Nothing’s CMF Officially Launches ‘Speaker S’ for $59: 45mm Driver, Bluetooth 6.0, Full IP68 Ingress Protection, and 18-Hour Battery

Expanding its catalog of accessible, design-led consumer hardware, CMF by Nothing has officially launched the CMF Speaker S. Positioned as the ultra-portable companion to the larger $109 Speaker M, the new Speaker S packs flagship wireless standards and rugged outdoor protection into a featherweight, pocketable form factor.

Priced at an aggressive $59 (approximately £49 / €59 / ~₹4,999), the CMF Speaker S embraces Carl Pei’s playful aesthetic, featuring a milk-carton silhouette, an integrated utility loop for carabiner attachment, and a tactile mechanical control knob. Underneath its swappable exterior, the 334g speaker houses a custom 45mm full-range driver backed by dual passive bass radiators, next-generation Bluetooth 6.0 with Auracast broadcast pairing, lossless low-latency USB-C audio, and an unprecedented submersible IP68 waterproof rating with up to 18 hours of playback time.

Pocket-Sized Milk-Carton Design: 334 Grams of Tactile Playfulness

Rejecting generic plastic pucks and fabric cylinders, the CMF Speaker S adopts a clean, architectural profile designed for both desktop aesthetics and active outdoor carry:

• Milk-Carton Geometric Form: Measuring just 130.5 × 85 × 44 mm and weighing a mere 334 grams, the Speaker S slips comfortably into backpack pockets, jacket pouches, or tote bags.
• Integrated Utility Carabiner Hook: Built directly into the sloped geometric roof is a reinforced utility hook, allowing users to clip the speaker onto backpacks, tents, shower caddies, or bicycle mounts using standard carabiners.
• Tactile Multi-Function Knob: The top edge features CMF’s signature physical dial, providing instant manual control without needing to look at a smartphone screen:
  • Rotate: Step-less, clicky volume adjustment.
  • Single Press: Play / Pause.
  • Double Press: Next track.
  • Triple Press: Previous track.
  • Press and Hold (2 seconds): Toggle Ultra Bass on or off.
• Open-Source 3D Printing & Swappable Panels: The front acoustic grille and top knob feature a tool-less release mechanism. Owners can swap stock colored plates or download CMF’s official open-source CAD files to 3D-print customized textured shells and personalized knobs at home.

Acoustic Architecture: Custom 45mm Driver with Dual Passive Radiators

Despite its handheld proportions, the internal acoustics are engineered to deliver balanced, full-bodied resonance:

• Custom-Tuned 45mm Full-Range Transducer: The front-firing Ø 45mm driver covers a wide frequency response of 70 Hz to 20,000 Hz, pushing 10W RMS audio output tuned for clear vocal projection, crisp acoustic strings, and articulate podcasts.
• Dual Passive Radiators: To overcome the thin low-end typical of pocket speakers, CMF has embedded two opposing passive radiators inside the sealed acoustic chamber. These radiators leverage internal air pressure to amplify sub-bass frequencies, delivering punchy low-end punch through the brand’s Ultra Bass DSP algorithm.
• Four Tuned EQ Presets + Custom Equalizer: The companion Nothing X app provides four dedicated audio profiles (Balanced, More Bass, More Treble, and Voice) alongside a fully adjustable multi-band Custom EQ.
• Specialized Listening Modes: Includes a Wide Soundstage Mode that uses phase-shifting algorithms to create spatial separation from a single mono point source, as well as a Night Mode that tames harsh volume transients for late-night bedroom listening.

Next-Generation Wireless: Bluetooth 6.0, Auracast & Lossless USB-C

The CMF Speaker S shares the identical cutting-edge wireless architecture introduced on the larger Speaker M:

• Bluetooth 6.0 with 100-Meter Range: Operating over the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard, the speaker provides improved channel sounding, robust interference rejection, and an open-air wireless transmission range of over 100 meters.
• Auracast Broadcast (Party Mode): By pressing the dedicated hardware Auracast button, users can link dozens of compatible Auracast-enabled speakers simultaneously, synchronizing party music across multiple rooms or outdoor campsites.
• Stereo Mode Pairing: Users can wirelessly link two CMF Speaker S units to form a discrete Left/Right stereo audio pair with wider acoustic staging.
• Lossless USB-C Audio (<60ms Latency): When tethered to a Mac, PC, or iPad via USB-C, the internal DAC accepts direct digital audio, bypassing Bluetooth compression and dropping latency to under 60 milliseconds—making it a compact, lag-free audio monitor for gaming and streaming.
• Fast Pairing Protocols: Features NFC Tap-to-Pair, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and seamless Dual-Device Multipoint connectivity between your phone and laptop.

Submersible IP68 Durability & 18-Hour Battery Life

Where most budget compact speakers cut corners by offering basic IPX4 splash resistance, CMF has certified the Speaker S for total immersion:

• IP68 Dust and Water Resistance: The speaker is completely dust-tight and submersible in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. It can survive sudden rainstorms, poolside splashes, mud trails, and full washdowns under running tap water.
• Up to 18 Hours of Playback: Powered by an energy-dense 2,600mAh (3.8V) rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the speaker delivers up to 18 hours of playback (measured at 50% volume with AAC streaming and Ultra Bass engaged).
• Rapid USB-C Recharging: A quick 10-minute charge recovers 1 hour of playback time, while a full zero-to-100% recharge takes 2.5 hours via a standard 15W (5V/3A) USB-C adapter.

CMF Speaker S: Official Specifications

CMF Speaker S vs. JBL Go 4 vs. Sony SRS-XB100

Market Positioning and Verdict

At $59, the CMF Speaker S makes an immediate statement in the ultra-portable category:

1. Substantial Sound per Dollar: Delivering 10W RMS with dual passive radiators, the Speaker S offers more than double the amplifier output of the JBL Go 4 (4.2W), providing enough volume for beach trips, campfires, and small gatherings.
2. True IP68 Peace of Mind: While competing micro-speakers are rated to survive accidental splashes or shallow dunks, the full IP68 chassis of the Speaker S can handle mud, sand, and deeper water without issue.
3. Desktop Workstation Versatility: Thanks to lossless USB-C connectivity with under 60ms latency, the Speaker S transitions smoothly from an outdoor weekend travel speaker to an ultra-compact desk speaker for video calls, YouTube, and PC gaming.

The CMF Speaker S is officially available for purchase starting October 12, 2026 on Nothing’s official store (nothing.tech) in four colorways: Dark Grey, White, Turquoise, and Orange. Retail rollout across India is scheduled to go live via Flipkart in the coming days.