Nearly impossible? How Fairphone built the ethical, repairable Fairphone Gen 6+.
Fairphone's CTO explains how and why the Dutch company builds a different kind of smartphone.
Smartphone longevity has not always been a priority. In the past, phones were replaced as soon as they became worn out or broken. Today, people expect their smartphones to last longer, but they have also become less repairable and more fragile. Dutch smartphone maker Fairphone, which has recently entered the US market, takes a different approach to smartphones.
Their new $650 Fairphone Gen 6+ is designed with both longevity and easy repairability in mind. Repairs can be challenging due to the use of glass and aluminum components, glued together with gaskets and tiny screws. However, the potential benefits may justify the drawbacks for certain users. Fairphone's chief technology officer, Chandler Hatton, explained that the company's aim is to deliver a satisfying mobile experience while also allowing users to fully own their device.
Ultimately, this is what many people desire when it comes to a smartphone. Fairphone's devices can be disassembled and reassembled, which is becoming increasingly important as smartphone manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and Apple continue to offer software updates for up to a decade, but leave users with hardware that may not last that long or be repairable.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
