CMF by Nothing
CMF by Nothing is Nothing’s budget-oriented consumer technology sub-brand, offering design-led smartphones, audio devices, smartwatches and charging accessories.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
CMF by Nothing is a British consumer technology sub-brand launched by Nothing in 2023. Its name refers to the industrial-design disciplines of color, material and finish, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on making visually distinctive hardware at comparatively accessible prices. CMF operates below Nothing’s primary product line, using a simpler and more price-conscious approach while retaining an emphasis on product styling, coherent industrial design and recognizable colorways. The brand was introduced as part of Nothing’s effort to extend its design philosophy into lower price categories. Whereas Nothing’s main products are associated with transparent components, illuminated interfaces and a more premium positioning, CMF focuses on core functionality, bright or contrasting finishes, and selected physical details intended to differentiate otherwise conventional mass-market devices. Its products generally target consumers seeking affordable smartphones, wireless audio, smartwatches and power accessories rather than specialist or luxury technology. CMF’s initial portfolio comprised the CMF Buds Pro true-wireless earbuds, CMF Watch Pro smartwatch and CMF Power 65W GaN charger. The portfolio subsequently expanded into neckband earphones, successive generations of earbuds and watches, higher-output chargers, and smartphones. The CMF Phone (1), launched in 2024, introduced the brand’s modular-looking visual language to Android phones through a rear accessory attachment point and a replaceable-style exterior design, while the CMF Phone 2 Pro broadened the range with a more capable camera system and NFC support. Audio has remained a central part of the portfolio. CMF’s earbuds and neckband products compete on active noise cancellation, long claimed battery life, low prices and distinctive case or control designs. The Buds Pro 2 added a functional Smart Dial to the charging case, while later Buds 2 models offered several performance tiers. In wearables, CMF uses its own companion software rather than Google Wear OS, allowing it to keep hardware costs down but limiting access to the broader Wear OS application ecosystem. The watches combine health and fitness tracking with phone-call functionality and long advertised battery life. The brand’s products have received mixed but generally value-oriented attention. Reviewers have praised low prices, battery claims and design differentiation, while criticism has focused on limitations such as inconsistent health-tracking performance, missing features on earlier phones, software maturity and the distinction between decorative and genuinely functional design elements. A security vulnerability affecting the CMF Watch companion application was reported and patched, although reporting indicated that some user information could remain exposed. In September 2025, Nothing announced plans to spin CMF off into a standalone company based in India. The announcement indicated a possible organizational change while maintaining CMF’s relationship with the wider Nothing ecosystem. In June 2026, Nothing reportedly said that the successor to the CMF Phone 2 Pro would be delayed because of a RAM shortage, arguing that it would not release a phone unless it represented a meaningful improvement at an appropriate price. As the supplied reference material does not establish the later corporate structure or a definitive present-day product roadmap, those details remain subject to review.
History
CMF by Nothing was established in 2023 as a sub-brand of Nothing, the consumer technology company founded in 2020 by Carl Pei. The acronym CMF is taken from color, material and finish, a design term used to describe the visual and tactile treatment of products. The naming positioned the new label around industrial design rather than a particular technology category. The strategic purpose of CMF was to make Nothing’s design-oriented approach available at lower prices. The parent brand had built its identity around premium-feeling products, transparent elements and a distinctive visual system. CMF instead emphasized accessible pricing, simpler product construction and the features most relevant to mainstream buyers. Its products used recognizable colors, circular controls, textured surfaces and visible design accents, but did not attempt to reproduce every feature of Nothing’s more expensive devices. The first CMF products were announced in September 2023: the CMF Buds Pro, CMF Watch Pro and CMF Power 65W GaN charger. The Buds Pro established the line’s low-cost wireless-audio strategy, while the Watch Pro offered a large AMOLED display, health and workout tracking, GPS and Bluetooth calling without relying on Wear OS. The charger gave the brand a simple accessory category with broad compatibility and multi-port functionality. CMF expanded its audio range in March 2024 with the CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro. These products competed through active noise cancellation, large drivers, long claimed playback times and low prices. The Neckband Pro used a neckband control dial and magnetic earbuds, a form factor that distinguished it from conventional true-wireless products. In July 2024, CMF introduced the Buds Pro 2 and Watch Pro 2. The former added a functional Smart Dial on the charging case, while the latter used an interchangeable bezel as a prominent design feature. Reviews of the Watch Pro 2 varied: some regarded it as good value, while others questioned the reliability of its health and fitness measurements. CMF entered the smartphone market in July 2024 with the CMF Phone (1). The Android device offered a 120 Hz AMOLED display, a 50-megapixel camera, a 5,000 mAh battery, expandable storage and a low launch price. Its rear accessory point supported attachments such as a stand, card case or lanyard. The exterior suggested repairability and modularity through visible screws, although the internal components were not intended to become replaceable simply by removing them. Reviewers also noted omissions including wireless charging and NFC. In April 2025, CMF launched the Phone 2 Pro together with the Buds 2, Buds 2 Plus and Buds 2a. The Phone 2 Pro added NFC and a more elaborate camera system with main, telephoto and ultrawide cameras while retaining the general value-oriented formula. The Buds 2 family created a clearer tiered range, with the Plus model adding LDAC and stronger adaptive noise cancellation and the 2a providing a lower-cost specification. CMF later broadened its audio range with the CMF Headphone Pro, announced in September 2025. The over-ear model added LDAC, active noise cancellation, a 3.5 mm connection and replaceable ear cushions. Around the same period, CMF also offered higher-output 100 W and 140 W GaN chargers in addition to its original 65 W model. Nothing announced in September 2025 that it intended to spin CMF off into a standalone company headquartered in India. The move suggested that CMF had developed sufficient scale or strategic importance to receive a separate organizational structure, although the supplied material does not establish the final ownership, management or legal completion of the transaction. In June 2026, Nothing said that the successor to the CMF Phone 2 Pro would be delayed because of a shortage of RAM. The company framed the decision as a refusal to release a product that did not feel like a genuine step forward at a price that made sense. This statement reflected CMF’s central positioning challenge: delivering visible improvements while preserving an aggressively accessible price point.
- 2026
CMF Phone successor delayed
[1]Nothing attributed a delay to a RAM shortage and the need to deliver a sufficiently meaningful upgrade.
- 2025
Second-generation phone and earbud families introduced
[1]CMF launched the Phone 2 Pro and three Buds 2 variants.
- 2025
Planned standalone-company structure announced
[1]Nothing announced plans to spin CMF off into a standalone company based in India.
- 2024
CMF enters smartphones
[1]The CMF Phone (1) brought the brand’s affordable design approach to Android smartphones.
- 2023
CMF by Nothing launches
[1]Nothing established CMF as a budget-focused sub-brand centered on color, material and finish-led design.
- 2023
First CMF products announced
[1]The CMF Buds Pro, CMF Watch Pro and CMF Power 65W GaN charger formed the initial portfolio.
Products and positioning
An affordable, design-conscious consumer technology brand emphasizing distinctive industrial design, practical features and competitive pricing.
True-wireless earbuds · 2023
CMF Buds Pro
CMF’s first earbuds, announced in 2023, use a circular charging case and offer active noise cancellation, Bluetooth audio and splash-resistant earbuds. They were positioned as an inexpensive alternative to Nothing’s mainline audio products and launched in gray, black and orange colorways.
Smartwatch · 2023
CMF Watch Pro
The original CMF smartwatch has a 1.96-inch AMOLED display, heart-rate monitoring, GPS, workout and sleep tracking, and Bluetooth calling. It uses CMF’s own software platform rather than Wear OS, supporting a lower-cost and more controlled product experience.
Charger · 2023
CMF Power 65W GaN
A compact gallium-nitride charger with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Its multi-port power allocation supports up to 65 W from a single USB-C connection and allows simultaneous charging of several devices.
True-wireless earbuds · 2024
CMF Buds
Announced in 2024, the CMF Buds combine active noise cancellation, a 12.4 mm driver, dual-device pairing and a long claimed battery life. Their external dial is primarily decorative and also functions as a lanyard loop rather than an electronic control.
Neckband earphones · 2024
CMF Neckband Pro
The Neckband Pro uses a neckband form factor, magnetic earbuds and a physical control dial. It was marketed with active noise cancellation, a large driver, water resistance and extended playback, with an India-focused launch price.
Android smartphone · 2024
CMF Phone (1)
CMF’s first smartphone pairs an affordable price with a 6.67-inch 120 Hz AMOLED display, a 50-megapixel camera, 5,000 mAh battery and expandable storage. Its distinctive rear accessory point accepts attachments such as a stand, card case or lanyard. The device lacked wireless charging and NFC.
Smartwatch · 2024
CMF Watch Pro 2
The second-generation watch introduced an IP68 rating, a smaller 1.32-inch display and a claimed battery life of up to 11 days in typical use. Its interchangeable bezel was a central design feature, although reviewers differed on the reliability of fitness and health tracking.
True-wireless earbuds · 2024
CMF Buds Pro 2
The Buds Pro 2 introduced a functional Smart Dial on the charging case for volume control and assistant activation. Other advertised features include active noise cancellation, dual-driver audio, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint-style connectivity features and extended battery life.
Android smartphone · 2025
CMF Phone 2 Pro
The Phone 2 Pro upgrades CMF’s first phone with a 6.77-inch adaptive 120 Hz AMOLED display and a three-camera rear system comprising main, telephoto and ultrawide cameras. It retains expandable storage, a 5,000 mAh battery and 33 W wired charging, while adding NFC.
True-wireless earbuds · 2025
CMF Buds 2
The Buds 2 are a mid-range 2025 earbud model with active noise cancellation, an 11 mm driver, Dirac Opteo tuning support and a claimed long combined battery life. Their case includes a rotating but non-functional dial-style design element.
True-wireless earbuds · 2025
CMF Buds 2 Plus
The Buds 2 Plus sit above the standard Buds 2 with a 12 mm driver, stronger adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support and longer claimed battery endurance. They were introduced as the highest-specification member of the Buds 2 family.
True-wireless earbuds · 2025
CMF Buds 2a
The Buds 2a provide a lower-priced entry into the 2025 range, retaining adaptive noise cancellation while reducing the claimed cancellation level, battery capacity and other specifications compared with the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus.
Smartwatch · 2025
CMF Watch 3 Pro
The Watch 3 Pro has a 1.43-inch 60 Hz AMOLED display, IP68 protection and a 350 mAh battery with a claimed 13-day typical-use endurance. Reviews described it as a substantial improvement over the first Watch but a less decisive upgrade over the Watch Pro 2.
Wireless headphones · 2025
CMF Headphone Pro
The over-ear Headphone Pro supports LDAC, active noise cancellation and a 3.5 mm analog connection. It has interchangeable ear cushions and a very long advertised battery life, but does not support audio transmission through its USB-C port.
Charger · 2024
CMF Power 100W GaN
This multi-port GaN charger supports USB Power Delivery and PPS, delivering up to 100 W through a USB-C connection while distributing power across its two USB-C ports and USB-A port when several devices are connected.
Charger · 2024
CMF Power 140W GaN
The highest-output charger in the supplied CMF range supports USB PD 3.1 and up to 140 W from a USB-C port, with lower distributed outputs when multiple ports are used. The supplied material states that it was not sold through Nothing’s United States official website.
Controversies
2023
CMF Watch companion-app security vulnerability
A vulnerability in the CMF Watch companion application reportedly allowed sensitive user data to be decrypted. The issue was patched, although reporting indicated that an email address could remain affected. The incident raised security concerns around the software supporting CMF’s first smartwatch.
Brand decisions
2026
Delay the next CMF phoneGeneration changeBackground
Nothing cited a shortage of RAM and the difficulty of delivering a meaningful improvement at CMF’s target price.
Action taken
The company delayed the follow-up phone to the CMF Phone 2 Pro rather than launch a product it considered insufficiently differentiated.
Aftermath
The delay underscored the supply-chain and value-positioning pressures facing aggressively priced smartphone brands.
2025
Plan a CMF corporate spin-offM&ABackground
CMF had developed a broad product portfolio and an identity distinct from Nothing’s main product line.
Action taken
Nothing announced plans to spin CMF off into a standalone company based in India.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not confirm the final legal completion, ownership arrangements or management structure of the proposed spin-off.
2024
Enter the smartphone market with CMF Phone (1)Product launchBackground
After establishing CMF in audio and wearables, Nothing extended the sub-brand into the larger and more competitive Android smartphone category.
Action taken
CMF launched the Phone (1) with a low starting price, a 120 Hz AMOLED display, expandable storage and a rear accessory point.
Aftermath
The phone created a platform for the Phone 2 Pro and made CMF a more direct competitor in affordable smartphones.
2023
Create a lower-priced Nothing sub-brandStrategyBackground
Nothing sought to make design-focused consumer technology accessible to a broader audience without placing every product under its higher-positioned master brand.
Action taken
The company established CMF by Nothing around the design concept of color, material and finish and launched lower-cost audio, wearable and charging products.
Aftermath
CMF expanded from its initial products into smartphones, additional audio generations, watches and higher-output chargers.
Recent events
- 2026
CMF Phone successor delayed amid RAM shortage[1]
Product generation
Nothing said the follow-up to the CMF Phone 2 Pro would be delayed because of a RAM shortage and a desire to deliver a meaningful improvement at an appropriate price.
- 2025
CMF introduces Phone 2 Pro and Buds 2 family[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The brand expanded its second-generation smartphone and earbud ranges, adding a more advanced camera configuration and multiple audio price tiers.
- 2025
Nothing announces planned CMF spin-off in India[1]
M&A
Nothing announced that CMF would be spun off into a standalone company based in India.
- 2024
CMF expands into smartphones with CMF Phone (1)[1]
Product launch
CMF launched its first smartphone, combining an entry-level price with a 120 Hz display, expandable storage and a distinctive accessory attachment point.
- 2023
Nothing launches CMF by Nothing with earbuds, smartwatch and charger[1]
Product launch
Nothing introduced CMF as a budget-focused sub-brand and announced its first audio, wearable and charging products.
Sources1 sources
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