Nothing has officially cancelled the CMF Phone 3 Pro, ending months of speculation about the budget lineup's successor. Co-founder Akis Evangelidis confirmed that no CMF phone will launch this year, despite earlier reports suggesting a Q3 release window of August to September. The original CMF Phone 2 Pro launched in April 2023 as Nothing's ultra-budget offering.

Memory prices are the culprit, according to Nothing. Evangelidis explained that the company "can't build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward at a price that makes sense for CMF." Rising component costs hit budget devices hardest, making it difficult to deliver meaningful upgrades while maintaining the affordable price point that defines the CMF brand. This explains why the ultra-budget segment struggles more with inflation.

While CMF fans won't get new hardware this year, Nothing isn't sitting idle. The company plans "several new products" across multiple categories, including what appears to be a new Nothing phone - potentially the Phone (4) - though details remain under wraps. The CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM currently sells for around €244 in European markets.

This cancellation signals challenges for ultra-budget smartphone makers facing component inflation. Nothing's decision to skip the CMF Phone 3 Pro rather than compromise on value suggests the brand prioritizes product integrity over release schedules, even if it disappoints budget-conscious consumers waiting for an upgrade.