If you’re reading this, I’m guessing one of three things is true—
Either you’re already using the CMF Phone 1,
or you’ve bought it recently but still trying to figure out how good this phone actually is,
or you saw the update notification and got stuck thinking—
Should I update it or not?
If that’s you, then yes—this article is for you.
I’ve been using the CMF Phone 1 myself for a few months now. Not as a hardcore reviewer. Not to chase specs or benchmarks. Just as a normal, everyday user. I had certain expectations before buying it—and after this update, quite a few things have changed. Some good. A few slightly disappointing. Overall though… this update is worth talking about.
So let’s talk. Slowly. No rush.
CMF Phone 1 Update: First Impressions:
Honestly—
The day the update notification popped up, I was sitting on a bus, casually scrolling through WhatsApp. Suddenly I saw—
System Update Available
My first reaction?
“Here we go again… what new problem is this going to bring?”
Because let’s be real—
Not every update makes a phone better. We’ve all been there. Updates that slow down the phone, mess up battery life, or create random network issues.
Still, I had a bit of trust in CMF Phone 1. Nothing as a brand isn’t perfect, but they usually care about user experience. So that night, I connected to Wi-Fi and installed the update.
Next morning, when I picked up the phone, the first thing I noticed—
The phone felt… different.
Not bad.
Just different.
So What Is This CMF Phone 1 Update Actually About? (Quick Overview)
This isn’t one of those “just a bug fix, nothing else” updates.
For official specifications and product details, you can check the CMF Phone 1 product page on Nothing’s official website.
There are lots of small changes here. On paper, they look minor. But when you actually use the phone, you start noticing the impact.
This update mainly focuses on—
- System stability
- Performance optimization
- Battery management
- Camera tuning
- Minor UI refinements
No flashy new features.
But the phone feels a bit more… mature.
Performance: Is the Phone Actually Smoother?
I’ll be completely honest here.
Before the update, the CMF Phone 1 was already fairly smooth.
But—
- Sometimes apps took a moment longer to open
- Background apps reloaded occasionally
- Very light stutters (rare, but noticeable)
After the update, what I feel is—
👉 Day-to-day usage is more consistent
I’m not a heavy gamer.
I don’t play PUBG or COD.
My typical usage looks like this—
- YouTube
- Chrome (with multiple tabs)
- Camera
- Occasionally Lightroom
With this kind of usage, the phone now feels more confident. Like it’s doing its job without overthinking.
Is it flagship-level smooth?
No.
But for a budget/midrange phone?
I’m satisfied.
If you’re also comparing CMF Phone 1 with other budget options, you can check out our detailed list of the best smartphones under ₹10,000 in 2026, where I’ve shared my honest thoughts on the most value-for-money phones right now.
Battery Life: Is This Where the Real Change Is?
This part deserves a pause.
Because this is based on real, personal experience.
Before the update, my phone usually looked like this—
- 100% at 9 AM
- Around 25–30% by 7 PM
It lasted a full day, but just barely.
After updating, the first two days were confusing.
I actually felt the battery was draining faster.
Then I realized—
The phone was still optimizing things in the background.
From the third day onward, a pattern started to appear—
- Screen-on time slightly improved
- Idle drain reduced
- Almost no battery drop overnight
Now, with my usage—
👉 I get a full day plus a small buffer
In my opinion, this update genuinely helps battery management.
If you’re a heavy user, don’t expect miracles.
But for normal users—you’ll notice the difference.
Camera: Real Improvement or Just in My Head?
This part is interesting.
The official changelog doesn’t mention any major camera changes.
But while taking photos, I felt—
- Colors look more balanced
- Less over-sharpening
- Better skin tones in indoor lighting
One day, I was taking photos of a friend in evening light.
Earlier, faces sometimes looked a bit washed out.
This time, after seeing the photo, he himself said—
“Bro, the picture actually looks good.”
That was enough for me.
Low-light photography is still average.
Don’t expect magic.
But in daylight, photos look more natural now.
UI & Overall Feel: Small Things That Matter:
There’s no big UI redesign in this update.
But some subtle improvements—
- Smoother animations
- Fewer hiccups while switching apps
- Better notification handling
These are the kind of things no one talks about.
But when they’re missing, you definitely feel the annoyance.
Now, that annoyance is mostly gone.
If you’re interested in how smooth and thoughtful UI experiences make a difference, check out my Android Auto wavy progress bar review, where I also explored subtle design touches and performance nuances that impact everyday usage.
Network, Calls & Daily Reliability:
Network coverage in my area isn’t great.
That’s not the phone’s fault.
Still, after the update—
- Fewer call drops (at least for me)
- Smoother switching between 4G and Wi-Fi
- Slightly more stable signal
This can be carrier-dependent.
Your experience may vary.
But mine has been positive.
Should Everyone Install This Update?
This is the most important question.
My answer?
👉 Yes—but not blindly.
If you—
- Use your phone daily
- Aren’t extremely sensitive about gaming performance
- Want a stable, reliable experience
Then yes, go for the update.
But if—
- Your phone is running perfectly right now
- You’re nervous about updates
- It’s your primary phone for critical work
Waiting 2–3 days isn’t a bad idea either.
Personally, I don’t regret updating at all.
And that says a lot.
My Overall Feel About CMF Phone 1 After This Update:
From day one, this phone felt a bit different.
In design. In philosophy.
After this update, I feel like CMF Phone 1 is slowly finding its identity.
It’s not a perfect phone.
But it’s an honest one.
And this update simply polishes that honesty a little more.
What’s Your Experience Been Like?
Now let me ask you—
- Have you installed the update?
- Noticed any changes in battery or performance?
- What do you think about the camera now?
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
I genuinely read them.
And your experience might help someone else.
Final Thoughts (From Me, Personally)
While writing this, I didn’t chase specifications.
I didn’t talk about benchmarks.
No scores. No numbers.
I just used the phone.
And wrote what I felt.
This CMF Phone 1 update feels like a quiet improvement to me.
It arrived quietly.
It works quietly.
And sometimes—
That’s the best kind of update.
If you’ve read till here—
Thank you
Your time matters.
Talk soon.
FAQ:
Q: Is the CMF Phone 1 update safe?
👉 Yes, it’s safe for daily use. I haven’t faced any major issues.
Q: Will the phone get slower after the update?
👉 No. In fact, it feels a bit more stable to me.
Q: Has battery life improved?
👉 There’s a slight improvement. Idle battery drain is lower.
Q: Is the camera better now?
👉 Yes, colors look more balanced and skin tones feel more natural.
