CMF Watch Pro 2 vs. Watch Pro: Which is the Best Budget Smartwatch?

After testing the CMF Watch Pro 2, questions arise about whether it can truly be recommended as the best budget smartwatch on the market. The original model, the CMF Watch Pro, has been recognized as an excellent option in its category for some time. While the new model presents some improvements, the comparison is not so straightforward in other aspects. Below are the main differences and similarities between the two.

Design and Display

The design and display are the two elements that show the most differences between the CMF Watch Pro and the Watch Pro 2. The original model features a "squircle" chassis with a 1.96-inch AMOLED display, a design reminiscent of the best Apple watches. Personally, I find this shape the most appealing for a smartwatch.

In contrast, the Watch Pro 2 adopts a different design with a 1.32-inch circular AMOLED display. Despite being a newer version, its display is notably smaller, and therefore shows less information. However, it may be more attractive to those who want a more compact watch or have thin wrists. Although the screen of the new model is smaller, it offers slightly better quality, with a refresh rate of 60Hz instead of 58Hz and a bit more maximum brightness. Additionally, it includes an auto-brightness feature.

Software Settings and Gestures

Both models run on Nothing's proprietary operating system, but the newer one has more advanced features. The Watch Pro 2 offers over 100 customizable watch faces and gesture controls that allow navigation with a simple wrist movement. Users can rotate or shake their wrist to answer calls or change songs, similar to the double-tap gesture of the Apple Watch. It also includes a feature to wake the display with wrist movement, which is essential for the smartwatch experience.

Moreover, there are customizable widgets. By swiping right from the main screen, users can access four widgets that they can select from options like health and fitness, weather, contacts, calendar, calls, keyboard, and music. Around ten more sports tracking modes have also been added in the new model.

Battery Life

Since the original model is considerably larger than the CMF Watch Pro 2, its battery is also bigger. This allows for a battery life of 13 days with normal use, compared to the 11 days of the new model. This durability is notable in the smartwatch arena; for example, Apple offers a battery life of one day in devices like the Apple Watch Series 10, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a "mere" 100-hour battery life. Both the old and new models offer competitive performance in this regard, but if battery life is a crucial factor, the larger model may be more suitable.

Price

Despite the age difference between the two models, Nothing maintains an equivalent price for both: $69/£69/AU$99. This price parity reflects the complications in differentiating these two options in terms of utility and appeal, leading to the consideration of the Watch Pro 2 more as an alternative than as a sequel. As the only distinguishing point, one can generally find more significant discounts on the older model, which is often available at a lower price in online markets.