Nothing’s Newest Phone Set to Be More Affordable Than the Phone 2a

Nothing’s Newest Phone Set to Be More Affordable Than the Phone 2a

Nothing recently confirmed that it will not be releasing the Phone 3 flagship this year, putting to rest rumors that a new flagship from the British smartphone manufacturer might arrive this summer. However, the mid-range Nothing Phone 2a, which launched a few months ago, will not be the company’s only phone this year. Additionally, it will not be the most affordable.

Nothing has a secondary product line called CMF that specializes in more budget-friendly gadgets. So far, Nothing has only released CMF-branded earphones and smartwatches. However, it is now preparing to launch its first CMF-branded smartphone, the Nothing CMF Phone 1. For weeks, details about this phone have been surfacing online. The latest leak reveals what appears to be a comprehensive set of specifications and pricing information for the CMF Phone 1.

As expected, the CMF Phone 1 will feature respectable specifications for an entry-level Android device and will be priced even lower than the Phone 2a. The main uncertainty is whether it will be widely available for purchase or if Nothing will focus solely on emerging markets for this CMF device.

The Nothing Phone 2a, released this spring, is priced at approximately $349 and is available in the US. It’s a solid mid-range choice if that’s what you’re looking for. The CMF Phone 1 will be even more budget-friendly while still providing a decent set of specifications.

According to leaker Yogesh Brar, the phone will be offered in two configurations in India. They are expected to be priced at 15,999 rupees ($192) and 17,999 rupees ($216), respectively. These prices include potential launch discounts that have not been specified.

Even without discounts, the CMF Phone 1’s price should remain appealing, particularly in markets like India. However, since the leak focuses on the Indian market, it raises the question of whether Nothing will also release the CMF Phone 1 in Europe or the US.

The same leaker provided the specifications for the CMF Phone 1. It will feature a 6.7-inch OLED display with refresh rates ranging from 30Hz to 120Hz, 800 nits of brightness, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The phone will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, available with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage with microSD support up to 2TB. It will include a 50-megapixel camera without OIS, a depth sensor, and a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The device will have a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W charging and will run on Android 14.

The 50-megapixel camera will support 4K video recording at 30fps, although the absence of optical image stabilization could be an issue. The leaker also mentioned that Nothing will use a Sony sensor for the main camera and that AI enhancements will improve certain shooting modes.

Another potential drawback is the CMF Phone 1’s audio, as it might only have a mono speaker. However, given that Nothing aims to sell this phone for around $200 in Asia, it needs to cut costs on some components.

Lastly, the CMF Phone 1 will be rated IP52 for water and dust resistance and will provide two years of Android updates along with three years of security updates. These offerings may not match those of pricier phones. However, once more, Nothing must economize in certain areas to deliver the affordable CMF Phone 1 you desire.

Conversely, the adoption of MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 is promising, especially given that the Nothing Phone 2a is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro. This suggests a potentially superior and faster chipset. Additionally, noteworthy features include the 120Hz display and the sizable 5,000 mAh battery.

Regarding the phone’s design, the leaker also mentioned that the screen will have bezels akin to those on the previous Nothing Phone 1 model, as depicted in the image above.

Recent rumors suggest that Nothing is set to unveil the CMF Phone 1 on July 8th. We will soon discover the company’s intentions for this affordable smartphone.