The Most Exciting Budget Phone of the Year Might Be CMF Nothing’s Phone 2 Pro

When all smartphones are huge slabs that look like iPhones, tech companies really need to go hard with eye-catching designs. Carl Pei’s Nothing has been turning heads with its transparent phones and wireless earbuds since 2021, and last year the company’s sub-brand, CMF, surprised everyone with its unapologetically plastic and modular Phone 1. The fact that I can’t remember a damn thing about the Phone 1’s tech specs but vividly recall how fun it was to unscrew the back plate to install a card case, kickstand, and neck lanyard should tell you what CMF prioritized for the budget phone. Nearly a year later, CMF is back with the Phone 2 Pro. I’ve only had the device for a weekend, so not enough time for a full review, but you can expect it on Gizmodo in the coming days. CMF beefed up the specs—a slightly faster processor, higher-resolution cameras including telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, more battery life— and even added the physical Essential button for accessing what’s basically an ... Read full article.