Fairphone continues its mission to create ethical and sustainable smartphones with the announcement of its latest model, the Fairphone 6. Building on the brand’s core principles of repairability and longevity, the new Fairphone 6 introduces an exciting evolution: swappable modular accessories that enhance its functionality and potential lifespan.
Arriving nearly two years after its predecessor, the Fairphone 6 features a refined design. It’s slightly smaller and approximately 9% lighter than the Fairphone 5, making it more manageable in the hand. Despite the reduced size, it packs a larger 4,415mAh battery designed to power the device for up to 53 hours on a single charge. True to Fairphone’s ethos, this battery is easily replaceable, requiring the removal of just seven screws.
Introducing Swappable Accessories
A significant new feature of the Fairphone 6 is its enhanced modularity, allowing for physical customization via swappable accessories. The lower section of the phone’s back panel can be detached by removing just two screws. This opens the door for attaching alternative modules that add extra functionality. Examples highlighted include a card holder and a finger loop, providing more secure handling and convenience. While similar concepts exist (like Nothing’s CMF Phone 1), the real value will depend on the range of accessories Fairphone develops over time, offering users the potential to adapt their phone beyond its initial configuration.
Core Specs and Display
Under the hood, the Fairphone 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 mobile processor. It comes equipped with a generous 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, expandable up to a substantial 2TB via an SDXC card, offering ample space for apps, photos, and media.
The device features a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display. While marginally smaller than the Fairphone 5’s screen, it boasts a significant upgrade in refresh rate, jumping from 90Hz to a smoother 120Hz for fluid scrolling and animations.
Camera Capabilities
For photography and video, the Fairphone 6 includes a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera. The front houses a 32MP hole-punch camera suitable for selfies and video calls. Notably, this is a step down from the Fairphone 5, which utilized 50MP sensors across all three cameras. The physical design sees the camera lenses now sitting flush with the back panel, unlike the slight bump on the previous model.
Unmatched Repairability and Longevity
Fairphone’s commitment to repairability remains paramount. The Fairphone 6 retains the brand’s signature modular design, allowing users to access and swap out a remarkable 12 different components using only a standard single screwdriver – no specialized tools needed. Key parts like the screen, battery, and USB port are designed for easy replacement, drastically extending the phone’s potential lifespan.
Further reinforcing longevity, Fairphone offers an impressive five-year warranty and promises a substantial eight years of software support, securing updates through 2033. However, this modular design comes with a trade-off in water and dust resistance, giving the Fairphone 6 a limited IP55 rating. It can handle splashes or water jets but won’t survive submersion.
Pricing, Availability, and the Murena Version
The Fairphone 6 is currently available for purchase through Fairphone’s online store and various European retailers, priced at €599 (approximately $696 USD). Color options include black, green, and white.
For customers in the United States, the Fairphone 6 will be exclusively available through Murena, similar to previous models. The Murena version is expected to ship sometime in August and is available for preorder at $899. Instead of standard Android, this US variant runs on Murena’s /e/OS, a privacy-focused, de-Googled version of the Android operating system.
Introducing Fairphone Moments
On the software front, the Fairphone 6 debuts a new feature called Fairphone Moments. Activated via a physical switch on the phone’s side, this allows users to “toggle between a full-featured smartphone and a minimalist experience.” While specifics are yet to be fully detailed, Fairphone describes it as “a mindful way to engage with technology, putting owners in control, not their notifications,” suggesting an alternate mode designed to reduce distractions and aid focus.
The Fairphone 6 solidifies the company’s unique position in the market, blending environmental and social responsibility with a focus on repairability and user empowerment, now enhanced by the potential of its new modular accessory system.
