Fairphone has come an extended way since it launched its first phone way back in 2013. It started from a particular niche smartphone that only a couple could appreciate to appeal to conscientious smartphone users. In its fifth, yes fifth, generation, the Fairphone 4 is getting a serious upgrade that does put it on par with some mid-range 5G phones. It’s going to look a touch pricey for its specs, but, as Fairphone says, the true value of the phone is in things that buyers don’t always see.
Fairphone has always prioritized and values things that few OEMs would even dare to say. The corporate not only promised repairability through the phones’ modular design or years of support beyond what the typical manufacturer offered, but it also ensured the materials it used were sourced fairly and recyclable. That sometimes forced Fairphone to resort to older components, which makes the Fairphone 4 such an enormous upgrade.
The Snapdragon 750G processor it runs on might not be the newest and greatest within the series, but it does bring 5G to a sustainable and repairable phone. It’s assisted by 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage and gets a 6.3-inch Full HD+ screen with a waterdrop notch. There are also two 48MP cameras on its back, and the 3,905 mAh battery could seem small but is a minimum of removable and replaceable. It’s also running the newest Android 11 out of the box.
The Fairphone 4’s announcement puts attention on the items buyers won’t see, like how the sourcing and manufacturing processes have resulted in better lives for everybody involved. Then there’s the five-year warranty, promising updates far longer than what even Samsung and Google could offer. That also applies to replacement parts, so you’ll keep it up using and loving the phone for as long as you wish.
The Fairphone 4 goes for 579 EUR (around $670) for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the higher-end 8GB RAM, 256GB model will sell for 649 EUR (roughly $750). It’s currently still in pre-order in Europe, with no word yet on a shipping date also as global availability.
