Honestly, the cmf watch pro 2 smartwatch is a bit of a weird one. It doesn’t try to be an Apple Watch, and it definitely isn't trying to be a Garmin. It sits in this strange, middle-ground "anti-smartwatch" territory that either makes total sense to you or leaves you wondering why it exists at all. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at how people actually use this thing, and there is a massive gap between the marketing hype and the reality of having it on your wrist.
Most people see the Nothing brand—or its budget sub-brand CMF—and expect high-end "cool" tech. And yeah, it looks cool. But if you’re buying this expecting medical-grade heart rate tracking or the ability to pay for your latte at Starbucks, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a $69 device. You’ve gotta keep that in mind before we even start talking about the screen or the battery.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 Smartwatch: What Is It Actually?
Basically, it’s a fitness tracker masquerading as a high-end timepiece. The big headline with this second version was the shift from the square "squircle" design of the original to a round face. It’s got an aluminum alloy body that feels surprisingly decent for the price. Not "luxury" decent, but "won't break if I bump it into a door frame" decent.
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The Bezel Gimmick (That I Actually Like)
One of the most unique things about the cmf watch pro 2 smartwatch is the interchangeable bezel. You can literally unscrew the ring around the screen and swap it out. Want a rounded look? Cool. Want a flat, more aggressive edge? You can do that too. It’s a level of physical customization you just don't see at this price point. Most budget watches are just "take it or leave it" slabs of plastic.
The screen is a 1.32-inch AMOLED. It’s sharp. 466 x 466 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate. That 60Hz is actually a big deal because it makes the animations feel smooth. A lot of cheap watches stutter like they’re running on a potato, but this feels fluid. The peak brightness hits about 620 nits. It’s fine for indoors, but honestly? On a bright July afternoon, you might be squinting a bit.
Let’s Talk About the "Smart" in Smartwatch
Here is where the misconceptions start. This watch doesn’t run Wear OS. You can’t go to a Google Play Store and download Spotify or WhatsApp. It runs a proprietary, lightweight OS.
What can it do?
- Bluetooth Calls: It has a built-in mic and speaker. It’s surprisingly loud, though you'll look a bit like a cut-rate secret agent talking to your wrist in public.
- Notifications: It mirrors what's on your phone. You can't really reply to much (except some quick replies on Android), and it doesn't show images or emojis particularly well.
- GPS: It has built-in multi-system GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, the whole works). This means you can go for a run without your phone and it’ll still map your route.
But there’s no NFC. No contactless payments. If you’re used to tapping your watch at the subway turnstile, this isn't for you.
Why the Sensors Are a Mixed Bag
If you are a serious athlete, stop reading and go buy a Garmin. I’m serious.
The heart rate monitor and SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensors on the cmf watch pro 2 smartwatch are... okay. In my experience, and based on a lot of user data, the heart rate can be off by 5 to 10 beats per minute during intense exercise compared to a chest strap. The sleep tracking is also a bit optimistic. It sometimes thinks you’re sleeping when you’re just lying on the couch watching Netflix.
It tracks 120 sports modes, but let's be real: most of those are just "heart rate + timer" with a different label. The "Smart Movement Algorithm" tries to give you an Active Score and training load, which is a nice touch, but it’s only as good as the data coming in.
Battery Life: The Great 11-Day Myth?
Nothing claims 11 days of battery life.
Can you get 11 days? Sure, if you turn off the Always-On Display (AOD), stop using GPS, and don't receive many notifications. Basically, if you use it as a regular watch.
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If you turn on the AOD—which you probably should because the watch faces look great—and you track a 30-minute run every day with GPS, you’re looking at more like 4 to 6 days. Honestly, that’s still amazing compared to an Apple Watch that dies in 18 hours. But it's a far cry from the "nearly two weeks" promised on the box.
Charging is handled via a proprietary magnetic puck. It’s a USB-A connection on the other end, which feels a bit dated in 2026, but it gets the job done in about 90 minutes.
The Software Experience and the App
The CMF Watch app is surprisingly clean. No ads, no weird Chinese-to-English translation errors that plague other budget watch apps. You can customize the "widgets" which are basically the screens you see when you swipe left or right. It’s very modular.
However, the connection can be finicky. iPhone users, in particular, have reported the watch occasionally dropping the Bluetooth connection. It usually reconnects on its own, but it can be annoying if you’re waiting for an important text.
Comparison: Is it better than the first one?
| Feature | Watch Pro (Original) | Watch Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Square | Round |
| Screen Size | 1.96" | 1.32" |
| Refresh Rate | 58Hz | 60Hz |
| Customization | Straps only | Straps + Bezels |
| Battery (Claimed) | 13 Days | 11 Days |
The original had a much bigger screen, but the Pro 2 feels more like a "real" watch. It doesn't look like a toy.
Practical Next Steps for You
If you’re considering the cmf watch pro 2 smartwatch, don’t treat it as a medical device or a productivity powerhouse. Treat it as a stylish accessory that happens to tell the time and nudge you when you get a text.
- Check your wrist size: The 1.32-inch screen is smaller than many modern watches. If you have huge wrists, it might look a bit dainty. If you have smaller wrists, it’s a godsend.
- Decide on the AOD: If you want the battery to last a week, keep the Always-On Display turned off. If you want it to look cool, keep it on, but keep your charger handy.
- Manage expectations on health: Use the heart rate data as a general trend, not absolute gospel. If it says your heart rate is 180 while you're sitting down, it's probably just a glitch.
- Android vs iOS: It works with both, but the experience is slightly smoother on Android (especially for things like quick replies).
At the end of the day, for $69, the cmf watch pro 2 smartwatch is hard to beat for pure aesthetics. It’s for the person who wants a "smart" watch that doesn't feel like a second phone strapped to their arm. It’s simple, it’s modular, and it’s honestly just fun to use.