As smartwatch enthusiasts, we’re always intrigued by new brands entering the wearable tech space. The launch of Nothing’s CMF Watch Pro 2, an upgrade from its predecessor, certainly piqued our interest. With its sleek design, impressive battery life, and AMOLED display, all at an attractive PhP4,390 price point, it seems like a compelling proposition for budget-conscious consumers.
The CMF Watch Pro 2’s design strikes a balance between contemporary sophistication and futuristic flair, making it an intriguing option for those seeking something unique. However, its attractive price and features raise questions about whether its compromises in functionality and build quality allow it to effectively compete with established smartwatch brands.
In the ever-evolving world of smartwatches, where high-end brands often dominate the spotlight, the CMF Watch Pro 2 emerges as a promising contender for those seeking a balance of affordability and functionality. This budget-friendly smartwatch aims to provide essential features without compromising on style or user experience.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 enters the scene with a clear mission: to cater to users who desire basic smartwatch functionality, such as notifications, health tracking, and smart controls, without the bells and whistles of more expensive models. With its intuitive interface and straightforward controls, the Watch Pro 2 prioritizes simplicity, making it an appealing choice for users who prefer a less complex smartwatch experience.
We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the new Nothing CMF Watch Pro 2 in the ash grey color variant, and from the moment we unboxed it, its sleek design and finish made a positive impression. The large AMOLED display hinted at a vibrant viewing experience, and the comfortable fit on the wrist suggested it could be an everyday companion. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, the true test lies in its ability to deliver on its promises.
In this review, we will delve into the features, performance, and overall user experience of the CMF Watch Pro 2. We will explore whether its compromises in functionality and build quality are justified by its attractive price point. Ultimately, we aim to answer the question: does this budget-friendly smartwatch offer enough value to compete with established brands in the market?
Unboxing/Accessories
The CMF Watch Pro 2 arrived in a minimalist white box adorned with the company logo and model name, immediately drawing attention to the watch itself. Inside the box, you’ll find the CMF Watch Pro 2, a magnetic charger with the charging cable attached, and a user guide.
The overall presentation, complete with branding elements, conveyed a sense of sophistication and cutting-edge technology, further heightening the anticipation of unboxing this new wearable companion.
Build Quality/Design
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is a stylish and functional smartwatch that builds upon the success of its predecessor while addressing its shortcomings. Its sleek and modern design, coupled with the option for modular customization, makes it a standout choice in the market. The 42mm aluminum case is both lightweight and comfortable, ensuring a pleasant wearing experience for most users. The interchangeable bezels and straps, available in various colors and styles, allow for a personalized touch, further enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
The watch’s functionality is equally impressive. The rotating crown, accented with a touch of red, not only adds a visual flourish but also serves as an interactive element within the operating system. The IP68 water-resistance rating provides peace of mind for everyday use, though it’s worth noting that swimming or prolonged submersion is not recommended.
While the interchangeable bezel concept is innovative, the initial process of removing and reattaching it can be a bit challenging. Additionally, the absence of an extra bezel in the box might limit users’ willingness to experiment with this feature.
Overall, the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers a compelling blend of style, functionality, and value. Its refined design, customizable elements, and practical features make it a worthy contender in the smartwatch market, especially for those seeking a balance between aesthetics and affordability.
Features
This new model comes with several upgrades. Nothing has upgraded the original Watch Pro’s side button to a rotating crown, which makes scrolling through widgets and apps a lot easier than swiping. Haptic feedback makes it rather satisfying to spin.
Connectivity and Communication:
- Bluetooth Calls with AI Noise Reduction: Make and receive crystal-clear Bluetooth phone calls thanks to enhanced AI noise reduction technology. Equipped with a built-in microphone and speaker, the Watch Pro 2 ensures seamless communication. It also allows you to add and manage up to 30 contacts on your watch, so you can manage calls directly from your wrist. The CMF Watch Pro 2 has a built-in calling feature. It shows you a call log, and there is even a dial pad in addition to contacts.
- Camera remote control is only supported for phones running Android 8.0 or later. For Nothing and CMF phones with the latest version of Nothing OS, the watch will directly turn on the phone camera after clicking the watch’s photo-taking button.
Fitness and Health
- Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the 120 sports modes with smart automatic recognition for common activities like running, walking, and cycling, eliminating the need for manual input. Nothing did add a few more sports modes, as well as warm-up exercises and interval training. The watch also comes with an updated sleep detection algorithm.
- Enhanced with five satellite positioning systems, the Watch Pro 2 provides precise GPS tracking for activities such as running, cycling, walking, and hiking.
- The CMF Watch Pro 2 has straightforward health and fitness features and isn’t the smartest fitness tracker on the market, and we didn’t expect it to be, nor does Nothing. It covers the basics—designed for beginners, not gym enthusiasts and fitness nerds who are looking for deeper statistics and advanced fitness tracking capabilities. To begin with, the watch comes equipped with heart rate and pulse oxygen sensors and tracks your steps, sleep, stress levels, and exercise, and has an onboard GPS, which works really nicely for a casual run.
Other observations:
- The first CMF Watch Pro wasn’t the best at staying connected to your phone, which meant notifications would often stop flashing up on your wrist. In our week of testing, we’re happy to see Nothing has fixed those issues.
- Nothing did not mention the chipset used on the CMF Watch Pro but still, we can say that the user experience was smooth. Swipes and taps are detected instantly, animations look smooth and each app or feature opens very quickly. There’s zero giveaway this is a budget wearable.
Display
The CMF Watch Pro 2’s 1.32-inch AMOLED screen is sharper and clearer than its predecessor thanks to its 466×466 resolution. It also features automatic brightness adjustment, although it can be a bit slow to react to changes in lighting. The always-on display mode is usable in sunlight, but it drains the battery quickly. The raise-to-wake feature is a good alternative, as it quickly activates the screen when you raise your arm.
Outdoor visibility is quite commendable and offers you a range from 1 to 5 to set the display tone. Also, the watch allows you to increase the screen time to 20 seconds. The CMF Watch Pro 2 also has a feature of auto-brightness adjustment, and it works quite well when you’re walking, cycling, or spending a lot of time in the sun. The watch also features an always-on display, but when turned on, it consumes a lot of battery. The taps and scrolls work fine, making the display smoother and responsive.
Watch Faces
Choose from over 100 watch faces, including dynamic video, interactive designs, and static options with always-on display. Long-press on the watch face to edit and tailor colors, styles, and key data like Battery, steps, and calories.
The new custom widget function is here. Swipe right from the main watch face to access four customizable widget screens. Whether it’s tracking your fitness and health, checking the weather, managing your schedule, or controlling your music, you can mix and match these features to suit your everyday needs.
Battery Life
The CMF Watch Pro 2’s battery life is a standout feature. With typical use, which includes occasional notifications, fitness tracking, and some health monitoring, you can expect the watch to last a solid 10-12 days on a single charge – right in line with what Nothing claims.
However, if you’re constantly using features like the always-on display, frequent notifications, and intensive health tracking, expect the battery to drain faster. In our testing with these features active, we got around 4-5 days of use, which is still quite impressive.
For those times when you need to squeeze out every last bit of juice, there’s a power-saving mode that can extend the battery life to an astonishing 45 days. The caveat? In this mode, most smart features are disabled, and the watch essentially functions as a simple time-teller.
Charging is hassle-free thanks to the magnetic charging dock that snaps securely onto the back of the watch.
In summary, the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers excellent battery life for everyday use, with the potential to last even longer if you’re mindful of power-hungry features.
Verdict
In conclusion, the CMF Watch Pro 2 occupies an interesting middle ground between basic fitness trackers and full-fledged smartwatches. It’s ideal for users who prioritize style, battery life, and essential smartwatch functions over advanced fitness tracking or app ecosystems.
If you’re looking for a stylish, long-lasting watch with basic fitness tracking and notification capabilities, the CMF Watch Pro 2 might be the perfect fit. Its lightweight design, comfortable wear, and smooth operation make it a joy to use daily. While it may not offer the in-depth health and activity insights of more expensive models, its affordability and unique design make it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a stylish and functional smartwatch.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is a particularly good deal, offering a unique design, interchangeable bezels, a smooth display, and 120 sports modes. It’s compatible with both Android smartphones and iPhones, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users. Some users may find the watch face selection limited, but that’s a minor drawback considering its attractive price of PhP4,390.
However, if you’re a swimmer or someone who requires advanced fitness tracking features, you might want to look elsewhere. Its IP68 rating limits its water resistance, and its focus on style and basic functionality means it may not satisfy the needs of more demanding users.
Overall, the CMF Watch Pro 2 is a solid budget smartwatch that delivers on its promises of style, battery life, and essential features. It’s a great option for those who want a stylish and functional smartwatch without breaking the bank.
CMF Watch Pro 2 Specs
Display:
- 1.32” AMOLED Display
- Supported auto-brightness
- 466 x 466 with 353 PPI
- 620 nits peak brightness
- 60 fps refresh rate
Battery:
- 305 mAh (Up to 14 days of typical use or up to 7 days of heavy use)
Connectivity:
- Bluetooth 5.3 calls with AI noise reduction
Sensors:
- Accelerometer sensor
- Ambient light sensor
- Heart rate & SpO₂ Blood Oxygen Saturation sensor
Others:
- 100+ Signature watch faces with dynamic and customizable options
- 120 sports modes. Powered by Smart Movement Algorithm
- Aluminium alloy watch body with interchangeable bezels
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Dimensions & Weight:
- Dark Grey & Ash Grey: 25.5 x 4.5 x 1.36 cm, 48.1 g
- Blue & Orange: 25.5 x 4.5 x 1.39 cm, 44.4 g
Price and availability
Available in four attractive colors – Dark Grey, Ash Grey, Orange, and Blue – the CMF Watch Pro 2 is priced at an affordable PhP4,390. It can be purchased at Digital Walker, Open Source by Beyond the Box stores, or through Digital Walker’s official online stores on Lazada.
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