8 November, 2025
cmf-watch-3-pro-a-budget-friendly-smartwatch-that-impresses

In an era where smartwatches often come with hefty price tags and overwhelming features, the CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing stands out as a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality. Priced at approximately $155, this smartwatch offers a compelling blend of essential features, making it a strong contender in the competitive wearable market.

Having tested the CMF Watch 3 Pro for a month, it’s clear that this smartwatch focuses on delivering core functionalities without the clutter of unnecessary apps. The battery life is a standout feature, lasting up to two weeks on a single charge, while the display is both sharp and smooth. Health tracking is reliable, providing users with trustworthy data.

Design and Usability

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is designed with a sleek metal frame and a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen that boasts a brightness of up to 670 nits. This design choice not only adds a premium feel but also ensures readability in various lighting conditions. The watch’s size, comparable to 45mm models, may feel bulky on smaller wrists, yet it offers ample space for displaying fitness data and notifications clearly.

Despite its larger size, the watch quickly becomes a part of the user’s daily routine. The exceptional battery life, requiring charges only every two weeks, is a significant advantage over flagship models that often need daily charging.

Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking

For fitness enthusiasts, the CMF Watch 3 Pro offers a comprehensive suite of tracking features. It includes a sleep tracker, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor, and stress tracker. The watch also sets achievable daily goals, such as burning 400 calories, standing once each hour over 12 hours, exercising for 30 minutes, and walking 5,000 steps.

One of the watch’s highlights is its ability to automatically recognize activities like walking, cycling, and rowing. For those engaging in niche sports, the watch offers manual selection from 131 different sport modes, providing extensive tracking capabilities.

Software and Smart Features

The CMF Watch 3 Pro excels in software simplicity. It avoids bloatware and unnecessary applications, instead offering a streamlined experience through intuitive widgets. This approach ensures fluid and fast navigation, setting it apart from more complex models like the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

While the watch is minimalist, users must install the Nothing X app to unlock full customization options. The app is user-friendly and compatible with both Apple and Android devices, allowing easy rearrangement of widgets, watch face changes, and comprehensive fitness data viewing.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, the CMF Watch 3 Pro has areas that could be improved. The lack of a smaller size option might deter those with smaller wrists. The watch band can cause discomfort during workouts due to sweat accumulation. Additionally, the absence of near-field communication (NFC) for payments may be a drawback for some users.

The watch’s charger design is unconventional, making it difficult to dock the watch upright. These minor inconveniences, however, do not overshadow the watch’s overall value.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Investment

At its price point, the CMF Watch 3 Pro offers flagship essentials without the premium cost. Its long-lasting battery, vibrant display, extensive sensors, and clean software make it a valuable purchase.

For those seeking a straightforward smartwatch that delivers on its promises without unnecessary complexity, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is an ideal choice. However, users deeply integrated into specific ecosystems or seeking advanced fitness features might find other options more suitable.

As the wearable technology market continues to evolve, the CMF Watch 3 Pro represents a significant step towards accessible, high-quality smartwatches that cater to a broad audience without breaking the bank.