The smartwatch market is bifurcated: premium experiences like the Apple Watch Series 9, and increasingly compelling budget options. Nothing’s CMF Watch 3 Pro enters the fray aiming to disrupt the established order. This comparison dissects both watches, focusing on how Apple’s established ecosystem and the S9 chip stack up against Nothing’s newcomer, particularly given the limited publicly available specifications for the CMF Watch 3 Pro.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 remains the superior choice due to its seamless integration, powerful S9 chip, and mature software. However, users seeking a more affordable entry point into smartwatches, or those platform-agnostic, will find the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro a potentially attractive option, assuming its feature set delivers on value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 22 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 22 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 14.4 mm (1.85 x 1.85 x 0.57 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 51 g (1.80 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 650 nits (typ) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | - | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256 MB | 64GB |
| Phonebook | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 350 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Grey, Light Grey | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | D399 | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | € 69.00 / $ 63.13 | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Platform agnostic (likely compatible with Android and iOS)
- Stylish design consistent with Nothing’s aesthetic
- Unknown chipset performance
- Limited information on display quality
- Uncertainty regarding app ecosystem and support
Apple Watch Series 9
- Powerful Apple S9 chip for fast performance
- Seamless integration with iPhones and Apple ecosystem
- Mature watchOS with a vast app library
- Higher price point
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
- Battery life could be better
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a bright, always-on Retina display, likely around 1000 nits peak brightness, and utilizes LTPO technology for efficient refresh rate scaling. Given Nothing’s design language, the CMF Watch 3 Pro likely prioritizes aesthetics, but without specific brightness data, it’s difficult to assess its outdoor visibility. The Series 9’s smaller bezels contribute to a more immersive experience. Color accuracy on the Apple Watch is typically excellent, calibrated for natural tones. The CMF Watch 3 Pro’s display quality will be a key differentiator, and its success hinges on achieving a competitive level of clarity and vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch features a camera. This is a common trend in modern smartwatches, prioritizing battery life and form factor over camera functionality. Therefore, this section is not applicable to this comparison.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by the dual-core Apple S9 SiP, a significant upgrade over previous generations. This chip enables faster processing speeds, improved Siri responsiveness, and new features like Double Tap gesture control. The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro’s chipset remains unspecified, but given its price point, it will almost certainly utilize a less powerful, likely MediaTek or Qualcomm, solution. The S9’s efficiency is also noteworthy, contributing to all-day battery life. The Series 9’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance. The CMF Watch 3 Pro will likely face a performance deficit, impacting app loading times and overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers up to 18 hours of battery life with typical use and supports wireless charging, reaching 80% charge in approximately 45 minutes. The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro’s battery capacity and charging speed are currently unknown. However, given its likely lower power chipset, it may achieve comparable or even slightly better battery life. The efficiency of the S9 chip in the Apple Watch is a key factor in its battery performance, and the CMF Watch 3 Pro will need to optimize its power consumption to compete.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro if you need a stylish, potentially feature-rich smartwatch at a significantly lower price point and aren’t reliant on the Apple ecosystem. It’s ideal for Android users or those simply wanting basic smartwatch functionality without the premium cost. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you prioritize performance, seamless integration with iPhones, advanced health tracking features, and a polished, refined user experience, and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How will the lack of specific app ecosystem details impact the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro’s usability?
The success of the CMF Watch 3 Pro hinges on the availability of third-party apps. A limited app selection could restrict functionality compared to the Apple Watch Series 9’s extensive watchOS app store. Users should investigate app compatibility before purchasing.
❓ Given the Apple S9’s Double Tap gesture control, what comparable features might the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro offer for hands-free interaction?
Without knowing the CMF Watch 3 Pro’s sensor suite, it’s difficult to say. However, Nothing may implement alternative gesture controls or voice assistant integration to provide a similar level of hands-free convenience, though likely with reduced sophistication compared to Apple’s Double Tap.
❓ If I primarily use an Android phone, is the Apple Watch Series 9 still a viable option?
While technically possible to pair an Apple Watch with an Android phone, functionality is severely limited. You’ll lose access to key features like iMessage integration, Apple Pay, and seamless health data syncing. The Apple Watch Series 9 is overwhelmingly designed for the Apple ecosystem and is not recommended for Android users.
