Nothing CMF Phone 1 review: Budget-friendly but high on customization

livemint.com:

₹15,999), Nothing’s sub-brand CMF has taken the road less travelled and delivered a rather unique style and design identity, not unlike previous products in the CMF portfolio. You’re not going to confuse this phone with anything you’ve seen before. It all starts with a little twist in the tale.

That twist in the tale comes via an innocuous circular dial on the bottom right of the rear panel which, along with the four exposed stainless-steel screws, not only give the Phone 1 a seriously industrial look (a tinkerer’s aesthetic, if you will) but also hint at the phone’s modular nature. Take a regular flathead screwdriver to each of the four screws, rotate the circular dial till it comes off and then, with the slightest of effort, the removable back panel completely comes off, ready to be replaced by one of the other blue, orange or light green color options (black is the default for units selling in India). Each case ( ₹1,499) comes with its own color coordinated circular dial, SIM card slot, screws and a tiny screwdriver-cum-SIM eject tool.

There are the slightest textural differences between them, with the Blue and Orange offering a vegan leather finish to the panel. Removable back panels on phones used to be quite the rage a long time ago, but it’s been so long that CMF’s approach feels fresh all over again. Plus, it’s handy if you end up dropping and damaging one of the covers.