Android Central Labs, known for its thorough explorations and detailed analyses of technology, has recently taken a close look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the latest budget smartphone offering from Nothing. This weekly column delves into various tech topics, covering everything from smartphones to tablets and their features, and how they fit into the daily lives of users.

The original CMF Phone 1 quickly gained recognition for delivering a high-quality user experience, feeling like it was worth twice its price due to its impressive performance, superior camera quality, vibrant display, and unique design. It quickly captured the hearts of tech enthusiasts, becoming a standout budget device of 2024.

Now, the CMF Phone 2 Pro has arrived with a slight price increase, yet it promises significant enhancements that elevate it to a new level within the budget phone landscape. Priced under $300, this new model not only improves upon its predecessor but also sets a new benchmark for what consumers can expect from budget-friendly smartphones.

Three key features have impressed me since I began using the CMF Phone 2 Pro last week: the camera experience, the display quality, and the refined haptics. Each of these enhancements contributes to an overall user experience that feels remarkably premium for its price point.

Display Quality of the CMF Phone 2 Pro

The display on the CMF Phone 2 Pro represents a notable upgrade over the previous model. Although both devices utilize AMOLED technology, the newer model eliminates the slight rainbow color shift that could be observed when the CMF Phone 1's screen was viewed at an angle. In addition, the bezels on the new model are thinner, providing a more modern aesthetic that aligns closely with flagship devices.

Brightness has also seen a significant boost; the CMF Phone 1's display reached nearly 900 lux at full brightness, while the CMF Phone 2 Pro can achieve almost 1400 lux. For HDR content, the display can reach an astonishing 3000 nits in the brightest portions, which is an impressive feat in this price category.

While the phone doesnt feature LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, which allows for better energy management found in higher-end OLED displays, it does offer a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 30Hz to 120Hz. This flexibility allows for smoother scrolling during use while also conserving battery life when high refresh rates arent necessary. Users can choose to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz in the settings for standard operation, though enabling the peak refresh rate requires accessing the Developer Options.

One of the standout features of the CMF Phone 2 Pro's display is its DC dimming capability, which is particularly beneficial for users sensitive to flickering screens. This feature operates at 50% brightness and above, providing a comfortable viewing experience even in low-light conditions. Additionally, the phone features advanced PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming technology that operates at 2160Hz when brightness dips below 49%. This significantly enhances visual comfort compared to many competitors.

Camera Performance of the CMF Phone 2 Pro

Another area where the CMF Phone 2 Pro shines is its camera system. The 'Pro' designation is justified here, as the device features a versatile rear triple-camera setup that includes a main 50MP camera equipped with dual-pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF), a newly introduced 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. Compared to the CMF Phone 1, which had a smaller sensor size with 0.8-micron pixels, the new model's larger 1.0-micron pixels promise improved image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

The telephoto camera, although it offers a modest 2x optical zoom, enhances the phone's ability to capture distant subjects clearly with additional features allowing for a "lossless" 4x zoom through pixel binning technology. However, users may notice that quality diminishes significantly beyond 6x zoom, yet the handling of pictures up to 10x remains superior compared to its predecessor.

The camera interface has received a facelift to enhance user-friendliness, transitioning from list-style menus to a tile format. While this design aims to streamline options, some users may find it less intuitive as it requires additional taps to navigate through settings. However, a new 'Presets' feature allows users to explore creative photography possibilities easily, offering four built-in modes and enabling users to create their own settings with specified camera parameters.

Image quality across the board has generally improved, with the ultrawide camera offering solid dynamic range and detail, even though it lacks macro capabilities typically found in pricer devices. The HDR capabilities of the CMF Phone 2 Pro have also seen enhancements, delivering better contrast and color accuracy, though some inconsistencies remain, particularly in certain lighting situations. These are expected to be addressed in future software updates.

Final Thoughts on the CMF Phone 2 Pro

In summary, if you are considering upgrading from the CMF Phone 1 or seeking a new budget smartphone, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out for its improved dynamic range, enhanced color accuracy, and the inclusion of an ultrawide camera. With a superior build quality, upgraded display, refined haptics, and an overall more polished user experience, this device is a compelling option for consumers looking for value without compromising on quality.