The Fairphone 6 Owes a Little Something to Nothing

Fairphone has once again raised the bar for ethical and environmentally conscious smartphones with the launch of the Fairphone 6, officially known as ‘The Fairphone (Gen. 6)’. This latest iteration of the Fairphone series builds upon the success of the Fairphone 5, offering even more sustainability credentials.

The Fairphone 6 is constructed using over 50% recycled materials, setting a new standard for eco-friendly smartphones. In addition, the phone is made with ethically-mined cobalt, gold, silver, and tungsten, and is manufactured in factories powered by 100% renewable energy. Fairphone ensures that its supply chain adheres to fair labor practices, providing better working conditions and fair wages for all workers involved.

One of the standout features of the Fairphone 6 is its support for modular accessories, including lanyards, card wallets, a finger loop, and a flip case. This modular approach allows users to customize their phone to suit their individual needs and preferences. However, unlike Nothing’s open-source system for modular accessories, Fairphone has not made its system open to the community for development.

The Fairphone 6 continues to prioritize durability and longevity, with IP55 and MIL-STD 810G certification against drops and temperature extremes. The phone’s Corning Gorilla Glass 7i provides protection for the display, ensuring that the device can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Fairphone offers an extended five-year warranty for the Fairphone 6, and the phone’s design allows for easy user-replacement of 12 different components. This includes the option to replace the 6.31-inch adaptive 120Hz LTPO pOLED display at a fraction of the cost compared to other phone manufacturers.

The camera modules on the Fairphone 6 are also replaceable, giving users the flexibility to upgrade or change camera components as needed. The new Pantone-validated Sony LYT-700C main sensor offers improved low-light performance and advanced video capture capabilities.

In terms of hardware, the Fairphone 6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, ensuring optimal performance and long-term software support. Fairphone is committed to providing at least seven generations of OS updates, matching industry leaders like Google and Samsung.

The Fairphone 6 runs on a near-stock build of Android and features a unique lime hardware switch for activating the ‘Fairphone Moments’ experience. This mode simplifies the user interface and minimizes distractions, promoting a more intentional and mindful smartphone usage experience.

For users concerned about privacy, Fairphone offers a “deGoogled” version of the Fairphone 6, running on the Android Open Source-based /e/OS. This provides an alternative for those seeking a more privacy-focused operating system.

The Fairphone 6 is currently available in the UK and Europe, priced at £499/€599 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. US availability is expected in August, with more details on pricing and availability to be announced closer to the launch date. Fairphone continues to lead the way in sustainable smartphone design, offering a unique and ethical alternative in the market.