The smartphone market is teeming with options at every price point, but the mid-range sector has seen fierce competition in recent years. Two contenders that have grabbed attention are the CMF Phone 1 and the Samsung Galaxy A25. Both of these devices aim to deliver impressive performance and features without breaking the bank. But which one is really better?
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll take a look at the design, display, performance, camera quality, battery life, software experience, and other important factors to determine whether the CMF Phone 1 truly outshines the Galaxy A25. Let’s dive in.
1. Design and Build Quality
CMF Phone 1:
- Material: Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back
- Dimensions: 160.5 x 74.1 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 175g
- Colors: Blue, Black, Green
The CMF Phone 1 features a sleek design with a glass front and plastic back for a sturdy, lightweight build. It has a modern look, with slim bezels and a punch-hole camera design for a clean front face. Its aluminum frame adds durability, making it feel more premium than its price suggests.
Galaxy A25:
- Material: Plastic front, plastic back, plastic frame
- Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.1 x 9.3 mm
- Weight: 190g
- Colors: Black, White, Violet, Silver
The Samsung Galaxy A25 offers a similar design language to Samsung’s higher-end phones but at a more affordable price. The plastic body keeps the weight down, but it doesn’t feel quite as premium as the CMF Phone 1’s aluminum frame. However, the phone is solidly built and comfortable to hold, with rounded edges and a glossy finish that gives it a polished appearance.
Verdict:
- Winner: CMF Phone 1. The aluminum frame and overall lightweight feel give it an edge over the Galaxy A25, which feels bulkier and less premium due to its all-plastic construction.
2. Display Quality
CMF Phone 1:
- Display: 6.43-inch AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels (Full HD+)
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz
- Brightness: 600 nits
The CMF Phone 1 sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smoother scrolling and fluid animations, providing a premium viewing experience even in this mid-range segment.
Galaxy A25:
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels (Full HD+)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Brightness: 700 nits
The Galaxy A25 steps it up with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, slightly larger than the CMF Phone 1, and offers impressive brightness levels at 700 nits. However, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which is noticeably less fluid compared to the 90Hz refresh rate of the CMF Phone 1. Despite the lower refresh rate, the display on the Galaxy A25 is still sharp and clear, making it ideal for multimedia consumption.
Verdict:
- Winner: CMF Phone 1. While the Galaxy A25 offers a slightly brighter screen, the smoother 90Hz refresh rate on the CMF Phone 1 provides a more responsive and enjoyable experience overall.
3. Performance
CMF Phone 1:
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 920
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- GPU: Mali-G68
- OS: Android 13
The CMF Phone 1 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920, a capable mid-range processor that offers smooth performance for day-to-day tasks and moderate gaming. Paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, this phone handles multitasking efficiently and provides decent performance for a wide range of applications.
Galaxy A25:
- Processor: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- GPU: Mali-G68
- OS: One UI 5.1 (based on Android 13)
The Galaxy A25 runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1280 chipset, which is a mid-tier processor designed to offer a good balance between performance and efficiency. With 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy A25 handles multitasking with ease, though the Exynos chip may not match the peak performance of the Dimensity 920 in high-performance apps or games.
Verdict:
- Winner: CMF Phone 1. The Dimensity 920 offers slightly better overall performance, especially in terms of graphics processing and handling more demanding tasks.
4. Camera System
CMF Phone 1:
- Primary Camera: 64MP (f/1.8)
- Ultrawide Camera: 8MP (f/2.2)
- Macro Camera: 5MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.0)
The CMF Phone 1 is equipped with a 64MP primary camera that captures detailed images in various lighting conditions. The 8MP ultrawide camera adds versatility for landscape shots, and the 5MP macro camera is good for close-up shots. The 16MP front camera performs well for selfies and video calls, delivering crisp images.
Galaxy A25:
- Primary Camera: 50MP (f/1.8)
- Ultrawide Camera: 12MP (f/2.2)
- Macro Camera: 5MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 13MP (f/2.0)
The Galaxy A25 features a 50MP primary sensor that also produces sharp images, but the additional 12MP ultrawide camera gives it an advantage when capturing expansive scenes. The 5MP macro camera is identical to the one on the CMF Phone 1, and the 13MP front camera is slightly lower in resolution but still delivers decent selfies.
Verdict:
- Winner: Galaxy A25. While the CMF Phone 1’s primary camera has a higher resolution, the better ultrawide camera on the Galaxy A25 gives it a slight edge in versatility.
5. Battery Life and Charging
CMF Phone 1:
- Battery Capacity: 4500mAh
- Charging: 33W Fast Charging
- Battery Life: Up to 1.5 days (moderate use)
The CMF Phone 1 is powered by a 4500mAh battery, which is solid for a mid-range phone. It offers 33W fast charging, allowing the phone to charge quickly from 0 to 50% in just under 30 minutes. Battery life is solid, easily lasting more than a day with moderate use.
Galaxy A25:
- Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 25W Fast Charging
- Battery Life: Up to 2 days (moderate use)
The Galaxy A25 comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is larger than the CMF Phone 1’s battery. It can comfortably last up to 2 days with moderate use, making it a winner in terms of endurance. However, the 25W fast charging is slightly slower than the CMF Phone 1, but still sufficient for most users.
Verdict:
- Winner: Galaxy A25. With a larger battery and longer-lasting performance, the A25 is a better choice for users who prioritize battery life.
6. Software and Features
CMF Phone 1:
- OS: Android 13
- UI: Clean, minimal interface
- Updates: Guaranteed 3 years of OS updates
The CMF Phone 1 runs Android 13 with a minimal user interface, similar to stock Android. This provides a clean experience without much bloatware, which many users appreciate. Software updates are guaranteed for 3 years, ensuring the phone stays up to date for a decent amount of time.
Galaxy A25:
- OS: One UI 5.1 (based on Android 13)
- UI: Feature-rich interface with Samsung-specific features
- Updates: Guaranteed 4 years of OS updates
The Galaxy A25 runs Samsung’s One UI 5.1, which is packed with features like Samsung Pay, Edge Panels, and DeX mode. While it’s more feature-rich, it can feel bloated compared to the CMF Phone 1’s cleaner interface. However, the 4 years of software updates provide a longer support cycle than the CMF Phone 1.
Verdict:
- Winner: Galaxy A25. The extended software support and feature-rich One UI make it the better choice for those who prefer extra functionality and longer update cycles.
Final Verdict: Is the CMF Phone 1 Really Better Than the Galaxy A25?
Both the CMF Phone 1 and Samsung Galaxy A25 are excellent mid-range devices with distinct strengths. The CMF Phone 1 offers a better design, a smoother 90Hz display, and slightly superior performance for gaming and multitasking. On the other hand, the Galaxy A25 stands out with its versatile camera system, longer battery life, and extended software support.
If you prioritize design, display smoothness, and performance, the CMF Phone 1 is the better option. However, if you value battery life, camera versatility, and long-term software updates, the Galaxy A25 comes out on top.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on what you need most from your smartphone. Both phones provide incredible value, and you can’t go wrong with either option.