The handset renowned for its ethical, sustainable, and repairable features receives a significant enhancement, extending its support even further.

Title: Fairphone 5 Review: A Milestone in Sustainable Tech

Introduction: Fairphone, a Dutch smartphone company renowned for its commitment to ethics, sustainability, and repairability, has achieved a remarkable feat with the release of the Fairphone 5. This latest iteration not only boasts a sleeker, lighter design compared to its predecessors but also sets a new standard for longevity, repairability, and overall quality.

Key Points: Priced at £619 (€699), the Fairphone 5 commands a higher price tag compared to its predecessors. However, it offers an unprecedented 10 years of software support—a groundbreaking achievement in the smartphone industry and a substantial step towards combatting tech waste.

Significant Upgrades: The most striking improvement in the Fairphone 5 is its screen, now featuring a vibrant OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling. While generally bright enough for most environments, it may face some challenges in exceptionally bright sunlight.

By Samuel Gibbs, Consumer Technology Editor Published: Fri 8 Sep 2023 07.00 BST

The device exudes a robust and durable feel but, in terms of aesthetics, it appears somewhat outdated when compared to the latest cutting-edge designs. It does offer an IP55 water resistance rating, indicating its ability to withstand rain, sprays, or splashes effectively, although it’s not suitable for full submersion in a swimming pool.

Regarding audio, the stereo speakers deliver decent performance but fall short of matching the quality found in iPhones or Samsung devices. The vibration motor, while reasonably strong, emits a somewhat hollow sound when used for keyboard taps and notifications. Call quality remains commendable, and the device supports the simultaneous use of a nano and eSIM, allowing for the convenience of two lines on a single phone.

Specifications:

• Display: 6.46-inch QHD+ OLED (460ppi)
• Processor: Qualcomm QCM6490
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB with a microSD card slot
• Operating system: Fairphone OS based on Android 13
• Camera: Dual 50MP rear cameras, 50MP selfie camera
• Connectivity: 5G, eSIM + nano SIM, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS
• Water resistance: IP55 (resistant to spray and splashes)
• Dimensions: 161.6 x 75.83 x 9.6mm
• Weight: 212g

Long-life chip and removable battery

Powering the newest Fairphone is a distinctive chip, the Qualcomm QCM6490, originally tailored for diverse commercial systems rather than mobile phones. Surprisingly, it seamlessly integrates into the Fairphone, delivering a performance level akin to that of a mid-range Snapdragon 782 chip from the previous year.

While it may not clinch any performance accolades, it surpasses its predecessor in speed, providing a snappy experience for daily tasks and even accommodating light gaming. Its standout feature lies in its extended support, offering a minimum of five Android version updates and eight years of security patches. Fairphone aims to extend this support to a full decade from the release date—a level of commitment unmatched by any other manufacturer, as most cap out at around six to seven years.

The Fairphone also boasts a microSD card slot, allowing for easy and budget-friendly storage expansion.

In terms of battery life, it falls in the middle range, lasting approximately 36 hours between charges. This includes over five hours of active screen usage at 90Hz (the higher of two available speeds) and two hours on 5G. Consequently, it generally requires nightly or every-other-night charging for lighter usage.

With a 30W or higher power adapter (not included), the battery fully recharges in 66 minutes, reaching 50% in just 21 minutes. Moreover, the option to swiftly swap out the battery allows for extended usage, as a spare can be carried if needed.

Sustainability

Fairphone guarantees that the battery will retain a minimum of 80% of its original capacity for over 1,000 full-charge cycles, and a replacement or spare can be obtained for £36.

The Fairphone 5 comes with a five-year warranty. Users have the option to perform their own repairs with access to 10 modular spare parts, requiring only a standard screwdriver for installation. Replacement costs include £90 for the display, £22 for the back, and other components ranging from £18 to £62.

In an effort to address e-waste, Fairphone commits to recycling an equivalent weight (212g) of electronics for every phone sold, rendering it e-waste neutral. The company incorporates fair trade gold and silver, responsibly sourced lithium and tungsten, and utilizes recycled materials such as aluminum, copper, indium, magnesium, nickel, plastic, rare earth elements, tin, and zinc. Additionally, Fairphone supplements the pay of its contract manufacturing workers to ensure they receive a living wage.

Fairphone OS

The phone comes equipped with standard Android 13, free from any superfluous additions, aside from a pre-installed My Fairphone app for service and support. This ensures swift operation, though it may lack the additional features and extensive customization options typically found in Google or Samsung devices. It does, however, offer full access to the Google Play store and the array of Google services, making it a familiar interface for anyone who has used an Android device within the last five years.

With the promise of eight to ten years of security updates, the Fairphone allows for a longer and secure Android usage compared to any other device. Moreover, Fairphone offers users the option to install an alternative operating system, such as Linux or different versions of Android, catering to enthusiasts or those seeking to disengage from Google services.

Camera

The phone is equipped with a pair of 50-megapixel rear cameras and a 50MP front-facing camera.

The primary rear camera performs well in favorable lighting conditions, delivering reasonably sharp images. However, it occasionally struggles with color accuracy compared to its competitors. The ultrawide camera provides decent results but tends to lack finer details, especially at the edges of photos. Both rear cameras face challenges in low-light settings, resulting in shots that may be adequately illuminated but are often marred by blurriness and reduced detail.

Similarly, the selfie camera performs capably in good lighting, producing clear images. However, it can overexpose in bright or backlit environments and encounters difficulties in low-light scenarios.

The phone offers additional features such as a macro photography mode using the ultrawide camera (which proves enjoyable), a pro mode with manual controls, slow-motion video capabilities up to 240 frames per second, and standard video recording at up to 4K resolution and 30 frames per second. Nevertheless, the camera remains the Fairphone’s least impressive aspect. While it is possible to capture good shots, it generally falls short of mainstream rivals that possess more refined software for optimizing hardware performance.

Price

The Fairphone 5 is priced at £649 (€699) and will be available in stores starting September 14th throughout Europe.

To provide a frame of reference, the Fairphone 4 is priced at £479, the Nothing Phone 2 at £579, the Google Pixel 7a at £449, the Nokia G22 at £139, and the iPhone 14 at £849.

Verdict

The Fairphone 5 marks a significant stride in combatting smartphone industry waste, demonstrating that long-term support is not only feasible but commendable. Offering a groundbreaking potential for up to 10 years of software updates earns it an extra star. Furthermore, its repairability ensures the hardware’s potential for extended longevity through occasional, cost-effective battery replacements. It also comes with a five-year warranty and is crafted using as many recycled and ethically sourced materials as possible, with its appearance staying relatively conventional except for a slightly bulkier design and a plastic back.

However, a key concern lies in how the core chip of the Fairphone will perform over time; what’s satisfactory now may face challenges in speed a decade from now. The camera also represents a weak point. While serviceable for casual snapshots, it falls short of even significantly more affordable mainstream competitors, which enjoy a considerable software edge.

Opting for the most ethical, repairable, and enduring phone on the market carries a premium of about £200 compared to direct counterparts, which typically fall in the £450 range. When factoring in its potential for longevity and the low cost of repairs, the Fairphone offers better overall value.

For those dedicated to supporting the company’s ethical and repair-oriented mission, the Fairphone 5 stands as an important device. However, it’s important to be willing to accept certain compromises in the process.

Pros:

• Unprecedented eight to 10 years of software support
• Genuine at-home repairability
• Ethical manufacturing practices
• Utilization of recycled and sustainable materials
• High-quality screen
• 5G capability
• Handy microSD card slot
• Removable battery
• Free from unnecessary software bloat
• Generous five-year warranty

Cons:

• Mid-range performance
• Slightly bulkier design
• Relatively pricey for its specifications
• Camera performance falls within the average range
• Lacks full water submersion capability
• Software lacks some advanced features
• Absence of a headphone socket
• Fingerprint scanner accessibility may be challenging for left-handed users.