CMF Watch Pro 2 Review: The Budget Smartwatch That Won Me Over

The CMF by Nothing brand has returned with its second smartwatch, the CMF Watch Pro 2. It promises to improve upon its predecessor with new features like GPS support, voice calling capabilities, and an impressive 11-day battery life. But does it truly stand out in the crowded budget smartwatch market, especially under ₹5,000?

After spending a few days with the CMF Watch Pro 2, I've gathered my thoughts on whether this wearable is worth your hard-earned money.

PROS

• Sleek, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing design
• Accurate fitness tracking with GPS support
• Clean, intuitive, and fluid user interface
• Good Bluetooth calling quality
• Decent battery life

CONS

• Aluminum bezel prone to chipping and scratching
• Bezel change system can be tricky to reattach
• Auto brightness is a bit wonky
• Notification overlay on top of crucial activities is a distraction

First Impressions

When I first received the CMF Watch Pro 2 in Ash Grey, my initial reaction was a mix of curiosity and skepticism. As someone who isn't naturally inclined toward wearing watches-often finding the weight of these small gadgets a bit cumbersome-I wasn't sure if this new smartwatch would win me over.

In fact, I don't even wear smartbands, so a smartwatch seemed like a long shot. But, lo and behold, the CMF Watch Pro 2 managed to flip my expectations on their head in the best way possible.

A Design That Turns Heads

The CMF Watch Pro 2's design is where it starts to shine. The Ash Grey color with matching straps creates a look that's both sleek and understated. I didn't get the bezel and strap set, but the watch's default design is already impressive. The watch's weight, which I initially worried about, turned out to be remarkably light. It's almost as if CMF has cracked the code on making a smartwatch that feels substantial but not intrusive.

The neo-retro aesthetic is a refreshing change from the sea of generic smartwatch designs. The CMF Watch Pro 2 blends futuristic elements with a retro charm, making it a talking point wherever I go. The number of people who've inquired about my watch speaks volumes about its eye-catching design. And while CMF is a new player, it clearly has some design chops, thanks to its association with Nothing, which lends it a bit of prestige.

However, the aluminum bezel, while visually appealing, has shown some durability concerns. It feels more like plastic and is prone to chipping and scratching with regular use. My unit's bezel developed noticeable chips over time, which could be an issue for those planning to use the watch daily for years.
Moreover, the bezel change system requires some effort. I initially found it challenging to reattach the bezel after removing it.

Performance: Exercise Modes and Fitness Tracking

The CMF Watch Pro 2 excels in exercise tracking, offering a range of modes tailored to various fitness activities. During my walks, the watch performed admirably, accurately tracking steps, distance, and providing a detailed breakdown of my sessions, including pace, calories burned, and duration. The real-time stats were easy to read, and the haptic feedback for milestones like distance and step goals was particularly motivating.

The watch also features dedicated modes for running, cycling, swimming, and more. Each mode is optimized for specific activities, with running mode tracking speed, stride length, and heart rate more intensively, while swimming mode focuses on lap counts and stroke type. The user interface suggests a comprehensive approach to exercise tracking.

Sleep tracking is another strong point. The CMF Watch Pro 2 provides detailed metrics, including deep sleep ratio, core sleep ratio, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) ratio, and mid-sleep wake times.

This data is presented in an engaging pie chart and bar graphs within the CMF Watch app, showcasing the signature Nothing style.

Heart rate monitoring during walks was fairly consistent, though there was a slight lag when transitioning from rest to brisk walking. This may not affect casual users but could be a consideration for serious athletes. The built-in GPS accurately maps routes without needing to carry a phone.

Additionally, I tested Bluetooth calling and found it surprisingly excellent. The audio quality was clear, with no voice distortion, and the caller didn't realize they were speaking over a watch.

Overall, the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers a solid balance of basic and advanced features, making it a versatile companion for both casual walkers and those looking to enhance their fitness journey.

User Interface and Interchangeable Bezel: Intuitive and Engaging

One of my favorite aspects of the CMF Watch Pro 2 is its user interface. The UI is clean, intuitive, and fluid-qualities that make navigating through the watch's features a smooth experience. The watch faces are diverse, and the ability to customize them is a nice touch.

While I still hold a soft spot for Google's Material You design, Nothing's bold dot matrix style with vibrant colors, like the striking orange for CMF, is growing on me.

However, not everything is perfect. The bezel change system, although innovative, took a bit of getting used to. I initially struggled with reattaching the bezel after removing it, which was a minor inconvenience.

Additionally, the notifications can be a bit intrusive. When I'm engaged in activities like tracking my heart rate or monitoring stress levels, incoming notifications can disrupt my focus. Even though there's a Do Not Disturb mode, it would be ideal if notifications didn't overlay on top of crucial activity screens, breaking the immersion.

Battery Life: Good, but Not Great

Battery life is a crucial aspect, and while the CMF Watch Pro 2 performs reasonably well, it doesn't quite meet the ambitious claims. With settings like Raise to Wake ON, maximum brightness with Auto Brightness enabled at night, Always-On Display (AOD) from 8 AM to 10 PM, and Do Not Disturb during sleep, the battery lasted about three days. However, with some adjustments, I managed to extend it to five days.

Here's a quick rundown: I started with 79% battery on Monday at 11:22 AM, saw it drop to 14% by Wednesday at 4:12 PM, and the watch ran out of juice by 9 PM that evening. While the advertised 11-day battery life sounds impressive, it's not quite realistic under these settings. Reducing brightness, turning off AOD, and disabling Raise to Wake will extend battery life, but it won't reach the claimed duration.

Price

The CMF Watch Pro 2 is competitively priced at ₹4,999 for the silicone strap model (which I tested), while the vegan leather strap model is available for ₹5,499. If you're looking to personalize your watch further, the Bezel + Strap Set is priced at ₹749.

Verdict

The CMF Watch Pro 2 has completely shifted my perspective on wearing smartwatches. Coming from someone who usually avoids wrist wearables because of their weight and bulkiness, this smartwatch's lightweight design and striking neo-retro aesthetics have won me over.

Would I buy this watch? Absolutely. CMF deserves recognition for bringing something genuinely exciting and well-rounded to the market. In a segment flooded with options, the CMF Watch Pro 2 stands out not just because of its design but also due to its solid performance and thoughtful features. It's clear that CMF is on the right track, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.