The smartphone market right now is a tad too saturated, and new phones don’t excite me anymore. In a market like that, CMF Phone 1‘s back panel customization instantly caught my eye. Nothing as a brand likes doing things differently, which was how the Nothing Phone 1’s Glyph Interface took the internet by storm a couple of years ago. Its wackier sub-brand CMF is giving its first phone a similar treatment. But, the customization options offered by Nothing come at a cost. Is it worth it?
Plenty of Customizations Available!
Picture this – a smartphone that’s more than just a slab of plastic, letting you customize it to your heart’s content. That’s how you get the CMF Phone 1, letting you slap on different types of back panels, allowing you to truly define the personality of the device. Not to mention that the ability to open your phone’s back panel has been long pushed into the curse of oblivion, and this is quite the nostalgic trip.
With the CMF Phone 1, you can choose from a selection of colors, including Black, Blue (India-Exclusive), Light Green, and Orange. The Black and Blue colors come with a matte plastic finish, while the Light Green and Orange panels use vegan leather. This variety allows users to express themselves through their devices.
For customization, you can easily swap out back panels to create a unique look. The process of changing the CMF Phone 1’s back cover is straightforward, making it accessible for everyone. Plus, the modular dial on the phone adds even more functionality as it serves as a lanyard, kickstand, and card holder all at once.
Mix and Match for Unique Styles
You can mix and match the panels and accessories to satisfy your creative instincts! The combination of leather options adds a premium feel to an otherwise budget-friendly phone. It’s a delightful way to make your device stand out in a sea of sameness.
The CMF Phone 1’s accessories are pretty useful too, and I personally felt nostalgic to see a lanyard cable on a phone after so long. Nothing was generous enough to send us all the back panels and personalization accessories to try out with the phone, which made the experience even more engaging.
Customization Comes with a Price
However, all that customization comes with a price. The CMF Phone 1 starts at Rs 15,999 for the base 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Now, you only get your desired colored panel slapped on the phone out of the box. To fully utilize the customization features, you will need to spend an additional Rs 1,500 for each of the back panel bundles.
Additionally, accessories are priced at Rs 749 each. In my opinion, CMF should have included at least one accessory or panel in the box, since customizability is what makes this device special in the first place. Unfortunately, even this ordinarily extraordinary phone fails to hit the spot in the cost-to-customization ratio.
A+ for Effort, Nothing
I’m not a fan of the “customization, only if you pay extra” approach of the CMF Phone 1. Some level of customization should have been included in the box, especially since other budget phones come with a back panel and charger included.
There’s another concern at hand. If you are launching a product like this in the market, you need to have the ability to sustain support for it. If Nothing is introducing such a customizable phone into the smartphone market today, I really hope they have plans to support its panels and accessories. Customers should be able to customize their devices at a later date if they choose to.
Nothing has been quite vocal about its plans and has also mentioned releasing CAD renders for the Phone 1’s back panel customization. This is a significant move that could pave the way for third-party designs and customizations, and I’m very excited about the possibilities!
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 presents a unique opportunity for users to express their individuality through customization. However, potential buyers should weigh the costs and benefits before making a decision. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this new device, so feel free to drop your comments below!
