Fairphone 6+
I Wanted To Love This - Fairphone Gen 6+
Pros
- Highly repairable with inexpensive replacement parts
- Offers sufficient battery life for daily use
- Selfie camera provides realistic and true-to-life images
- Screen is decent with 120Hz capability
Cons
- Main camera performance is largely lackluster with poor dynamic range
- Overall performance is not as snappy as competitors and struggles with demanding tasks
- High price point compared to phones offering better features
- Existing users report dissatisfaction with software update cadence
- Screen defaults to 60Hz despite 120Hz capability
The Fairphone Gen 6+ offers a mixed experience, liked for its ethical approach and repairability but not loved due to several functional shortcomings. While it boasts sufficient battery life and a decent selfie camera, the main camera is largely lackluster, and overall performance could be snappier. Its $650 price point is high considering that many cheaper phones offer better performance and camera quality.
Despite its highly repairable design with affordable replacement parts and potential for long-term software support, the actual update cadence has drawn criticism. Ultimately, it caters more to consumers prioritizing ethical manufacturing and repairability over premium performance or camera quality.
“Overall, when I used it for the weekend, I liked it, but I didn't love it and I wanted to love it. [...] But when you're using it, the speaker doesn't really add up and the camera doesn't really add up.”
“There's a lot of phones that I would say are better, snappier, have better cameras for cheaper. Are they as ethical as this phone? No. Do they look as cool as this phone? I don't know.”
$650 for a phone you can fix yourself?
Pros
- Exceptional repairability and user-replaceable parts.
- Outstanding long-term software support and 5-year warranty.
- Expandable storage up to 2 TB via microSD.
- Removable and affordable replacement battery.
- Increased RAM to 12 GB for improved longevity.
Cons
- Camera performance is considered only "okay" and lacks a telephoto lens.
- Mid-range processor for its $650 price point.
- No wireless charging and limited IP55 water resistance.
- USB-C port operates at slow USB 2.0 speeds.
- Does not offer the best dollar-to-spec value compared to competitors.
The Fairphone Gen 6 Plus is positioned as a highly sustainable and repairable smartphone, boasting a 10/10 iFixit rating, affordable replacement parts, a 5-year warranty, and software updates until 2033. It also offers expandable storage up to 2 TB and an upgraded 12 GB of RAM.
However, for its $650 price, it makes compromises in performance, featuring a mid-range processor and only "okay" camera quality without a telephoto lens. Further drawbacks include an IP55 rating, absence of wireless charging, and slow USB 2.0 speeds via its USB-C port.
Ultimately, the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus is not recommended for those seeking top-tier specs or dollar-to-performance value. Its appeal lies firmly with users who prioritize ethical manufacturing, long-term device longevity, and repairability over cutting-edge features.
“I think you should probably get way more out of a phone for $650, but with Fairphone, you're paying for what the company is actually about. That's easy repairs, keeping your phone for a little bit longer, and trying to make the whole process of building that phone a little fairer.”
“I don't think this is the best phone you can pick up for $650, but you really aren't picking up the Fairphone for the best specs on a phone. You're picking it up because you really believe in what Fairphone are trying to do.”