Nothing CMF Phone 1 is very popular with influencers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
It is heralded as the phone that packs everything you need in a modern phone but at a fraction of the cost, which is how it first came onto our radar.
In retrospect, the voice of an influencer who slammed Apple for not including a 120hz display on their £800 phones still rings in the head. This stick is often used to beat Apple all the time.
WATCH: Our tech video reviews on YouTube
But, having bought the Nothing CMF Phone 1 in July and then another one in September. There are reservations and certainly some things you should know about the phone – things that may affect your day-to-day use of this amazing piece of tech.
The specs of the Nothing CMF Phone 1
The Nothing CMF 1 (part of the Nothing CMF series) boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, supported by 6GB or 8GB RAM, and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB.
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 features a dual-camera system with a 50MP main camera (f/1.8 aperture) and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, it has a 16MP front-facing camera. The device is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 33W fast charging via USB-C, capable of charging the phone up to 50% in around 30 minutes.
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 runs on Android 14 with the Nothing OS interface, which includes customization features. It is also 5G capable, ensuring fast data speeds. Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP53 water resistance, and a selection of vibrant colour options.
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is targeted at the budget-conscious market, offering premium features at a more accessible price point
The bad things about Nothing CMF Phone 1
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 was marketed as a replacement for your day-to-day use. It fails in this regard in so many ways.
It doesn’t have an e-sim
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 has many missing key features that just aren’t talked about enough. The first one is that it does not take an e-sim.
Seriously. It does not.
And this is 2024.
Before getting the Nothing CMF phone 1, we had last used physical SIM cards in 2021. We were forced to wait three days for our network provider to send physical sim replacements – and they were quite confused as to why.
In some countries, Apple iPhones do not come with a SIM card slot anymore. They are all sim-free.
In the UK and the EU, you can still get a physical sim card. But the projection is that these will be phased out soon.
This feature alone means the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is at best a phone for the past. A historic device that won’t really have a place in the future.
You can’t use it for contactless payments or to verify your ID with Nothing CMF Phone 1
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 does not have Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC is the tech that allows you to use your phone for contactless payments.
It is also the same tech used all over the UK to verify your identity if you have a passport, a biometric residence permit and the like.
In our use case, we were forced to order physical bank cards – something we had not used since 2017.
Contactless on your phone is great. Your card details can’t be copied or cloned.
It is convenient. If like us you forget a lot, then it is a game changer. You can lose a bank card easily – but your phone is always in your pocket.
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 does not have this feature. Making it such an old and inconvenient piece of tech.
Forget the specs – the Nothing CMF Phone 1camera is bad
The camera on the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is terrible. Its video footage is unusable.
The stabilisation is very poor. The performance in low light is ridiculously bad.
Of course, it is only a £200 mobile phone. But here is the problem.
The difference between the camera on an iPhone 12 and iPhone 15 is hardly noticeable. And you can get a refurbished iPhone 12 from a network provider like GiffGaff or Apple directly for the same price.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah – there is no 120hz but you can get an Amazon Certified iPhone 11 Pro for the same price. That has 120hz and a usable camera.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 has terrible audio.
The audio on these devices is really bad too. They sound like very cheap after-market Chinese replicas.
They produce a sharp sound that is quite painful to listen to.
Over phone calls, we repeatedly found that even on loudspeakers, the phone doesn’t meet the standards. Forget using it outside in the wind.
Playing music is out of the question. So is listening to podcasts.
When getting the Nothing CMF Phone 1, you are better off buying headsets.
The problems with the Nothing CMF Phone 1 in 2024
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is cheap. True.
But £200 is also a lot of money. And to be honest the phone lacks so many things we have come to expect in modern phones.
It doesn’t have wireless charging. Fine. We never use that on our iPhones except in emergencies.
But when you count the little things that most people use on a day to day – you realise at £200 you can do better and can get better.
The Nothing Phone CMF 1 has received praise for its customizable design and affordability, but there are major drawbacks.
It lacks an official water resistance rating, which is a concern for durability.
The phone’s performance in gaming and heavy applications has limitations, especially in comparison to other mid-range smartphones.
These factors may affect long-term usage, particularly for users seeking a more robust device.
Careful about the whole swapping back thing
Whilst we love that we can swap the back out it is not as easy as sold. The covers are expensive.
Nowadays, one can get a cover for an iPhone for £2 on the TikTok shop.
It would take several years of swapping covers to meet the hefty price that Nothing charges for an extra case.
It is also important to note that, the CMF 1 feels plastic in your hands. It scratches easily too.
The good side of the Nothing Phone
Having just touched on the back. We must touch on the front.
On an iPhone, we constantly change our screen protectors. Maybe once every 2 months.
Four months later we have not changed the Nothing Phone screen protectors. They are not scratched either.
The phones have fallen from height a few times too. And there are no cracks. That is impressive.
And it isn’t just that too.
The CMF 1 has a 120hz display. The display is smooth and very bright.
The battery life is acceptable, and better than what we got on an iPhone 15 Pro with pretty much the very same use.
It costs £200 too. Brand New for that matter.
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 pretty much sits at the same level as the iPhone SE. The cameras match.
But in the UK the iPhone SE sells for more than the Nothing.
At £200 you are getting a deal that can’t be matched. The phone is faster than other brand-new phones in that price range.
It honestly competes with phones that cost around £400. So that is a great thing.
There are other little things too. Like being able to upgrade your storage – look away Apple. Now!
Summarise the good things about the Nothing Phone
Here are 12 things that stand out on the Nothing CMF Phone 1:
1. Customizable back covers for personal style.
2. Modern, minimalistic design with clean aesthetics.
3. Clear, bright 6.7-inch AMOLED display.
4. Strong build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
5. Dual-camera system with 50MP main sensor.
6. Fast charging with 33W USB-C support.
7. Smooth performance with MediaTek Dimensity chipset.
8. Long-lasting battery with 5000mAh capacity.
9. Efficient OxygenOS for a near-stock Android experience.
10.120Hz refresh rate for smooth navigation.
11. Affordable pricing.
12. Multiple colour options for personalization.
Summarise the bad things about the Nothing CMF Phone 1 in 2024
Here are 12 drawbacks of the Nothing CMF Phone 1:
- No e-SIM support, limiting future flexibility.
2. Lacks NFC, hindering contactless payments and ID verification.
3. Poor camera quality, with low-light performance and video stability issues.
4. Audio quality is subpar, with sharp, painful sound.
5. Lacks essential features like water resistance and advanced camera stabilization.
6. Inconsistent performance with demanding tasks.
7. Limited to 128GB or 256GB of non-expandable storage.
8. No wireless charging.
9. No official 5G support in some areas.
10. Low battery performance under heavy use.
11. Poor overall software optimization.
12. Expensive for the features compared to similar phones like the iPhone SE.
The final verdict
The CMF 1 did a good job for us. It makes calls, and for the most part, does the basics right.
But, if we were placed in a scenario where for some reason we didn’t have the money or resources and all we had was £200 – we would absolutely NOT get this phone.
At £200 we would rather get a refurbished iPhone. An iPhone 8 will cost £80 these days.
It is discontinued by Apple. But it will work for contactless payments.
An iPhone 12 is the same price refurbed by Amazon or Apple. And it blows the Nothing Phone out of the water.
The two devices we bought will now be used by primary school kids for YouTube and basic kids gaming.
That for us, is exactly where the phone belongs – it is for little kids.
Any adult looking for a premium feel device must look elsewhere.
Our advice about what to buy instead.
If you’re looking for alternatives to the Nothing CMF Phone 1 but want to stick with a more affordable price range, second-hand premium phones offer great value.
The iPhone and other high-end Android devices such as the OnePlus series provide powerful features at lower prices when refurbished or pre-owned.
For instance, second-hand iPhones like the iPhone 12 or iPhone SE can be found at prices starting around £225 to £270 depending on condition and seller. Refurbished models typically come with a year-long warranty and a guarantee that the device’s battery health is above 80%.
Retailers like Back Market offer iPhone 12 models from £225.89 for a device in fair condition, with a 12-month warranty. Meanwhile, Amazon lists an iPhone 12 in “excellent” condition for about £269.75.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for Android options, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a solid flagship device that can be found second-hand for roughly £300. This phone offers a 120Hz AMOLED display and Hasselblad-tuned cameras.
The Huawei P40 Pro, another excellent option in the same price range, offers a strong quad-camera setup, though it lacks Google services.
Purchasing from reputable sellers like Amazon Renewed, Giffgaff, or Back Market ensures that you’re getting a quality device that’s been thoroughly tested. These platforms also offer transparent grading systems so you know exactly what to expect in terms of the device’s condition.
Whether you’re leaning towards an iPhone or a high-end Android, these second-hand models can provide flagship-level experiences without breaking the bank.
Important information when buying second-hand phones
When buying a second-hand phone, there are several key things to check to ensure you’re getting a good deal and that the device is in usable condition. Here’s a checklist of what to look for:
1. Device Condition
Physical Damage: Inspect the phone thoroughly for any cracks, scratches, or dents on both the screen and body. Small scratches are common, but any serious damage may indicate the phone has been dropped or mishandled.
Screen Quality: Check for dead pixels, discolouration, or a dim display. You can run a screen test on most devices to see if there are any issues with the touch functionality.
2. Battery Health
Battery Life: A phone’s battery degrades over time, so it’s important to know its current health. For iPhones, you can check the battery health in the settings under “Battery” and “Battery Health”. Ideally, the battery should retain at least 80% of its original capacity.
Charging Issues: Ensure the phone charges properly. Test using the original charger or a trusted third-party charger. Check for slow charging or any interruptions during charging .
3. Functional Testing
Touchscreen & Buttons: Test every button (volume, power, home, etc.) to ensure they all function properly. Check the touchscreen for responsiveness as well.
Cameras: Test both the front and rear cameras to make sure there’s no fogging, focus issues, or abnormal camera behaviour. If the camera lens is cracked, it’s best to avoid the device.
Speakers & Audio: Play music or a video to check if the speakers work clearly and without distortion. Also, test the microphone during a call or voice recording to ensure clear audio.
4. IMEI/Serial Number
Verify the Phone’s Authenticity: Always ask for the IMEI number and verify it to ensure the phone isn’t stolen or blacklisted. Use a trusted service like IMEI.info to verify the phone’s status. Ensure the serial number matches the one listed on the device’s box or manufacturer site.
5. Software & Functionality
•Operating System & Updates: Check that the device is running the latest software version and that there are no glitches or bugs. Verify that the device is not locked to a particular carrier (unless that’s specified) and is unlocked for any carrier.
Factory Reset: Ensure the device has been factory reset before purchase, especially if you’re buying from a third-party seller. This will ensure that no old accounts or personal data are left behind.
6. Price vs. Market Value
Compare Prices: Before committing, compare the price of the second-hand phone to the market value. Websites like eBay, Amazon Renewed, and Back Market can give you a better idea of whether you’re paying a fair price.
7. Warranty & Return Policy
Check Warranty: If available, try to get a warranty or at least a return period for peace of mind. Many sellers, especially on platforms like Back Market or Amazon, offer warranties for refurbished or second-hand phones.
By following this checklist, you can avoid purchasing a device that may have hidden issues and ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.