Fairphone was literally my top choice before I bought my current smartphone, until I found out I couldn’t get it. So this is great, hopefully they still sell it whenever I update my phone (which won’t happen for a few years). Several other people have already commented something along these lines, but I’m just happy about it.
Also interesting that it ships with /e/OS!
/e/OS is a de-googled version Android. Most Google services are replaced with Nextcloud integration, but somehow all apps are still available through a software store that bridges to the Play Store while letting you browse for free apps anonymously. Google Play Services are replaced with the wonderful microG.
I used it on my Fairphone 3 for around half a year, and for the most part it was a very pleasant experience. And whoever doesn’t like it can of course (re)install stock Android. :)
That’s a step in the right direction, hopefully in the future phones will be more like computers, where you can buy parts and build your own. At least that’d be my dream.
Well not all computers can be upgraded unfortunately. Looking at you MacBooks with SSDs welded to the motherboard…
Well, that’s not a PC, it’s a Mac :P
There aren’t lots of compact devices that are upgradable, even on windows. Most use soldered ram and flash storage.
Then maybe it’s time we changed that!
It’s already happening:
Framework devices are cool as heck, but damn are they expensive…
Maybe if you spec them out.
But it’s like $1000 for the midrange model with the latest hardware, which is in line with the competition.
And the first upgrade you do will end up saving money, since you won’t have to replace the whole laptop.
I have a Fairphone 4 and I’m very happy with it. Strong recommend.
I have a Fairphone 3 for several years now and if it dies I will probably get another Fairphone. The camera could be better but I’m alright with it. The audio is broken when recording concerts. But I actually like my phone and it’s pretty robust too.
Great news. The more sustainable options the better. Hopefully it will do well
This is pretty exciting. I wish it would have happened sooner though. It was at the top of my list when I was looking at phones last year, but it was still unavailable when I decided to go with the Pixel 7.
Dangit Fairphone where were you 6 months ago when I was looking for a new phone.
the most sustainable smartphone is the one that you already have
This is true. When the original Fairphone came out I didn’t get it because I had a working HTC. My next phone was purchased as an emergency when my current phone fell into water, so I had to walk into a phone shop and buy an immediate replacement. But that was the day that I decided to buy the Fairphone 3… Because the phone that fell into water was sealed and glued together, and there was no way to remove the battery or dry it out. It buzzed and beeped to death in my hand taking all of my data with it (internal memory only).
I’ve been rocking the FP3 since then. Upgraded the camera, replaced the battery twice, and once replaced the lower assembly because the usb3 port got damaged and couldn’t hold the cable.
My wife has the same phone now. So I could upgrade to the FP4 and use my FP3 for parts, in case she ever breaks a screen or needs a battery. But why bother? This works just fine.
Funny coincidence: Fairphone has a blog post titled exactly that. And they say the same thing on their shop page. You’re going to replace your phone eventually, but Fairphone is the only phone company I know trying to stretch that out.
yay!!!
Ohhh, I go between Europe and the US a lot and own one of these. Hopefully this means US companies will offer more support for the fairphone 4!
I love my Fairphone 3. This is great news.
I support the idea, but I’m really skeptical. I bought the fairphone 2 when it came out and it just couldn’t keep up anymore after 2 years. My understanding was that there would be upgradable modules but the only thing I got was a little bit better camera and case.
It would be great if there wouldn’t be the need for more and more models but simply better modules to upgrade with the time.
Let me know when it can run GrapheneOS. Until then, who cares?
Mine already runs CalyOS so there’s that.
I mean, good for you. I kinda need my sandboxed google play services, despite wishing I did not.
I am honestly not sure as to what the benefit of that is compared to the approach of CalyxOS with MicroG. It has worked for me perfectly, except for one app, BeReal for some reason gives a pop-up telling that Google Play Services is missing, even though I already have MicroG fully setup and working. Other apps have all worked fine, including Google Apps like YouTube and my banking app.
I’m due for an upgrade from my pixel 3, which I love but the battery life is getting very low. I’m very interested in this, but wouldn’t want to spend the money/resources on something that doesn’t work well for me. Getting something upgradeable, then discovering the quality is bad and it doesn’t last isn’t very sustainable.
If anyone has any personal experience with this phone I’d love to hear it!
I’ve had one for a while now and overall I’m happy with it. The screen and camera are as good as some other devices and it doesn’t support all of some bands that US providers use so service coverage may vary. I should also add that the touch sensitivity is a little off. I’m not sure if thats software or hardware to blame though.
I’m on a T-Mobile reseller and excluding situations like being inside a data center or being outside of town camping or whatever my service has been acceptable. Its also less an issue for me as in almost always in WiFi range.
I don’t think the phone is upgradable. It is repairable though. The fact that it has an easily removable battery is enough to justify the device for me as glued in dead batteries have historically been my biggest issue with device longevity.
I never considered that the model of phone would affect the coverage, that shows how much I know! Definitely something to consider, I drive through low coverage areas a lot and do not want to get stranded with no way to communicate.
And good point with the upgradeable vs repairable. It would be so cool if it was upgradeable! Making every new part backwards compatible would be a huge pain for the designers though. But like you said the battery is the real problem with most phones. I’d be very happy with a more standard phone that just had a replaceable battery!
Have you ever had an issue that you had to get support for? Whether it’s asking fairphone for help or just searching online for answers, did you have any trouble?
I am very clumsy and tend to drop my phone a lot. I worry that the disassemble-able design could make the phone less drop resistant, have you experienced that? (Or maybe you just have basic levels of hand-eye coordination and are able to hold on to a phone without issues lol)
Have you ever had an issue that you had to get support for? Whether it’s asking fairphone for help or just searching online for answers, did you have any trouble?
Hmmm. I don’t think so. I had some weird issues with audio on phone calls at one point but I think that was not due to the phone and more so due to LineageOS, a third party OS.
I worry that the disassemble-able design could make the phone less drop resistant, have you experienced that?
Well I don’t drop my phone but I also don’t feel like its construction lends it to being overall weaker. I also keep it in a case and with a screen protector on though.
Yes it’s not as durable, also it’s not water resistant at all.
I’d consider getting a good case with it.
The screen is Gorilla 4 so it should be fine with a protector.
Can we use it for daily use ?
Yes, it’s a perfectly usable device.
Sorry I was thinking of Pinephone. Any update on that ? Fairphone is just another android but better than major android players.
