Nothing Phone (3a) vs CMF Phone 2 Pro: Which Budget Smartphone Deserves Your Money Best?
CMF Phone 2 Pro- Struggling to choose between the Nothing Phone (3a) and CMF Phone 2 Pro? We break down design, performance, cameras, and more to help you decide which $300 smartphone reigns supreme.
Introduction
Nothing’s latest budget offerings—the Phone (3a) and CMF Phone 2 Pro—are sparking debates among tech enthusiasts. Priced at $379 (₹31,500 / €350) and $279 (₹23,000 / €260) respectively, both promise flagship-like features without breaking the bank. But does the $100 premium for the Nothing Phone (3a) justify itself? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison.
Design & Build: Bold vs Functional
- CMF Phone 2 Pro: Features a matte plastic unibody with swappable back plates, an accessory point for lanyards or stands, and a sleek 7.8mm thickness. At 185g, it’s lightweight but only IP54-rated (splash-resistant) 811.
- Nothing Phone (3a): Boasts a transparent glass back with “glyph lights” and a retro-circuit aesthetic. Heavier at 201g but offers better durability with IP64 dust/water resistance 111.
Verdict: The Nothing wins for durability, but the CMF’s modularity appeals to tinkerers.
Display: Near-Identical Panels
Both phones share a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rates and HDR10+ support.
- Brightness: The Nothing hits 1,422 nits in auto mode, edging past the CMF’s 1,307 nits in simulated sunlight tests 611.
- Color Accuracy: Both deliver vibrant 1.07 billion colors, though the Nothing’s uniformity slightly falters at lower brightness 6.
Verdict: Tie. You’re getting the same crisp, adaptive screen on both.
Performance: Snapdragon vs MediaTek
- CMF Phone 2 Pro: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (Antutu: ~688,050). Handles casual gaming smoothly but lags in intensive tasks like Lightroom exports (12 minutes for 99 photos) 11.
- Nothing Phone (3a): Equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (Antutu: ~738,171). Faster in benchmarks and app launches, but thermal throttling causes overheating (~49°C in gaming) 11.
Real-World Use: The CMF holds up in gaming (52 FPS in Grid Autosport), while the Nothing excels in multitasking and storage speeds 11.
Cameras: Natural vs Contrasty
| Feature | CMF Phone 2 Pro | Nothing Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP (natural colors, struggles with highlights) | 50MP (higher contrast, better low-light) |
| Ultra-Wide | 8MP (warmer tones, flat highlights) | 8MP (cooler, accurate colors) |
| Front Camera | 16MP (natural bokeh) | 32MP (sharper details, oversharpened video) |
| Zoom | 20x digital (blurry past 5x) | 30x digital (similar quality drop) |
Low-Light: The CMF brightens shots but loses detail; the Nothing controls highlights better but oversharpens 11.
Verdict: The CMF wins for natural photos, while the Nothing offers sharper selfies.
Battery & Charging
- Battery Life: Both pack 5,000mAh cells. The CMF lasts 28.5 hours (vs 25 hours on the Nothing) in mixed usage 11.
- Charging: The Nothing charges faster at 50W (58 mins full charge) vs the CMF’s 33W (67 mins) 611.
Software & Updates
- OS: Both run Nothing OS 3 on Android 15. The CMF’s 3.2 update adds minor tweaks over the Nothing’s 3.1 11.
- Updates: 3 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches for both 11.
Price & Value
| Model | USD | INR | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Phone 2 Pro | $279 | ₹23,000 | €260 |
| Nothing Phone (3a) | $379 | ₹31,500 | €350 |
Winner: The CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers 90% of the Nothing’s performance at 75% of the price. For $279, it’s a steal.
Final Verdict
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is our top budget pick of 2025. Unless you need IP64 rating, louder stereo speakers, or faster charging, the $100 saving buys you a pair of CMF earbuds or accessories. The Nothing Phone (3a) shines for design enthusiasts, but the CMF’s value is unbeatable.
