CMF Watch 3 Pro review: A €99 smartwatch that punches above its price
The CMF Watch 3 Pro looks far more premium than its €99 price suggests, thanks to its sleek metal body. Picture: Nothing.
The CMF Watch 3 Pro has lived on my wrist through wind, rain and everyday chaos. It boasts decent specs that will suit the majority of users without feeling like they are missing out.
The first thing you notice is the weight, or lack of it. The 46 mm precision-milled aluminium chassis is only 48g with the strap, so after a week, I stopped noticing it was there. I wore it all the time, and my min green review unit looks contemporary, but the anodised finish has already shrugged off two door-frame knocks without a scuff.
The single crown is grippy even with wet hands. It has a smooth rotation and a soft click when pressed. The IP68 rating is reassuring, so you can shower, wash dishes, and accidentally dunk it in the sink without any ingress. It’s available in light green, orange, light grey and dark grey.
The 1.43-inch AMOLED pops at 466 × 466 px. Sunlight legibility in midday glare beats my flagships from a few years ago. Nothing says that the Watch 3 Pro has 10% thinner bezels than the Pro 2, but the screen now fills the glass. Night-time lift-to-wake is spot-on with no spurious flashes when turning in bed.
Nothing advertises 13 days of typical usage. I managed nine days, with 24-hour heart rate tracking, SpO2, and two 30-minute GPS cycle trips a week. Turning off the always-on display will give you much longer battery life. A full top-up from 5% takes about 1.5 hours on the charger; 25 minutes gives 45%.
Bluetooth calling is clear thanks to the extra mic, though callers knew I was on speaker.
The new four-channel heart-rate sensor delivered reliable results during runs and interval sessions. Picture: Noel Campion.
The dual-band GPS lock is fast: Eight seconds versus 35 on the previous Watch Pro 2. The custom running coach is a welcome addition for anyone looking for extra motivation and aiming to improve their cardiopulmonary fitness and overall running performance.
I found the sleep staging on the Watch 3 Pro was nowhere near as accurate as the results from my Oura Gen 4, so I would not rely on it.
The four-channel heart-rate sensor has improved accuracy compared to the previous model. 131 sports modes cover more activities than most people will ever need. The Watch 3 Pro can automatically detect seven activities, including walking, running, cycling, and rowing. If you forget to press go, it nudges you and adds the missed stats, so your log stays intact.
This is a budget smartwatch, so unsurprisingly, there’s no ECG, fall detection, or emergency SOS, which are common on more expensive models. You also don’t get an altimeter, which tracks elevation during activities like hiking or trail running.
On the smart side, ChatGPT voice integration has been surprisingly handy. I’ve used it to set reminders, check information and even draft quick notes hands-free. Bluetooth calling works well, too, which is a nice bonus. You also get a voice recorder that auto-transcribes, which is convenient, and the accuracy is solid.
One notable omission, which is understandable given the price, is contactless payments. There is no Google Wallet support, and you cannot install third-party apps either. You can receive messages, but you can’t swipe them away, and replies are limited to preset quick responses.
The CMF Watch 3 Pro is stylish and nails the essentials. It has stellar battery life, accurate GPS, and a decent screen.
€99 ie.nothing.tech
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