While CMF shelved plans for another budget smartphone this year, thanks to rising component costs from the ongoing memory shortage, the Nothing sub-brand found another way to go cheap. It launched the Buds Neo, its most affordable wireless earbuds to date, and the pricing puts them surprisingly close to what Apple charges for wired EarPods.
The CMF Buds Neo launched in India at ₹1,999, roughly $21. For context, Apple still sells its USB-C EarPods for $19 in the US. CMF is putting out a fully wireless pair of earbuds in that same price range, complete with active noise cancellation, spatial audio, app controls, and a charging case.
There is one catch for anyone in the US: CMF hasn’t announced any plans to bring the Buds Neo stateside.
CMF Buds Neo Features
Each Buds Neo earbud runs on a 12.4mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated PET dome, paired with CMF’s Bass Enhancement feature for anyone who wants more low-end punch out of their earbuds. Six EQ presets are included too, along with a custom EQ option through the Nothing X app.
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The real standout at this price point is active noise cancellation. CMF is promising up to 35dB of ANC, with three selectable levels plus an Adaptive ANC mode that adjusts automatically as your surroundings change.
Spatial audio is included as well, in static form, widening the sound field around the listener. It doesn’t track head movement the way more advanced spatial audio systems on pricier earbuds do, but seeing the feature show up this far down CMF’s lineup still stands out.
Four built-in microphones handle call quality, and CMF’s Clear Voice Technology aims to keep your voice clear even in noisy environments.
Bad News for US Buyers
Battery life stands out too. CMF rates the Buds Neo for up to 11 hours of listening from the earbuds alone, stretching to 52 hours total with the case when ANC is turned off. Keep ANC running, and that total drops to 30 hours, though a quick 10-minute charge adds another 5.5 hours back.
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The case sticks with CMF’s usual playful design language, a square shape offset by a contrasting circular dial and a built-in lanyard hole.
Unlike the Smart Dial found on the CMF Clip Pro, though, CMF hasn’t said this dial actually controls playback or volume. The Buds Neo go on sale in India on August 26 in Black, White, and Dark Blue. Whether CMF brings them to the US remains unclear for now.
If they do eventually land stateside, they would slot in below the CMF Buds 2a, currently priced at $24.65. Given that Apple still charges $19 for a wired pair of USB-C EarPods, CMF bringing ANC-equipped wireless earbuds anywhere close to that price range would make the Buds Neo a genuinely compelling budget option.
