Fairphone’s $650 Gen 6+ model was designed as a modular smartphone focused on long-term use and easy repairs. The company’s goal is to enable users to “fully own” their devices and ensure that every Fairphone is used for at least five years. This approach also emphasizes avoiding conflict minerals, using recycled materials and paying workers a living wage.
The phone’s back cover can be opened after removing the externally accessible T5 Torx screws. Using the same screwdriver, users can replace 12 parts, including the battery, camera modules, USB-C port and screen. The modular design makes the phone one or two millimeters thicker than its glued-together competitors. Fairphone recommends replacing the battery after approximately three years; the aim is to extend the device’s overall lifespan rather than enable rapid replacement.
Although the Gen 6+ is made mostly of plastic, it retains its durability thanks to its internal metal frame. The company conducts special tests to ensure that disassembly and reassembly do not reduce durability. It is reported that one user completely disassembled the device and reassembled it in working order in approximately 20 minutes. The phone’s 6.31-inch, 1116 x 2484 OLED display can be replaced; the screen has a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. By contrast, instead of IP6X water resistance, the device has an IP55 rating that provides protection only against splashes.
Fairphone retains the microSD card slot and physical SIM card but does not include a headphone jack. The company says this choice is related to space, cost and repairability requirements. The Gen 6+ also comes with 12 gigabytes of RAM, an updated Snapdragon chip and Android 16. While Fairphone’s own AI features are not yet available, the company is taking a more measured approach that takes data usage and privacy into consideration.
The device will be supported with software updates and spare parts through 2033. The Fairphone 3 reached the end of its lifespan after being launched in 2019. According to the company, supplier support creates a practical limit of seven or eight years for smartphones.
The cameras use a 50 MP Sony 700C main sensor, a 13 MP OmniVision OV13B10 ultrawide-angle sensor and a 32 MP front camera. Although the image quality is adequate, shooting and autofocus speeds can be underwhelming. The Gen 6+ is available from Fairphone and Amazon; as an unlocked device, it works with AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
Why it matters
This model shows that when choosing a smartphone, not only the processor, camera and display specifications but also how the device will be maintained throughout its lifespan can be a criterion. The modular design will be weighed alongside trade-offs such as a thicker body and more limited protection against splashes, particularly by users who do not want to replace their phone frequently and want to renew parts without being dependent on the manufacturer’s service in the event of a malfunction. The promise of updates and spare parts through 2033 aims to keep software support and physical repairs going during the same period; however, the information that supplier support creates a practical limit of seven or eight years for smartphones leaves an open question about the feasibility of this commitment. In addition, the device’s role as an alternative to glued designs directly links discussions about the right to repair and electronic waste to the end user’s choice.