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The Fairphone (Gen. 6+) is a good fit if you want a phone you can repair yourself and keep for years, but its faster processor does not make it the best-value Android phone for everyone. Fairphone’s EU product page lists a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip and 12GB of RAM; The Guardian’s review finds that performance, camera quality, battery life and screen are still only decent for the money. The strongest reason to choose it is its modular design, not a promise of class-leading speed or photos.
What changed from the Fairphone (Gen. 6)?
The Gen. 6+ is a modest specification update, not a wholesale redesign. Fairphone says the two models are otherwise identical, including their display, battery and cameras. The official comparison lists these differences:
| Specification | Fairphone (Gen. 6+) | Fairphone (Gen. 6) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| EU price on Fairphone’s product page, accessed in 2026 | €649 | €599 |
| Colors | Different from the Gen. 6; see Fairphone’s current regional listing | Different from the Gen. 6; see Fairphone’s current regional listing |
These are manufacturer specifications and EU prices, not independent performance measurements or a promise that the same prices apply elsewhere. Fairphone’s Gen. 6+ product page lists a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 1116 × 2484 resolution and an adaptive 10–120Hz refresh rate, a 4,415mAh removable battery, 256GB storage expandable to 2TB, and a 50MP main camera. The Guardian’s review says the screen, camera, battery life and performance are not among the best available for the money.
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For buyers who value owner repairability and long software support, the Gen. 6+ has a clear case. For buyers whose priorities are the strongest camera, fastest performance, longest battery life or best conventional value, the review points to compromises. The Guardian’s Samuel Gibbs calls the phone compelling for people who prioritize repairability and its ethical ethos, but difficult to recommend to everyone.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen. 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
- Google's Gemini AI Assistant, Built In: Use Gemini Live to identify what's in front of your camera, summarize the group chats you're behind on, or plan your day. Not interested in AI? You can easily toggle it off. Your phone, your call.
Choose it if
- You want to replace common components yourself rather than treat the phone as sealed and disposable.
- You plan to keep a phone for years and value Fairphone’s stated seven-year software-support plan.
- You are comfortable paying more for modular repairability even though the review found the camera, battery, screen and performance merely decent for the price.
Look elsewhere if
- You primarily want top-tier performance, camera results or battery endurance for your budget.
- You need a phone you can submerge in water: the manufacturer lists IP55, and The Guardian says it cannot be submerged.
- You expect sourcing or environmental claims to be backed by an independent comparative audit; the sources cited here do not establish one.
How repairable is the Fairphone (Gen. 6+)?
Fairphone says the phone has 12 replaceable parts and can be opened with a T5 Torx screwdriver. The Guardian’s review says it can be repaired at home without specialist tools, making repairability a practical feature rather than just a design claim.
Fairphone’s EU webshop lists these replacement-part prices, excluding shipping, on its product page accessed in 2026. Prices and availability can change.
Rank #2
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen. 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- A Phone That Matches Your Values: The Fairphone contains 51% fair and recycled materials by total weight, is assembled using renewable energy, and supports living wages for factory workers. Robust everyday performance, without pretending the supply chain doesn't matter.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
| Part | Fairphone-listed EU price |
|---|---|
| Battery | €39.95 |
| Display | €89.95 |
| Main camera | €69.95 |
| Ultra-wide camera | €44.95 |
| USB-C port | €19.95 |
The phone is rated IP55 by Fairphone; that rating should not be read as permission to submerge it. Its modular construction makes component replacement more accessible, but does not remove the need to use the right tool and follow repair instructions.
How long will the Gen. 6+ get updates?
Fairphone says the Gen. 6+ launched with Android 16 and is planned to receive six Android version upgrades plus one additional year of security updates, for seven years of total support. This is the Gen. 6+ commitment, not the older Gen. 6 schedule. Fairphone’s software and security update guidance says the original Gen. 6 launched with Android 15 and is supported until 2033; that model receives monthly security updates for about three years, then updates every two months from June 2028 until support ends.
Rank #3
- Designed to Be Repaired, Not Replaced: The Fairphone Gen 6+ is built around a 12-part modular design, so you can swap the battery, screen, speaker, or cameras yourself with just a screwdriver instead of replacing the whole phone. It's backed by a hardware warranty of up to five years and software support through 2033.
- Smooth Performance, Serious Durability: Powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, keeping apps fast and multitasking smooth. The 120Hz OLED display makes scrolling feel buttery, not choppy, and Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP55 splash-resistant means it can handle what your last phone couldn't. There's 256GB built in (expandable up to 2TB), so you're never trading photos for space.
- Less Noise, More You: Fairphone Moments lets you switch between full Android and a distraction-free mode with up to five essential apps of your choice. Working, traveling, or spending time with the people who matter - you decide what shows up on your screen, and what stays out of reach.
- A Phone That Matches Your Values: The Fairphone contains 51% fair and recycled materials by total weight, is assembled using renewable energy, and supports living wages for factory workers. Robust everyday performance, without pretending the supply chain doesn't matter.
- US Carrier Compatibility: This Android smartphone supports AT&T and T-Mobile, and supported MVNOs on those networks. It is not supported on Verizon or Verizon-network MVNOs. 5G speeds require a 5G-enabled SIM/eSIM and supporting data plan, and availability varies by carrier and location.
What do the ethical and sustainability claims establish?
Fairphone’s 2025 press release said the original Gen. 6 used over 50% fair or recycled materials by total weight. The Guardian’s 2026 review describes the Gen. 6+ as containing 51% recycled or ethically sourced materials. Those are company or review-reported figures, not an independent audit of the phone’s lifecycle or proof that it is the most ethical phone available. Fairphone also describes its range as “100% Electronic Waste Neutral” on its product page; that is the company’s program claim, not an independently established environmental outcome in the sources cited here. The Fairphone Gen. 6 press release provides the company’s original materials claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verdict
The Fairphone (Gen. 6+) keeps the original model’s repairable design and adds more RAM and a newer processor, while Fairphone’s stated support plan offers a long ownership horizon. Its appeal depends on whether those priorities outweigh the camera, battery, performance and value compromises identified by The Guardian. It is a considered choice for repair-first buyers, not a universal recommendation for anyone shopping for the strongest phone at the price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Unlocked for GSM Carriers like T-Mobile and not compatible with Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular. Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM) both 5G enabled
- Android 15 (Software updates until 2033)
- 6.31" inch, Full HD LTPO P-OLED, 1116x2484 resolution, 431ppi, Gorilla Glass 7i
- 10-120 Hz refresh rate, 240 Hz touch screen sample rate
- 256GB UFS3.1 storage, microSD up to 2TB external storage capacity, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
Rank #4
- Unlocked for GSM Carriers like T-Mobile and not compatible with Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular. Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM) both 5G enabled
- Android 15 (Software updates until 2033)
- 6.31" inch, Full HD LTPO P-OLED, 1116x2484 resolution, 431ppi, Gorilla Glass 7i
- 10-120 Hz refresh rate, 240 Hz touch screen sample rate
- 256GB UFS3.1 storage, microSD up to 2TB external storage capacity, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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