When the Fairphone appeared back in 2013 it promised to offer a sustainable smartphone that lasted for years. Eight years later and the 4th-generation Fairphone has just been launched, along with the claim it's the most sustainable phone yet.
Earlier this month the Fairphone 3 was discontinued, but support will continue for years to come as is the Fairphone promise. But now its successor has appeared, which retains the 5-year warranty, but has refreshed the hardware while also embracing 5G.
The Fairphone 4 is an Android 11 smartphone with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display and available in two configurations: 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There's three case colors available: grey, green, and speckled green, but both green options are only available with the 256GB model.
Inside, there's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (SM7225) system-on-a-chip, dual SIMs both of which are 5G-enabled, a 3,905mAh Li-on battery, dual 48MP rear cameras, and a 25MP selfie camera. The unique modular design is IP54 rated and allows components to be removed and replaced with ease. There's also a fingerprint scanner, NFC, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1 and LE support, and it's TCO Certified with a repairability score of 9.3 out of 10. The single port on the phone is USB-C.
Pre-orders for both models are now live with the handsets expected to start shipping on Nov. 1. The 128GB model is 579 euros ($675) and the 256GB model is 649 euros ($755). Included in the box is the Fairphone 4 and a quick-start guide in eco-friendly packaging. A USB-C cable, dual-port 30W (EU) charger, and USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack are all offered separately by Fairphone if you need them. And finally, for every Fairphone 4 sold, an equal amount of electronic waste is recycled by the company so as to make your phone purchase electronic waste neutral.