CMF is announcing its second new audio product in under a month. The Buds Neo launches 20 August, according to a teaser CMF posted on X, and it’s a different shape entirely from the open-ear Clip Pro that just came out days earlier.
Back To A Standard In-Ear Design
The first teaser, posted 17 August, showed a stem-style earbud, white stem, two visible microphones, a metallic silver body, orange silicone tip. That’s a conventional in-ear design, a clear departure from the Clip Pro’s open-ear clip approach. CMF’s existing Buds lineup, the Buds 2, Buds 2a, Buds 2 Plus and Buds Pro 2, all launched back in April 2025, so it’s been over a year since the last update to this specific product line.
A second teaser followed 18 August, confirming the name and date directly, “Buds Neo. 20 August.” It also revealed the charging case, which appears to carry a Smart Dial on the front, the same rotating control CMF used on the Clip Pro’s case for volume, playback and calls.
Three Colours, Not Fully Agreed On Yet
Reports differ slightly on the exact colour names, some describe white with orange, others grey with orange, alongside a black and blue or black and teal combination, and a plain black option.
No Specs Confirmed
Driver size, battery life, ANC support and codec compatibility are all unconfirmed. For reference, the current Buds 2 run 11mm drivers with up to 13.5 hours of playback on the buds alone and 55 hours total with the case, while the Buds 2 Plus step up to 12mm drivers and roughly 14 hours standalone.
Availability Is Murkier Than The Teasers Suggest
CMF has only confirmed an India launch so far, 20 August at 12pm IST. The Buds Neo has reportedly cleared regulatory certification in the UAE, India and Indonesia, which hints at broader markets, but unlike the Clip Pro, which launched globally without a dedicated India rollout, Buds Neo’s confirmed availability currently runs the opposite direction.
Where This Sits For CMF
Budget true wireless earbuds made up roughly a quarter of the 450 million TWS units sold globally in 2024, and CMF’s existing Buds 2 series has built a reputation for solid value at low prices. If Buds Neo undercuts the Buds 2’s roughly RM199 starting price, as some early reporting suggests it might, it would compete directly against budget options like the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and Soundcore’s Space A40 in markets where those are sold.
Full pricing, specs and confirmed availability arrive 20 August.
