Over All Rating 3.5/5
PROS 👍
- LDAC support
- Functional Smart Dial
- Water and Dust Resistance
CONS 👎
- ANC Output
- Outdoor Call Quality
- Bass-heavy Sound Output
CMF by Nothing is probably the only tech-brand that offers innovatively designed tech products. The Nothing-owned brand is known for making design-centric affordable products and recently launched its first smartphone, CMF Phone 1 ₹15,999 price in India along with CMF Watch Pro 2 ₹5,499 price in India and CMF Buds Pro 2 at ₹4,299. We received these products for review, and the first one we decided to review was CMF Buds Pro 2.
Here's an in-depth review of CMF Buds Pro 2
Design and Build Quality
Being a design-centric brand, CMF is more focused on making products that breathe design. The new addition to the CMF earbuds series, the CMF Buds Pro 2, showcases a design that makes you say wow! The square case with rounded corners sports a functional dial (yes, it’s not just a design gimmick), and that’s how you fall in love with the design.
The CMF Earbuds are available in four colours – Blue, Orange, Dark Grey, and Light Grey. The ones we received for a review were orange. The case has a rubber finish, while the earbuds have a glossy finish. On the inside, we have a pairing button between the earbuds, and on the right side of the case, we have a charging port that takes a little over an hour to reach 100%.
The magnets of the CMF Buds Pro 2 are not strong enough to hold them when the case is turned upside down and shaken like the deuce. If you observe the CMF products, their design language seems to be a concern. The CMF Buds Pro were rounded while the CMF Watch Pro was squarish, and now, the Buds Pro 2 is squarish while the Watch Pro 2 is rounded. Sounds like, tadow!
Controls, Connectivity and Features
The best part of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is its functional dial that allows you to control volume levels and a few other options like play/pause, skip forward and answer calls. Download the Nothing X app and pair your buds to open the world of controls from where you can choose what work you want to assign to your buds and smart dial.
The smart dial of CMF Buds Pro 2 makes your life easy, especially when you are on the move and the case is in your pocket. Instead of being dependent on the fidgety touch controls of buds, one can set controls with the smart dial as it is safer, handy and convenient. However, controlling the volume by rotating the dial seems challenging.
You can simply connect the CMF Buds Pro 2 without downloading the Nothing X app, but to open a world of possibilities, such as support for LDAC (along with AAC and SBC), spatial audio effect, High-Resolution audio, ANC up to 50db, dual connection, and low-lag mode, you must install the Nothing X app. The app also allows you a voice assistant with ChatGPT using the buds.
Sound Output
The CMF Buds Pro 2 seems to be made for individuals who are into bass-heavy music; maybe the brand is focusing more on the masses. The 11 mm titanium-coated driver and 6 mm tweeter offer solid performance when you adjust the equalisers per your needs. In terms of audio output, CMF Buds Pro 2 handles different genres well, but the vocals seem overshadowed by the bass.
Battery Life, Call Quality and ANC
The CMD Buds Pro 2 are equipped with 60mAh batteries, with an additional 460mAh in the case. The brand claims these buds can last up to 11 hours with ANC off (for AAC) and around 6.5 hours with ANC on. When you factor in the charging case, the total usage time jumps to an impressive 43 hours with ANC off and 26 hours with ANC on.
Although wireless charging isn’t available, you get quick charging, allowing the device to charge fully in just over an hour. The ANC output is notable for its price point, but it seems like a vacuum at higher levels. However, you can adjust the level according to your preference with the Nothing X app. Call quality is good in a home setting, thanks to Nothing’s Clear Voice technology.
Verdict
At ₹4,299, the CMF Buds Pro 2 is a feature-rich, great-sounding option that offers excellent value for money. The smart dial is helpful in various scenarios, but all things considered, the CMF Buds Pro 2 is a compelling choice in the sub-₹5,000 range, thanks to its features, sound quality, ANC capabilities, LDAC support, and innovative smart dial.
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