Latest news with #NothingPhone3a
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Nothing Phone 3 design just leaked in full — here's what the new renders show
The Nothing Phone 3 is coming very soon, and should feature a whole new design. The question is, what is that design actually going to look like? Well, these newly leaked renders (via Android Headlines) show off the phone from just about every angle. Unsurprisingly, Nothing is carrying on with the design style that it's best known for — with similarities to the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro. You get the same semi-transparent look, and the unique arrangement of the rear camera array. Admittedly there's also no visible Glyph Interface hardware, meaning that Nothing's trademark rear-mounted lights may not be coming. The company did warn us this would be happening. However, there is an LED Glyph Matrix in the top right corner of the phone. The images show that being used as some kind of equalizer, which could add that unique "wow" factor to the phone in place of the Glyphs. There's also the opportunity for better personalization, thanks to the multitude of LED lights. Color wise, if Android Headlines' info is accurate, we're looking at a choice of white, black or blue. I use the word leak quite lightly here, because Nothing has a habit of revealing a bunch of key phone specs ahead of the official launch. Like the fact the Phone 3 won't have a Glyph interface on the back. One of those reveals is that the Phone 3 will be powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. While not quite as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in other flagship phones it's still a new chip that should prove better than other options. And for a cheaper price. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. There's also confirmed to be a 50MP telephoto camera, and while we've not been given exact confirmation, rumor has it that the main and ultrawide lenses will have the same resolution. The rumors also suggest that we'll get a 5,150 MAh battery, 100W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. And it's all packed into a 6.7-inch phone with a FHD+ OLED display. We don't have long to find out, though, since the Nothing Phone 3 launch event is scheduled to take place next week on July 1 at 6 p.m. BST / 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I actually prefer budget phones to flagships — but there's one thing phone makers need to fix
I'm a big fan of phones will small price tags. That's partly a reflection of my inherent cheapness — you'll have to use a crowbar to pry a dollar bill free from my wallet — but it's also an acknowledgment of a simple truth: the very best cheap phones can do nearly everything a flagship device can do these days. That's not to say you won't have to make compromises in some areas. Screamingly fast processors are generally reserved for more expensive phones, though unless you're regularly using demanding apps or graphically intensive games, you'll likely be just fine with the good-enough chipsets found in cheaper phones. More expensive models also benefit from better camera hardware and more extensive AI support, but there are enough lower-cost phones that hold their own in camera comparisons to make that trade-off less noticeable. As for AI, well, if you consider that feature a must-have for your phone, feel free to spend big on the latest flagships. For most people, though, AI-powered capabilities are a nice-to-have, not an essential part of the smartphone experience. That said, there remains one area where cheaper phones are clearly at a disadvantage. And it simply doesn't need to be that way. Cheap phones need more extensive software support from their device makers. That's especially true in this era where people want to hold on to their phones for longer, for reasons relating to both budgets and the environment. Our pick for the best cheap phone available right now — Google's Pixel 9a — stands out as a model of what phones under $500 could offer their users. Buy a Pixel 9a, and Google promises to deliver seven years of software and security updates. Notably, that's the same level of support you'd enjoy if you paid up for a flagship Pixel. But the Pixel 9a is clearly an outlier when it comes to software support. Scour the other sub-$500 phones we recommend, and you're not going to find any matching Google's pledge. Phone Price Software updates Security updates Google Pixel 9a $499 7 years 7 years Samsung Galaxy A36 $399 6 years 6 years iPhone 16e $599 5 years (unofficial) 5 years (unofficial) OnePlus 13R $599 4 years 6 years Nothing Phone 3a Pro $459 3 years 6 years Nothing Phone 3a $379 3 years 6 years Moto G Power 2025 $299 2 years 3 years Moto G 2025 $199 2 years 3 years The Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing Phone 3a Pro are both fine low-cost alternatives to the Pixel 9a, particularly when you consider that Nothing equips its phones with dedicated telephoto lenses. But both devices are only set to receive 3 years of Android updates, along with an additional 2 years of security support. Samsung's Galaxy A series of midrange devices come the closest to matching what Google offers Pixel 9a buyers. A Galaxy A36 phone receives 6 years of software and security updates, as well the Galaxy A56 when that phone ships in the U.S. later this year. (It's currently available in other parts of the world with that six-year guarantee, though.) Motorola brings up the rear, as its latest Moto G phones feature 2 years of Android updates and a third year of security support. That's actually a step up from the 2024 Moto G series, which only supported one Android update. Expand your search to phones that cost a little more than $500, and you'll see some more extensive support — though Google still sets the pace. The $599 iPhone 16e gets the same access to iOS updates as Apple's other iPhone 16 models, which should mean at least 5 years, though recent iPhone models have been able to count on longer support. The OnePlus 13R — a terrific midrange model — limits Android updates to 4 years, though you do get six years of security support with that phone. If you're buying a cheaper phone, it's likely because you don't want to spend $799 or more on a smartphone, which you'd have to do by turning to a flagship. But when phone makers cap the software support on a device, you're not getting as much value from your low-cost purchase as you should. Let's say you buy a Moto G 2025 — and why not since you get epic battery life, a stylish design and surprisingly good camera performance in a $199 device. But you'll also run into Motorola's limited software support, which means Android 17 is the last update you'll be able to count on. Maybe having the latest OS isn't as much of a priority to you, but even if you hold on to the Moto G until security updates run out, you'll still be looking for a new phone by 2028. And those seemingly low-cost purchases start to add up. There's more than just frugality at stake here. Even with phone makers using more recycled materials for their devices, it's generally a more earth-friendly approach to space out your phone upgrades even longer than you are now. Extending software support is a seemingly easy way to build more sustainable devices. I think phone makers are starting to recognize this. As noted Motorola's 2025 Moto G phones have better support than their predecessors, and that's not the only company moving in the right direction. Samsung used to cut off support for its Galaxy A phones at 4 years instead of 6. The OnePlus 13R's software support policy is more generous than what OnePlus offered for the OnePlus 12R. And both the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro get an extra 2 years of security support compared to the Nothing Phone 2a. And Nothing has already confirmed that the Nothing Phone 3 is getting 5 years of Android updates plus seven years of security support. These are welcome changes, and I hope to see the trend continue with future phone releases. There should certainly be clear distinctions between flagship phones and more affordable models. But how long you're able to keep your phone shouldn't be one of those differences.
Tom's Guide
16-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Trump Mobile launching with gold phone and unlimited data — here's how it stacks up
Donald Trump, apparently not otherwise occupied by his day job of being President of the United States, not only wants to sell you your next cell phone but provide the mobile wireless service for that device. Technically, the phone is being developed by the Trump Organization, the business run by the president's children that's launched a number of side hustles related to his presidency. Indeed, the T1 Phone from the Trump Organization appears to be exactly that, with its announcement date of today (June 16) timed to mark the 10th anniversary of Donald Trump announcing his first run for the presidency. The gold-toned T1 Phone is supposed to ship in August for $499, and the Trump Organization says it will be built in the U.S. That's in keeping with a stated goal of the president, who wants to return more manufacturing jobs to the U.S., especially tech devices. Just last month, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on Apple unless it moved iPhone manufacturing to the U.S. — a tricky demand since the U.S. lacks the kind of manufacturing facilities and equipment to build phones at the scale Apple needs. Even before the phone arrives, the Trump Organization plans to launch its own wireless service called, appropriately enough, Trump Mobile. The carrier's lone plan, the 47 Plan, features unlimited data for $47.45/month — prices that coincide with Trump's two terms in office. Trump Mobile is what's known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, in that it will rely on other carriers' towers for cellular service. In a statement announcing the launch of Trump Mobile, the Trump Organization says it offering "5G service through all three major cellular carriers," which would mean AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Setting aside any political leanings or ethical concerns about a business tied to the president entering the mobile market — just for starters, the president appoints the head of the FCC, which is tasked with regulating the mobile industry — should you consider either the T1 Phone or getting your wireless service from Trump Mobile? Here's what we know so far about the phone and how Trump Mobile's advertised plan compares to other wireless options. The Trump Organization has posed a few specs for the T1 Phone, though some key details are missing. The phone will feature a 6.8-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. A 5,000 mAh battery that supports 20W charging speeds supplies the power. There's no indication the phone will offer wireless charging. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Images of the phone depict a triple-camera array, though the listed specs suggest a less-than-robust setup. While the main camera uses a 50MP sensor, those other rear cameras are apparently a 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro lens. While it's not uncommon for sub-$500 phones to lack a dedicated telephoto lens — the Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing Phone 3a Pro are two exceptions — many devices in the T1 Phone's price range do feature an ultrawide lens. The Pixel 9a, our current pick for the best cheap phone under $500, has a dual-lens setup with an ultrawide camera joining the main shooter. The T1 Phone promises 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Information about the system-on-chip that will power the phone isn't listed. In terms of design, the back of the phone looks to feature a giant T1 logo on top of a smaller logo of the American flag. While the phone isn't supposed to arrive until August, the Trump Organization is taking pre-orders now, though you'll have to put up a deposit $100 — around one-fifth of the total cost to secure your order. Considering this is the Trump Organization's first stab at making a phone, I'd be inclined to hold on to my money until there was a shipping product, especially since you're able to bring your current phone to the Trump Mobile service if you decide to make that MVNO your wireless carrier. For what it's worth, a reporter for 404 Media tried placing a pre-order for the T1 Phone. According to his account, the website failed and his credit card was charged $64.70. So should you turn to Trump Mobile for your wireless coverage? If you do, you'll have just one plan — the $47.45/month 47 Plan, which promises unlimited data with 5G coverage. However, only 20GB of that unlimited data is guaranteed to be high-speed data. In terms of perks, the Trump Organization says the 47 Plan includes free international calling to 100 countries, with families of military service members receiving free calls to overseas bases. Other perks include device protection, 24/7 roadside assistance and teleheath services. In an interview with Fox Business, Eric Trump — both the president's son and the executive vice president of the Trump Organization — touted the low cost of the 47 Plan. "It's going to be cheaper, 47 bucks a month," he said. "You're going to have more internet. More international dialing for free, hundreds of countries. International dialing for free. It is the biggest bang for the buck." A $47.45/month unlimited plan certainly undercuts what the big carriers charge for unlimited data. T-Mobile's Essentials Saver plan costs $50/month after an autopay discount, and AT&T has a $51/month Value Plus plan. At Verizon, the Unlimited Welcome plan starts at $65/month, but the carrier's prepaid options include a $50/month unlimited plan. Those unlimited plans from the major carriers are pretty bare-bones in terms of perks, though, and certainly lack the extras Trump Mobile's 47 Plan promises. Unlimited plan Monthly cost High-speed data cap Trump Mobile 47 Plan $47.45 20GB AT&T Value Plus plan $51 Speeds can be slowed if network is congested Boost Mobile Unlimited plan $25 30GB Mint Mobile $30 (with upfront annual payment) None T-Mobile Essentials Saver $50 50GB Verizon Unlimited Welcome $65 Speeds can be slowed if network is congested Visible Plus plan $35 50GB The 47 Plan compares less favorably to unlimited data offerings from fellow MVNO outfits. Visible currently offers my pick for the best unlimited data plan with its $35/month Visible Plus plan, which delivers fast Ultra Wideband 5G from Verizon's network. What's more, that plan features 50GB of high-speed data, dwarfing the 20GB in the Trump Mobile plan. A current promotion at Visible running through the end of June cuts the Visible Plus rate to $30/month for the next three years when you sign up with a 'SAVE5' promo code. If you don't mind paying for a year of cellular service in advance, Mint Mobile also offers a low monthly rate on unlimited data. A year's worth of service normally costs $30/month or an upfront payment of $360, though currently Mint is discounting that with $20/month or $240. Mint gets its wireless coverage from T-Mobile, which also owns Mint. It's also notable that Mint has no cap on high-speed data. Boost Mobile is building out its own network, with supplemental coverage from AT&T and T-Mobile to extend its reach nationwide. That carrier has a $25/month unlimited plan with a 30GB on high-speed data. Boost also says it will lock in that rate for as long as you're a customer, meaning no price hikes. In other words, Trump Mobile may be touting the low cost of its cell phone plan. But multiple carriers beat it on price.
Tom's Guide
14-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: The bar for cheap phones just got higher
Nothing's been on a roll the past few years with its budget phone releases, including the the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro models it launched earlier this year. While they're both solid best cheap phone contenders, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is shaping up to be yet another ultra-affordable Android phone. And this one is even cheaper. A follow-up to last year's CMF Phone 1, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is an improvement in nearly every aspect. Not only does it have design upgrades, like a more durable IP54 rating, but it gains a triple camera system — complete with a dedicated telephone camera with 2x optical zoom. Everyone knows how much I prefer budget phones to more expensive flagships, so I'll explain in my CMF Phone 2 Pro review if this cheap device can set the bar even higher for bargain handsets. CMF Phone 2 Pro Starting price $279 / £219 Display 6.77-inch AMOLED (1080 x 2392) Refresh rate 120Hz adaptive Rear cameras 50MP main (f/1.88), 50MP 2x telephoto (f/1.85), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2) Front cameras 16MP selfie (f/2.45) Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G RAM 8GB Storage 128GB / 256GB, expandable up to 2TB Battery 5,000 mAh Charging 33W wired Operating system Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.2 Water/dust resistance IP54 Size 164 x 78 x 7.8mm / 6.46 x 3.0 x 0.31 inches Weight 185 grams (6.53 ounces) Colors Black, white, orange, light green Similar to its last phone release, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in the U.S. through a beta program, with only a $279 model offering 8GB RAM and 256GB. That's not too shabby given the $239 cost of the CMF Phone 1. In other markets, like the U.K., Nothing offers an 8GB RAM with 128GB storage option for £219. While the price certainly is a big draw factor, the worst part about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is actually trying to get one. The U.S. model comes in three colors: white, black, and orange. My review unit's in white, but it features a sandstone finish that gives a shimmery effect at the right angles. While the price certainly is a big draw factor, the worst part about the CMF Phone 2 Pro is actually trying to get one. Hopefully it won't take long for the phone to land on Amazon or at other retailers. Now that it's referred to as a "pro" model, the CMF Phone 2 Pro inevitably has a more premium finish than the previous version. Although the overall design language and style hasn't changed all that much, I do like how the new version has a more solid build quality. Just as before, there are screws all around the back and a cap in the corner gives the CMF Phone a unique look among other handsets. What really amplifies its build quality is the metal trim bezel that wraps around the entire phone and the shimmering effect of the sandstone finish of the back. It also helps that the phone is pretty thin at 0.31 inches. Considering its price, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a remarkable looking phone for under $280. With the screw cap, I like how I'm able to install previous accessories for the CMF Phone 1, such as the lanyard attachment. I really like this ability to modify the phone's design, mainly because it gives me a bit of control to make it distinctive and not just conform to what the phone maker wants. Other small details, like the thicker lens covers that wrap around each camera, show off how the CMF Phone's design evolves to be a bit more premium. And finally, it's nice knowing that it's better equipped with improved water resistance thanks to its IP54 rating. Considering its price, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a remarkable looking phone for under $280. Even though it's hard to see side-by-side against the CMF Phone 1, Nothing manages to cram a larger 6.77-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate into the CMF Phone 2 Pro — all without adding more length and depth to its size. Again, I'm blown away by how sharp and iridescent the CMF Phone 2 screen looks while watching videos. Not only do the colors pop, but the screen doesn't distort like other budget phones at odd angles. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Max brightness 1,179 nits 1,129 nits sRGB 125.2% (Standard) / 172.2% (Alive) 107.8% (Standard) / 152% (Alive) DCI-P3 88.7% (Standard) / 122% (Alive) 76.4% (Standard) / 107.7% (Alive) Delta-E (lower is better) 0.21 (Standard) / 0.3 (Alive) 0.2 (Standard) / 0.25 (Alive) Nothing claims that the display is rated for up to 3,000-nit peak brightness. That's an ambitious mark, especially when the brightest screen that the Tom's Guide labs has recorded was the Pixel 9 Pro XL's mark of 2,469 nits. The CMF Phone 2 Pro peaks at 1,179 nits, which barely pushes past the 1,129 nits achieved by the CMF Phone 1. Despite this, I can't complain too much because the CMF Phone 2 display remains visible in most situations outdoors, though it's still tough to make out under direct sunlight. Overall, I wish the screen were brighter, but the rich color tones it produces combined with its smooth dynamic 120Hz makes it a visual feast that I'm not often exposed to with budget phones. I can't believe there are still phones out there that have only a single rear camera, like the iPhone 16e. Most budget phones come with at least two, but one with three cameras is hard to find. That's why I'm really stoked about the CMF Phone 2 Pro's setup: a triple camera system that consists of a 50MP main lens, 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. There's also a 16MP selfie cam around the front, which appears to be unchanged from the CMF Phone 1. Nothing claims that the main sensor can draw in 64% more light than the one on the CMF Phone 1, so you'll see how it compares in the side-by-side snapshots I've captured with both phones. For a budget phone, there's a healthy set of controls and settings to choose from — including an expert mode that lets me dial in manual controls such as its shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more. First of all, the main camera of the CMF Phone 2 Pro has a wider field of view that lets me capture more of the Citibikes in the photos above. While this is fine and dandy, I don't see many differences between the two cameras as they capture the same amount of details all throughout the scene. Despite the lack of a dedicated macro mode, the CMF Phone 2 Pro still lets me get close to subjects with its main camera. There's a lot of detail with the sunflower with the CMF Phone 2 Pro's snapshot, but the CMF Phone 1 does just as good of a job at capturing all the fine details — including the prickly parts of the center and its petals. When I look at the produce shelves filled with all the different kinds of peppers, I do like how the CMF Phone 2 Pro casts a more accurate tone. That's because it doesn't wash out the red and green peppers compared to the CMF Phone 1. The 16MP selfie camera of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is better equipped at handling high-contrast scenes, which is where the CMF Phone 1 really struggles in with the photos above. Highlights in particular are blown out to the point that the details around my shirt are too irreversibly gone to make out, whereas the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers a better tone to the exposure. Optical zoom is better than none at all, right? I think so, but there's a certain threshold where its advantage is more prevalent. At 2x zoom, it's hard to see how much better it is, but there's no arguing how the shot at 10x zoom above looks much sharper with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. In comparison to the CMF Phone 1 shot with its main camera, it's not as sharp or defined. I'm not convinced that the main camera draws in 64% more light than what Nothing claims, evident in the night time snapshots I captured above using their respective night modes. There are certain parts of the tree and surrounding branches that look a smidge brighter in the CMF Phone 2 shot, but they're not overwhelmingly brighter to convince me it's a big improvement. When it comes to video recording, the CMF Phone 2's package isn't a tremendous boost when it tops out at 4K 30fps — just like the previous CMF Phone 1. However, I can tell from the video I recorded near Times Square above that there are a couple of improvements. First of all, the CMF Phone 2 Pro footage looks a tiny bit sharper to the eye. The bigger improvement relates to its stabilization, which manages to mitigate the unintentional shake as I proceed to walk. Overall, there's not an overwhelming improvement to the camera performance from one year to the next — which is a little bit of a letdown because this is the one area where I expect wider disparities. The best thing about this new setup is the introduction of a dedicated telephoto camera with optical zoom, along with a much improved stabilization for video recording. Usually newer phones see at least some improvements around their processing performance, but synthetic benchmark tests show that's not really the case for the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It's powered by a Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset, a follow up to the Dimensity 7300 in the CMF Phone 1. Geekbench 6 single and multi-core scores are flat, reaching on average around 1,016 and 2,961 respectively. These scores are roughly the same as what I've tested with the CMF Phone 1, so I'm a bit at a loss because Nothing claims a 10% CPU performance boost. In 3DMark's Wild Life Unlimited test to see how its GPU performance handles, the CMF Phone 2 reaches an average frame rate of 18.62 fps. This actually turns out to be less than what the CMF Phone 1 delivered. Despite the lackluster benchmark scores, I can at least verify that the phone runs responsively with most everyday tasks. From browsing sites on Chrome to scrolling through my different social media apps, the CMF Phone 2 Pro handles them with finesse, including how animations have a fluid look throughout the interface. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Nothing Phone 2a Processor MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G MediaTek Dimensity 7300 MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro Geekbench (single core/multicore) 1,016 / 2,961 1,028 / 2,971 1,103 / 2,586 WildLife Unlimited(fps) 18.62 18.84 25.46 Adobe Premiere Rush Transcode Time (Mins:Secs) 1:19 1:19 1:40 I even tried a couple of the games I play religiously, like Age of Origins, which maintains decent frame rates when there's moderate action. However, it does stutter every now and then when there's a lot of explosive effects happening with some of the battle sequences. I know that benchmark tests aren't the definitive measure of a phone's real-world performance, but I was hoping to see the minimum improvements that the phone maker claims. That didn't happen, and it's a bit perplexing. As the CMF Phone 2 keeps the same overall size as its predecessor, there's no change to the size of the 5,000 mAh battery powering the device. So battery improvements boils down to the power efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chip. In the Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test, the CMF Phone 2 pulls in an average time of 15 hours and 24 minutes in dynamic mode, where the refresh rate changes to deliver the most optimal results. CMF Phone 2 Pro CMF Phone 1 Battery size 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh Battery life (Hrs:Mins) 15:24 15:02 Wired Charging 33W 33W Recharge percentage (15 mins) 28% 30% Recharge percentage (30 mins) 55% 62% This puts it slightly ahead of the CMF Phone 1, but our lab testing shows it's able to go for much longer at 16 hours when you set the refresh rate to standard mode. For a budget phone, nearly 15.5 hours is impressive endurance beating out other, more expensive models like the Pixel 9a. While the CMF Phone 2 lacks wireless charging— an expected omission for a phone at this price— Nothing at least gives it 33W wired charging. After 15 minutes, the CMF Phone 2 gets up to 28%, while 30 minutes yields a 55% charge. Strangely, that's not as fast as the CMF Phone 1, but it's not a deal breaker in my opinion. Just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, you'll find the CMF Phone 2 running Nothing OS 3.2 on top of Android 15. I've always been a fan of Nothing's custom skin, mainly for how it employs Nothing's bespoke icons and animations — which gives it a dot matrix style look that's so different from other Android skins. The only thing missing is the customization of the Glyph Interface, which you don't get here because it doesn't have the LED light strips around the back that's needed for it. Despite this, there's still plenty of customization for anyone to make the CMF Phone 2 match their preference. Similar to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, you get access to the Smart App Drawer, which I like for its ability to intelligently group apps together, making for yet another unique look to the app drawer. There's also the Essential Key on the side of the phone, one of the CMF Phone 2's key AI features. Pressing it captures a screenshot of whatever I'm looking at, which then is archived into the Essential Space. There, it can use AI magic to pull details from my screenshots and present it to me in a meaningful way. My only complaint about this feature is that it requires a lot on my part to "save" these screenshots for it to work effectively, instead of doing it all proactively without my intervention. Compared to other Android phones I've tested, I like how Nothing OS 3.2 doesn't try to overwhelm me with too many features. It's clearly lacking AI features that make the best Android phones even more useful, but I can't complain too much here because the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a fraction of the cost of those phones. While I've seen better support elsewhere, like the Pixel 9a's seven years of support, Nothing offers three years of Android updates and six years of security patch, which is fine for a phone of this caliber. Only $40 separates last year's CMF Phone 1 and the new CMF Phone 2 Pro, which is peanuts when I think about the price difference between an iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. There's a lot to like about the CMF Phone 2 Pro, like its more premium design, longer battery life, brilliant looking screen, and the addition of a telephoto camera. However, I have higher expectations around any phone that's deemed a 'pro' model because it should present itself as a much improved version. There are aspects about the CMF Phone 2 Pro that I find underwhelming, namely its lackluster processing performance scores and how there's no big improvement to its camera performance. But at the same time, I can't neglect how this phone costs $279 — and good phones don't often come this cheap. All things considered, I think CMF Phone 2 Pro is still a fantastic value for anyone on a tight budget and wants a phone that punches above its weight. And that's despite its 'pro' designation not quite living up to the performance hype.
India Today
12-06-2025
- India Today
Ahead of July 1 launch, Nothing reveals Phone 3 is made in India
Nothing has announced that the Phone 3, its first true flagship smartphone, will be made locally in India. Calling India 'a growing hub for high-quality manufacturing and technological innovation,' the London upstart said the move will strengthen its presence in the country where it has seen tremendous growth and opportunity. It did not reveal if it plans to make India an export market, too, or simply meet local demand of with the is not the first time Nothing is making in India. The company, even though it is fairly recent, has been manufacturing its products here for a while now. This includes both wireless earphones and smartphones. The Phone 3 predecessor, Phone 2, is also made locally. Its recent launch, the Nothing Phone 3a series, is made in India as well. Specifically, with Nothing, the brand's signature see-through is presumably harder to pull off something that it has highlighted time and time again. While manufacturing in general is a hard task, Nothing's transparent and translucent look demands extra care and attention, which also goes to prove India's manufacturing metal and how far the country has come in terms of assembly lines and skilled workforce. With Phone 3, things could be even more challenging given that Nothing is positioning it as its first true flagship, which is coming almost two years after the Phone 2. Though the hardware remains a mystery, Nothing has hinted that it might be looking to replace its signature glyph LED lights with a dot matrix display, the type we've seen before on some Asus ROG Phones though Nothing is expected to bring its own unique take on it. Nothing has previously said that cameras and software will be a big aspect of the Phone 3 but again, it has not revealed any specs yet. The Nothing Phone 3 is launching globally on July 1. It is launching in India on the same day. As we fast approach D-day, we can expect Nothing to drop more information. While many people would be looking forward to the spec sheet, many more would be keeping an eye out on what new design innovation Nothing has been secretly cooking. Tune In
