CMF by Nothing is a sub-brand of Nothing that is growing quite fast. A year after it was introduced, the Phone 1 smartphone was launched, simultaneously with TWS and the second generation of smartwatches. Most of the first generation products I would say nothing special but in the second generation CMF has made some changes.
BUDS PRO 2
Type In-ear earphone set
Audio Driver Dual Audio driver 11mm bass + 6mm tweeter
Polyurethane + Polyethylene Terephthalate
Micro-Planar + Polyethylene Terephthalate
Both are titanium coated
Microphone 6x HD microphone
Noise Cancellation Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation
Sound Pass Mode
Battery Up to 43 hours
60mAh Earphone
460mAh Charger Pod
Bluetooth 5.3 tethering
Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair
Codec AAC, SBC, LDAC
USB-C charging
Nothing X app support
iOS, Android
Touchpad control on the stalk
Smart Dial – Spinning Wheel
IP55 waterproof capability (Earphones)
Selling Price RM 299
(Dark Grey/Light Grey/Orange/Blue)
CMF Buds Pro 2 is CMF's second TWS that uses the CMF Buds design. This elegant, simple and beautiful design also comes with a rotating wheel for volume control and various listening modes. The orange finish is a dull type that is slightly rubbery to give extra grip. The design of each earphone is like AirPods but with a flat stem.
For affordable premium TWS, CMF uses two 11mm bass audio drivers (Polyurethane + Polyethylene terephthalate) + as well as a 6mm micro-planar tweeter driver (Polyethylene terephthalate) which both have a titanium layer. Codecs are only limited to AAC, SBC and LDAC. For the audio profile, CMF has collaborated with Dirac Opteo and also includes Ultra Bass Technology 2.0.
The audio quality on the CMF Buds Pro 2 is similar to the Nothing Ear (1) which is slightly better. It relies so heavily on Dirac Opteo and Ultra Bass profiles that when turned off the audio sounds empty and very flat. Most pop, acoustic and instrument- and vocal-focused music will sound thin and underwhelming. The lively music however is lively enough and quite enjoyable for short-term listening.
CMF's new TWS supports Smart ANC which intelligently determines when to cancel noise and when to use normal mode. It's less airtight and the fan noise can still be heard but the passthrough mode is quite clear. Control can be done on each stalk or Smart Dial rotating wheel on the charging pod. Other settings can be done on the Nothing X application like other Ears.
The Bluetooth 5.3 connection on the Buds Pro 2 is also quite smooth and there is no static problem as happened on the Ear (a). The IP55 protection provided I really appreciate when using it outside in the heat confident that my every sweat won't damage these earphones. The battery life for ANC is around 15 hours, while without ANC it can reach more than 20 hours, then with the charging pod it gives up to 43 hours and for a full charge it will take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
WATCH PRO 2
1.32″ AMOLED screen, 466 x 466 pixels, 620 nits, 60Hz
Standalone Operating Systems
IP68 protection
Accelerator Sensor
Pulse Scanner
Blood Oxygen Saturation
Others GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/Beidou
Bluetooth 5.3
120 Sports Mode
Speaker + Microphone
305mAh battery, up to 11 days
Aluminum Alloy Frame Construction Material
Liquid Silicone/Leather Watch Strap
Price RM 339
Watch Strap: Smoke Grey/Dark Grey/Blue/Orange
Bezel: Curved/Flat Dark Grey, Curved/Flat Smoke Grey
If you complained about last year's CMF Watch Pro using a square screen with an uneven bezel, the Watch Pro 2 now has a bezel that is not only even but can also be removed to swap out another bezel. The watch is designed with a round screen, quite premium construction materials and to look elegant and simple, suitable for users who don't like fancy designs.
CMF Watch Pro 2 uses its own operating system. It still brings about the same usage as the Watch Pro. Only this time it has 120 sports modes, more than 100 watch faces, a smarter sports tracking system, gesture control like Apple Watch Series 9 and Always-on Display. The battery is not as good as the last model but for more than a week of use there is no problem at all, reaching 11 days.
For a month I've been using this watch, it's more comfortable than the Watch Pro especially the watch strap that no longer makes the skin on my wrist itch. Performance also feels smoother and faster, with each watch face downloading to the watch in less than 30 seconds. Gesture controls have a slight lag and require very precise positioning to use, but the rotary paddle and touchscreen controls are very adequate and lag-free.
The automatic activity tracking system is quite good at regularly tracking my walks. I especially like the integrated Nothing theme like black with bright red or orange and neat dot matrix writing. The widget design may be further improved to be more beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Sleep monitoring, pulse scanning and the process of recording difficult data are all acceptable with it being slightly less accurate than the Galaxy Watch6, TicWatch Pro 5 or Apple Watch Series 8.
CMF also gives users the freedom to design their own watch faces or upload personal photos. The CMF Watch app is also my favorite because it's lovingly designed, very user-friendly, very easy to use and it's very simple. Young, old or first-time users who want to use this watch will definitely not take long to learn how to use it.
The Watch Pro 2 offers a similar feature to the Xiaomi Watch S3 that allows users to change the bezel and decorate the watch with various combinations of official watch straps with different colors. For an affordable watch, it offers interesting customization features and a fun user experience.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
With every purchase of CMF Buds Pro 2 you will receive;
1x Buds Pro 2.
1x Earphone buds with different sizes.
1x USB-A to USB-C Cable.
1x Guidebook and safety.
While with every purchase of CMF Watch Pro 2 you will receive;
1x Watch Pro 2.
1x Bezel ready to install.
1x ready-to-install watch strap.
1x Charger cable.
1x Guidebook and safety.
CONCLUSION
Although CMF Buds Pro 2 and CMF Watch Pro 2 do not bring the same performance and usage experience as TWS and Mercu smartwatches, they provide more or less the same feeling to anyone who wears them. The Buds Pro 2 are still a long way behind the Ear and Ear (a), but are a pretty good affordable alternative.
For the Watch Pro 2 it is an alternative to the Xiaomi Smart Band with about the same price but a little cooler. Both products are attractive, affordable and are enough gadgets to complete the Nothing ecosystem.
PROS & ADVANTAGES
The second iteration is more useful.
Offers a lot of customization to be more personalized to yourself.
Offers premium usage at an affordable price.
Not bad and has satisfactory quality.
Affordable selling price.
CONS & ADVANTAGES
TWS is overly dependent on Dirac Opteo and Ultra Bass profiles.
The clock still uses a basic operating system.
Battery life is not up to par with what is promoted.
CMF Watch and Nothing X should be one app, one ecosystem for all.
Confusing and inconsistent customer support.