CMF Phone 1 ZDNET's key takeaways The CMF Phone 1 by Nothing, which starts at $239, is the best budget phone I've tested this year.
The replaceable cover and accessories, excellent battery life, and AMOLED display stand out in a crowded market.
For the price, the downsides include a lack of NFC and wireless charging, as well as a mere two-year software update policy. View now at Nothing View now at Amazon more buying choices
As a phone reviewer, it's always a challenge to evaluate cheaper, sub-$300 handsets, especially after my senses have been spoiled by glorified, eye-candy displays, snappy processors that can manage 20+ tabs, and cameras that can capture the birds in the sky.
Also: The best Android phones of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
But the CMF Phone 1, developed by the sub-brand of Nothing, made things easier than I expected. From its initial launch in 2024, the device has dropped in price significantly to $209, starting on Amazon. Even in 2025, this remains one of the best budget phones that I've tested so far, and I recommend it over many other low-cost options.
CMF, which stands for "Color, Materials, and Finish" in the world of industrial design, is a fitting name for the company. With the Phone 1, the attention to detail and sensible design choices are noticeable. Here's a quick list of things that immediately stood out to me:
The power and volume buttons are separated on each side, making it easier to tell which key you're pressing.
The bezels, while thicker than what you'd find on more expensive handsets, are admirably symmetrical.
At setup, you're given the choice between Nothing's dot-matrix launcher and stock Android, a freedom often buried in phone settings.
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