CMF Phone 1 in review – Strong specs at a surprising price

Design, workmanship and delivery

The CMF Phone 1 impresses with a design that is rare in the budget segment. Visible screws, clear lines and interchangeable back covers give the device an unusual look that looks more high-end than a smartphone under 200 euros. The interchangeable back covers are available in four variants: black and light green with a very gently structured surface and orange and blue with a slightly roughened surface that is reminiscent of leather.

At just under 200 grams, the smartphone is comfortable to hold and the rounded edges of the unibody construction ensure good ergonomics. The plastic used here feels good and hardly attracts fingerprints. The orange version in particular really makes the device stand out visually. The smartphone is protected according to protection class IP52. This means that there is basic protection against splash water, but nothing more.

Interchangeable backs and the Accessory Point

CMF includes a small screwdriver to remove the back cover, which is attached at four points. This is quite short and requires a bit of dexterity, but the back can be replaced in just a few minutes. Also located on the back is the so-called Accessory Point, a small rotating mechanism on the back to which accessories such as a lanyard, a folding stand or a magnetic card holder can be attached. CMF even goes a step further and encourages users to design their own accessories with a 3D printer. Hobbyists can create the right print files for the back covers from the official CMF forum.

Modularity remains superficial

While the modular design looks promising at first glance, the flexibility ends with the back cover and accessories. A teardown shows that the battery is additionally secured, which makes replacing it much more difficult. Other components such as the camera or motherboard are also not easily accessible. Compared to real modular devices such as the Fairphone, the CMF Phone 1 falls short of its potential. The advertised modularity is therefore much more cosmetic in nature and does little to make it repairable.

What's in the box

The scope of delivery is manageable. In addition to the smartphone, there is a USB-C cable and a SIM tool in the box. A charger is missing.

Display and Multimedia

The 6,67-inch AMOLED display of the CMF Phone 1 is impressive considering the price. It delivers crisp colors, sharp details and smooth animations at 120 Hz that make every movement on the screen appear smooth. With a brightness of up to 2.000 nits, the screen remains easy to read even in sunlight. That's almost a surprise in this price range.

The color modes are reduced to the essentials. "Vivid" offers rich colors in the DCI-P3 color space, "Standard" a more natural display in the sRGB color space. The adaptive refresh rate automatically switches between 120 Hz and 60 Hz, which saves battery life and still keeps the display smooth. The touchscreen works quickly and precisely and the fingerprint sensor under the display unlocks the device reliably, without much delay.

Sound with room for improvement

The CMF Phone 1 shows weaknesses when it comes to sound. The single speaker is sufficient for calls or short videos, but with music or films the sound quickly becomes flat and bass-poor. If you expect more, you should consider wireless headphones. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX support, this works without any problems. There is no jack socket, which is not surprising these days.

performance, software and connectivity

Everyday hero with gaming ambitions

The CMF Phone 1 delivers amazing performance for its price. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 in combination with 8 GB RAM and expandable 128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.1 data storage ensures fast app launches and smooth multitasking. Even with several open applications, the smartphone remains stable and responsive.

It handles more demanding tasks such as image editing or gaming solidly, even if frame drops occasionally occur at maximum graphics settings in games such as "PUBG". Overall, the device is well positioned for everyday use and moderate gaming sessions.

Minimalistic and efficient software

For users who value a clean system, Nothing OS 2.6 (Android 14) is a real plus. The user interface is simple and tidy, with a clear focus on functionality and monochrome design. The optimization of the software is reflected in a pleasantly smooth use without stuttering or delays.

CMF does not use any unnecessary bloatware and the pre-installed apps such as camera, weather and recorder are discreetly integrated into the system. Updates are also guaranteed. Two years of Android updates and three years of security patches are promised. That's impressive, even if other manufacturers in higher price ranges offer longer support.

Weaknesses in connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the CMF Phone 1 offers dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The connections are stable and the transmission quality is impressive.

For us, the biggest criticism of the CMF Phone 1 is the lack of NFC. This means that contactless payment or digital tickets are not possible. The USB-C port also only offers basic USB 2.0 transfer speeds. This is sufficient for everyday tasks, but is no longer up to date.

camera

Instead of relying on a large number of sensors, which are often more marketing than useful, CMF only installs a 50 megapixel main camera and a 2 megapixel depth sensor. An ultra-wide-angle camera has been omitted and, to be honest, that's not a big loss. In the mid-range, such sensors often disappoint with poor image quality, washed-out details and poor color representation.

Usable shots in daylight

The main camera, on the other hand, is impressive in daylight, where it delivers razor-sharp images with natural colors and decent contrasts. For portraits, the depth sensor ensures that the subject is cleanly isolated. The software is not perfect when it comes to difficult edges such as hair, but the results are quite impressive for the price range. The AI ​​color mode also brings a little liveliness to the images without going overboard.

Videos can be recorded with the main camera in 4K at 30 frames per second. Colors and dynamics are good, even if details are lacking. The electronic image stabilizer only works in 1080p and has trouble with fast movements.

weaknesses in the low-light range

At night, the camera shows the typical weaknesses of a budget smartphone. Without optical image stabilization and with a relatively small aperture, images tend to quickly become blurry. The night mode helps by highlighting details and displaying light sources in a controlled manner. But you shouldn't expect miracles, because dark areas often lack detail and image noise is visible.

Solid Selfies

The 16 megapixel front camera does what it's supposed to. Selfies have harmonious colors, even if skin details are somewhat lost due to slight blurring. It's sufficient for quick snapshots or video calls, but quickly reaches its limits in difficult lighting conditions. Selfie videos are limited to Full HD and offer comparable quality to photos from the front camera.

Battery life and charging

The CMF Phone 1 is equipped with a generous 5.000 mAh battery, which proves to be a real strength in everyday life. In the test, the smartphone easily lasted two full days even with intensive use. This included activities such as video streaming, navigation, messaging and the occasional photo. Those who only use their device moderately can get even more out of it.

loading time

With 33 watts of fast charging, the CMF Phone 1 is not one of the top performers, but it offers enough speed for most users. The battery can be charged to around 30 percent within 50 minutes and a full charge takes just over an hour. That's absolutely acceptable for a device in this price range, even if other mid-range devices are sometimes faster.

CMF has dispensed with wireless charging. Given the price, this is bearable, but it remains a point that could potentially make the difference in a future model.