CMF Watch 3 Pro A Smartwatch Upgrade On A Budget

Nothing's CMF sub-brand is making waves in the budget-friendly wearable market with its latest release, the Watch 3 Pro. Priced attractively under $100, it aims to deliver premium features without the premium cost, packing in a larger display, enhanced GPS, and even a touch of AI.

A Bigger Brighter Display and Impressive Battery

The most noticeable upgrade is the 1.43-inch AMOLED display, which is about 10% larger than its predecessor and now includes an always-on display (AOD) option for at-a-glance convenience. The watch is housed in a sleek metal case with silicone straps. Battery life remains a strong suit, offering up to 13 days of standard use. This drops to a still-respectable 4–5 days with the AOD enabled. When it's time to power up, the watch can be fully charged in approximately 99 minutes.

AI Smarts and Pinpoint GPS on a Budget

A key feature that sets the Watch 3 Pro apart at this price point is its ChatGPT integration. Users can speak prompts directly to the watch to set timers or get weather updates, with responses appearing as text on the screen. It's important to note that since there is no speaker, the interaction is purely visual. The GPS also gets a significant boost with dual-band positioning, ensuring a more accurate and stable signal for route tracking, even in challenging environments like dense urban areas.

Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking

For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch 3 Pro supports over 130 workout modes and covers all the essential health metrics, including heart rate, sleep, stress, SpO₂, and women’s health tracking. The updated sensor promises better accuracy across different skin tones and activity levels. To streamline your data, the companion Nothing X app now syncs with popular platforms like Strava, Apple Health, and Google Health Connect. However, some users of previous models have noted occasional data inconsistencies, such as missed steps or sleep tracking glitches.

Design and Smart Feature Trade-offs

While the design has been refined for a sleeker look, it comes at the cost of customization. The interchangeable bezel from earlier models has been removed, limiting personalization options. The watch does support Bluetooth calling with an improved secondary microphone for clearer conversations and includes handy gesture controls. However, it still operates more like a fitness tracker than a full-fledged smartwatch. It lacks support for third-party apps, onboard music storage, and the ability to reply to messages directly from the device.

The Final Verdict Is It Right For You

For under $100, the CMF Watch 3 Pro offers fantastic value. It delivers a crisp display, excellent battery life, reliable GPS, and a unique ChatGPT feature. It’s an attractive choice for casual users who want solid fitness tracking and a few smart features. However, if you're seeking the deep functionality of a true smartwatch with robust app support and rich interactivity, you might find its capabilities limited.

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