Fairphone 5 - A fair smartphone that is not technically perfect

[Redaktion]

The Fairphone 5 is not only fair but also sustainable, offering an appealing overall concept on the data sheet, which includes many modern technologies. However, the test shows that all that glitters is not gold. Here's a summary for you once again.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Fairphone-5-A-fair-smartphone-that-is-not-technically-perfect.778560.0.html

[Martin82]

Lack of 3.5mm jack makes it Unfairphone and completely misses the point. Along with the weak battery (And yes, the abysmal speakers too) which is one of the most important aspects for any enthusiast.
Why would I want to keep a phone for so many years If I hate it from the start? For half the money I could buy a much better mid-ranger and even if it lasts half as much, It will still be much better. And I won't be spending money on disposable dongles or bluetooth headphones. So no, the "eco" aspect is another lie and actually buying a regular mid-ranger could prove to be even more eco-friendly, at least if you use wired headphones and if you are willing to replace your battery instead of the phone when it degrades. USB port is also much likely to break and have to be replaced with dongle usage.

[John Thomas]

Look, it's one proposition to try and address an issue in our throwaway world.

In an ideal world its specs would outshine the competition for 10% off the price of their flagships, but that's simply not possible with all the boxes Fairphone try to tick.

If you want a high-spec mid-range for a cheap price don't buy a Fairphone.

If you think your spending should include consideration of whether the workers who built it are being paid a fair wage and that the materials used came from the fairest possible supply chain, consider spending the extra.

Personally, I would have liked to have gone for the extra bells and whistles from the Pixel range, as I did last time round when I bought a Pixel 4a instead of a Fairphone 4. My decision to buy a Fairphone 5 will do very little to fix the world, but if we all continue with the attitude that fixing it is someone else's problem, there's no chance it can be fixed.

I'm looking forward to seeing if I can keep it in usable order until 2033... which is the potential for the device given the promised 5 major Android versions support.

[John Thomas]

I should have said I have not used wired headphones for my last 2/3 phones, and am quiet happy with the convenience of Bluetooth. Yes, the batteries will go eventually, but the earbuds and batteries are very small compared to a phone battery.


The two things I'd be more comfortable with is better battery life and improved water resistance. The latter is difficult with a user-repairable device though. The former, as the writer above says themselves, might happen during the life of the phone.

The Fairphone 5, while it wouldn't compete directly with a more expensive flagship, is still a very usable smartphone and the battery can be replaced using your fingers. The USB-C port can be replaced using a screwdriver.

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