Imagine taking apart a new gadget to discover its hidden potential. This sense of discovery and play is what Nothing’s CMF Phone 1 promises its users. With an eye-watering price tag of $199, the phone aims to make “budget” synonymous with “fun” again.
Unlike most smartphones in its price range, the CMF Phone 1 has been smartly designed. Its easily replaceable back panel and modular approach to customization means you can tweak the look and feel of the phone to your liking. But why would you want to do that? Because it’s just plain fun.
CMF’s Phone 1 shares the same name and operating system as Nothing’s first proprietary phone, with user-friendly customization features. Why settle for just a protective case when you can replace the entire back panel of your phone? The replacement panel comes with all the tools you need, including a screwdriver, screws, and a color-coded SIM tray.
The back panel isn’t just for looks; it has a round accessory port cover that resembles the control dial on CMF’s neckband earphones, but serves no functional purpose beyond protecting the port. CMF is offering three accessories at launch: a strap, a wallet, and a kickstand. Each costs $25 and comes in a striking orange color.
The phone itself is a great value for the price. It has a 6.7-inch OLED display, a 50-megapixel rear camera, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and a powerful 5,000mAh battery. It comes with a black panel, but you can also choose orange, light green, and blue options.
Removing the back panel takes some effort and might even break a fingernail or two, but the task itself highlights the phone’s ingenuity. It’s almost uncanny to see a modern phone laid bare. With the panel removed, you get an up-close look at the phone’s innards, which feels almost nostalgic in today’s sleek, closed-back smartphones.
After replacing the back panel, users can further customize their phone with accessories, such as the Wallet, which consists of a plastic panel with a magnetic ring that attaches to the back of the phone, providing a MagSafe-like experience without wireless charging, allowing you to use other accessories at the same time.
The included strap and kickstand are bright orange and are both practical—the woven strap may suit a younger, more fashion-forward crowd, and the kickstand offers firm support but doesn’t tuck neatly around your phone when not in use.
For all its attractive features, the CMF Phone 1 does have some limitations: it doesn’t have NFC capabilities, it’s only splash-proof, and its carrier support in the U.S. is somewhat limited — it works best on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks, but only supports Verizon and AT&T’s 4G bands. Still, its $199 price tag makes it an appealing combination of modularity and affordability.
Few devices offer as seamless a blend of functionality and affordability as the CMF Phone 1. The company’s foray into modular design offers users a truly unique ability to personalize their gadget while remaining cost-effective.
CMF has also launched the Watch Pro 2 and Buds Pro 2. Users can seamlessly switch up their style by swapping out the bezels on their new watches and choosing from multiple band types. The watches support both iPhone and Android devices and promise great battery life.
The Buds Pro 2 are packed with features. The case has a large control dial for easy volume adjustment, and there’s support for a range of controls via the Nothing X app. With active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and up to 25 hours of battery life in the charging case, these earbuds are a steal at $59.
WIRED’s Julian Chokkattu detailed his first impressions of the device, calling it interesting in both design and functionality, noting that the CMF Phone 1 in particular has a prototype-like feel, which he said adds to its appeal. Chokkattu noted that while the detachable panel system is a bit clunky, it’s a fun feature that stands out in the budget phone market.
The modular design doesn’t just end with the phone: accessory points on the back panel allow you to attach a variety of accessories, such as straps, kickstands, and wallets, adding both practicality and personality. For those interested in DIY repairs and custom modifications, this feature is a breath of fresh air in an age when most devices are sealed.
CMF’s approach raises questions about the future of customizable technology: Will this become a catch-up trend among other low-cost phone makers, or will it remain a niche attraction for the tech-savvy and adventurous? Only time will tell.
What’s clear is that CMF has established itself as a brand to watch. By making affordable technology attractive again, CMF may have paved the way for the next evolution of budget gadgets. It remains to be seen how other brands will respond, but for now the CMF Phone 1 stands out as a bold leap into the realm where cheap doesn’t have to mean boring.
