The remarkable CMF Phone 2 Pro is the smartphone revolutionary we require.

      The Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro has restored my faith in modern smartphones. Priced reasonably, it offers more creative enjoyment than many pricier devices without compromising on essential features. Amidst a market of phones designed by committees, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out as a maverick.

      Defiant

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      What do I mean by this? Many contemporary smartphones take themselves too seriously, crafted by various departments focused on profit margins and appealing to a broad audience. While this is a common practice in large corporations, and the results are not inherently flawed, the CMF Phone 2 Pro seems to originate from a different mindset. Although it is made by a major company — Nothing — it feels like everyone involved enjoyed the creative process, and that is evident in the end product.

      To start with, it features a bright orange color. Other options are available, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro is best appreciated in this hue. The back cover is not just orange; it's dual-tone orange, with a matte finish on the upper half and a glossy lower section. Though composed of plastic rather than glass, it looks so appealing that viewers might mistake it for glass or metal from afar. The aluminum rings around the cameras also serve as a striking design element alongside the bold color.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The visible screw heads have a purpose, as the back cover can be taken off and swapped for a different one, marking a modern interpretation of the often-attempted modular design. Additionally, a circular piece in the bottom corner allows for attachment of a thick CMF lanyard, and a kickstand can be affixed to the back of the device. Most intriguingly, the camera supports two lens accessories for macro or fish-eye photography. This represents genuine versatility in functionality along with a healthy dose of playful fun.

      Using the CMF Phone 2 Pro

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The CMF Phone 2 Pro weighs just 186 grams, and its lightness is immediately noticeable upon picking it up. The plastic back extends around the sides, making it comfortable to hold. However, its lightweight nature can cause it to feel a bit slippery. When holding it, you’ll find an extra button on the side, which activates the Essential Space, an AI feature also found on the Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing Phone 3a Pro.

      This is the first of two unexpected features. Essential Space organizes your screenshots and voice memos and utilizes AI to assist in sorting and summarizing them. It's an interesting approach, similar to Samsung's Now Brief, which enables AI to manage your day. However, Samsung reserves this feature for its Galaxy S25 models, leaving mid-range options like the Galaxy A56 lacking in meaningful AI capabilities. This makes Essential Space particularly valuable on the CMF Phone 2 Pro. The only drawback is that the button's location makes it too prone to accidental presses, as it can easily be mistaken for the power button.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The second unexpected feature is a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. It's quite impressive, capturing bright photos with satisfactory detail without requiring cropping. This additional capability enhances the camera experience, which is unexpected in a phone at this price point. Coupling this with a potentially useful AI feature creates a smartphone that doesn’t simply compete; it defies competition.

      Are there any drawbacks?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I haven't yet used the CMF Phone 2 Pro as my primary smartphone, so any software or performance quirks may not have come to my attention. The screen is likely the phone's most significant downside. The Panda Glass tends to attract fingerprints, the viewing angles could be better, and while the specifications suggest that the brightness should suffice in various conditions, it doesn’t quite match the luminosity of high-end screens.

      Running Android 15, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro processor with 8GB of RAM, providing smooth operation, floating window mode, and Nothing’s distinctive pixel art theme. However, some power-saving features result in initial lag when accessing seldom-used apps, which is not a dealbreaker but may go unnoticed by many, given the phone's other qualities.

      I've had the opportunity to use the phone prior to its official launch, and a software update intended to enhance the camera arrived during my review. While the photos taken with the CMF Phone 2 Pro can appear slightly washed out even after the update, the 8MP wide-angle camera leaves much to be desired due to its lack of detail. I might be being overly critical, as having three mostly functional cameras on an entry-level device is a notable achievement. I can always adjust my photos later in Google Photos.

      Others need to step it up

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The 128GB version of the CMF Phone 2 Pro retails for £219 in