processor packs enough power for daily tasks, casual gaming, and smooth app switching. CMF says it’s 10% faster than last year’s chip and 5% better on the graphics side. Paired with 8GB RAM and RAM Booster tech, the phone can virtually expand its memory up to 16GB.
And that screen? It’s a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with all the bells and whistles: HDR10+ support, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 3,000 nits peak brightness, and Panda Glass protection. The pixel density hits 387ppi, and the touch response peaks at 480Hz — numbers that usually belong to phones twice this price.
Pricing, Offers, and Availability Breakdown
Let’s get to the part everyone cares about: how much it costs and when it’s hitting shelves.
The Phone 2 Pro starts at ₹18,999 for the base variant (8GB + 128GB), while the top variant with 256GB storage will cost ₹20,999. You’ll find it in four colours — Black, Light Green, Orange, and White — all launching on May 5 through Flipkart, the CMF India website, and retail stores.
And yes, CMF’s pricing game is clever.
• Customers using Axis, HDFC, ICICI, or SBI cards can score a ₹1,000 discount
• Exchange offers bring down the effective price to ₹16,999
• Accessories are available separately, including a snap-on wallet, lens kits, and cardholder
The value math checks out. And CMF knows it.
Software That’s Here to Stay
Phone 2 Pro isn’t just about flashy numbers and bright panels — it’s running Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.2 layered on top.
There’s a promise here: three years of Android updates and six years of security patches. For a phone under ₹20,000, that’s pretty rare. Most budget phones are forgotten after year two, but CMF seems to be playing a long game.
Nothing OS 3.2 also brings some unique UI touches, minimal bloatware, and smooth animations. It may not be stock Android, but it’s close enough that most users won’t complain.
Camera Setup Packs a Punch
Photography on budget phones often feels like an afterthought — but the Phone 2 Pro is trying hard to shake that reputation.
It comes with a triple rear camera setup:
• 50MP main sensor with f/1.88 aperture and Electronic Image Stabilisation
• 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom
• 8MP ultra-wide shooter with a 119.5-degree field of view
The front camera is a 16MP shooter with an f/2.45 aperture — good enough for crisp selfies and video calls.
Nothing’s in-house TrueLens Engine 3.0 is also baked in. It uses advanced processing to improve clarity, exposure, and skin tones. Early tests suggest it delivers pretty clean results, especially for a mid-ranger.
It’s got enough photographic muscle for most people’s daily needs.
Performance Meets Power Efficiency
With a 5,000mAh battery under the hood, CMF’s newest device isn’t going to tap out early. Whether you’re streaming, scrolling, or gaming, it’s built to last.
The phone supports 33W wired charging and reverse charging too — so you can top up your earbuds or a friend’s phone in a pinch. That kind of feature isn’t common at this price point, and it might tip the scales for a lot of users.
And while there’s no official IP rating for water or dust resistance, CMF is clearly betting on build quality and software polish to drive sales.
What’s Inside the Box?
Well, not much has changed here. You’ll still have to buy most accessories separately — but CMF is offering a quirky, modular approach.
Here’s what’s available:
| Accessory Type | Sold Separately? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Interchangeable lenses | Yes | Snap-on lenses for photography mods |
| Wallet | Yes | Magnetic wallet for the back panel |
| Universal cover | Yes | Modular back with multiple functions |
| Stand | Yes | Kickstand attachment |
| Lanyard | Yes | Wrist-strap for better grip |
| Cardholder | Yes | Rear clip-on to store cards securely |
It’s a neat system — think LEGO for smartphones — and it’s targeting the younger, aesthetic-conscious crowd.
Where It Stands in the Budget War
India’s smartphone market is a war zone. Realme, Redmi, Lava, Samsung’s M series — all battling for attention in the same sub-₹20K price range.
But CMF’s edge? It’s trying something different.
• AMOLED screen with 3,000 nits brightness? Check
• Triple cameras with real optical zoom? Yup
• Android 15 out of the box? You got it
• Nothing’s unique design DNA? Absolutely
Sure, it’s not perfect. No IP rating, no wireless charging, and you’ll need to pay for extras. But it still manages to bring high-end features down to a budget without cutting corners that matter.
