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| The CMF Phone 2 Pro is no longer available at Nothing, and a successor is not planned for the time being |
The skyrocketing costs of memory components are reshaping the smartphone market, and budget-conscious consumers are feeling the impact most severely.
In a surprising move that signals just how deeply the ongoing DRAM and NAND flash shortage is affecting the tech industry, Nothing has officially removed the affordable CMF Phone 2 Pro from its lineup. The budget-friendly device, which was launched as part of Nothing's value-oriented CMF sub-brand, is no longer listed on the company's official website. While the phone can still be found at select third-party retailers, its disappearance from Nothing's storefront marks a significant shift in strategy for the London-based tech startup.
This development comes as the entire smartphone industry grapples with a severe memory component shortage that shows no signs of abating. Industry analysts have been warning for months that the DRAM crisis would eventually force manufacturers to make difficult decisions about their product lines, and Nothing appears to be the first major player to take such a dramatic step.
CMF Phone Future Uncertain as Memory Costs Skyrocket
Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis took to social media to confirm the news, stating that the company had been actively developing a successor to the CMF Phone 2 Pro but was forced to abandon the project. The primary obstacle? The astronomical rise in prices for DRAM and NAND flash storage components.
"Given the very high prices for DRAM and NAND, we simply would not be able to bring a smartphone to market that offers better specs than the CMF Phone 2 Pro while still being priced appropriately for our budget CMF sub-brand," Evangelidis explained in his post.
The confirmation represents a significant pivot for Nothing, which had positioned the CMF sub-brand as a way to bring affordable, design-forward devices to price-conscious consumers. The CMF Phone 2 Pro, with its distinctive design and competitive specifications, had been well-received in markets where consumers are particularly sensitive to price increases.
No New CMF Phone in 2026
Perhaps most tellingly, Evangelidis also confirmed that no new CMF Phone will launch in 2026. This effectively puts the entire CMF Phone product line on indefinite hold, with the company choosing to redirect its resources toward other product categories that aren't as heavily impacted by the memory component crisis.
"Instead, we plan to focus on other product categories and launch several new CMF products that are not as heavily affected by the DRAM crisis," Evangelidis added. This suggests that while the CMF brand will continue to exist, its smartphone ambitions have been put on ice for the foreseeable future.
How the DRAM Crisis Affects Smartphone Pricing
The DRAM and NAND flash memory markets have been experiencing unprecedented volatility over the past year. Several factors have contributed to this crisis:
Supply chain disruptions continue to plague semiconductor manufacturing, with production capacity struggling to keep pace with global demand. Major memory manufacturers have been reluctant to invest in new fabrication facilities given the cyclical nature of the memory market, creating a supply-demand imbalance.
Rising raw material costs have further exacerbated the situation. The production of memory chips requires rare earth elements and specialized manufacturing processes that have become increasingly expensive.
Increased demand from AI and data centers has diverted significant memory production capacity away from consumer electronics. The explosive growth of artificial intelligence applications has created a massive appetite for high-performance memory, driving up prices across the board.
The Budget Segment Takes the Biggest Hit
While premium smartphones have more flexibility to absorb these cost increases through either hardware compromises or price adjustments, budget devices like the CMF Phone 2 Pro operate on razor-thin margins. A $10-20 increase in component costs can completely eliminate profitability for a $300 smartphone.
"The DRAM crisis is expected to last for several more years," Evangelidis warned. This long-term outlook suggests that the budget smartphone segment may be in for a prolonged period of disruption.
Nothing Phones Remain Unaffected
It's important to note that this change in plans only affects CMF Phones, not Nothing Phones. The main Nothing lineup, which includes devices like the Nothing Phone (2) and its successors, are positioned at somewhat higher price points and therefore have more room to offset higher memory costs.
The company has indicated that the Nothing Phone series will continue as planned, with consumers able to expect new flagship and mid-premium devices in the coming years. These higher-priced devices can absorb increased component costs without sacrificing profitability, either through carefully considered hardware compromises or modest price increases.
What This Means for Consumers
For consumers looking for an affordable mid-range smartphone in the coming months, Evangelidis offered some practical advice: "Anyone looking for an affordable mid-range smartphone in the coming months may be better off considering last year's models rather than waiting for new ones."
This recommendation reflects a broader trend in the smartphone market, where previous-generation devices increasingly represent the best value proposition. As manufacturers struggle to keep prices down on new models, last year's flagships and mid-rangers often offer comparable performance at significantly lower prices.
Industry-Wide Implications
Nothing's decision to halt its CMF Phone line could be a harbinger of things to come for the smartphone industry. Other manufacturers with budget-oriented sub-brands may be forced to make similar choices if memory prices continue to rise.
Xiaomi's Redmi, Samsung's Galaxy A series, and OnePlus' Nord lineup all operate in similar price territories to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. While these companies have larger economies of scale and potentially more negotiating power with component suppliers, the fundamental economics of the budget smartphone market are challenging for everyone.
The Future of CMF
While CMF smartphones may be on hold, the CMF sub-brand isn't going away entirely. Nothing has confirmed plans to launch several new CMF products in other categories that aren't as heavily dependent on expensive memory components. This could include accessories, wearables, or other smart devices that align with the brand's design philosophy and value proposition.
Analysis: A Strategic Pivot or a Sign of Deeper Troubles?
For Nothing, this decision represents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, abandoning a product line that had gained traction in the market is never an easy choice. The CMF Phone 2 Pro had established a foothold in the budget segment, and its discontinuation may disappoint consumers who were looking forward to future iterations.
On the other hand, the move allows Nothing to focus its resources on areas where it can compete more effectively. The company has built a reputation for distinctive design and a unique user experience, and doubling down on the main Nothing Phone line while exploring new product categories could strengthen its brand identity.
The DRAM crisis has forced many tech companies to reevaluate their strategies, but it has also created opportunities for innovation. Companies that can find creative ways to deliver value without relying heavily on expensive memory components may gain a competitive advantage in the coming years.
Looking Ahead: When Will Memory Prices Stabilize?
Industry experts offer mixed predictions about when the DRAM and NAND flash markets might stabilize. Some believe that new fabrication facilities coming online in 2027 and 2028 will eventually ease supply constraints, while others warn that structural changes in the memory market could keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future.
The growing demand for memory in AI applications shows no signs of slowing down, and until manufacturers significantly increase production capacity, the pressure on memory prices is likely to continue. For budget smartphone manufacturers and consumers alike, this means that the era of ever-cheaper smartphones with ever-improving specifications may be coming to an end.
Final Thoughts
Nothing's decision to remove the CMF Phone 2 Pro from its lineup and cancel plans for a 2026 successor is a sobering reminder of how external factors can reshape the technology landscape. The DRAM crisis, while invisible to most consumers, is having a tangible impact on the devices available in the market and their prices.
For now, budget-conscious smartphone buyers would be wise to follow Evangelidis' advice and consider last year's models. The rapid pace of smartphone advancement means that a one-year-old device can still offer excellent performance at a fraction of the cost of a new model, and in today's market, that might be the smartest purchase you can make.
As for Nothing, the company's pivot away from CMF smartphones may ultimately prove to be a strategic move that allows it to navigate the current market turbulence and emerge stronger. The tech world will be watching closely to see what the company does next, and whether other manufacturers follow its lead in scaling back their budget smartphone ambitions.
What are your thoughts on Nothing's decision to halt its CMF Phone lineup? Are you considering last year's models for your next smartphone purchase? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Source : Akis Evangelidis (X)
A lot of you have been asking when the next CMF phone is coming and as always we'd rather be transparent.
— Akis Evangelidis (@AkisEvangelidis) June 19, 2026
CMF Phone 2 Pro was a product we were incredibly proud of. It even won Budget Phone of the Year from MKBHD and the response from all of you made it even more special.
We…