CMF Phone 1 Misses out on the One Trick That Swayed Nothing Users

Jul. 8, 2024

CMF Phone 1, the first budget phone from Nothing’s sub-brand, hasfinally launchedand its stand-out feature is theswappable back panel. Users can swap the original back panel with new back covers in different colors, such as Orange and Blue, offering a level of personalization we don’t see often in smartphones anymore.

But, there is a glaring omission of a transparent back in the available lineup of covers. I feel this is a missed opportunity by CMF, and they should consider making one. Here’s why.

The Allure of Transparency

Your phone is a complicated device, and the transparency gives you a glimpse of the intricate inner workings of it, offering a unique aesthetic. Not to forget, it looks cool and futuristic.

I have used the CMF Phone 1 (review) for around a week, and it doesn’t look bad without the back cover on. A transparent back panel option would help tohighlight and showcase its internals. Plus, it doesn’t have to be completely transparent, the camera bump and the dial can still be a solid dark greyish color to match the black interiors.

Now I know that CMF is not Nothing. It is a budget-oriented sub-brand with its own identity and one that likes to play around with colors. From the beginning, they are using that bright shade of orange to differentiate their brand from their parent’s drab white and black aesthetic. CMF wants the buyers to know that it’s chic, I get it.

But it’s not like it’s a different company altogether. You’re a part of Nothing afterall. So, why not go talk to the Nothing Phone team and borrow some things like the transparent plastic back recipe of thePhone 2a? Other brands often do the same so it wouldn’t be wrong for CMF to take inspiration from Nothing and release a transparent back panel.

After the launch of the Nothing Phone 2a, the company that usually goes with a monochrome color theme for its phone went ahead and released acompletely blue versionof the phone. There’s even a special edition with red, blue, and yellow highlights (see below). And let’s not forget the upcomingCommunity Edition of the Phone 2awith a neon strip on the rear.

So, it wouldn’t be wrong of CMF to take the road less traveled this one time and make a transparent back cover, a departure from their current flashy color options. They could release it as a community edition for those who want the Nothing Phone look at a budget.

Remember watching videos of YouTuber JerryRigEverything, where he would scrape the back glass of a phone to make it transparent? People love these mods, and when you’ve developed a phone with a swappable back panel, it wouldn’t hurt to provide a transparent option. Hopefully, either CMF or a third-party manufacturer will come out with a transparent back cover to let buyers flaunt the Phone 1’s inner design. I know I’m going to be the first buyer if they do.

What do you think about this? Would like to see a transparent back cover for the CMF Phone 1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Moreover, check out a complete list ofCMF Phone 1 accessoriesand a handy guide tochanging the back panels.

As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.