I Tested the $99 CMF Watch 3 Pro for a Week: Does It Outshine the Pixel Watch?
Recently launched by CMF, a budget-friendly sub-brand from Carl Pei's Nothing family, the Watch 3 Pro aims to deliver great design and solid functionality at an affordable price point. Priced at just $99, this smartwatch promises many features found in premium models but at a fraction of the cost. After spending a full week wearing and using the CMF Watch 3 Pro, here’s an in-depth look at how it performs and whether it can really challenge established players like the Google Pixel Watch.
The CMF Watch 3 Pro Overview
Targeted at budget-conscious users, the CMF Watch 3 Pro combines a stylish look with a range of functions usually reserved for more expensive wearables. With the backing of Carl Pei’s Nothing brand, the watch seeks to balance affordability with quality design and user-friendly features.
What You Get for Just $99
The retail packaging is modest but functional, reflecting the budget price point of the device.
Display & Brightness
The 1.43-inch AMOLED screen delivers a sharp 466x466 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and reaches up to 670 nits of brightness. While it is not as bright as high-end models like the Pixel Watch 4 (3,000 nits) or Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 (3,500 nits), it still performs admirably on a cloudy autumn day, providing clear visibility in most environments.
One standout feature is the availability of 120 free watch faces, allowing users plenty of customization options out of the box.
Health and Sleep Tracking
The CMF Watch 3 Pro covers the basics with real-time heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, stress monitoring, and sleep tracking. While it doesn’t offer some of the more advanced metrics found on premium watches, it provides reliable daily health monitoring for most users.
Workout Features
The watch supports a wide range of sports modes, including outdoor and indoor running, cycling, hiking, and even pool swimming. Run tracking is detailed and comprehensive. However, there is no support for certain water sports, and the app ecosystem is more limited compared to platforms like Wear OS.
Battery Life: More Than a Day?
The 350mAh battery impresses by lasting three to four days even with the Always-On Display (AOD) enabled and about an hour of daily exercise. This kind of endurance is strong for a smartwatch at this price range, meaning you won’t need to charge it every night.
Is It a Pixel Watch Killer?
While the CMF Watch 3 Pro is unlikely to displace the Pixel Watch in terms of ecosystem integration, premium build, or software experience, it certainly ranks as one of the best budget smartwatches available. For those seeking solid features and long battery life without spending hundreds of dollars, CMF Watch 3 Pro is a compelling choice.
CMF Watch 3 Pro - Key Specs at a Glance
- Display: 1.43” AMOLED touchscreen, 466 x 466 px resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 670 nits max brightness, Always-On Display (AOD)
- Straps: Detachable 22mm straps, adjustable length 140-220mm
- Features: IP68 water resistance, heart rate monitor, SpO2, sleep & stress tracking, notifications, music & camera controls
- Sports Modes: Outdoor/Indoor Run, Cycling, Hiking, Pool Swimming, Jump Rope, Freestyle, 130+ modes via companion app
- Sensors: Optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band GNSS, microphone and speaker, compatible with Android 6.0+ and iOS 13+
- Battery: 350mAh, 3-4 days battery life with AOD on
- Colors: Light Gray, Light Green, Orange, Dark Gray
- Dimensions & Weight: 47 x 47 x 14.4 mm, 51 grams (without strap)
