Fairphone 6 official, gets expanded modular design with accessories
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We're still stuck with curved screens, camera holes and no headphone jacks? I mean I'd still buy this one if I had to buy one, but I'm glad I got Fairphone 3 when it was still on the shelves. Even if it is a bit slow and memory starved.
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Officially the Fairphone (Gen. 6). They are doing away with the numbered names to combat FOMO/unnecessary upgrades, but since they will have to include the generation every time to.distinguish each subsequent Fairphone this seems kind of pointless.
The major changes this time seem to be the slightly snaller size, the return to a more conventional Snapdragon chipset, the modular back/accessories and the new switch which enables a distraction-free mode.
The size reduction is a nice improvement, albeit a small one (this is still a big phone). The chipset change is interesting, considering they made a very bold choice to go with an unusual IIoT chipset last time that did end up causing issues for some users as I understand. Seems like a good change, considering they are sticking to the same minimum 8 years support guarantee.
As for the modularity and 'Moments' switch - both seem like gimmicks, although I think as far as gimmicks on smartphones go these are relatively harmless and could prove useful to some. Fairphone has said on social media that it will look into opening up the modular accessories to community printable designs, which could make this feature genuinely great. I know a lot of people here probably won't see the point of the 'Moments' switch, but there are people out there who do want this kind of feature and if it helps them switch off then I think it's a positive. I'd much rather have this on my phone then a dedicated AI button/switch, like other manufacturers have announced recently.
Maybe they also allow to rebind the switch to another function later. At least in custom ROMs that should be possible.
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Why no headphone jack 🥲
That was my thought too. If it had that, it would have everything I want a phone to have. On paper at least, things don't always match spec lists
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What makes it 'modular'?
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We're still stuck with curved screens, camera holes and no headphone jacks? I mean I'd still buy this one if I had to buy one, but I'm glad I got Fairphone 3 when it was still on the shelves. Even if it is a bit slow and memory starved.
Is the screen curved? It looks flat to me, as with all.previous models. Fairphone usually uses components that are easier to source and that will be in production for longer, so something like the curved screen (which seems to go in and out of fashion every few years) would be a strange choice.
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Maybe they also allow to rebind the switch to another function later. At least in custom ROMs that should be possible.
It seems to change quite a lot all at once on the stock software, so it might require a bit of work to reprogram that (I'm not sure). Definitely seems like something that could be supported by a custom ROM. This one is an actual on/off switch with two positions, which you don't see that often these days. Could lead to some interesting uses if alternative functions are developed.
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The usage of LTPO will mean more efficient battery usage. Props for being fair. Although could have a higher ram model for future proofing.
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Maybe they also allow to rebind the switch to another function later. At least in custom ROMs that should be possible.
Actually it seems like they've already included the option to do this!
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What makes it 'modular'?
wrote last edited by [email protected]the case is custom by lego
nah for real tho the battery is replaceable - not relying on adhesive. that and other parts are replaceable modular components.
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I like this new version. I won't be buying it since my FP3 is still working great, but I'll recommend people around me needing a new phone to look into it.
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Actually it seems like they've already included the option to do this!
Cool, that's great!
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the case is custom by lego
nah for real tho the battery is replaceable - not relying on adhesive. that and other parts are replaceable modular components.
I mean, every phone can be called modular if 'made from multiple parts' is the definition, in article they only mention non-glued battery.
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I mean, every phone can be called modular if 'made from multiple parts' is the definition, in article they only mention non-glued battery.
I don't think they use adhesives for the display either, something making many apple products' screens unrepairable.
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I don't think they use adhesives for the display either, something making many apple products' screens unrepairable.
They don't use adhesive anywhere in the phone, as I understand. It is made up of 12 separate modules that can be swapped in and out without the need for a heat gun/mat.
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They don't use adhesive anywhere in the phone, as I understand. It is made up of 12 separate modules that can be swapped in and out without the need for a heat gun/mat.
ggggrrrreeat
I so want one. I hope to make my next phone a fairphone even though it's not an option for me yet (US). I really love their work.
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I mean, every phone can be called modular if 'made from multiple parts' is the definition, in article they only mention non-glued battery.
Just being able to open it up without unglueing the display is a big win. Before my FP3 I had a Nokia 6 or 7. It had a broken USB-C connector. A 5 € part to exchange. But the screen also had a tiny tear. Because of that changing the 5 € part cost about as much as a new phone because they'd have to also change the glued on display to get to the part.
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ggggrrrreeat
I so want one. I hope to make my next phone a fairphone even though it's not an option for me yet (US). I really love their work.
AFAIK, Murena(.com) sells Fairphones with their custom ROM in the US, but they may be a bit more expensive.
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AFAIK, Murena(.com) sells Fairphones with their custom ROM in the US, but they may be a bit more expensive.
You can also buy through Vireo, they ship globally.
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This post did not contain any content.wrote last edited by [email protected]
I'm still kinda salty about the missing headphone jack starting with the FP4. But mostly because with that they also released their unrepairable bluetooth buds. Like what? These things are unsustainable af. Every company is and was jumping on that bandwagon because of the insane profit margins of those things. Made me really suspicious of their claimed mission statement of beeing fair and green. All their messaging since then just reeks of bullshit in that regard (imho).
Back then atleast i could still find phones which fullfilled my hardware wishlist. Today its a different story. So all things considered the FP6 seems to be a solid phone in the current market conditions. Something, something perfect is in the way of... and my life with an usb-c dongle on the Pixel 7 isnt too bad tbh. I had issues with phones in the past where the usb-c port started wear out after a year or two and couldnt hold a solid connection while in the pocket with an adapter. The Pixel 7 port is super solid in that regard so far and with a Fairphone you could easily get a spare usb-c port. So i think its time to just move on for me on that matter.
The only thing which rubs me the wrong way this time with the FP6 is that it only has an USB 2.0 port. Which is a downgrade compared to the last two FPs. I regularly connect my phone to other devices for different reasons. No USB3, no buy(for me).
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Is the screen curved? It looks flat to me, as with all.previous models. Fairphone usually uses components that are easier to source and that will be in production for longer, so something like the curved screen (which seems to go in and out of fashion every few years) would be a strange choice.
I tried to look for what the right term was, and this was what I found. Doesn't make sense to me either. What I meant was the rounded corners.
