TRUK Affiliate Disclosure
Introduction: CMF Watch Pro 2
Looking for a smartwatch these days typically leaves you with two choices: spend £350+ on an Apple or Samsung watch that needs charging every night, or spend £50 on a plastic fitness tracker that feels a bit like a toy on your wrist.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 tries to break that cycle. By stripping away complex features like NFC payments and app stores, Nothing (the parent company) has focused entirely on what actually matters: Design, Battery Life, and Notifications.
But can a sub-£100 watch really compete with the big dogs, or is the lack of “smart” features a dealbreaker? I wore the CMF Watch Pro 2 for a week to find out if this interchangeable-bezel gadget is the new budget king, or just another imitator.
Pros & Cons
| 🟢 Good Points | 🔴 Bad Points |
| Auto-Brightness (Finally readable outdoors) | No NFC (Cannot pay with Google Wallet) |
| Battery Life (11 Days typical, 5 with AOD) | iOS Limits (Cannot reply to texts on iPhone) |
| Design (Interchangeable metal bezels) | Haptics (Vibration feels slightly “buzzy”) |
| Digital Crown (Smooth UI navigation) | GPS (Can be slow to lock on cold starts) |
Quick Navigation
Technical Specifications
| Feature | CMF Watch Pro 2 | CMF Watch Pro 1 |
| Display | 1.32″ AMOLED (Round) | 1.96″ AMOLED (Square) |
| Brightness | 620 nits + Auto Sensor | 600 nits (Manual Only) |
| Battery | 305mAh (11 Days) | 340mAh (13 Days) |
| Controls | Touch + Digital Crown | Touch + Side Button |
| GPS | Built-in Multi-System | Built-in Multi-System |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
1. Design & Build: The “Lego” Watch
The CMF Watch Pro 2 ditches the “Apple Watch clone” look of its predecessor for a classic circular design. But the real trick here is the interchangeable bezel. You can twist the outer ring off and swap it for a different colour or style. It turns a budget gadget into something that feels more personal.
The case is aluminium alloy, not plastic, giving it that cool-to-the-touch premium feel that embarrasses Fitbits costing twice as much.
2. Display: The Auto-Brightness Fix
The biggest failure of the original Watch Pro 1 was the lack of auto-brightness. You had to manually dim it at night and boost it in sunlight.
The Watch Pro 2 fixes this. The ambient light sensor works perfectly, adjusting the 620 nits AMOLED screen instantly. The resolution (466×466) is sharp enough that pixelation is non-existent, even on complex watch faces.
3. The “Digital Crown” Upgrade
On the old model, the button was just that—a button. On the Pro 2, the button is a functional crown. You can rotate it to scroll through menus, notifications, and app grids. It mimics the Apple Watch flow surprisingly well, keeping your fingers off the screen and reducing smudges.
TRUK Scorecard
| Category | CMF Watch Pro 2 (Gen 2) | CMF Watch Pro 1 (Gen 1) |
| Build Quality | (5/5) ★★★★★ | (4/5) ★★★★☆ |
| Display Utility | (5/5) ★★★★★ | (3/5) ★★★☆☆ |
| UI Fluidity | (4/5) ★★★★☆ | (3/5) ★★★☆☆ |
| Health Accuracy | (4/5) ★★★★☆ | (3/5) ★★★☆☆ |
| Battery Life | (5/5) ★★★★★ | (5/5) ★★★★★ |
| Overall Score | 4.6 / 5.0 | 3.6 / 5.0 |
TRUK Final Verdict
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is the standout budget smartwatch of 2026.
It solves every major complaint we had with the original. The addition of auto-brightness and the digital crown fundamentally changes the experience from “gimmicky” to “daily driver.” The battery life is stellar, hitting 9-11 days in standard mode (or about 4-5 days if you keep the Always-On Display active).
Is it an Apple Watch Killer?
Functionally? No. It lacks NFC for payments and an App Store.
But financially? Absolutely. It delivers 90% of the core smartwatch experience (notifications, health, style) for less than 20% of the price. If you can live without wrist payments, this is the only watch you need.
Alternatives:
- If you prefer Square Watches: The CMF Watch Pro 1 (Gen 1) is still available. It lacks the rotating crown and auto-brightness, but it mimics the Apple Watch aesthetic perfectly for a lower price.
- If you need NFC Payments: You should check out my breakdown of the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, as neither CMF model supports contactless payments.
💰 Price Disclaimer: Prices are accurate at time of publishing but are subject to change, check links for live pricing.
FAQs
Does the CMF Watch Pro 2 work with iPhone?
Yes, it works with iOS via the CMF Watch app. However, you cannot reply to messages directly from the watch on iOS (an Apple restriction). Android users can send quick replies.
Can I make calls on the watch?
Yes, both the Pro 1 and Pro 2 have a built-in microphone and speaker with AI noise reduction for Bluetooth calling.
Does it have NFC for Google Pay?
No. Neither model supports NFC. You cannot use this watch to pay at card terminals.
Can I send and receive iMessages on this watch?
You can receive them, but you cannot send them. You will see incoming iMessages and notifications on your wrist immediately, so you never miss a text. However, you cannot type a reply or send a new message from the watch—you will need to pull out your phone for that.
CMF Watch Pro 2
A budget smartwatch featuring an interchangeable bezel design, 1.32-inch AMOLED display with auto-brightness, built-in GPS, IP68 water resistance, and 11-day battery life.
Product Brand: CMF by Nothing
Product In Stock: InStock
4.6
Leave a Reply