Fairphone 6 is switching to a new design that's even more sustainable

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Fairphone ownership, pros and cons

  • Several users report positive multi-year experiences with Fairphone 3/4/5: easy self-repair (especially USB-C ports and batteries), sturdy hardware, and long OS support compared to mainstream Android.
  • Others regret buying FP4 due to infrequent security patches (every ~3 months), lingering bugs (GPS, telephony), and weak support responses.
  • Some criticize Fairphone for slow Android major-version upgrades and poor communication about delays.

Repairable vs modular hardware

  • Multiple commenters stress Fairphone is repairable, not truly modular or upgradable; parts are replaceable but not meant to be cross‑generation upgrades, except a rare FP3 camera module.
  • Desire for a “Framework-style” standardized chassis with swappable mainboards, cameras, and displays is strong; many see this as the missing piece for real sustainability.
  • Others argue even just cheap, easy repairs for batteries, screens, and ports already prevents a lot of waste.

Headphone jack, ports, and device durability

  • Lack of a 3.5mm jack is a recurring deal-breaker; many see it as anti-sustainability and/or de facto planned obsolescence, pushing fragile, battery‑dependent wireless earbuds and extra dongles.
  • Counterargument: removal is mainly for cost, space, and water ingress; wired users can use USB‑C audio or adapters, and most of the market doesn’t care.
  • Practical complaints about USB‑C audio: extra wear on the only port, easy-to-lose dongles, inability to charge and listen simultaneously, and weaker mechanical robustness than a jack.
  • Some want a second USB‑C port as a cleaner extensibility solution.

Biometrics and ergonomics

  • Strong nostalgia for rear fingerprint readers (especially combined with gesture/scroll actions); many consider them faster and more reliable than Face ID or under-screen sensors.
  • Others prefer side‑button readers for desk use; some find them too easy to trigger accidentally.
  • Face unlock provokes mixed reactions: praised for seamless in‑app auth, criticized for frequent failures (angles, sunglasses, lighting) and legal/coercion concerns.

OS choices, security, and privacy

  • Fairphones are praised for working with alternative ROMs like CalyxOS, /e/OS, and various Linux ports, though app compatibility and security hardening vary.
  • Multiple commenters want “Fairphone + GrapheneOS” as the ideal, but GrapheneOS maintainers publicly state Fairphone hardware and update model do not meet their security requirements (secure element, firmware timelines, etc.), and they have no plans to support it.
  • Debate over whether GrapheneOS should target “perfect security on few devices” vs “good-enough, de-Googled security on more hardware.”

SoCs, mainline Linux, and long-term updates

  • Some argue Fairphone should pick SoCs with good mainline Linux support to avoid vendor lock‑in and extend life beyond Android support.
  • Others note Fairphone already uses longer‑supported Qualcomm “industrial/IoT” chips and that small vendors have limited choice compared to Samsung/Apple.
  • EU ecodesign rules now mandate at least 5 years of security updates for new phones; several see this as a step forward but still short of the 10–20 years they’d like.

Availability, form factor, and alternatives

  • Many readers outside Europe (especially in the US) lament lack of official sales, limited band support, and no warranty if imported, though some report success via third‑party vendors.
  • There is visible pent‑up demand for smaller, lighter, mid‑to‑high‑end phones with removable batteries, dual SIM/eSIM, SD slot, and a jack; current options (Sony Xperia, Unihertz, rugged devices) each have tradeoffs in price, software support, or quality.

What “sustainable” really means

  • Fairphone’s broader sustainability claims (supply-chain ethics, recycled materials, “e‑waste neutral”) get some approval but also skepticism about marketing language and offsets.
  • A few argue the truly most sustainable option is simply buying used mainstream phones and extending their life, regardless of brand.