By 
Key Highlights
- 12.4mm dynamic drivers with titanium-coated PET dome
- Up to 35dB Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation
- Up to 52 hours of total playback with the charging case
- 120ms low-latency gaming mode
- Four HD microphones with Clear Voice Technology
- IP54-rated earbuds and IPX2-rated charging case
CMF has launched the CMF Buds Neo in India as its most affordable wireless earbuds yet. The new TWS earbuds arrive with a combination that is still relatively uncommon at this price: 35dB Adaptive ANC, a 12.4mm dynamic driver and up to 52 hours of claimed battery life.
The Buds Neo are priced at ₹1,999 for the launch period and will go on sale in India from August 26 through Flipkart and offline retail partners including Croma, Reliance Digital and Vijay Sales. They are available in Black, White and Dark Blue colour options.
What makes the launch particularly interesting is its positioning. CMF is bringing ANC into a sub-₹2,000 price segment while also offering app-based sound customisation, dual-device connectivity and a distinctive charging-case design.
Why the CMF Buds Neo Are Getting Attention
The biggest story here isn’t simply the 12.4mm driver or 52-hour battery figure. It is the fact that Adaptive ANC is available at ₹1,999.
The Buds Neo can reduce external noise by up to 35dB and offer three ANC levels along with an Adaptive ANC mode that adjusts noise cancellation according to the surroundings.
For commuters, students and people working in cafés or other moderately noisy environments, that could be more useful than simply having a larger driver.
At the same time, CMF hasn’t completely ignored customisation. The Nothing X app provides EQ presets, Custom EQ and Bass Enhancement, giving users more control over how the earbuds sound.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | CMF by Nothing |
| Model | CMF Buds Neo |
| Launch Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Launch Market | India |
| Driver | 12.4mm dynamic |
| Driver Material | Titanium-coated PET dome, PEEK + PU surround |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Spatial Audio | Static Spatial Audio |
| ANC | Up to 35dB Adaptive ANC |
| ANC Levels | Three levels + Adaptive ANC |
| Microphones | Four HD microphones |
| Call Technology | Clear Voice Technology |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
| Dual-Device Connection | Yes |
| Gaming Mode | 120ms Low Latency |
| Battery Per Earbud | 45mAh |
| Charging Case | 460mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 hours earbuds / 52 hours total |
| Battery With ANC | Up to 30 hours total |
| Fast Charging | 10 minutes for up to 5.5 hours |
| Earbud Rating | IP54 |
| Case Rating | IPX2 |
| Colours | Black, White, Dark Blue |
| Price | ₹1,999 |
Design & Build
The CMF Buds Neo continues the brand’s distinctive design language rather than looking like another generic pair of budget TWS earbuds.
The charging case has a square-shaped body with a dual-tone finish and tactile circular dial, along with a built-in lanyard hole. The case measures 54.3 x 54.3 x 23mm and weighs around 50.3 grams.
The earbuds are available in Black, White and Dark Blue.
The design is arguably one of the more noticeable aspects of the product. The circular dial and lanyard attachment give the case a recognisable identity, while the compact dimensions should make it relatively easy to carry.
The earbuds themselves carry an IP54 rating, while the charging case is rated IPX2. That means the earbuds have protection against dust and water splashes, making them better suited to everyday use and workouts, although they should not be treated as waterproof.
Audio & Sound
The Buds Neo use 12.4mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated PET dome and PEEK + PU surround.
The larger driver is paired with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency response and AAC/SBC codec support. CMF also includes static Spatial Audio for compatible listening experiences.
The Nothing X app is where things become more interesting. Users get six EQ presets covering options such as Pop, Rock, Electronic, Classical and Enhance Vocals, along with the ability to create a Custom EQ profile.
There are also two levels of Bass Enhancement.
That flexibility is useful because audio preference is highly subjective. A listener who prefers stronger low frequencies can tune the sound differently from someone who primarily listens to podcasts or vocals.
Of course, a 12.4mm driver alone doesn’t guarantee better sound. Driver construction, tuning, fit and software processing all contribute to the final listening experience.
Active Noise Cancellation
ANC is the feature that gives the Buds Neo a particularly strong argument at this price.
The earbuds offer up to 35dB Adaptive ANC, with three noise-cancellation levels and an Adaptive ANC mode that changes the cancellation level according to the surrounding environment.
For everyday users, this could make a noticeable difference when travelling by bus or train, working in a busy environment or simply trying to focus with music playing.
The 35dB figure should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every external sound will be reduced by exactly 35dB. ANC performance depends on the type and frequency of the surrounding noise, the ear-tip seal and how the earbuds fit.
Still, having Adaptive ANC at ₹1,999 is one of the Buds Neo’s biggest selling points.
Call Quality & Microphones
CMF has equipped the Buds Neo with four HD microphones, with two microphones on each earbud.
They work with Clear Voice Technology to improve call clarity by reducing unwanted background noise.
This makes the earbuds relevant not only for music but also for people who regularly take calls while outside.
The microphone system is separate from ANC in terms of its purpose: ANC primarily affects what the wearer hears, while Clear Voice Technology is designed to make the user’s voice clearer during calls.
Gaming & Connectivity
The Buds Neo use Bluetooth 6.0 and support dual-device connectivity.
They also support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, making it easier to connect them with compatible Android and Windows devices.
For gaming, CMF provides a 120ms Low Latency Mode through the Nothing X app.
A 120ms figure is not as aggressive as the ultra-low latency claims found on some gaming-focused earbuds, so serious competitive gamers may still want a more specialised option.
For casual mobile gaming, however, the low-latency mode should make the earbuds more practical.
Software & App Features
The Nothing X app is an important part of the Buds Neo experience.
It allows users to:
- Choose between six EQ presets
- Create a Custom EQ profile
- Adjust Bass Enhancement
- Customise touch controls
- Enable Low Latency Mode
- Manage ANC settings
- Use dual-device connectivity
The earbuds are compatible with Android 6.0 and newer and iOS 13 and newer.
This level of software customisation is a useful addition at the sub-₹2,000 price point.
Battery & Charging
Battery life is another major strength.
Each earbud has a 45mAh battery, while the charging case packs a 460mAh battery.
CMF claims up to 11 hours of playback from the earbuds alone with ANC turned off. Combined with the charging case, total playback can reach 52 hours.
With ANC enabled, claimed total playback drops to 30 hours.
The earbuds also support fast charging. A 10-minute charge can provide up to 5.5 hours of playback, according to CMF.
The case takes around 70 minutes to fully charge over USB Type-C.
As always, these are manufacturer claims and actual battery life can vary with volume, ANC usage, Bluetooth conditions and other settings.
Special Features
The Buds Neo’s strongest combination is arguably its mix of hardware and software features.
Instead of focusing on a single specification, CMF has combined:
- 35dB Adaptive ANC
- 12.4mm drivers
- Custom EQ
- Bass Enhancement
- Spatial Audio
- Dual-device connectivity
- 120ms gaming mode
- Four-microphone call system
- Fast charging
The Nothing X app effectively turns the earbuds into a more customisable product than a basic plug-and-play TWS pair.
Price & Availability
The CMF Buds Neo is priced at ₹1,999 in India as an exclusive launch price.
The earbuds will go on sale from August 26, 2026, through Flipkart and offline retail partners including Croma, Reliance Digital and Vijay Sales.
Colour Options :- Black, White, Dark Blue
Competition & Alternatives
The CMF Buds Neo enters a particularly interesting price bracket because iQOO Buds have also launched in India at ₹1,899.
The iQOO model offers 10mm drivers, up to 50 hours of claimed battery life, Bluetooth 6.1, dual-device connectivity and 42ms claimed gaming latency, but it does not have ANC.
That gives the two products different priorities.
| Alternative | Why Consider It? | Why Choose CMF Buds Neo Instead? |
|---|---|---|
| iQOO Buds | Lower price, 42ms gaming latency, 50-hour battery | CMF offers ANC, Custom EQ and stronger sound customisation |
| CMF Buds 2a | 42dB ANC and higher-tier features | Buds Neo is cheaper and offers longer claimed battery life |
| CMF Buds Neo | 35dB Adaptive ANC, 52-hour battery, app customisation | — |
The Buds Neo also sit below the CMF Buds 2a, which is priced at ₹2,399 and offers 42dB ANC, Transparency Mode, 12.4mm bio-fibre drivers, dual-device connectivity and up to 35.5 hours of total battery life.
For just ₹400 more, the Buds 2a could be worth considering for buyers who want stronger ANC and more premium features. But the Neo makes a compelling case if keeping the budget below ₹2,000 is important.
Is the CMF Buds Neo Price Justified?
At ₹1,999, the CMF Buds Neo sits in one of the most competitive segments of India’s TWS market.
Its biggest advantage is that CMF hasn’t had to sacrifice ANC to hit the price point. Buyers get 35dB Adaptive ANC, 12.4mm drivers, 52-hour claimed battery life and app-based audio customisation.
The iQOO Buds are ₹100 cheaper, but they don’t offer ANC. That makes the CMF model the more interesting option for commuters and people who frequently listen in noisy environments.
On the other hand, buyers who care more about ultra-low gaming latency may prefer the iQOO Buds, which claim 42ms latency compared with the CMF Buds Neo’s 120ms low-latency mode.
The CMF Buds 2a is another consideration at ₹2,399. It offers stronger 42dB ANC, but its claimed total battery life is considerably lower at 35.5 hours.
So the Buds Neo’s value proposition is fairly clear: it prioritises the features most budget buyers are likely to notice every day, particularly ANC and battery life, without crossing the ₹2,000 mark.
Who Should Buy the CMF Buds Neo?
Best For
- Budget TWS buyers
- Students
- Commuters
- Music and podcast listeners
- Users who want ANC under ₹2,000
- Buyers who want sound customisation
- People who switch between two devices
- Users who value long battery life
Consider Alternatives If
- You are primarily a competitive mobile gamer
- You want the lowest possible gaming latency
- You want more powerful ANC
- You want higher-end audio codecs
- You can stretch the budget beyond ₹2,000
Final Verdict
The CMF Buds Neo is a surprisingly feature-heavy entry-level TWS offering.
At ₹1,999, its biggest strength is the combination of 35dB Adaptive ANC, 12.4mm drivers and up to 52 hours of battery life. The Nothing X app adds another layer of usefulness with Custom EQ, Bass Enhancement and configurable controls.
The biggest compromise is gaming latency. The 120ms Low Latency Mode is useful for casual gaming, but buyers focused heavily on competitive gaming may prefer a product with a lower claimed latency.
For everyday listening, commuting, calls and entertainment, however, the Buds Neo makes a strong case for itself.
More importantly, CMF has made the buying decision relatively simple. Choose the Buds Neo if ANC and sound customisation matter more to you; consider the iQOO Buds if gaming latency and a slightly lower price are the priority.
At the ₹1,999 launch price, the Buds Neo is certainly worth considering for anyone shopping for budget TWS earbuds in India.
Comments