Nothing’s new CMF phone 2 pro seems like a great deal at just $279, but there's a major catch

Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro is a bargain at $279, but has a US 5G issue.

: Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro is priced at $279 with attractive features like a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, 50MP cameras, and MediaTek 7300 Pro chip. It promises three years of updates and includes new earbuds ranging from $49 to $69. However, US buyers face limitations with AT&T's 5G. The phone is part of Nothing's US beta program and offers impressive specs in terms of display and processing power.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is the latest offering from Nothing, priced at an attractive $279. It follows last year's CMF Phone 1, improving on its predecessor with a vibrant new design and significant upgrades. It features a 6.77-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED display, capable of 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and HDR10+ support. Such technical specifications are matched by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, boasting a 10% faster CPU and 5% increased GPU performance over the previous model.

The device offers two storage variants, 128GB and 256GB, with US markets only receiving the latter due to the carrier partnerships. There's also a microSD slot allowing up to 2TB of expandable storage. The phone runs on Nothing OS 3.2 built on Android 15, guaranteeing three years of software updates and six years of security patches, reflecting Nothing's dedication to long-term support. For users concerned with durability, it carries an IP54 rating indicating ample dust and splash resistance.

Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the triple rear-camera setup, which includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto camera offering 2x optical and up to 20x digital zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens for wider shots. A 16MP front camera supports selfies and video calls. The entire system operates on a 5,000mAh battery, capable of 33W fast charging and providing reverse wired charging.

Connectivity features include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C compatibility. However, a key drawback for US consumers is the phone's limited 5G band support, particularly affecting AT&T users who will find no 5G coverage. While Verizon and T-Mobile users might experience spotty 5G, this limits the device's appeal in a market where reliable 5G access is becoming an expectation.

In addition to the phone, Nothing launched three new earbuds models: CMF Buds 2a, Buds 2, and Buds 2 Plus, priced at $49, $59, and $69 respectively, expanding their product ecosystem. The phone's US availability ties into a beta program, indicating strategic cautiousness in rolling out a partially restricted device. These launch details highlight a complex dance between tech capability and network limitations dominating Nothing's product strategy.

Sources: TechSpot, Nothing US Beta Program

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