Nothing’s CMF Phone 1 is proof that gadgets can still be fun

I’ve never had so much fun taking apart a phone.

That’s a misleading statement; I didn’t really consider that. everyone skipping phones lately, but when the CMF Phone 1 came out, it was the first thing I did. Because this one, my friends, is built differently. It won’t be widely available in the US, but if you’re keen, you can get your hands on one through the Nothing beta program — and at $199, that’s a real steal.

CMF, the budget but still incredibly stylish sub-brand of Nothing, is launching its first phone, the aptly named Phone 1. While it shares its name and operating system with the original Nothing phone, it’s launching with a new modular approach to phone customization. Why put on a different phone case when you can put on a completely new phone?

The concept is simple: it’s a phone, but the back panel is removable so you can swap it for another. Each replacement comes with everything you need to get the job done, including its own small screwdriver, screws, and a colored SIM tray.

There’s also a circular accessory port cover on the bottom corner of the phone. While it resembles the control dial on CMF’s neckband headphones, it doesn’t offer any functional purpose beyond protecting the accessory port. CMF will offer three accessories at launch: a lanyard, a wallet, and a stand, each priced at $25 and in an eye-catching orange color.

All of them are sold separately, as are the colorful swappable back panels, which cost $35 each. In the box, you get a completely respectable budget Android phone with a 6.7-inch OLED, a 50-megapixel rear camera, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and a capacious 5,000mAh battery. It comes with a black back panel; other options include orange, light green, and blue.

Removing the back panel is easy, though it does require a bit of force—enough to snap a long fingernail, I found. Probably for the best, since that panel stands between the phone’s innards and the rest of the world. Speaking of innards, it’s odd to see a modern phone so naked and exposed.

Once your phone is securely locked away, you can add accessories. The wallet is actually two pieces—a plastic panel with a built-in magnet similar to MagSafe, and the wallet itself. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that I was able to attach my phone to the MagSafe charging pad using this magnetic mount (although the Phone 1 doesn’t offer wireless charging). You can also attach the pad or a lanyard while the wallet is in use.

The lanyard is made of thick, woven fabric. Someone much cooler and younger than me could probably carry their phone with it. And the stand seems sturdy enough, although I wish the arm would stick to the phone when not in use. They all come in a vibrant orange—probably the gadget color of the year.

As a budget phone, there are some trade-offs to consider. There’s no NFC, and the Phone 1 is only splash-proof. That’s understandable, given the price and, you know, the way the entire back of the phone peels off. Carrier support in the US is also pretty limited. Like the Phone 2A, it’ll work on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks, but it only supports Verizon and AT&T’s 4G bands. But at $199? It might be worth it — if nothing else, it’s a damn good addition.

Photos by Allison Johnson/The Verge