I tried an absolute bargain new Android mobile that costs £250 & proves you DON’T need to break the bank on posh phones
A SMARTPHONE that costs £250 in 2025?
Surely not – or at least it must be pretty dog poor.
Well, no. Not the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
For those who don’t know about CMF, it’s the budget brand of young London-based phone makers Nothing.
As The Sun’s main Android smartphone reviewer I get my hands on loads of mobiles all the time.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro represents the best value for money I’ve seen this year by a mile.
Of course, there are certain features that aren’t as good as other phones out there but it’s a solid option for anyone wanting to save the pounds – and proof once again that you don’t need to break the bank to buy a decent handset.
Here’s what I made of the CMF Phone 2 Pro after spending a week with it.
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Look and feel
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is anything but boring with a bold eye-catching design.
It’s rugged and industrial looking, with exposed screws – and I love it.
Another unique selling point is the accessories to match, with a wallet and stand, a lanyard and interchangeable lenses available as optional extras.
At 185g, it feels pretty light too but remains quite sturdy.
However, the rating for resistance to dust and water is on the low side compared to rivals – the official rating is IP54 which means it can only withstand light dust and water splashes, not accidental drops into water.
Meanwhile, the display is bright and sharp for watching videos on.
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Performance and features
The chip on the inside keeps things running pretty smoothly despite not being one of the top end processors around.
I navigated from app to app without any lagging or problems.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro runs on Nothing’s own version of Android 15.
This brings with it Nothing’s unique design – and it’s one of the few twists on Android’s core look that I actually like.
Under the surface, you get all the same Google apps from Android as standard.
Nothing has committed to provide the device with three years of Android updates and six years of security updates, which is less than many other brands around – though the latter six years will keep you going for sometime.
Who offers free updates longest?
The longer you receive updates, the longer you can safely continue using your smartphone - with the latest features thrown in too for free.
Samsung
For the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung said it would provide at least seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates.
OnePlus
At the launch of the OnePlus 13, OnePlus committed to at least four years of Android updates and six years of security updates.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi offers four years off Android updates and five years security updates.
Google
For the Pixel 9 series, Google said that devices would receive at least seven years of support.
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Battery
The CMF Phone 2 Pro has a pretty standard battery by Android standards these days on paper, at 5,000 mAh.
In reality, that kept me going for a whole day and then some based on general usage such as occasional web browsing, WhatsApp messaging and watching a TV show on Netflix.
There is no charger in the box.
With up to 33 watt charging speeds, I managed to get full battery again in just over an hour.
It still packs a mighty punch for such a price – and in this day and age, you really wouldn’t tell it cost so little
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Camera
The camera on the CMF Phone 2 Pro does the job – and by that I mean, the results don’t wow me but they don’t disappoint either.
But in the context of price the camera is pretty good indeed.
There’s a 50-megapixel wide lens, a 50-megapixel telephoto snapper and an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera.
Taking some photos in my garden and the results hit the spot, adequately capturing colour and detail, but slightly lacking a bit of oomph.
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Price
The CMF Phone 2 Pro starts from just £219 for the 128GB storage option.
But for only £30 extra you can double the storage to 256GB, making the total price £249.
There are four colours:
- Black
- Orange
- White
- Light Green
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Verdict
At £250 for the highest storage option, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a no-brainer for anyone who wants a decent smartphone without paying through the roof
I adore the unique design of the handset that makes it truly stand out among the crowd.
Sure, the photos aren’t as impressive as other handsets.
And it’s lacking tougher water resistance.
But it still packs a mighty punch for such a price – and in this day and age, you really wouldn’t tell it cost so little.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.