At a look
Professional’s Ranking
Execs
- Eye-catching design
- Thoughtfully designed watch faces
- Vastly extra reasonably priced than most smartwatches
- Lengthy battery life
Cons
- Swappable bezels are gone
- Not the brightest display
- Complicated waterproofing
- No NFC
Our Verdict
Whereas the shortage of waterproofing and modularity holds it again, the CMF Watch 3 Professional is nonetheless a discount purchase for getting smartwatch performance at a worth that massively undercuts most competitors.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At the moment
Worth When Reviewed
$99
Finest Costs At the moment: CMF Watch 3 Professional
$99
Nothing’s line-up of funds wearables returns with the CMF Watch 3 Professional, including some new options while taking an important one away.
For a smartwatch model that hasn’t been round all that lengthy (two years by my depend), it’s stunning to see simply how a lot reinvention the CMF Watch Professional line has undergone.
The unique square-shaped CMF Watch Professional felt like a extra wallet-friendly various to the Apple Watch, whereas the CMF Watch Professional 2 went in a totally completely different route, adopting a round chassis and a modular construct that may allow you to swap in new bezels relying in your tastes.
With the Watch 3 Professional nevertheless, CMF has gone down one more completely different route, trying to enhance the gadget’s sensible capabilities while taking away that aforementioned modularity.
As somebody who liked the concept of being artistic along with your smartwatch’s design, I used to be sceptical about how a lot enjoyment I may get out of the Watch 3 Professional, however after having used the gadget for over every week, I’m glad to say that CMF nonetheless is aware of what it’s doing.
Design & Construct
- Swappable bezels are not any extra
- Nonetheless not appropriate for swimming pools and different water
- CMF has a superb eye for type
On the floor, it might sound as if not that a lot has modified between the CMF Watch Professional 2 and its successor, and from a stylistic perspective, I’m inclined to agree.
The colourways are principally the identical, though you do get a fairly fetching near-white Mild Gray choice this time round, and CMF has determined to stay with the round chassis. What has been executed away with, nevertheless, is the modularity that got here earlier than.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Having the ability to swap bezels to match completely different moods or outfits was an enormous spotlight of the Watch Professional 2, and it confirmed – no less than to me – that CMF understood that one of many largest options of a timepiece needs to be its type.
I’ve at all times liked having the ability to change to a distinct watch band on my Apple Watch SE 2, relying on what the day has in retailer, and I’m consistently swapping between watch faces all year long, so the power to take that freedom of expression one step additional was an enormous win, and it’s a disgrace to see it taken away.
On the very least, the CMF Watch 3 Professional is much from an unpleasant gadget. Actually, I truthfully suppose that it’s the nicest-looking wearable that you’ll find for beneath £100/$100. The brushed stainless steel-look of the bezels (particularly on the Darkish Gray choice I’ve in for assessment) makes the watch look far dearer than it really is.
There’s additionally only a single enter within the type of a small rotating crown that will also be pushed to take you again to the homescreen. It adheres to a strictly minimalist vibe that you just’d count on to see from a Scandinavian watchmaker, and having used the dearer and much much less eye-catching TicWatch vary for a few years, it’s spectacular to see CMF’s design philosophy come collectively on this means.
I do want that the rotating crown was simply barely greater, although, as I discovered it a tad tough to come up with at instances, which made utilizing the touchscreen to scroll by way of menus a extra preferable choice.
What is certain to place some consumers off instantly is that, regardless of an official IP68 score for mud and water resistance, that means it may be dunked in as much as 1.1m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour, the watch remains to be not appropriate for swimming in a pool or numerous different watery conditions.
“The watch shouldn’t be worn in swimming swimming pools, shallow water, scorching showers, scorching springs, saunas (steam rooms), scuba diving, deep diving, platform diving, high-pressure rinsing or throughout actions with excessive water stress, excessive temperatures or excessive water ranges,” warns the agency.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
If lane swimming is your exercise of alternative, then you might wish to give the Fitbit Cost 6 a glance as a substitute, however in the event you’re extra of a runner or bike owner, then it’s not the tip of the world.
Display screen & Audio
- A barely bigger 1.43-inch show
- Might be difficult to learn towards direct daylight
- Audio through the onboard speaker is evident
Providing one thing in return for the shortage of modularity, CMF has seen match to bestow the Watch 3 Professional with a barely bigger 1.43-inch show (up from 1.32-inch).
Having that further actual property provides all points of the UI, whether or not that be the included watch faces or post-workout information, room to unfold out, making all of it straightforward to learn.
Identical to earlier than, the watch makes use of an AMOLED panel, which pairs very well with the principally monochrome however extremely stylised watch faces that CMF has put collectively. Actually, I used to be barely bowled over by how a lot I appreciated the watch faces on provide – that is an space that corporations are inclined to overlook, so to see CMF create an thrilling vary of choices is enormously appreciated.
The Digits Time face, with its daring numbers and fast show of the date, ended up turning into an on the spot favorite over the course of this assessment.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Despite the fact that the display’s brightness has additionally seen a rise from 620 nits to 650 nits, it may do with much more. I used to be upset to seek out that the show is sort of difficult to learn in direct daylight.
When going for a lunchtime stroll on a very sunny day, I needed to maintain the watch up nearer to my eyes than standard, simply to make out what the time was. As you may think, this was by no means a difficulty when wanting on the watch indoors, but it surely did have me eager for one other watch once I was out and about.
There’s a built-in speaker on the watch, which can be utilized to hearken to Important Information (extra on that later) and take calls. The speaker itself doesn’t get fairly as loud as different smartwatches, however the high quality is evident for what it’s, and also you gained’t have a tough time understanding what’s being mentioned.
Software program & Options
- No entry to third-party apps
- Loads of core smartwatch options comparable to calendar entry and notifications
- Important Information is an attention-grabbing concept however wants work
Earlier than detailing what this watch can do, I believe it’s price ripping off the plaster instantly with regard to the sensible options it lacks.
There’s no NFC, so that you gained’t be utilizing the watch to pay for something, and since this makes use of Nothing’s proprietary working system and never Put on OS, you gained’t be having access to third-party apps. It’s undoubtedly a scaled-back expertise in comparison with what you’ll discover on one thing just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, however if you’re reminded of the truth that it’s solely £99/$99, I believe that you just nonetheless get quite a bit for the value.
For instance, the watch can be utilized to summon your voice assistant of alternative in your cellphone, comparable to Siri or Google Gemini (it’s appropriate with iPhone and Android), and you’ll wirelessly activate your cellphone’s shutter button, which might help you to take group photos from a distance.
This all sits on high of the usual smartwatch fare, comparable to notifications, alarms, calendar entry and extra, however there are a number of options which are distinctive to the watch, chief amongst them being ‘Important Information’.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Setting this up requires you to enter the Nothing X app, select the matters that curiosity you probably the most after which, by way of the ability of AI, Important Information will learn you the newest headlines pertaining to your chosen matters, all with the voice of Nothing CFO Tim Holbrow. It’s weird and really futuristic, however I do prefer it – to a level.
On the one hand, I can see the enchantment in a characteristic like this – utilizing the speaker in your smartwatch to rapidly run by way of the highest headlines of the day as you’re preparing for work. The issue is that with AI concerned, I can’t say for sure whether or not or not a few of the info is the results of a hallucination or human error.
For instance, the primary story that was instructed to me was about poor Tom Holland receiving a concussion on the set of Spider-Man: Model New Day. The report famous that the movie was to be Holland’s fourth look because the famed web-slinger, however anybody who’s seen the final two Avengers films (and even Captain America: Civil Warfare) will know that that’s not the case.
Both means, as a result of I can’t say for certain the place the error got here from, it’s not a characteristic that I can depend on for correct information. Having a hyperlink to a written model of the story would assist.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Nonetheless, the software program expertise that CMF has put collectively is good general, particularly in comparison with another low-cost wearables. Every part is clearly labelled and I didn’t choose up on any main stuttering as I scrolled from one menu to the subsequent, though it could be good if the principle app drawer did have a bit extra color because it presently leans a bit too exhausting into CMF’s signature palette.
On a aspect notice, the haptic suggestions on the watch may do with being only a bit extra highly effective. You’ll be able to crank it up within the settings menu, however the default mode is pretty subdued, and it’s straightforward to overlook as an alarm, particularly in the event you’re a deep sleeper.
Health & Well being Monitoring
- Loads of exercises to be tracked
- Operating coach included
- Can’t observe swimming and water sports activities
Other than the shortage of swimming choices, the CMF Watch 3 Professional does have so much going for it in the case of operating and different actions. Actually, I used to be somewhat shocked to see simply what number of exercises will be tracked from the near-endless record that CMF allows you to select from within the accompanying Nothing X app.
There are all kinds, from soccer to karate, javelin and even ballet, so when you’ve got a distinct segment exercise that you just wish to partake in then there’s a superb probability that the Watch 3 Professional can observe it.
In case you’re extra into operating, otherwise you’re trying to make it a part of your common routine, then there are much more options to utilize.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
There’s a built-in operating coach that can assist you meet whichever purpose you take into consideration, providing you with sensible recommendation if you’re out on the observe, and because of dual-band GPS (usually discovered on costly watches), you don’t even should convey your cellphone with you to trace your route.
In my testing, it solely took six seconds to determine a GPS connection on my standard route, so that you gained’t be ready round lengthy.
The watch additionally comes with sleep monitoring, which, just like what Apple now offers due to its most up-to-date replace, offers a sleep rating to let you already know at a look whether or not or not you’ve had a good quantity of relaxation.
Sadly, there isn’t any written rationalization or recommendation which may assist to interrupt down the sleep information that’s captured – one thing that you just do get with the Huawei Watch GT 6 Professional and the cheaper GT 6.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
In terms of coronary heart price monitoring, the CMF Watch 3 Professional did shock me somewhat, but it surely’s removed from being bang on the cash. When used alongside the chest-worn Garmin HRM 600, the Watch 3 Professional was sometimes inside 1-2 beats per minute of the height captured by Garmin’s band, which is first rate, however on common BPM, the distinction was generally off the mark by 5BPM, which is extra of a difficulty.
In consequence, I’d advocate utilizing the center price information from the Watch 3 Professional as an inexpensive estimate versus an goal metric.
One gripe I do have with CMF’s software program, and I’m stunned that it’s been neglected, is that you would be able to’t entry your exercise data and the information therein in your smartphone. So as to return and examine in your efficiency, you’ll must do all of it on the watch, which is much from supreme.
Whether or not or not it’s a Garmin gadget, Apple Watch or one of many many Put on OS watches I’ve examined, I’ve at all times used the accompanying smartphone app to examine my efficiency after a exercise, so for that to be unavailable right here feels unusual.
Battery life & charging
- Longer battery lifetime of as much as 13-days
- Roughly 4 days of use with always-on show plus exercises
- Charging to full takes roughly 1 hour and half-hour
Due to its barely bigger show, the CMF Watch 3 Professional now packs an even bigger battery capability as effectively, with a claimed endurance of as much as 13-days on a single cost.
I at all times discover that stats like which are captured when a smartwatch is used for nearly nothing aside from notifications and sleep monitoring, so I wished to see what the longevity would actually be like with the always-on show toggled and a number of other exercises tracked.
With this utilization, I used to be capable of get by way of simply over 4 days of use (together with five-nights of sleep monitoring) earlier than the battery died. Whereas that’s fairly a distinction in comparison with CMF’s 13-day declare, I’m certain that you would be able to stretch the battery life for fairly a bit longer by disabling the always-on show and opting towards utilizing the dual-band GPS monitoring.
Plus, even activating these options, you’ll nonetheless be capable to get by way of a weekend with out fear, which is greater than will be mentioned for many big-brand smartwatches, which may wrestle to final 24 hours in some instances.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Charging isn’t the speediest expertise, because it took about one hour and 28 minutes to completely high up the battery from 0%, however I did claw again 47% after a 30-minute stint, which needs to be greater than sufficient to get you thru a day or two.
Phrase of warning, although, you might wish to double examine that the charging cable is firmly secured earlier than leaving it to get on with its enterprise. The proprietary magnetic connector is a bit on the flimsy aspect and may come unfastened in the event you’re not cautious.
Worth & Availability
All 4 colourways of the CMF Watch 3 Professional (Darkish Gray, Mild Gray, Mild Inexperienced and Orange) are priced at £99/$99/€99, and at the moment are accessible to buy within the UK, US and the EU.
You should buy it from Nothing’s official retailer in addition to Amazon UK and Amazon US.
At this finish of the market, there aren’t too many smartwatches that may compete with the Watch 3 Professional, with the closest various from large manufacturers being the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, which retails at £199/$249.99 and the Huawei Watch Match 4 at £149.
Try our rundown of the very best funds smartwatches to see what the wearable is up towards. You may additionally wish to contemplate a health tracker, though there’s a trade-off with the sensible performance on provide.
As an example, the Fitbit Cost 6 can present Google Pay and YouTube Music controls, but it surely doesn’t have fast entry to Siri and Google Gemini.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Must you purchase the CMF Watch 3 Professional?
Despite the fact that it has misplaced one of many defining options that allowed its predecessor to face out available in the market, I nonetheless discover myself very impressed with the CMF Watch 3 Professional.
With a price ticket that massively undercuts most different smartwatches, and a mode that additionally exhibits them up, it’s very straightforward to advocate to people who don’t wish to spend an excessive amount of cash however don’t desire a primary health tracker both.
You’ll be able to observe loads of exercises on this factor, and entry key points of your smartphone on a big show that’s a pleasure to take a look at, more often than not. It’s solely actually held again by its lack of true waterproofing, NFC and display brightness.
Aside from that, CMF has as soon as once more proven why it’s a power to be reckoned with on the funds market.
Specs
- 1.43-inch show
- AMOLED panel
- 650 nits peak brightness
- 350mAh battery
- As much as 13-day battery life
- Twin-band GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- IP68 mud and water-proof
- Android & iPhone appropriate