For the past couple of weeks, the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has lived on my wrist — through work, runs, random walks under Scotland’s moody skies, and quiet moments at home. And now, standing at the crossroads of excitement and confusion, I can’t help but feel this watch is… well, unique.
Unique in a way that makes you stop and think — “Wait, how did we get here?”
So, here’s my story with the Watch 3 Pro, told in the way I experienced it.
Let’s start where it matters most: hardware, software, battery, and design — the pillars of this curious creation.
1. Hardware and Software – The Evolved Duo
The Watch 3 Pro feels like a thoughtful evolution, a refinement born from the lessons of the Watch 2 Pro.
Right from the first swipe, I could feel how fluid, stable, and intuitive the software has become. Gone are the laggy transitions and buggy hiccups I remember from testing the development version of its predecessor. Instead, everything now feels snappy — almost eager to please.
I especially love how much information fits neatly onto a single screen. It’s organized, logical, and somehow still visually satisfying. And oh, those watch faces — picking one felt like choosing a favorite song from a great album. Each one had its own charm, and I kept switching just because I could.
On the hardware side, the Watch 3 Pro steps up in every way. The display feels premium — bright and crisp — even under Scotland’s rare, elusive sunlight (I’m still waiting for that one perfect sunny day to test the peak brightness!). The GPS, the heart-rate sensor, the strap material — everything feels deliberate and solid.
I ran a side-by-side comparison with my Pixel Watch, and to my surprise, the step count and heart-rate readings matched almost perfectly. The only difference? The Watch 3 Pro took a bit longer to lock onto my heart rate — not inaccurate, just more patient.
The touch responsiveness is excellent, lag-free, and the microphone is leagues ahead of the previous generation. I did notice some echo indoors, but still, it’s a huge step forward.
2. Battery – The Silent Workhorse
At the heart of the Watch 3 Pro lies a 350 mAh battery, a true workhorse that powers the device tirelessly.
On a full charge, it consistently goes beyond Nothing’s claimed 13 Day of typical use. I didn’t push it to the extreme to test the promised 4.5 days, but even with moderate to heavy use, I could easily see it crossing the 3–3.5-day mark — which is impressive in this segment.
3. Design – The Beauty of Subtle Refinement
Ever since the first CMF watch, I’ve been drawn to the brand’s minimalist yet characterful design language. With each generation, the refinements have been subtle but meaningful — and the Watch 3 Pro carries that same philosophy forward beautifully.
There’s something satisfying about noticing the little things, like the recess under the charging pogo pins. It’s such a small tweak, yet it prevents the charging cable from slipping away — something that used to frustrate me on the Watch 2 Pro.
The crown positioning continues to be perfect for me — it never digs into my wrist like most watches do during workouts or daily wear. And that concaved bezel? Genius. It not only looks elegant but also helps protect the display from scratches, which is a quiet comfort for the slightly obsessive among us.
Conclusion – A Watch With a Personality
The CMF Watch 3 Pro isn’t just another smartwatch; it’s a reflection of a lifestyle. For someone like me — a full-time worker who loves running, walking, and hitting the gym occasionally — this is an ideal lifestyle smartwatch.
However, I wouldn’t recommend it to hardcore fitness enthusiasts just yet.
Here’s why:
Even after getting familiar with the watch and Nothing X app, I couldn’t readily change my default step goal from 5000.
When I simulated a run, the heart rate and other metrics were reliable, but I couldn’t easily go back and review those metrics afterward — unless I was using the running coach, in which case I could see the information in detail as required. So it’s either not baked into the general app view yet, or the navigation isn’t obvious.
And most importantly, the app doesn’t integrate with Strava, Google Fit, or other social fitness platforms, which limits sharing and tracking options for those who live by those ecosystems.
Still, for anyone starting their fitness journey or looking for a stylish, affordable smartwatch that punches above its weight — this one’s a winner.
Oh, and before I end — a random thought. Could the microphone on this watch double as a “super mic”? Because honestly, who really wants to take calls on loudspeaker in public anymore? Everyone’s got earbuds. Maybe it’s an Easter egg from the Nothing team, quietly waiting to be discovered.
Until then, we’ll wait… and watch. (No pun intended.)
( Apologies all of the above three points that I had struggled with are doable and it was me who wasn't navigating app thoroughly and with help from community Member @MarkG13 after writing this post, I got the above mentioned resolved. Hence maybe now I can recommend it as a solid fitness watch too 🤩 )
