CMF Phone 1 stands out as one of the best smartphones under ₹15,000, offering a balance of performance, design, and user experience. When choosing a budget phone, you can’t expect flagship features, but a few key aspects make all the difference. A solid build, a processor that stays cool while handling daily tasks smoothly, and a reliable battery with fast charging support are essential.
Another crucial factor is a clean, ad-free UI, especially for users who find intrusive ads frustrating. Many budget phones cut corners in this area, but CMF Phone 1 delivers a refined experience without unnecessary distractions. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it a top choice in its segment.
Different Design
The CMF Phone 1 features a soft plastic back with a matte finish. One of its standout features is the ability to swap the back panel, reminiscent of old-school phones. This adds a unique touch, allowing users to change colors and personalize their device, though additional back covers must be purchased separately. The phone has a horizontal camera module placed in the right corner, giving it a sleek and modern look. It includes a hybrid SIM slot but, unfortunately, lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the front, there is a punch-hole design for the selfie camera.
Good Display
The CMF Phone 1 sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. One highlight is the in-display fingerprint scanner, which enhances security and usability. However, CMF has not mentioned any specific screen protection. The phone supports 4K video playback on YouTube, thanks to its capable processor, but lacks HDR support on Netflix. Overall, the color reproduction is good due to the AMOLED panel.
Best Processor
Powering the CMF Phone 1 is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, paired with UFS 2.2 storage and DDR4X RAM. While the Dimensity 7300 is a newer chip, it is not more powerful than the Dimensity 7200, so expectations should be set accordingly. The phone scores around 6.7 million on AnTuTu. One of the key selling points is its clean and bloat-free UI Nothing OS 2.2 based on Android 14. CMF guarantees two years of major software updates and three years of security updates. Thanks to its optimized OS, the phone delivers a smooth and responsive user experience.
Decent Camera
The CMF Phone 1 features a dual-camera setup on the rear and a single punch-hole selfie camera at the front. The camera specifications are as follows:
Rear Camera
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Sensor | 50 MP ƒ/1.8 (Wide Angle) |
| Depth Sensor | 2 MP ƒ/2.4 |
| Auto Focus | Yes |
| Features | Night Mode, Live Photo, Portrait Mode (1X, 2X), Action Mode, HDR Video, Slo-Motion, Lenticular, Advanced HDR, Beauty, 50MP Ultra HD, Expert Mode, Timelapse, Panorama, Natural Mode/Vivid Mode |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30 fps UHD, 1080p @ 30/60 fps FHD, 720p @ 30 fps HD |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
Front Camera
| Specification | Details |
| Selfie Camera | 16 MP ƒ/2 (Wide Angle) |
| Features | Punch Hole, Screen Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
In terms of performance, the camera delivers decent results. Sometimes, it captures excellent shots, while other times, the consistency is lacking. Portrait mode performs well, but in regular shots, there can be slight inconsistencies. Occasionally, the software boosts colors in both pictures and videos, which might not always be ideal.
Normal Battery
The CMF Phone 1 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, ensuring a full day of usage. However, the phone does not come with a charger in the box. Users will need to buy one separately or use an existing charger. Additionally, the included charging cable is USB-C to USB-C, which might be inconvenient for some users.
Price and Variants
| RAM + ROM | Price | Color | Buy Link |
| 6GB + 128GB | ₹13,957 | Black, Orange, Blue | Buy Now |
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹16,360 | Black, Orange, Blue | Buy Now |
Final Shot
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 offers solid specifications for its ₹15,000 price tag. If you’re looking to purchase this phone, my recommendation would be to go for the 6GB + 128GB variant, as it provides the best value under 15,000. The 8GB + 256GB variant is priced at around ₹18,000, at which point other alternatives become available. If you want a clean UI, decent performance, and a unique design, this phone is a great choice in its category.
