The Fairphone 6 is a smartphone that has made significant strides in its sixth generation, aiming to be more modern, modular, affordable, and desirable. The phone boasts a sleek design with a recycled plastic body, a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED screen, and a user-replaceable battery, all of which contribute to its repairability and sustainability.
In terms of performance, the Fairphone 6 is equipped with a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via a microSD card slot. While it may not rival the best phones for raw power, it generally feels fast enough in use.
The camera on the Fairphone 6 has two cameras on the back and one selfie camera in the screen, capturing good photos in bright light but struggling with high-contrast scenes. The night mode is usable but not as impressive as modern smartphones.
One of the standout features of the Fairphone 6 is its modular design, allowing users to replace components like the battery, screen, and main camera at home using a single screwdriver. This makes it incredibly repairable and sustainable.
The phone's software runs on either regular Android 15 with Google services or an open-source version called /e/OS without Google services, supported until 2033. The interface is generally uncluttered but lacks some of the bells and whistles found in mainstream devices.
In terms of pricing, the Fairphone 6 costs £499 (€599), which is lower than its predecessors. For comparison, the Google Pixel 9a costs £499, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro costs £449.
Overall, the Fairphone 6 is a solid, mid-range Android with all the perks of a modular, repairable, and more ethical design. It trades some premium features for a lower price than its predecessors but still offers good screen quality, reasonable battery life, and expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
However, it's worth noting that the phone may not be the best choice for everyone due to its mid-range performance, fingerprint scanner placement issues, average camera, inability to submerge in water, and lack of Android 16 yet. Nevertheless, the Fairphone 6 is an excellent option for those seeking a more sustainable, repair-friendly smartphone experience.
In conclusion, the Fairphone 6 is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a unique blend of affordability, sustainability, and repairability. While it may not be perfect, its modular design, long software support, and eco-friendly materials make it an attractive choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
In terms of performance, the Fairphone 6 is equipped with a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via a microSD card slot. While it may not rival the best phones for raw power, it generally feels fast enough in use.
The camera on the Fairphone 6 has two cameras on the back and one selfie camera in the screen, capturing good photos in bright light but struggling with high-contrast scenes. The night mode is usable but not as impressive as modern smartphones.
One of the standout features of the Fairphone 6 is its modular design, allowing users to replace components like the battery, screen, and main camera at home using a single screwdriver. This makes it incredibly repairable and sustainable.
The phone's software runs on either regular Android 15 with Google services or an open-source version called /e/OS without Google services, supported until 2033. The interface is generally uncluttered but lacks some of the bells and whistles found in mainstream devices.
In terms of pricing, the Fairphone 6 costs £499 (€599), which is lower than its predecessors. For comparison, the Google Pixel 9a costs £499, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro costs £449.
Overall, the Fairphone 6 is a solid, mid-range Android with all the perks of a modular, repairable, and more ethical design. It trades some premium features for a lower price than its predecessors but still offers good screen quality, reasonable battery life, and expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
However, it's worth noting that the phone may not be the best choice for everyone due to its mid-range performance, fingerprint scanner placement issues, average camera, inability to submerge in water, and lack of Android 16 yet. Nevertheless, the Fairphone 6 is an excellent option for those seeking a more sustainable, repair-friendly smartphone experience.
In conclusion, the Fairphone 6 is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a unique blend of affordability, sustainability, and repairability. While it may not be perfect, its modular design, long software support, and eco-friendly materials make it an attractive choice for environmentally conscious consumers.