GoKawiil
Tech News
Fairphone, known in Europe for building phones designed to be easily fixed rather than replaced, has finally brought a model to the U.S. market. The reviewer tested the device, which ships with its own screwdriver so users can swap parts like the battery and screen themselves, and spoke with the company's CTO about the design philosophy behind it.
A global memory chip shortage is pushing smaller device makers like Fairphone, Jolla, and Framework to rethink product design, order chips months ahead, and test incoming shipments for counterfeits. Fairphone's CEO says memory now accounts for nearly 60% of the bill of materials on its roughly $400 phones, while SK Hynix's chief has warned the shortage could persist until 2030, peaking in severity around 2027.
Fairphone has released the Gen 6+ version of its repairable Android phone in the United States for $650. The device keeps most of last year's Gen 6 design but adds a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a new cobalt-blue color that honors cobalt miners and the Fair Cobalt Alliance nonprofit Fairphone co-founded.
Fairphone has released the 6 Plus, a modest upgrade to last year's Fairphone 6 featuring a newer midrange Snapdragon chipset and a new cobalt color option, and it's now officially for sale in the US. The device costs $649, includes 12GB of RAM, a five-year warranty, and up to six OS upgrades, while maintaining Fairphone's signature repairability with 12 user-replaceable parts.
Dutch phone maker Fairphone has launched its Gen 6+ device in the US market, built around a 6.31-inch OLED screen and designed so users can replace parts themselves rather than send devices out for repair. CTO Chandler Hatton says the company set out to prove that modular, long-lasting smartphones are achievable despite skepticism from the industry.
Fairphone has launched the Gen 6 Plus, an Android phone stripped of manufacturer bloat and carrier apps, shipping only with Google-mandated software and a companion tool called My Fairphone. The device also supports an easy switch to /e/OS, an open-source Android fork that removes Google services entirely for users wanting maximum data privacy.
An Android Authority roundup argues that buyers considering the newly US-available Fairphone Gen 6 Plus ($650) might get more for their money elsewhere. It highlights the HMD Skyline as a nearly as repairable but cheaper (~$400) alternative with a better camera, bigger battery and faster display, alongside four other Android phones recommended for shoppers willing to trade some repairability for extra performance and features.
Fairphone has begun selling its Gen 6 Plus directly in the US for the first time, rather than through Murena, running standard Google Android. Priced at $649, the phone lets owners replace up to 12 parts—including the battery, display, cameras, and USB-C port—using just a screwdriver. In a reader poll of over 1,500 responses, 91.5% called the device appealing despite its modest spec upgrades over the base Gen 6.
Dutch manufacturer Fairphone is now directly shipping its 6+ smartphone to US consumers, unlocked and compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Priced at $649, the device emphasizes repairability and ethically sourced materials while delivering performance the reviewer describes as above midrange, though short of true flagship levels.