Fairphone Gen 6 Plus overview: The sustainable mobile gets good

Price When Reviewed

$649

Best Prices Today: Fairphone 6 Plus

Fairphone is the mobile for those who want to reduce consumption and avoid contributing to an unsustainable throwaway economy. The Dutch manufacturer doesn’t only want to sell mobiles – it also aims to show the industry that it’s possible to do so in a better and more sustainable way.

This encompasses everything from avoiding conflict minerals and recycling components and chassis materials to social responsibility across various stages of production. The brand’s mobiles are built to last and can be maintained and upgraded.

In recent generations, they have also reached such a high standard of quality that you can buy one without feeling technologically left behind. The latest model is called the Fairphone Gen 6+ and it was released in August.

Clean lines and a straightforward design

With a screen measuring just over six inches, it isn’t huge, but it has a slight bezel all round which adds a few millimetres to the external dimensions.

It features a plastic exterior and has comfortable, semi-matt surfaces, with a grey-black, green or blue casing. The phone’s right-angles and sharp corners mean it isn’t quite as comfortable to hold as some earlier Fairphone models, but it still feels nicely made.

On the side is a distinctive yellow switch button, just above the power button (which features a fingerprint reader). It controls a special feature in Fairphone’s interface called Moments. It’s a stripped-back ‘digital detox’ mode that removes notification distractions, icons and apps from your immediate view. You can select a few essential apps that you’ll be able to launch, but everything else is hidden away.

In terms of software, it’s very clean

In terms of software, it’s very clean. It contains nothing beyond a pure Android system, an app that guides you through features, spare parts and accessories, and its own photo and video gallery app.

Fairphone added this because users didn’t like being dependent on Google Photos and similar apps, which tend to store data in the cloud and thus gain access to your private photos. Fairphone’s own gallery is entirely local.

Maintain and upgrade freely

On the back, there are two small Torx screws that allow you to remove the back cover easily. Fairphone sells alternative back covers you can swap it for, such as one with a card holder and another with a carrying strap. You can buy these and a range of spare parts from Fairphone’s UK/Eupean online shop or from Fairphone US.

Everything can be replaced, using only a mini screwdriver

Yes, even spare parts. Individual camera modules, batteries, displays, USB ports, speakers, SIM card holders and more. Everything is available to buy and everything can be replaced, using only a mini screwdriver. Fairphone sells one of those too.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that Fairphone fully supports this. Not only mechanically, but also with the most generous warranty in the industry. It comes with a full five-year manufacturer’s warranty, which isn’t affected if you open it up and make your own modifications. The phone comes with Android 16 and you’ll receive six major planned updates.

Fast enough, but no more

So, it’s a very good option for a DIY enthusiast. But how good is the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus generally? With a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a dynamic 120Hz OLED screen and dual rear cameras, it keeps pace with other mid-range mobiles on the market. It’s fast enough for most everyday tasks and has enough power to play simpler games and run a range of productivity apps.

You can also take photos and record videos without any issues, as long as you don’t have professional ambitions. Its 50-megapixel sensor takes great photos in daylight and decent ones in the evening.

It keeps pace with other mid-range mobiles on the market

I’m not entirely impressed with the sound quality when filming videos. The microphone seems to struggle with background noise and wind. However, that isn’t noticeable when I’m on a call. It’s not the very best mobile for filming, but if you’re just looking to capture a few holiday memories or document your daily life, it’s more than adequate for most people.

High-quality OLED

The screen offers a great viewing experience with vibrant colours, good contrast, responsive touch and sufficient brightness to make it usable in all weather conditions.

It’s a good idea to avoid direct sunlight on the screen, but otherwise it performs well.

This isn’t the sort of phone you’d buy to create photographic masterpieces or film in 8K

The inbuilt stereo speakers do a decent job, although they could certainly be louder. The mid-range in particular is weak, which is also noticeable when reproducing voices.

The phone doesn’t have a massive battery. The 4,415mAh capacity is reliably enough for a full day’s use without needing to find a charger, and up to two days if you’re careful with your use. Some apps may use more power, as do resource-intensive tasks such as taking photos and filming. But this isn’t the sort of phone you’d buy to create photographic masterpieces or film in 8K anyway.

Worth a bit extra

And if it does wear out over time, you can simply replace it. The battery, that is – not the mobile.

The Fairphone Gen 6 Plus is a bit pricey for the sort of phone you’re getting, but not so much more expensive than rivals that it becomes a deal-breaker. As it is, you can buy it from Fairphone, among other retailers, for £569. It’s also available from Fairphone US for $649.99.

That extra amount you’re paying might be worth it for the sake of your conscience and, above all, for its excellent reparability and long lifespan.

You can compare it to its rivals in our round-up of the best mid-range phones we’ve tested.