Brands that compete on faster CPUs, larger camera sensors, brighter screens, and more advanced artificial intelligence technologies dominate the smartphone industry. But Fairphone has always had a different mindset. The Dutch business has built its name on longevity, repairability, ethical sourcing, and responsible production rather than encouraging consumers to replace their phones every few years.
With the introduction of the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) in the US, that strategy is now more available to American consumers.
The new smartphone, which costs $649.99 in the US, is a significant development for Fairphone as it is the company’s first phone to be sold directly to American consumers. The Gen 6+ offers American consumers a simpler way to buy a Fairphone directly, whereas previous versions were brought to the US through third-party agreements.
The Fairphone Gen 6+ may not appear all that different from the previous generation at first glance. That is deliberate. Instead than just adding features for the sake of a lengthier specification sheet, Fairphone has focused on enhancing the areas that can make the most difference over multiple years of ownership.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and 12GB of RAM are the most significant improvements. Additionally, the phone’s modular design, detachable battery, 120Hz OLED display, expandable storage, and long-term software support are all still present.
Overview of the Fairphone Gen 6+
The best way to characterize the Fairphone Gen 6+ is as a mid-range smartphone with an exceptionally strong emphasis on longevity and sustainability.
A 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display with an adjustable refresh rate of up to 120Hz is part of its hardware. The screen supports HDR10, has a resolution of 1116 x 2484, and has an automatic brightness of up to 1,400 nits.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and 12GB of RAM power the phone’s internal components. Internal storage is 256GB, and customers can add up to 2TB of storage with a microSD card.
The Fairphone sports a 50MP primary camera and a 13MP ultra-wide camera on the back. There is a 24MP front-facing camera for taking selfies and making video calls.
Additionally, the phone has a detachable 4,415mAh battery. That one feature sets the Fairphone apart from many contemporary smartphones, where professional repair is typically required to replace a worn-out battery.
According to Fairphone, the Gen 6+ has a much longer anticipated lifespan than many traditional Android phones, with software support expected to last until 2033.
Design and Construction Quality
The Fairphone Gen 6+ does not imitate ultra-thin flagship phones in an effort to win a beauty pageant. Rather, practicality is the foundation of its design.
The phone weighs 193 grams and has dimensions of roughly 156.57 x 73.28 x 9.6 mm. Cobalt Blue, Forest Green, and Horizon Black are among the colors it comes in.
Because cobalt has long been linked to issues with supply chains and mining circumstances, the Cobalt Blue alternative is especially intriguing. The color option is more than just a cosmetic choice because Fairphone has made ethical sourcing a key component of its larger goal.
The Gen 6+ has an IP55 rating and is water-resistant as well. While maintaining the modular structure that enables repairs, it has been made to endure regular use.
What happens when something breaks is perhaps the most significant feature of the physical design.
Fairphone enables customers to repair individual modules rather than treating a damaged component as a justification for replacing the complete phone. The battery, display, and USB-C port are among the twelve replaceable parts listed by the manufacturer.
This may eventually take precedence over owning the newest processor for many people.
Experience with Display
A 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED screen is included with the Fairphone Gen 6+.
It has a pixel density of about 431 pixels per inch and a resolution of 1116 × 2484 pixels. When a high refresh rate is not required, the screen can balance smooth animations with lower power consumption thanks to the variable refresh rate, which can shift between 10Hz and 120Hz.
Compared to a conventional 60Hz screen, the 120Hz option should make browsing webpages, social media feeds, and compatible apps feel much smoother.
Additionally, the panel supports 10-bit color and HDR10, providing the phone with a solid base for regular multimedia consumption and video streaming.
Outdoor visibility should also be respectable, with brightness up to 1,400 nits when operating automatically.
One area where the Gen 6+ appears to be far more competitive with popular Android phones for a phone in this pricing range is the display.
Performance
One of the best arguments for selecting the Gen 6+ over the regular Fairphone Gen 6 is its performance.
While the earlier Gen 6 model used the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, the most recent model used the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4. Additionally, Fairphone has upgraded its RAM from 8GB to 12GB.
This combination should make multitasking easier in daily life and provide the phone with more breathing room as applications get more complex.
The Gen 6+ should offer more than enough capacity for everyday tasks including messaging, online surfing, video streaming, social media, navigation, and office apps.
Naturally, the Snapdragon platform’s gaming performance falls short of that of the priciest flagship phones, but with appropriate graphics settings, it should be able to play a lot of popular titles.
Long-term performance is the bigger question.
A faster processor and 12GB of RAM would be especially helpful after a few years of ownership, as Fairphone plans to support the phone with software updates until 2033.
This is where Fairphone’s approach becomes intriguing. Producing the fastest phone on launch day is not always the aim. Making a phone that is usable for a lot longer is the aim.
Performance of the Camera
Another significant aspect of the Fairphone Gen 6+ experience is the camera system.
A 50MP sensor with both optical and electronic image stabilization is used in the main rear camera. It can capture 30 frames per second of video at a resolution of up to 4K.
A 13MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view prior to calibration makes up the second rear camera.
Users have versatility for daily photography with this configuration. While the ultra-wide camera can be helpful for group shots, landscapes, architecture, and other scenarios where getting more into the frame is crucial, the main sensor should be the preferable choice for standard photography.
Additionally, the phone has capabilities like time-lapse photography, slow-motion video, and nite photography.
Buyers should, however, maintain reasonable expectations. Rather than immediately competing with the computational photography systems featured in high-end phones from firms like Apple, Google, and Samsung, Fairphone’s camera technology is intended to offer a capable everyday experience.
That trade-off might be acceptable to a lot of users.
The Fairphone philosophy focuses more on building a balanced smartphone that can be used for many years than it does on having the greatest camera on the market.
Charging and Battery Life
A detachable 4,415mAh lithium-ion battery is included with the Fairphone Gen 6+.
According to Fairphone, the phone’s battery can last up to two days when used properly. Naturally, screen brightness, network circumstances, programs, and personal usage patterns will all affect the precise experience.
The phone’s standard fast-charging capacity is 27W, however it can enable fast charging up to 30W.
The option to employ pass-through charging in supported scenarios and set an 80% charge limit is one especially helpful feature. For users who frequently keep their phones powered on, these options can help minimize needless battery wear.
However, charging speed is not the greatest benefit of batteries.
It’s interchangeability.
When a traditional smartphone battery runs out after a few years, consumers frequently have to pay for an expensive repair or are enticed to purchase a new gadget. You may take out and change the battery on the Fairphone Gen 6+.
This implies that an aged battery does not always indicate the end of the phone.
Repairability: What Sets Fairphone Apart
The main purpose of the Fairphone Gen 6+ is to be repairable.
The phone’s design allows users to swap out up to 12 parts on their own. A T5 Torx screwdriver can be used to access parts thanks to the company’s modular construction.
The sealed smartphone design that has become the industry standard is almost the antithesis of this strategy.
Repairability can provide buyers two main advantages.
First, in the event that a certain component breaks, it can lower the cost of maintaining a phone.
Second, it can cut down on electronic waste because a single malfunctioning component does not mean that the entire phone has to be thrown away.
To further support its long-term ownership philosophy, Fairphone offers a five-year warranty for the Gen 6+.
The end product is a smartphone built with the notion that ownership should persist beyond the initial two or three years.
Software and Extended Assistance
Another important selling feature of software is its lifetime.
Software support for the Android-powered Fairphone Gen 6+ is anticipated to last until 2033.
This is noteworthy because software support might be as crucial as hardware longevity.
Only if its operating system and apps continue to work with contemporary services will a phone with a changeable battery be considered functional. Long-term updates aid in resolving the issue.
As a result, Fairphone sells more than just a gadget. In essence, it is promoting the potential for a far longer ownership cycle.
Fairphone’s /e/OS option, created in partnership with Murena, is another choice for users who want a more privacy-focused Android experience. The /e/OS version is intended for users who prefer a privacy-focused and de-Googled smartphone experience.
Connectivity and Storage
The 256GB of internal storage that the Gen 6+ has should be enough for the majority of users.
Expandable storage is one benefit over many high-end cellphones. Capacity can be increased to 2TB with a microSD card.
Because of this, consumers that keep a lot of photos, videos, documents, or offline media will find the phone very fascinating.
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and USB-C are among the connectivity options.
With its unlocked Gen 6+ now available directly to US buyers and compatible with major carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T, Fairphone is making its phones far more accessible to American consumers.
Cost and Availability in the US
In the US, the Fairphone Gen 6+ costs $649.99.
Its price places it in a competitive segment of the smartphone market. For comparable prices, consumers can get phones with more sophisticated cameras or speedier processors.
So why would someone purchase a Fairphone for $650?
Longevity is the solution.
If the phone is used for five, six, or even seven years instead of being replaced every two or three years, it becomes simpler to justify the purchase.
Compared to traditional smartphones, Fairphone offers a new value proposition thanks to its five-year guarantee, replacement parts, detachable battery, and software support through 2033.
Instead of focusing only on the features you receive for $650 at the time of purchase, it makes more sense to consider how much value the phone can deliver over the years.
“How long can this $650 phone remain useful?” is a question that customers would want to ponder.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Fairphone Gen 6+
Construction that is highly repairable and modular
Up to twelve interchangeable parts
12GB RAM and a detachable 4,415mAh battery
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 CPU
LTPO AMOLED display at 120 Hz
Expandable storage
Five-year guaranty
Software assistance is scheduled through 2033.
strong emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainability
Direct access to the US
Drawbacks
Performance isn’t at the flagship level.
The camera system might not be able to compete with high-end camera phones.
30W charging is not very powerful.
The phone is thicker than many traditional smartphones, and $649.99 is a high price for mid-range gear.
Compatibility with US carriers is more restricted than with some popular substitutes.
Does the Fairphone Gen 6+ Make Sense to Purchase?
What you desire from a smartphone will largely determine the response.
There are other phones that might make more sense if your top priorities are the best zoom camera, the thinnest design, or the highest benchmark performance.
However, the Fairphone Gen 6+ becomes much more appealing if sustainability, repairability, privacy, long-term software support, and long-term phone ownership are important to you.
Neither a new camera trick nor an AI function is its greatest invention.
It is the notion that a smartphone shouldn’t be thrown away just because one of its parts breaks or its battery runs out.
The Fairphone Gen 6+ offers a genuinely innovative solution for customers who loathe upgrading pricey devices every few years, professionals who seek long device lifecycles, and environmentally conscientious buyers.
Final Decision
The Fairphone Gen 6+ is not attempting to compete in the conventional smartphone specification competition.
Rather, it questions the industry’s belief that smartphones need to be changed often.
The Gen 6+ provides a well-balanced hardware package with its Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 engine, 12GB RAM, 120Hz AMOLED display, 50MP primary camera, detachable battery, and 12 replaceable parts.
What transpires beyond the first year is where its true benefit lies.
It is possible to replace a broken component. You can replace a worn-out battery. It is possible to increase storage. Up to 2033, software support is anticipated.
One of the main obstacles that previously made Fairphone challenging to recommend in the US is also eliminated for US consumers with the direct launch.
It is definitely not the most affordable mid-range phone on the market at $649.99. However, Fairphone is requesting that consumers assess value in a new way.
The Gen 6+ is more than just a phone with modern features. This phone is made to last for many years in your hands.
And it might be the most crucial feature of all in a smartphone market that is becoming more and more focused on quicker upgrade cycles.
FAQ
The Fairphone Gen 6+: What is it?
The Dutch business Fairphone produces a modular Android smartphone called the Fairphone Gen 6+. It offers contemporary mid-range gear with an emphasis on sustainability, long-term software support, repairability, and ethical sourcing.
What is the price of the Fairphone Gen 6+ in the United States?
In the US, the Fairphone Gen 6+ costs $649.99.
Which processor powers the Fairphone Gen 6+?
It has 12GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 CPU.
Is the battery of the Fairphone Gen 6+ detachable?
Indeed. Owners can change the phone’s 4,415mAh user-removable battery when its capacity drops.
How long will software upgrades be available for the Fairphone Gen 6+?
According to Fairphone, software updates for the Gen 6+ will be available until 2033.
Can consumers fix the Fairphone Gen 6+ on their own?
Indeed. Up to 12 interchangeable parts make up the phone’s modular design. The gadget was made by Fairphone so that users may access numerous fixes.
Is expandable storage supported by the Fairphone Gen 6+?
Indeed. It supports microSD expansion up to 2TB and has 256GB of internal storage.
Does the Fairphone Gen 6+ have water resistance?
Although the phone’s IP55 water-resistance classification shields it from dust and water spray, it shouldn’t be regarded as a completely waterproof gadget.
Can I play games on the Fairphone Gen 6+?
Although the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 offers competent mid-range performance and should be able to play a lot of popular games, those who want the best gaming experience should think about getting a flagship-class device.
Who ought to purchase the Fairphone Gen 6+?
People who appreciate long-term software support, repairability, sustainability, expandable storage, and the capacity to keep a phone for many years may find the Gen 6+ very appealing.
Who shouldn’t purchase the Fairphone Gen 6+?
Those who are only interested in the tiniest smartphone, the most sophisticated camera system, or flagship-level gaming performance might find better options elsewhere.
