The CMF Watch Pro 2, a budget-friendly sub-brand of Nothing, has become a buzzword in the smartwatch community since its recent introduction. Following the success of the original CMF Watch Pro, the company is back with an impressive second iteration. After weeks of thorough testing, we're here to provide our in-depth impressions.

A Striking Design

Ditching the rectangular display of its predecessor, the CMF Watch Pro 2 boasts a sleek circular AMOLED display that immediately catches the eye. The aluminum body features a stylish matte finish, offering a premium vibe for an affordable price. However, the excessive "cmf by Nothing" branding on the bezel is somewhat off-putting. Luckily, the replaceable bezel allows for a clean aesthetic sans the branding.

Equipped with a 1.32-inch AMOLED screen and a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, the watch doesn't skimp on visual quality, presenting vibrant colors and deep contrasts – perfect for tech aficionados.

What truly puzzles us is the use of the term 'Pro.' With only two models in the CMF lineup, both labeled "Pro," it's hard to argue there's a standout premium option.

Sporting blue leather straps, our review unit was a surprise; despite initial reservations about leather, the strap proved durable and comfortable even after rigorous use over two months.

We put the watch through its paces during swimming, running, rock climbing, and gym workouts, and to our delight, it held up beautifully. The durability of the watch body and strap is commendable, indicating robust construction.

Nevertheless, we did encounter some issues with the auto-brightness feature, particularly in overcast conditions, which occasionally made the display hard to read.

Smart Software Performance

The CMF Watch Pro 2 defies its budget-centric branding by delivering an impressive performance that rivals more expensive models. It connects effortlessly with both Android and iOS devices.

While it does not include an app store, CMF compensates with a variety of hundreds of watch faces arranged by style, allowing users to personalize their experience without feeling cheapened.

Navigating the interface is generally smooth, although initial users may need to adapt to its layout, which is refreshingly different from mainstream offerings.

Fitness and Activity Tracking

Our testing revealed that, while the watch is excellent for various activities, it suffers from a frustratingly slow GPS lock time that lingers between two to five minutes. For athletes, this can be a significant drawback. However, if you take advantage of the watch’s 12-step guided warm-up routine, it often connects before your workout begins.

Independently, the watch can track activities, but without your phone's companion data, accuracy may falter. Despite this, our comparisons to competitors like Samsung and Garmin revealed surprisingly accurate training logs, making it a worthy contender in the fitness tracker arena.

While health and sleep tracking features are basic, they include blood oxygen saturation, stress management, and sleep monitoring capabilities that have improved since its predecessor. However, power users will miss advanced metrics such as ECG functionality.

Battery Life Unpacked

According to Nothing, the CMF Watch Pro 2 promises 11 days of battery life with typical use and 9 days under heavier demands. However, we experienced around 10 days with standard use and 7 days with active use. With the Always-On Display (AOD) enabled, battery endurance dropped to approximately 4 days, which fell short of expectations. Notably, this battery life is still better than many high-end smartwatches from Apple and Samsung.

Charging is done via a proprietary cable with pogo pins, and while there's no wireless charging, the charging time is reasonable at about 100 minutes from empty, or 30 minutes to reach 50%.

Final Thoughts: Is This Watch for You?

With prices set at €69 in Europe, £69 in the UK, and INR 4,999 in India (around $59), the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers significant bang for your buck. It comes in four stylish colors: Dark Gray and Ash Gray with plastic straps, and Orange or Blue with leather straps.

Its design, interface, and activity-tracking capabilities challenge more expensive competitors. While it does have areas needing improvement, particularly in GPS performance and advanced health tracking, its overall value is hard to beat in this price range.

Pros:

- Comfortable, versatile size - Attractive and durable design - User-friendly software

Cons:

- Slow GPS lock time - Lacks advanced health metrics

Is the CMF Watch Pro 2 the right smartwatch for you? Only you can decide, but it certainly makes a compelling case!