A Phone This Cheap Can't Be Good... Right?? - CMF Phone 2 Pro
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Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code SHORTCIRCUIT at checkout. Download Saily app or go to saily.com Linus has had enough of the Pixel, and he's hoping the CMF Phone 2 Pro by Nothing can do better. From hardware quirks to modular accessories and questionable lanyards, this phone packs a lot into a $280 price point. But does it finally fix what the Pixel couldn’t? Let’s find out. Buy a CMF Phone 2 Pro: tidd.ly Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:22 Linus vents about the Pixel experience 1:03 CMF Phone 2 Pro overview and hardware tour 2:26 Modular accessory system explained 4:00 Accessory compatibility and setup struggles 5:28 Sponsor 5:49 Camera performance and lens testing 7:00 Display, performance, and specs rundown 8:45 Thoughts on Nothing OS 10:20 Speaker quality and RAM details 11:08 Final thoughts and value summary 11:41 Credits
The video opens with Linus venting about the Pixel experience, setting a tone of frustration with Android devices that allegedly fail to meet expectations. He introduces the CMF Phone 2 Pro by Nothing as a potential fix and immediately references previous CMF iterations, noting that improvements include better ingress protection now rated IP54, triple rear cameras, and a slimmer profile. The host then walks through the hardware tour, pointing out the modular accessory concept, the redesigned back interface, and the new lens ecosystem, while also highlighting practical quirks such as compatibility issues with accessories from earlier CMF models and the surprising inclusion of a micro SD slot for expandable storage. Throughout the unboxing and setup, he tests various components, from the SIM tray to the USB-C port and the in-box accessories, often commenting on their design choices and the price point of 280 dollars. The mid section focuses on performance and display, with notes on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset, 120 Hz display with variable refresh rate, and the potential for improved touch responsiveness and AI features. Linus also evaluates Nothing OS, mentioning the essential AI note taker feature, and he shares mixed impressions about its usability, habit formation, and overall user experience. The camera segment reveals mixed results with interchangeable lenses and macro capabilities, while also showing chromatic aberration and fisheye issues in some shots, leading to a nuanced assessment of value for money given the phone’s 5,000 mAh battery, NFC, wired charging at 33 watts, and a claimed 18+ hours of video playback. In closing, the review sums up the CMF Phone 2 Pro as an unusually feature-rich option at a budget price, acknowledging that it is not a flagship exemplar but offering a compelling blend of hardware and modular ideas for its price, with final thoughts on value and suggestions for potential buyers. The video ends with a recap of the standout points, including price, performance, camera versatility, and the disclaimer that the device is not without flaws, but presents an interesting alternative in the budget smartphone space.
Topics · technology · consumer_electronics · budget_smartphones · hardware_reviews
Questions answered
- What is the processor inside the CMF Phone 2 Pro and how does it perform relative to prior CMF iterations?
- The CMF Phone 2 Pro uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G, which is generally similar to previous CMF generations but slightly faster in some tasks, contributing to better responsiveness without drastic thermal throttling.
- What notable features justify the price point of 280 dollars for the CMF Phone 2 Pro?
- Key value factors include a 6.77 inch display with 120 Hz refresh rate, IP54 ingress protection, NFC, expandable storage via micro SD, 5,000 mAh battery with wired 33 W charging, and a modular accessory ecosystem, though accessory compatibility and camera performance show trade-offs.