Fairphone Launches Its New Repairable Smartphone in the US Market

Fairphone, the Dutch company celebrated for its environmentally friendly and easily repairable smartphones, announced on Tuesday that its latest model, the Fairphone (Gen 6+), is now available in the U.S., starting at a price of $649.

Previously, the firm partnered with French open-source operating system developer e/OS to provide a “de-Googled” version of its earlier devices in the U.S. However, this is the first time American customers can buy the company’s smartphones directly without any modifications. The Fairphone 6+ supports T-Mobile and AT&T at launch.

While categorized as a midrange Android device, the Fairphone 6+ could prove to be a strong contender due to its durability and repairability, especially in light of rising gadget prices caused by ongoing component shortages.

“We’re providing a device that has been meticulously designed to be opened, repaired, and maintained for many years,” said Fairphone CEO Raymond van Eck.

The Fairphone 6+ is powered by Qualcomm’s mid-range Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and features 12GB of RAM. It also includes a 4,415 mAh battery with 30W fast-charging support and boasts a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

In terms of photography, the main camera includes a 50-megapixel Sony sensor with an f/1.88 aperture, while the secondary camera features a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. The front camera offers a 32-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture.

Personally, I would have preferred a telephoto lens instead of an ultrawide option for this dual-camera setup. On paper, these cameras should perform well in daylight, but their low-light capabilities may not be as impressive.

A notable highlight of the Fairphone is its 12 replaceable components, including essential parts like the battery, cameras, USB-C port, and display, all of which can be swapped out using just one screwdriver. Additionally, the company offers a five-year warranty and software support until 2033.

Fairphone also underscores its dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices, claiming a reduction of the carbon footprint to 30 kg of CO2e for every Fairphone 6+ produced.

Available in Forest Green, Horizon Black, and Cobalt Blue, the Fairphone 6+ also comes with a selection of accessories—including a finger loop, lanyard, and card holder—which can be installed by removing the back cover.