The Fairphone 6, priced at £499, is a modular Android smartphone designed with ethics and sustainability at its core. The Dutch company Fairphone ensures fair wages across its supply chain and sources components ethically. The device boasts a five-year warranty and eight years of software support, surpassing promises from industry giants like Google and Samsung.
A standout feature is Moments mode, activated by a fluorescent yellow switch on the side. This instantly transforms the full Android OS into a black-and-white, simplified home screen with access to only five chosen apps. While apps remain fully functional, the mode serves as a visual cue to reduce distractions, such as social media, without forcing users to abandon smartphone capabilities entirely.
The phone's hardware feels modern, though its chunky plastic build and screen bezels lack the premium feel of an iPhone. However, this design prioritises repairability. With a screwdriver (sold separately for £8.66), users can remove the back panel to access and replace components like the battery, camera modules, USB-C port, and loudspeaker. Fairphone sells all parts on its website, encouraging repairs over disposal.
Fairphone charges £78.27 for a user-replaceable display, significantly less than Apple's £289 for an iPhone 16 screen replacement (without AppleCare+). Samsung also charges over £200 for self-repair screen kits. The trade-off for lower cost and sustainability is a less premium build. Optional accessories, such as a card holder, finger loop, or lanyard, can be attached by removing the back plate.
The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, which is mid-range for 2025. During testing, the device experienced performance hiccups, including freezing, but a software update resolved these issues. Concerns remain about how the chipset will perform over eight years. The Fairphone 6 comes with 8GB of RAM, and its camera quality is adequate but not flagship-level.
