CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro Smart Watch Review: Worth Buying?

I bought a smartwatch under $100 expecting it to feel cheap. The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro surprised me. It looks far more expensive than it costs, and it solves one problem I had with budget watches: a screen I could not read outside.

This review is for anyone tired of foggy displays, slow GPS, and watches that die in two days. I wore this one daily for weeks. Here is the honest breakdown, including who should skip it.

In a Nutshell

• Display that actually works outdoors: The 1.43-inch AMOLED hits 670 nits, so I could read it in direct sun. The 60Hz refresh feels smooth.
• GPS that locks fast: The dual-band L1+L5 GNSS connects in seconds. This was a major weak spot on the older model, and it is fixed.
• Real battery life: Expect around 7 days of mixed use with notifications and workouts on. The claimed 13 days needs very light settings.
• Best for runners and casual fitness users: Heart rate, sleep, and stress tracking match pricier watches. A built-in running coach adds genuine value.
• Not for swimmers: It is IP68 rated for rain and sweat only. No swim tracking, and you should not take it in a pool.
• Calls and ChatGPT on the wrist: The speaker and mic work well, and you get voice assistant access plus news read aloud.

Last update on 2026-08-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

What You Get for Under $100

The Watch 3 Pro sells for around $99 on Amazon.com. At that price, the spec sheet reads like a watch costing twice as much.

You get a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, dual-band GPS, Bluetooth calling, and 131 sport modes. The build mixes a metal body with a silicone strap. It feels solid, not plasticky.

The real win is the polished software. Most cheap watches feel clunky. This one moves smoothly and looks clean.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The box is slim and simple. Inside, you get the watch, the strap, and a two-pin magnetic charging cable. That is it. No extras, no manual clutter.

The watch face is protected, and the dot-matrix branding on the back is a nice touch. My review unit came in Light Green, which has a metallic finish on the bezel.

First impression on the wrist: it feels premium. The crown clicks with satisfying vibration feedback. For under $100, the packaging punches above its price.

Design and Build Quality

This is a 47mm watch, so it is big. At 14.4mm thick and around 51 grams, it sits high on the wrist. People with smaller wrists should note this.

The metal frame and rotating crown give it a real watch feel. The bottom housing the sensors is plastic, which keeps weight down. The 22mm strap is interchangeable, so you can swap in any standard band.

The downside: CMF dropped the removable bezel from last year. I am not sure why, but it limits the customizing you could once do.

Top 3 Alternatives for CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro

If the CMF does not fit your needs, these three are worth a look.

Amazfit Bip 6

Last update on 2026-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

Redmi Watch 5 Active

Last update on 2026-08-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

Amazfit Active 2 Premium

Last update on 2026-07-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

The Display Is the Star

This is where the watch earns its money. The AMOLED panel is bright, sharp, and smooth. At 466 x 466 resolution with 60fps, text looks crisp.

I could read it in bright sun without shielding the screen. That alone separates it from cheaper LCD watches. The Always-On Display works too, showing key info without a wrist flick.

You get over 120 free watch faces. The video dial that plays a clip when you check the time is a fun trick. Only seven faces store on the watch at once, though.

GPS and Outdoor Accuracy

The old CMF watch had terrible GPS. It took forever to lock. This one fixes that completely.

The dual-band L1+L5 GNSS locks in seconds, not minutes. I left my phone at home for runs and the route maps came back accurate. This is rare at this price.

For runners, this is the deciding feature. You get reliable distance and pace without dragging a phone along. Runners and walkers will appreciate this most.

Health and Sleep Tracking

The optical heart rate sensor also reads blood oxygen, stress, and sleep. I compared readings against a pricier Huawei watch and they lined up closely.

Sleep tracking impressed me. It showed my actual wake-up time instead of guessing when I got out of bed. The breakdown of sleep stages and a quality score appear right on the watch.

You can set heart rate checks every 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes. High and low heart rate alerts are included. These are estimates, not medical readings, so treat them as guidance.

Fitness and the Running Coach

With 131 sport modes, most activities are covered. The standout is the AI running coach, which builds a plan and adjusts it to your progress.

You also get advanced metrics like VO2 Max, training load, and recovery. The warm-up guide uses 3D animations, which is a thoughtful touch. Data syncs to Strava, Apple Health, and Google Fit.

The big gap is no swim tracking. Even cheap bands offer this now. If you swim laps, this watch is the wrong choice.

Battery Life: The Honest Numbers

CMF claims up to 13 days. That number needs light use with the display dimmed and the always-on screen off.

In real use, I got around 7 days. That was with auto brightness, 100+ daily notifications, full health tracking, and three workouts. That is still solid for a week of wear.

Charging is quick. A full charge takes 90 minutes, and a 10-minute top-up gets you to 20%. The magnetic puck works, but wireless charging would have been nice.

Smart Features and Calling

Last update on 2026-08-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

The speaker and mic let you take calls on your wrist. Call quality was clear, which I did not expect at this price. You can send preset text replies too.

The Essential News feature reads headlines aloud through the speaker based on topics you pick. You also get ChatGPT and voice assistant access, plus a native voice recorder for quick notes.

The catch: there is no NFC for payments, no third-party apps, and no cellular. This is a companion watch, not a standalone device.

Who Should Skip This Watch

Be honest with yourself before buying. This watch is not for swimmers. The IP68 rating covers rain and sweat, but the seals can weaken in soapy or pool water. Do not swim with it.

It is also not for people who want a small, lightweight watch. At 47mm and 14.4mm thick, it feels chunky on slim wrists.

Skip it if you need contactless payments, app stores, or custom watch faces from a community. CMF locks you to its own faces with no SDK. Power users will feel boxed in.

My Honest Verdict

The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro is the best-looking smartwatch I have used under $100. The screen, the GPS, and the clean software make it feel like a more expensive product.

It is worth buying if you want a stylish daily watch for fitness, sleep, and calls. The running coach and fast GPS are real, not gimmicks.

Just go in knowing the limits: no swim tracking, no payments, and a large case. For everyone else, this is an easy recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim with the CMF Watch 3 Pro?

No. It is IP68 rated for rain, sweat, and splashes only. There is no swim tracking, and soapy or pool water can weaken the seals. Keep it out of the pool and avoid wearing it in the shower.

How long does the battery really last?

CMF claims up to 13 days, but that needs very light settings. In real use with notifications and workouts on, expect around 7 days. Charging from empty takes 90 minutes, with a 10-minute top-up reaching 20%.

Does it work with iPhone and Android?

Yes. It pairs through the Nothing X app and supports Android 6.0 and iOS 13+. I kept a stable connection with an iPhone and notifications arrived promptly. Calls work on both platforms.

Does it have NFC payments?

No. There is no NFC, so you cannot tap to pay. There is also no cellular option and no third-party app store. It is a phone companion, not a standalone watch.

Is the GPS accurate enough to leave my phone at home?

Yes. The dual-band GPS locks in seconds and tracks routes accurately. This was the weakest part of the older model and is now a strength. Runners and walkers can safely train phone-free.

Is it good for the price?

For under $100, yes. You get an AMOLED display, fast GPS, calling, and reliable health tracking. The main trade-offs are no swim tracking and a large case. For most casual users, the value is hard to beat.

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