This Smartwatch is $69!

Marques Brownlee

Marques Brownlee

9 min, 10 sec

An in-depth review of the CMF smartwatch which retails for $69 and offers basic functionalities expected from a smartwatch.

Summary

  • The CMF smartwatch is considered impressive for its price, offering basic features like notifications, step counter, heart rate and calorie counter, and sleep tracking.
  • Despite its low cost, the smartwatch has a square design with a 1.96-inch display, a silicone band, and claims to be made of aluminum alloy but feels like plastic.
  • It has no auto brightness, uneven bezels, a single button, a tinny speaker, and charges via USB A to dual pin cable, but is IP68 water and dust resistant.
  • The watch pairs with the CMF Watch app and has a UI that is intuitive with features like exercise tracking, heart rate history, weather, and sleep tracking.
  • The watch has a long battery life due to its simplicity and is compatible with any Android phone, but is on the premium end of its market segment.

Chapter 1

Initial Impressions and Design

0:00 - 1 min, 33 sec

First impressions of the CMF smartwatch focus on its design, pricing, and basic feature set.

First impressions of the CMF smartwatch focus on its design, pricing, and basic feature set.

  • The CMF smartwatch is notable for its $69 price point and basic functions like time, notifications, and health tracking.
  • The design includes a square shape, a 1.96-inch display, metallic gray color, and an orange silicone band that feels similar to other smartwatch bands.
  • Materials are described as aluminum alloy on the website, but the feel suggests a more plastic-like construction.

Chapter 2

Build Quality and Charging

1:33 - 58 sec

Evaluating the build quality, uneven bezels, charging method, and resistance to elements.

Evaluating the build quality, uneven bezels, charging method, and resistance to elements.

  • The smartwatch has thick and uneven bezels, a single shallow button, a tinny speaker, and lacks a rotating dial.
  • It charges with a USB A to dual pin cable instead of a fancy charging puck, which magnetizes to the back of the watch.
  • Despite cost-cutting measures, the watch is IP68 water and dust resistant, a feature previously omitted from similar products due to cost.

Chapter 3

User Interface and Functionality

2:31 - 1 min, 42 sec

A detailed look at the user interface, watch apps, and how they integrate with a smartphone.

A detailed look at the user interface, watch apps, and how they integrate with a smartphone.

  • The UI is intuitive and comes with various apps, including exercise tracking, blood oxygen measurement, and phone calls.
  • It can control music playback, act as a camera remote, and integrate with Google Assistant via the watch's mics and speakers.
  • A Find My Phone app is included, which works when the CMF app is open on the phone, and it plays a ringing sound to locate the phone.

Chapter 4

Sleep Tracking and Eight Sleep Sponsorship

4:13 - 2 min, 10 sec

Discussion of the watch's sleep tracking capabilities and an interlude about the Eight Sleep smart mattress cover.

Discussion of the watch's sleep tracking capabilities and an interlude about the Eight Sleep smart mattress cover.

  • The smartwatch's sleep tracking is mentioned, but the focus shifts to the Eight Sleep Pod Mattress Cover, which monitors sleep and adjusts bed temperature.
  • Eight Sleep's app provides detailed sleep reports, and a special offer for viewers is mentioned.
  • The integration of Eight Sleep is presented as an alternative to wearing a wearable device for sleep tracking.

Chapter 5

Battery Life and Charging Routine

6:23 - 55 sec

Insights into the watch's battery life and the nightly charging routine.

Insights into the watch's battery life and the nightly charging routine.

  • The watch's simple magnetic pin charger and its impressive battery life due to the device's simplicity are highlighted.
  • The watch can last for up to 13 days of regular use, with three days of use confirmed without issue.
  • The battery life exceeds that of an Apple Watch due to the CMF watch's less demanding power needs.

Chapter 6

Market Position and Comparison

7:18 - 1 min, 48 sec

Analyzing the CMF smartwatch's market position and comparing it to similar products.

Analyzing the CMF smartwatch's market position and comparing it to similar products.

  • The CMF smartwatch is recognized as a premium product within its market segment of basic smartwatches, which generally range from $20 to $50.
  • CMF's strategy is to offer a slightly better packaged product with a better design at a slightly higher price point.
  • The CMF brand, a sub-brand of Nothing, is known for its design-focused products that are priced higher than their spec equivalents.

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