CMF has officially launched the Clip Pro, its first pair of open-ear earbuds, bringing the Nothing sub-brand into a product category that has been gaining popularity. While Nothing itself already has experience with the open-ear form factor through the Ear (open) which launched in 2024, the Clip Pro brings the concept to the more affordable CMF lineup.
The launch also arrives as the sub-brand’s smartphone plans for this year have reportedly been scaled back, with the company said to have cancelled plans for a Phone 3 Pro. Instead, the Clip Pro becomes the brand’s latest product for this year.
A Lightweight Open-Ear Design
The Clip Pro uses what CMF calls a 3-point Clip Design, with three contact points intended to distribute pressure across the ear rather than concentrating it in one area. This is paired with an elastic titanium wire core inside the C-shaped bridge, allowing the earbuds to flex to fit different ear shapes.
Each earbud weighs just 5.9g, while the compact listening ball is designed to sit against the ear and direct sound towards the ear canal. They are also rated IP54 for protection against dust and water, making them suitable for everyday use and exercise.
Audio Hardware
For audio, the Clip Pro is equipped with a 10.8mm dual-magnet dynamic driver. CMF says it has tuned the driver to deliver stronger bass alongside detailed vocals and higher-frequency sounds, while its Ultra Bass Technology is designed to compensate for the reduced low-frequency impact typically associated with open-ear earbuds.
The earbuds are also Hi-Res Audio Certified and support LDAC, AAC and SBC codecs. LDAC in particular allows compatible devices to stream audio at a higher bitrate, although the actual benefit will depend on the source device and audio content.
The Clip Pro features four HD microphones alongside CMF’s Clear Voice Technology, which uses voice-isolation processing to separate the user’s voice from surrounding noise. This is intended to improve call clarity, while the included a Sound Seal system reduces audio leakage from the open-ear design.
A Charging Case With A Physical Dial
A CMF audio product staple, making a return on the Clip Pro is the Smart Dial that’s built into its charging case. The physical rotary control can be used to adjust volume, control playback, answer calls and pair devices, allowing users to perform these functions without having to take out their phone.
The earbuds themselves use physical controls rather than relying entirely on touch gestures. CMF says this is intended to make the controls more reliable during activities such as exercising or when wearing gloves. The Clip Pro also supports Bluetooth 5.4 and includes a Low Latency Mode aimed at reducing audio delay when gaming.
The Nothing X app provides further customisation, including control settings, Sound Seal adjustments, firmware updates and a function for locating misplaced earbuds. The Clip Pro also supports Dual Device Connection for switching between two devices, as well as Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair.
Meanwhile, battery life is rated at up to 10 hours of continuous playback from the earbuds themselves. With the charging case included, total playback time increases to up to 32.5 hours. For users who need a quick top-up, CMF claims a 10-minute charge provides up to four hours of listening time.
Pricing and availability
The Clip Pro is available in Dark Grey, Light Grey and Coral, but CMF has not yet announced its Malaysian pricing or availability. For your reference, it is priced at US$100 (~RM409) in the US.
(Source: CMF press release / US official website)
