CMF Buds Neo Launched in India for ₹1,999: Active Noise Cancellation on a Budget

CMF, the budget-focused sub-brand of Nothing, has officially expanded its audio portfolio in India with the launch of the CMF Buds Neo. Positioned as an entry-level pair of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, they combine active noise cancellation, massive battery life, and the brand’s distinct industrial aesthetic into a highly affordable package.

Priced under the ₹2,000 mark during the initial launch period, the Buds Neo aim to deliver flagship-adjacent convenience features to budget buyers. Here is the complete PFD breakdown of the design, audio features, and official Indian pricing for the newly launched CMF Buds Neo.

Design and Build Quality

Following CMF’s design-first philosophy, the Buds Neo deviate from the standard glossy pebble designs that flood the budget TWS market.

• Case Design: The earbuds are housed in a geometric square charging case featuring a contrasting two-tone finish and a tactile circular dial.

• Lanyard Hole: A built-in lanyard hole is integrated into the case, adding a practical and quintessential CMF touch.

• Durability Ratings: The earbuds themselves carry an official IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, protecting them against sweat and light splashes. The charging case is rated IPX2 for basic protection against water exposure.

• Color Options: The earbuds and case are available in three sleek colorways: Black, White, and Dark Blue.

Drivers and Audio Features

Inside the unique casing, CMF has packed substantial hardware to drive the audio experience.

• Acoustic Hardware: Each earbud utilizes a large 12.4mm dynamic driver. This is paired with a titanium-coated PET dome to maintain vocal clarity and a flexible PEEK + PU surround.

• Supported Codecs: The earbuds support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs over a modern Bluetooth 6.0 connection.

• Equalization and Tuning: Users can choose from six distinct EQ presets directly out of the box, including Immersion Boost, Pop, Rock, Electronic, Enhance Vocals, and Classical.

• Customization: The companion Nothing X app allows for deep Custom EQ adjustments and two distinct levels of Bass Enhancement.

• Spatial Audio: The Buds Neo also support a static spatial audio effect designed to create a broader sound field.

Active Noise Cancellation and Battery

• Noise Cancellation (ANC): The earbuds are rated to deliver up to 35dB of Active Noise Cancellation. Users can manually select from three different intensity levels or enable an Adaptive ANC mode that automatically adjusts to changing ambient surroundings.

• Call Quality: For voice calls, the Buds Neo integrate four HD microphones (two on each earbud) paired with Clear Voice Technology to actively filter out environmental noise.

• Battery Specs: Each earbud contains a 45mAh battery, while the charging case houses a substantial 460mAh cell.

• Playback Times: With ANC disabled, the earbuds deliver up to 11 hours of standalone playback, extending to a massive 52 hours total with the charging case. When ANC is enabled, standalone playback drops to 8 hours, with total case playback reaching 30 hours.

• Fast Charging: A quick 10-minute charge via USB Type-C provides up to 5.5 hours of listening time with ANC turned off.

Connectivity and Smart Features

• Pairing Protocols: The Buds Neo support seamless pairing via Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair.

• Multipoint Connection: They feature dual-device connectivity, allowing users to seamlessly stay connected to two devices simultaneously.

• Low Latency Mode: Mobile gamers can utilize a 120ms Low Latency Mode, accessible via the Nothing X app.

• OS Compatibility: The earbuds are compatible with devices running Android 6.0 and newer, as well as iOS 13 and newer.

Complete Specifications Matrix

Official Indian Pricing and Availability

The CMF Buds Neo is priced aggressively for the Indian market at an introductory launch price of ₹1,999.

The earbuds will be available for purchase starting on August 26, 2026. Buyers will be able to order them online via Flipkart, as well as through major offline retail partners including Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales.

PFD Context:

By pricing the Buds Neo at just ₹1,999, CMF has completely disrupted the entry-level TWS segment in India. The sheer volume of features packed into this price point is staggering. Getting multi-point dual-device connectivity, functional 35dB Adaptive ANC, and seamless Google Fast Pair integration for under ₹2K is incredibly rare.

The 52-hour battery life claim (even if it relies on ANC being turned off) makes these an absolute endurance beast. While you shouldn’t expect audiophile-grade high-fidelity sound or LDAC support at this cost, the Buds Neo provide immense value for standard commuters and budget buyers who want a distinctive design and reliable app support without breaking the bank.