Should you upgrade to the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro? A runner's take.

Nothing has just dropped a new smartwatch, and it’s making us seriously question why we ever spent more than $100 on a running watch. The CMF Watch 3 Pro retails for just $99 (it's already on sale) and packs in features you’d normally expect from far more expensive models. The CMF Watch Pro 3 replaces last year’s CMF Watch Pro 2, and while that model was already impressive for its price, this new version seriously levels up.

With built-in dual-band GPS, AI-powered tracking, and over 130 sports modes, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting budget fitness trackers in years. As someone who loves any product that makes sport more accessible without skimping on performance, this one feels like a win.

But is it worth the upgrade?

What I love about the CMF Watch 3 Pro

Honestly, at this price, there's not much to complain about. But let's dig a little deeper.

The CMF Watch 3 Pro might just be one of the most advanced smartwatches I've seen at this price point. It's feature-rich and puts health and fitness tracking at the very center of everything it offers. When it comes to fitness tracking, users get over 130 workout modes with real-time insights powered by GOMORE, which tracks aerobic vs. anaerobic performance, training load, and recovery. It also automatically recognizes seven types of movement, so if you forget to press "start," you don't miss out on tracking your workout. L1+L5 Dual Band GPS also makes an appearance, giving you extra accuracy for outdoor workouts.

Further advanced tracking features include a four-channel heart rate sensor, 24/7 monitoring, and SpO₂ tracking — all things you'd expect in a much (much!) pricier watch. The sleep tracking is also at a level that you would expect from a premium model. It gives you insights into your sleep stages and also monitors your stress levels

Some standout features for me include the hydration and posture reminders, and women's health tools, including tracking of menstrual cycles — a feature that is very often locked behind premium subscriptions.

Beyond fitness, the CMF Watch 3 Pro has incredible lifestyle features that I honestly can't believe we're getting for $99. It has built-in bluetooth calling with AI noise reduction, and new gesture controls let you operate the watch with one hand. There’s even ChatGPT integration, voice notes with automatic transcription, and a surprisingly long list of smart features like morning briefings, music control, and personalized fitness coaching.

The battery life won't let you down either. Users get up to 13 days on a single charge, which is pretty incredible for a smartwatch with an AMOLED display, built-in GPS, and 24/7 health tracking. Design-wise, I continue to be impressed. It is visually aesthetic, and benefits from that aforementioned AMOLED display, something you normally have to pay well over $100 for.

Seriously, how is this watch $99?

What the CMF Watch Pro 3 doesn't have

There's one thing the CMF Watch Pro 3 lacks that is usually commonplace in more advanced trackers: an altimeter. An altimeter is a sensor that measures elevation, essentially how high you are above sea level. In fitness trackers, it helps count how many floors you’ve climbed or tracks the elevation you've gained in hikes or runs. The altimeter is especially important for trail runners, where tracking elevation is important. GPS can monitor the elevation to an extent, but it's nowhere near as accurate. This is a desirable feature for a lot of runners, but for $99, it doesn't put me off this watch. Not by a long shot.

And if we're being nitpicky, there's some safety features missing that we'd like to see. Fall detection and emergency SOS features are pretty commonplace these days, and would have made it more appealing to safety-conscious runners. However, for $99, once again, we're willing to let this slide.

Should you upgrade?

The CMF Watch Pro 3 is unbelievably impressive for its price, even without an altimeter and some safety features that will be important to some runners out there. If your current watch is similar in spec to a Fitbit Charge 6, we think this one tops the scale ever so slightly. And who can say no to an upgrade when it's priced this low?

Where to buy the CMF Watch Pro 3

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is already on sale at Nothing and Amazon. Nothing lists the retail price at $99 and offers a $20 discount, and now Amazon has matched that price.