Remember when you could pop open a phone, swap the battery, and keep going? Fairphone remembers. Their latest release, the Fairphone 6, feels like a nostalgic nod to sanity, with plenty of modern upgrades.
This is a phone that puts people and planet before profits. Sure, it doesn’t have the camera chops to take on a flagship, and USB-2 feels a bit retro in 2025, but what it lacks in bragging rights, it makes up for in staying power.
An iPhone will receive security updates for 5 to 7 years after initial release. How does Fairphone compare
We designed The Fairphone (Gen. 6) to last as long as possible, making it robust and modular to enable easy repairs, customization, and upgrades.
We want to empower users to take ownership of their products by offering them easy options for maintenance and repairs. How long it lasts will also depend on the user and on how they treat their phone. But to make it as easy as possible, we have created an ecosystem that supports long-lasting use, first-hand or second-hand. We offer:
- Reasonably priced spare parts and repair tutorials
- Regular software platform updates (latest Android software) and security updates 5-year warranty (to be activated via fairphone.com/warranty)
- Access to source code and open source development encouraged Active reminders to perform regular maintenance, making sure the phone remains in good state for as long as possible
- Financial rewards via the “Keep Club” loyalty program for every time a repair is performed and for every year a phone is kept in use
What are the plans for Android and security updates with The Fairphone (Gen. 6)?
We are planning to provide at least Android 16 to Android 22, so seven years of Android upgrades from launch and one extra year of security updates only, so eight years of software support in total!
https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/24463093338898-The-Fairphone-Gen-6-FAQ
What’s the water resistance? That’s pretty vital to me, I dinghy sail and go in the water very often.
IP 55
Personally I just use a cheap waterproof bag that lets me touch the screen through it. Also floats just in case lol.
Yeah the waterproof bags don’t work very well in my experience. I use them on ocean stuff, but for dinghy sailing I need to be able to use the touchscreen quickly and effectively which isn’t really possible with the bags. I even have a pretty nice bag.
Fair. I do kayak and canoe in freshwater, don’t have much saltwater experience. For that I’ve never needed anything the bag didn’t get me.
Thanks. I’m very tempted to switch.
Gah… it was almost perfect. Give me USB 3.2 and the Verizon bands and I’ll be a customer forever.
The phone would probably work on Verizon, shares enough GSM bands, including a mid-range 5G band but idk if that one would work. I’d wait for someone else to give it a shot. USB 3.2 just for future proofing?
Edit: someone on the fairphone forums has their FP5 working on Verizon. The service in the US seems patchy outside of major metros from what I’ve read
USB 3 for display out. I’d love to enjoy desktop Linux on my phone.
Word I can agree with that
Maybe a silly question, why USB 3.2?
USB 2.0 doesn’t support connecting an external display. It’s a real handy feature that the FP 4 and 5 has. Full desktop Linux on a phone. Very cool.
wait so… the newest model regressed a feature like this?
Unfortunately, that is correct. I’ve cancelled my preorder. Maybe they’ll nail it next round.
