In an era where most smartphones resemble large, uniform slabsmost notably the ubiquitous iPhonetech companies are compelled to push the envelope with eye-catching designs. Since its inception in 2021, Carl Pei's innovative company, Nothing, has captivated audiences with its transparent phones and distinctive wireless earbuds. Last year, the companys sub-brand, CMF, made waves in the tech landscape with the launch of the Phone 1, a device that embraced an unapologetically plastic aesthetic and modular features.

What stands out about the Phone 1 is not necessarily its technical specifications, which I must confess have faded from my memory, but the engaging user experience it offered. The ability to unscrew the back plate and customize the phone with accessories such as a card case, kickstand, or neck lanyard is what truly set it apart. This emphasis on user engagement and fun was a key priority for CMF when designing the budget-friendly Phone 1.

Fast forward nearly a year later, and CMF is back with Phone 2 Pro. Although Ive only had the opportunity to use the device for a weekend, enough time has elapsed to provide some initial impressions, with a full review on Gizmodo anticipated in the coming days. CMF has indeed made strides in enhancing the specificationsfeaturing a slightly faster processor, an upgraded camera system with both telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, improved battery life, and even an Essential button that grants access to an AI memory feature, previously seen on the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. However, I cant shake the feeling that the Phone 2 Pro has sacrificed some of the whimsical modular charm that defined the Phone 1.

Upon unboxing the Phone 2 Pro, my first instinct was to test the compatibility of CMFs existing Phone 1 accessories. To my satisfaction, both the kickstand and neck lanyard attached seamlessly to the Phone 2 Pros round wheel. Unfortunately, the card case walletrequiring a special magnetic plateproved to be incompatible. Moreover, with the Phone 2 Pros back now sealed and non-removable, none of the Phone 1 back plate cases will fit. This leaves users who invested in extra Phone 1 accessories at a loss.

However, there is a silver lining for those who own a 3D printer. CMF has retained the four easily removable screws, allowing users to design and 3D print their own accessories or purchase them from creators on platforms like Etsy. Its plausible that the burgeoning DIY community is the catalyst behind CMFs decision to alter compatibility with some Phone 1 accessories so soon.

In terms of aesthetics, the Phone 2 Pro presents itself as a solid contender in the crowded smartphone market. Weighing in at a mere 185g and measuring just 7.8mm thick, it feels refreshingly lightweight and slender compared to other devices boasting similarly-sized displays. The screen is bright and features Nothing OS 3.2 (based on Android 15), which operates smoothly with a 120Hz refresh rate.

My device arrived in a lovely light green hue, which displays a satin-like sheen depending on the angle of view. Additionally, the Phone 2 Pro is available in a range of colors including classic white, sleek black, and vibrant orange. The orange variant features a striking two-tone design that I personally find the most visually appealing.

As for the internal specifications, while the Phone 2 Pro does offer improvements, they can be classified as incremental. The display has grown slightly to 6.77 inches in AMOLED technology, compared to the Phone 1s 6.6-inch screen. The new MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chip offers a 10% performance boost. Although the battery capacity remains unchanged at 5,000mAh, CMF claims that users can expect an additional hour of battery life.

The most significant enhancement lies in the rear camera system. The Phone 1 featured a single 50-megapixel main camera along with a 2-megapixel depth camera that was often criticized for its ineffectiveness. In contrast, the Phone 2 Pro boasts a robust triple-lens setup, comprising a 50-megapixel f/1.88 main lens, a 50-megapixel f/1.85 telephoto lens, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. These upgrades should improve photo and video quality, providing users with more versatility in capturing images from different perspectives.

Interestingly, I was surprised to discover the Essential key nestled below the power button on the right side of the device. Initially, I thought Nothing would reserve this feature for their higher-end models, but it seems clear that the company is intent on maximizing the subscription potential of its AI functionalities by introducing it widely across its product line.

The Essential key currently operates similarly to its counterparts on the mid-range Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro. A simple press allows users to capture a screenshot, where one can then annotate with text notes or voice recordings for added context. By pressing and holding the button, users are directed to the Essential Space, which serves as a repository for all screenshots. This space utilizes generative AI to organize the captured content, offering summaries, event creation, transcriptions of voice memos, and task suggestions. While it sounds promising as a second brain or memory recall feature, its practical utility appears somewhat limited at this stage, particularly in the absence of a search function for screenshots.

Targeting budget-conscious consumers, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is positioned primarily for markets in India and Europe, with pricing set at 219 in the UK, 249 across Europe, and 18,999 for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A variant with double the storage (256GB) will retail for 249 in the UK, 279 in Europe, and 20,999 in India. Meanwhile, U.S. consumers can access the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage modelcurrently the only variant shipping to Americathrough Nothings Beta program for $279.

CMF is also launching a range of official Phone 2 Pro accessories, albeit exclusively and in limited quantities within the UK and Europe. These include a universal cover for attaching additional accessories (25 / 25), interchangeable fisheye and macro lenses (35 / 35), and a wallet/stand combination (35 / 35). There are two bundled offers available: one with a cover plus a choice of either a wallet/stand or lenses for 45 / 45, and another with a cover along with both the wallet/stand and lenses for 65 / 65. Prospective buyers in other regions will need to handle currency conversion for imports since these accessories will not be available in the U.S. or India. While I have yet to test these accessories, their quality remains an open question. Pre-orders for the Phone 2 Pro commenced on April 28, with official sales slated to begin on May 6 through retail channels and directly from Nothing.