Nothing just announced the new CMF Phone 1 with a customizable back panel. But taking away its unique design elements, its hardware and pricing show that it is a mid-range smartphone. So if you’re not into the design but want a smartphone similar in terms of specs and price, what are some good alternatives? Here’s a short list of other devices you can check out.
1. Vivo T3
Starting off the list, we have the Vivo T3, which is also a rebranded iQOO Z9. In terms of specs, the Vivo T3 and CMF Phone 1 are quite similar. Both models sport a 6.67-inch OLED display on the front, while the rear packs a 50-megapixel primary and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The only main difference between the two is the processor. MediaTek chips power the CMF Phone 1 and the Vivo T3, but you get a newer Dimensity 7300 chip on the former.
Meanwhile, the Vivo T3 is equipped with the Dimensity 7200 SoC. Although, there isn’t a massive difference in terms of performance and benchmarks have shown comparable results as well. Pricing is another aspect that has slight differences. CMF’s first ever phone starts from 15,999 INR, and the Vivo T3 goes for 18,999 INR. However, it is worth noting that the Phone 1 doesn’t ship with a charger and the T3 offers faster 44W wired fast charging (33W on the CMF Phone 1).
2. OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite
At this price range, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is another popular option. The display and camera once again match the CMF Phone 1. However, an aging Snapdragon 695 SoC powers this device. Buyers do get a larger 5,500mAh battery pack (5,000mAh on the Phone 1) and a faster 80W wired fast charging. CMF is still more affordable here, as the Nord CE 4 Lite costs 19,999 INR for its base variant. Bank offers do bring the price down, which makes it a decent alternative to the CMF Phone 1.
3. POCO X6
Back in January 2024, the POCO X6 was announced in the Indian market and it is currently on sale for a discounted price tag. It was originally announced for a starting price of 21,999 INR but it is now on sale for 17,999 INR. This still makes it more expensive than the CMF Phone 1. Although, both of its storage configuration offers 256GB of storage (paired with 8GB or 12GB).
Under the hood, it is equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, which offers similar performance (at least on benchmarks). For optics, you get a 64-megapixel triple camera setup on the rear. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel like the CMF Phone 1. It also has a marginally larger 5,100mAh battery pack and 67W wired fast charging.
4. Redmi Note 13
We have another smartphone from Xiaomi on this list. The Redmi Note 13 was also announced a couple of months back and is currently on sale for a lowered price. With a starting price tag of 16,999 INR, it is priced the closest to the CMF Phone 1. You still get a 6.67-inch AMOLED display on the front and a 108-megapixel on the rear.
Under the hood, it is powered by the MediaTek Diemsnity 6080 SoC. The battery and charging rate is also identical to the Phone 1. Other notable features include microSDXC for storage expansion, Bluetooth 5.3, and IP54 water and dust resistance.
