CMF, a sub-brand of Nothing, recently launched the CMF Watch Pro 2, following the success of its first smartwatch. After spending several weeks with the wearable, here are our impressions.
Design
The CMF Watch Pro 2 features a circular display, a change from the rectangular screen of its predecessor. With this design shift, customers can now choose between two distinct styles, as the original CMF Watch Pro is still available.
The watch has an aluminum case with a matte finish, giving it a sleek look. However, the “cmf by Nothing” branding on the bezel feels excessive, though the bezel is replaceable, and the watch looks better without the lettering.
It sports a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a 466 x 466 pixels resolution, which is decent for its price range. The size is ideal for most wrists, striking a balance between too small and too large.
One downside is the “Pro” title, which seems unnecessary given that both available CMF wearables have the same label. It doesn’t offer premium features typical of high-end smartwatches.
The review unit we tested came with blue leather straps. Despite some initial reservations about the material, the straps held up well, were comfortable, and showed no signs of wear after nearly two months of use.
The durability of the watch is impressive, with neither the case nor the strap showing damage even after activities like swimming, running, rock climbing, and gym workouts.
The AMOLED display is vibrant, though the auto-brightness feature sometimes misfires, particularly in overcast conditions, where it can set the brightness too low, making it hard to read the screen.
The watch has a rotating crown that also functions as a button. While an additional button could have been useful, the responsive touchscreen makes up for its absence.
Software
Despite being an affordable option, the CMF Watch Pro 2 doesn’t feel cheap. It pairs seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices. The watch offers hundreds of available watch faces, categorized by style. There is no app store, but this is expected at this price point.
Navigating the watch’s interface is smooth, though the layout may take some getting used to. CMF has aimed for uniqueness here, and they’ve succeeded.
Activity & Tracking
We tested the Watch Pro 2 during various activities, including swimming, running, and gym sessions. One recurring issue was the slow GPS lock-on, which can be frustrating for runners and cyclists. Even in open spaces, it can take 2-5 minutes to establish a GPS connection. However, the watch includes a 12-step guided warm-up routine, which allows enough time for the GPS to lock.
The watch can work independently of a phone, but CMF warns that in this mode, the data may be less accurate.
When comparing the Watch Pro 2’s training logs to other fitness trackers like Samsung, Huawei, Garmin, and Coros, the results were almost identical, which is surprising given the price difference.
The health and sleep tracking features, including blood oxygen saturation, stress readings, and sleep monitoring, are basic but functional. However, it lacks advanced metrics like ECG or skin temperature monitoring.
The sleep data provided by the Watch Pro 2 closely matched the results from the Huawei Watch GT4, which is the reviewer’s daily driver.
Battery Life
CMF claims that the Watch Pro 2 can last 11 days with typical use and 9 days with heavy use. With the Always-On Display (AOD) enabled, battery life drops to 4-5 days. In reality, we found these numbers slightly inflated — we got around 10 days with typical use and 7 days with heavy use. AOD reduced the endurance to around 4 days, even with health sensors off.
While the battery life is decent, it doesn’t stand out among watches without a proper OS. However, the Watch Pro 2 does outlast Apple and Samsung watches, which have more advanced operating systems.
The watch charges using a proprietary cable with pogo pins and does not support wireless charging. A full charge takes about 100 minutes, with 30 minutes reaching 50%.
Pricing and Conclusion
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is available in four colors: Dark Gray or Ash Gray with plastic straps, and Orange or Blue with leather straps. It is priced at €69 in Europe, £69 in the UK, and INR 4,999 in India (around $59).
The watch offers a good design, durable body, and clean software. While the GPS performance and battery life could be better, it’s hard to find a better wearable at this price point.
Pros:
- Comfortable size suitable for most wrists
- Sleek and durable design
- Clean and simple software
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- Lacks in-depth health analysis
- Laggy GPS performance
- Battery life could be improved
- An additional button would be handy
Overall, the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers solid features for its price, making it a great option for those looking for an affordable yet capable smartwatch.