CMF – Tutor Dasher

The competition is fierce in the realm of budget smartphones, but the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and the CMF Phone 2 Pro stand out as top contenders. In today's world, buying a brand new phone can be a financial challenge. Flagship devices come with hefty price tags, while even mid-range options are expected to become more expensive in the coming years. Fortunately, there is a category of phones that offer great value for around £200/$200. Thanks to the maturity of the smartphone market, budget phones are now better than ever. At the forefront of this affordable class are the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and the CMF Phone 2 Pro. What sets them apart is their unique approaches to delivering value. So, which of these two phones is the better choice? After spending considerable time with both devices, we have made our decision on which one we would pick if we had £200/$200 to spend. Do you care about… getting the best price? Let’s address the most important factor for anyone shopping for a phone in this price range – cost. The CMF Phone 2 Pro starts at £219 (not available in the US), while the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is priced at £199/$199.99. While the price gap may seem small, a 10% saving is definitely significant. Chris Martin / Foundry As we will discuss further, the CMF Phone 2 Pro may justify its higher price over its competitor. However, if you have a strict budget of £200/$200, the Samsung phone is the way to go. It's worth noting that the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers more flexibility by providing a higher storage option of 256GB for £249, a feature not available with Samsung's phone. Winner: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Do you care about… unique design? The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G boasts a "Signature Samsung style," as we described it in our review. It shares similarities with other devices in the series and even echoes the design of more expensive Galaxy S models. While this consistency is beneficial for the overall feel of the phone, it also means that the Galaxy A17 5G design lacks excitement. In contrast, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a standout with a design unlike anything seen in a phone before. It can be described as 'industrial-chic' with visible screws and a camera module that appears to be bolted on. Luke Baker The back panel of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is removable, allowing access to the battery. It also features an Accessory Point that screws into the bottom corner, enabling attachment of various accessories such as a stand or a lanyard. Additionally, the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers an Essential Key for quick access to a smart AI-assisted journaling system. Both phones have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, providing equal protection in this aspect. Overall, the CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out for its unique design and tactile feel compared to the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G. From the front, the CMF handset features a more premium hole-punch design, while the Galaxy A17 5G has a less appealing teardrop notch. Winner: CMF Phone 2 Pro Do you care about… software support? Both phones offer compelling software experiences. Samsung's One UI 8 is robust and versatile, while Nothing OS 3.2 is stylish and innovative with its quality-of-life features. Notably, Nothing's Essential Space allows for quick documentation of thoughts and findings with a single press. Chris Martin / Foundry However, the key distinction lies in the software support commitments of the two brands. While Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, Samsung offers six years of both updates and security patches. For users who prefer to keep their phones for a longer duration, Samsung's extended software support provides a significant advantage. Winner: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Do you care about… performance? Performance may not be the primary concern when purchasing a budget phone, but for those seeking maximum value for their money, the CMF Phone 2 Pro emerges as the superior choice. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is powered by the capable Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, while the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G utilizes the modest Exynos 1330 chip with only 4GB of RAM. Benchmark tests clearly demonstrate the CMF Phone 2 Pro's superior performance in both CPU and GPU aspects, outperforming the Samsung device by a significant margin. Luke Baker Both phones may not feel exceptionally fast in operation, with noticeable delays when opening or switching between apps. Intensive gaming is also not recommended on either device, as graphics performance may be limited. However, the CMF Phone 2 Pro proves to be the more capable device across various tasks, offering better overall performance. Winner: CMF Phone 2 Pro Do you care about… camera quality? While photography may not be the primary focus when choosing a budget phone, having the ability to capture decent photos is a welcome feature. Both phones can deliver satisfactory results in good lighting conditions, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro boasts some advantages in the camera hardware department. Luke Baker The CMF Phone 2

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