How Fairphone built the Fairphone Gen 6+
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Fairphone's Gen 6+ prioritizes modular repairability and longevity over thinness, water resistance, and high-end specs.
The $650 Fairphone Gen 6+ ($650, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage) is designed for user repairability with 12 user-swappable parts using a single T5 Torx screwdriver. Its modular design makes it slightly thicker (9.6mm) and limits water resistance to IP55, trading off typical glass-and-glue construction for longevity. The battery is replaceable; Fairphone supports software updates through 2033. The phone uses recycled materials, avoids conflict minerals, and pays living wages. It lacks a headphone jack and on-device AI features, offering a near-stock Android 16 experience.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly appreciate the repairability concept but question its execution. Several users note that parts for older models (e.g., Fairphone 3, 4) are no longer available, limiting real-world longevity to roughly 5 years. Some argue ethical sourcing was the company's primary goal, not repairability. Others cite security concerns: Fairphones use closed-source firmware and lag on updates compared to GrapheneOS on Pixels. A few users suggest alternatives like Shiftphone (more OS options) or buying second-hand devices as more ethical.