Fairphone 6: The Sustainable Smartphone with Repairability and Longevity
In a world where smartphones are increasingly homogenous, and where sustainability is becoming a major concern for consumers, the Fairphone 6 emerges as a breath of fresh air. Almost two years after its predecessor, the Fairphone 5, it continues the brand's commitment to repairability and longevity. Imagine a phone that isn't destined for a landfill after a couple of years – that's the promise of the Fairphone 6.
One of the most notable improvements is its size and weight, making it more comfortable to hold and carry. It also boasts a 4415mAh battery, which Fairphone claims can last for nearly two days on a single charge. And when it's time to power up, a 30W charger can bring it back to 50% in just 25 minutes. But the real magic lies in its modular design. When the battery eventually degrades, you can simply replace it, along with 11 other components, by removing a few screws. Everything is designed for easy disassembly, encouraging users to tinker and repair their devices themselves. However, similar to the Fairphone 5, the Fairphone 6 has an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it can handle splashes but not submersion.
The Fairphone 6 features a 6.31-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals compared to the previous model. With 256GB of internal storage, expandable up to 2TB via microSD, you'll have plenty of space for your apps, photos, and videos. It is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. The Fairphone 6 also has a 50MP main rear lens with up to 10x digital zoom and a 13MP ultra-wide camera, while the front houses a 32MP selfie camera. It is important to mention that, on paper, the Fairphone 6's camera setup is a step down from the Fairphone 5, which had 50MP lenses for all three cameras.
Running on Android 15, the Fairphone 6 is guaranteed to receive updates until 2033, in addition to a five-year warranty. The phone also includes a unique software feature called Fairphone Moments. By toggling a lime green switch on the side, users can activate a minimalist focus mode, displaying only five chosen apps. This allows for creating tailored collections, from essentials to relaxation apps. Furthermore, the Fairphone 6 offers customizable backplates, which can be swapped for alternatives with features like a cardholder, finger loop, or lanyard.
Ultimately, the appeal of the Fairphone lies in its future-proofed, anti-wastage design. The Fairphone 6 is available now for €599 (around $695), in Cloud White, Forest Green, and Horizon Black.
Source: Engadget