CMF Phone 1 Challengers: Redmi Note 13, Samsung Galaxy M34, More
CMF Phone 1 Alternatives: Realme P1, OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, and more smartphones to choose from.
Nothing's budget-friendly sub-brand, CMF has taken the wraps off its first phone. And from what we have seen of it (yes, we have a review lined up), it is certainly one of the most stand-out phones in its segment. It boasts a decent spec sheet with a 6.67-inch FHD AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, up to 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage (expandable using a memory card), a 50-megapixel main sensor, 5000 mAH battery with support for 33W charging and the clean Nothing OS experience on top of Android 14. However, what marks the CMF Phone 1 out of others is its extremely edgy design.
It will grab attention with its metallic camera unit and screws as well as its bright orange, dark blue and light green coloured (there is also a relatively sober black) backs. That back can be changed - it can be replaced by undoing those screws with a special screwdriver. There are even special accessories that can be attached to the phone's back, such as a kickstand, a wallet and a lanyard.
All of this makes the CMF Phone 1 a very compelling proposition for those wanting a "different" phone, especially at its starting price of Rs 15,999. However, while it does tick the "edgy" boxes, the CMF Phone 1 leaves some basic ones blank - there's no charger in the box, no Gorilla Glass protection, no stereo speakers or 3.5 mm jack, no OIS on the camera, and the dust and water rating is a super basic IP52.
This opens the competition door, for phones that might lack its edgy design and innovative covers, but more than compensate in terms of good old value for money.
Standing in the way of the success of CMF's first phone is this array of challengers:
Redmi Note 13: Delivering ‘Note’ Goodness
Price: Rs 16,999 onwards
When it comes to getting the basics right, the Redmi Note series tops the list. For the longest time, the only aim of the Redmi Notes was to offer more value for less money, making them the ultimate budget proposition. While the Redmi Notes have been climbing up the price ladder, they still get the basics very right.
The most basic note of them all, the Redmi Note 13 comes with a starting price of Rs 16,999, and offers tons of features and functionality for the price. The phone brings a big 6.67 inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, backed by the strictly mid-segment MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor which is a step behind the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 powering the CMF Phone 1, but remains a capable performer.
One of the highlights of the phone is its 108-megapixel main camera which is coupled with an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, getting you more shooting megapixel power and options than the CMF Phone 1.
There is a 16-megapixel sensor on the front for selfies and the phone runs on a 5,000mAh battery, comes with 33W fast charging support AND a charger is bundled in the box (side eying the CMF Phone 1).
The phone also has a 3.5 mm audio jack, Gorilla Glass 5 protection and IP54 rating, all of which the CMF Phone 1 lacks. It runs on Android 13 out of the box with Xiaomi’s MIUI on top but can be updated to Android 14 and HyperOS.
Samsung Galaxy M34: Scary Good Spec Sheet
Price: Rs 12,999 onwards
The CMF Phone 1 is making the headlines because of its edgy looks and if that is what your heart seeks, the Samsung Galaxy M34 is not the phone for you. It is a very basic-looking smartphone that comes with a water drop notch which makes it look as if it belongs in 2020. But what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in features.
The phone comes with the very efficient Samsung’s in-house Exynos1280 processor and comes with RAM and storage variants of 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB, with support to expand the memory, making the phone capable of handling some high-end games as well (at compromised settings, of course).
It has a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and this being a Samsung phone, you know you are getting a brilliant, vibrant display. A 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS and an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel sensor on its back, and a 13-megapixel sensor on the front handle photography.
The phone also has a massive 6,000mAh battery with slightly slower 25 W charging support in comparison and no charger in the box as well, but it does bring a 3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front.
The phone runs on Android 13 out of the box with Samsung’s OneUI on top but can be upgraded to Android 14 and Samsung’s software update record is pristine.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: Killing Competition In Every Zone
Price: Rs 17,999
It may be old (hey, we reviewed the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite not too long ago), but the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite remains an excellent option for those looking for a phone under Rs. 20,000. It is the biggest rival of the CMF Phone 1 simply because apart from the standout design, the Nord CE 3 Lite matches (and surpasses in some categories) the CMF Phone 1.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite may come with Android 13 out of the box but can be upgraded to Android 14 and like the CMF Phone 1, the CE 3 Lite also boasts a very clean, stock Android-like UI, the OxygenOS, although it has got a little cluttered in recent updates. The Nord CE 3 Lite also brings a 6.72-inch full HD+ display with 120 Hz refresh rate, although it is LCD and not AMOLED (like the CMF Phone 1).
The phone runs on a very old but still efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor with 8 GB RAM which can easily manage your everyday smartphone needs and then some - it is powering the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite too. It has a triple-digit main sensor and comes with a very good 108-megapixel main sensor, although the other two 2-megapixel sensors bundled with it are merely showpieces.
At the front is a very good 16-megapixel sensor. The phone not only brings a big 5,000mAh battery to the table but also comes with high charging support of 67W and an even more powerful charging brick of 80W in the box.
It has Gorilla Glass protection, stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm jack on board as well. Oldie? Yes. But definitely a contender.
Moto G54: Clean Android warrior
Price: Rs 14,999 onwards
The Moto G54 brings a clean Android experience to the table. Apart from clean UI, the Moto G54 comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ display on board with 120 Hz refresh rate (LCD, not AMOLED, though) and runs on a reasonably capable MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chip which when combined with 8GB RAM or 12GB of RAM, make it a very capable mid-segment device,
The phone also features a very good 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS and an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens while a 16-megapixel sensor sits on the front for selfies and video calls. It has a huge 6,000 mAh battery with 33W charging support, and a charger in the box (we REALLY think CMF missed a point in that regard).
The phone also has a 3.5 mm audio jack and stereo speakers making it a multimedia boss, and while it is nowhere near as edgy as the CMF Phone 1 in the looks department, it cuts a smart figure in its own right.
Realme P1: Solidly Specced New Kid
Price: Rs 15,999
Realme has further strengthened its position in the mid-segment smartphone market with its new P series of devices, and the P1 is one of its best value-for-money propositions, packing in some very impressive specs while staying remarkably affordable.
The phone boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor paired with up to 8GB RAM, a combination that is good enough to handle some basic and casual gaming and is very adept at multitasking.
The phone comes with a dual camera set up on the back with a very good 50-megapixel main sensor, accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor which does not add much utility, while a 16-megapixel selfie sensor sits on the front for selfies and video calls. The phone has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging support and a charger in the box.
It also has an IP54 rating to resist splashes and sports stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack, delivering plenty of audio boom for your bucks, It comes with Android 14 running the show with the feature-rich Realme OS on top. It also comes with a very eye-catching design with a head-turning Phoenix Red shade.
All that does not make it a proper CMF Phone 1 headache, we do not know what will.
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