Are you in search of a stylish and affordable smartwatch that doesn’t require frequent charging? The CMF Watch Pro 2 might be just what you need. However, it’s important to be aware of some of its unique features. The Hi-Tech Mail review provides all the details.
CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing, known for its unusual cyberpunk-style devices. In CMF’s branding, designers were given free rein, with only the price being strictly limited: headphones, smartphones, watches—all are priced lower than those from the parent company. The brand itself is named after an industrial design principle—Color, Material, Finish (CMF). These three aspects play a key role in creating the visual and tactile identity of a product, influencing how consumers perceive it and their emotional connection to it. With this watch, as well as the CMF Phone (1), Carl Pei’s team once again proved that they can create something stylish and, most importantly, affordable for everyone.
Release Date of CMF Watch Pro 2
The CMF Watch Pro 2 was introduced on July 8, along with other new products from Nothing’s sub-brand. The smartwatch became available globally four days later—on July 12.
Technical Specifications of the Device
We’ve compiled the main specifications of the CMF Watch Pro 2 into a table.
| Display | AMOLED, 1.32 inches, 466 x 466, frequency 60 Hz, brightness 620 nit |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, illumination, MSS and SpO2 |
| Battery | 305 mAh |
| Communication | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou, Bluetooth 5.3, CMF Watch application |
| Corps | 25.5 x 4.5 x 1.36 cm and 48.1 g or 25.5 x 4.5 x 1.39 cm and 44.4 g (depending on body materials), IP68 water protection |
Prices of CMF Watch Pro 2 in 2024
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is available in several countries and regions, but it is not officially released in Russia.
Prices of CMF Watch Pro 2 in Europe
CMF Watch Pro 2—€69 (5,600 RUB).
Prices of CMF Watch Pro 2 in India
CMF Watch Pro 2—4,999 rupees (5,000 RUB).
Where to Buy CMF Watch Pro 2
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is not officially available in Russia. As of the review date, local stores have yet to bring in the new product, but it has started appearing on marketplaces, mainly with delivery from abroad.
- AliExpress—from 6,857 RUB
- Yandex Market—from 6,899 RUB
If you don’t want to wait for international delivery, which will take more than two weeks, you can wait for the CMF Watch Pro 2 to go on sale in Russian stores. The watch for testing was provided by friends at BigGeek, who have a wide range of smartwatches from different brands.
Review of CMF Watch Pro 2 Smartwatch
I tested the CMF Watch Pro 2, focusing on comfort, battery, sensors, sports modes, and other features of the new watch.
Design
The main thing in the design of a smartwatch is practicality, so it doesn’t feel obtrusive when worn, during sports, in the shower, or while sleeping. In this regard, the CMF Watch Pro 2 was ideal—at least for me. On a small female wrist, despite being a unisex model, the watch might look bulky—this is a comment I received from a woman who regularly wears the rather large Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro. For me, after daily use of my Realme Watch 3 Pro, the CMF watch seemed more comfortable, lighter, and thinner. Additionally, the materials used for the case play a significant role; here, it’s made of aluminum. Depending on the color chosen, the straps differ as well—we had a model with a silicone strap, but there are also leather options.
Nothing wouldn’t be Nothing if they didn’t add a design innovation to the CMF Watch Pro 2. This innovation comes in the form of a replaceable bezel. Depending on the color, their shape varies: the bezel can be either rounded or flat. In our dark gray model, it was flat with a slight slope from the edge to the screen. Unfortunately, the watch doesn’t come with an additional bezel of a different shape or an extra strap. Nonetheless, this unusual solution might allow for future customization of the watch design if CMF or third-party manufacturers decide to release bezels of different shapes. The only thing that bothers me is the “CMF by Nothing” branding right on the bezel. It seems unnecessary. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of it, even if you replace the bezel, as the other one will have the same inscription.
No need to worry about the watch’s durability, as the CMF Watch Pro 2 is IP68 certified, meaning it can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.
Screen
The CMF Watch Pro 2 features a round 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466×466 pixels and peak brightness of up to 620 nits, which is more than sufficient for comfortable use outdoors or indoors. The auto-brightness feature, which works accurately, though not very quickly in response to changes in lighting, is particularly noteworthy. The wide bezels around the screen are almost invisible due to the dark interface. The smoothness of the interface was also pleasantly surprising. Although the screen refresh rate doesn’t exceed 60 Hz, sometimes it feels higher. The watch can also be praised for the wide selection of styles for the Always On Display, of which there are ten in total. Usually, in similar watches and bands, the choice is limited to two styles—a digital or analog dial. Here, various options are offered, including combined ones with different sets of information: in one case, only the time is displayed, while in others, the date and battery level are shown.
During a week of testing, the only significant drawback noticed with the CMF Watch Pro 2 screen was that it quickly collects fingerprints and dust. The display leaves a very pleasant impression thanks to its perfectly matched size, high pixel density, and relatively high brightness for its category. Of course, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can reach brightness levels of up to 3,000 nits, but these watches belong to a completely different category and are ten times more expensive.
Interface
Navigation in the CMF Watch Pro 2 menu is done using gestures, the touch screen, and a wheel. Scrolling on the main screen doesn’t lead to anything, although, for example, you could assign it to change watch faces. Pressing the wheel corresponds to the “Home” button. The interface in the CMF Watch Pro 2 is quite simple and easy to learn, even for users trying such a device for the first time. By default, the menu is presented as a scrollable list, accessible by pressing the wheel. Gestures left and right on the main screen allow you to switch between widgets such as the phone book, quick workout start, user physical indicators (HR and SpO2), and weather, and other widgets can be set up in the CMF Wear app. Swiping down on the screen opens a control panel with brightness settings, a flashlight, Do Not Disturb mode, screen activation by raising your hand, and system settings icon. Swiping up, in turn, opens the notification panel, which displays the Russian language, emojis, and even allows you to reply to messages, including from Telegram, using pre-prepared messages. You can create these messages yourself in the CMF Wear app on your smartphone. However, the vibration in the watch is terrible, so after about the fifth notification, you’ll want to turn it off completely.
Functionality
The menu includes many apps, such as a calendar or “Voice Assistant,” which actually just launches your smartphone’s default assistant and forwards your request—there is no proprietary Siri analog on the watch. For running enthusiasts, the CMF Watch Pro 2 has GPS, so you don’t need to take your smartphone with you. However, the GPS module isn’t the fastest—it can take up to a minute to locate your position, but the accuracy of the route is good. Another interesting feature is that you can choose a warm-up program before starting your workout. Like any other watch, the CMF Watch Pro 2 can measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels. It’s hard to say how accurate these measurements are, but compared to the Realme Watch 3 Pro, the difference was within the margin of error. However, sleep tracking seemed inaccurate to me. If you’re lying still and relaxed but haven’t fallen asleep yet, the watch might think you’re already sleeping. Awakening is calculated accurately to the minute—at least if you get out of bed immediately.
In general, the basic functionality of the CMF Watch Pro 2 is no different from any other budget watch or band. Additionally, you can use the device as a headset, answer calls, and do much more. However, you can’t download third-party apps as you can on an Apple Watch or watches running Wear OS because this is essentially a fitness tracker, not a full-fledged “smart” watch as it might seem. Although at this price, they can’t be.
Battery
The CMF Watch Pro 2 easily lasts about two weeks when used as a time-tracking and notification-viewing accessory. If you enable Always On Display, constant tracking of physical indicators, and frequent exercise, the watch lasts about 4-5 days, which is also good. A full charge takes just under an hour and a half. The main drawback here isn’t the charging speed but the type of charger—a two-pin magnetic charger is used, not a wireless one.
Package
The CMF Watch Pro 2 package is modest: besides the watch, the box contains only a charging cable and documentation.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the CMF Watch Pro 2?
In this price category, the CMF Watch Pro 2 looks very interesting. If you’re not considering watches on Wear OS or Apple Watch, then this is probably the best option. The design alone is worth it—if it weren’t for the branding on the bezel, the Watch Pro 2 could easily be mistaken for a flagship model. They indeed look and feel expensive. So, this is an ideal gadget for those who don’t want to check the remaining battery every evening and for those who don’t need the full functionality of smartwatches. They have all the basic functions of a fitness tracker, call support, and a decent interface and screen. The most important thing is that they’re comfortable. It’s only necessary to pay attention to the fact that the bezel’s shape isn’t ideal for everyone. In any case, CMF Watch Pro 2 remains a unique gadget in the market of inexpensive smartwatches, so Nothing once again confirms its status as a manufacturer of unusual gadgets.