CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Which mid-ranger is the one for you?

Nothing’s sub-brand CMF just launched the CMF Phone 2 Pro, the successor to the wildly popular CMF Phone 1 that launched last year. With modularity and a quirky design at its core, the phone attempts to capture the cutthroat sub-Rs 20,000 price segment in India.

ALSO READ: CMF Phone 2 Pro vs CMF Phone 1: What’s different

However, one of its fiercest competitors is Nothing’s own Phone (3a) that launched in March alongside the Phone (3a) Pro. So, if you’re in the market for a Nothing mid-range phone, here’s how the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Nothing Phone (3a) stack up against each other.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Build and design

Both phones have a very different aesthetic – the Nothing Phone (3a) looks more futuristic with cyberpunk vibes with its transparent rear panel while the CMF Phone 2 Pro has a more industrial look with the exposed screws. The Nothing Phone (3a) has three LED customisable zones for notifications while the CMF Phone 2 Pro can swap accessories thanks to its modular back panel.

Both phones have a plastic frame but the CMF Phone 2 Pro is both lighter and slimmer than the Phone (3a). However, the Phone (3a) has the superior IP64 rating, making it more dust resistant than the IP54-rated CMF Phone 2 Pro.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Display

The Nothing Phone (3a) and CMF Phone 2 Pro sport identical displays. Both feature 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED displays with 10-bit colour depth, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 3,000 nits peak brightness. The displays are protected by Panda Glass.

ALSO READ: CMF Phone 2 Pro wants to be make customisation cool again – and it’s surprising affordable

Both phones also pack stereo speakers for an immersive sonic experience. So, even though the Nothing Phone (3a) costs more, the content consumption experience will largely be the same.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Performance and software

As for performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. The CMF Phone 2 Pro houses the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB, much like the Phone (3a). Both processors have a very similar chipset architecture, meaning performance will be similar.

As for software, both phones come with Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15. Nothing promises three major OS upgrades and six years of security updates for both phones, which is superior compared to the average at this price.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Cameras

The camera arrays on both phones are strikingly similar too. Both the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Nothing Phone (3a) feature triple camera setups consisting of a 50MP primary shooter with optical image stabilisation, a 50MP 2x telephoto camera (although the 50MP telephoto on the Phone (3a) is slightly larger), and an 8MP ultrawide lens.

Both phones support 4K video recording from the rear camera at 30 fps with EIS support. The real difference lies in the selfie shooter; the Phone (3a) has a 32MP shooter compared to the CMF Phone 2 Pro’s 16 MP camera.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Battery life

As for battery life, once again, both phones sport similar specs. You get 5,000mAh cells on both devices, however, the Nothing Phone (3a) has faster 50W wired charging which tops the phone from zero to 50 per cent in just 19 minutes.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro comparatively charges slower at 33W, with support for 5W reverse wired charging support too.

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Price

The Nothing Phone (3a) is priced starting at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, and the 256GB storage variant costs Rs 26,999. Meanwhile, the CMF Phone 2 Pro costs Rs 18,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant and Rs 20,999 for the 8GB + 256GB model.

ALSO READ: CMF Phone 2 Pro price in India

CMF Phone 2 Pro vs Nothing Phone (3a): Which one is right for you?

Despite having similar specifications, the CMF Phone 2 Pro undercuts the Nothing Phone (3a) by a significant margin making it the more bang-for-your-buck pick.

However, if you want better dust resistance, faster charging, and a superior telephoto shooter, you can pick the Nothing Phone (3a).