I’ve been using the CMF Watch 3 Pro as part of the Community Review Program, big thanks to @Deepanshu_Saini_ for the invite and the chance to give this watch a go.
In short, the Watch 3 Pro is a really solid, affordable smartwatch, as long as you’re okay with skipping a few premium features.
I’ve been fortunate enough to use all of CMF’s smartwatches so far, though it’s been quite a while since I last used the Watch Pro 2. So when the chance came to try out the new version, I was keen to see whether some of the old quirks had been addressed in the Watch 3 Pro.
⌚ Design
Out of the box, the Watch 3 Pro sticks to CMF’s minimalist design approach, which I was happy to see. I received the Light Grey version, which at first glance looks very similar to the Watch Pro 2 (aside from a different strap), though the Light Green and Orange options bring a fresh, distinct look.
That said, I’m still not a fan of the silicone strap. It was one of my gripes with the previous model. While you can buy and swap straps easily, which is great, I’d love to see the option to pick your strap type at purchase. Personally, the silicone can get uncomfortable after long wear, especially during workouts, when it tends to rub against the skin.
I also noticed that the removable bezel from the Watch Pro 2 has been dropped in favour of a slightly larger 1.43-inch OLED display. I’m all for that change. Swapping bezels never interested me much, and the bigger screen feels like a worthwhile trade-off.
The crown placement is spot-on, it doesn’t dig into my wrist and the materials used make it feel surprisingly premium. The tactile click when rotating or pressing the crown gives it a sturdy, quality feel that stands out in this price range.
🔋 Battery & Charging
Battery life is where the Watch 3 Pro really shines. CMF claims up to 13 days of typical use, and in my case, it actually lasted slightly longer. Over roughly a month of use, I only charged it once, exactly what you want from a smartwatch.
However, charging itself could use work. The cable feels flimsy, and the magnetic strength of the connector is quite weak. I often had to reattach it several times just to ensure a solid connection. Compared to the firmer, plug-in design of my Garmin charger, this felt like a step down. A sturdier or alternative charging method would make a big difference in future models.
⚙️ OS & Customisation
The Watch 3 Pro feels designed primarily for fitness-focused users, with 131 sports modes, a four-channel heart rate sensor, and even AI coaching for running plans and post-workout summaries.
It’s also now integrated into Nothing X, which is a welcome improvement, and it syncs well with Strava, Apple Health, and Google Health Connect.
The number of available watch faces is huge, almost overwhelming. You can even create your own with AI, photos, or video clips. The interface is fluid and responsive, a big step up from the Watch Pro 2, which occasionally lagged.
That said, I wish there was more customisation within those watch faces. Often, I’d find a design that had some features I wanted, like, steps, heart rate, and battery — but couldn’t swap out the one missing piece. Other brands, like TicWatch, handle this flexibility better.
A few smaller misses too:
You can’t swipe away individual notifications.
There’s no quick reply option for messages like WhatsApp, and emojis still don’t display properly.
They’re minor gripes, but ones that slightly break the illusion of a fully “smart” experience.
💭 Final Thoughts
The CMF Watch 3 Pro is a genuinely impressive smartwatch for the price — stylish, lightweight, durable, and with standout battery life.
I’d happily recommend it to anyone upgrading from a CMF Watch Pro or entering the smartwatch world without wanting to overspend.
If, however, you’re after NFC payments, deep app integration, or high-end fitness analytics, you might find its limits pretty quickly. But for what it aims to be — a reliable, well-designed everyday smartwatch — it nails most of the brief.
