Fairphone Launches 5G Smartphone with Long-Term Software Support

Fairphone Launches its First 5G Smartphone

Dutch social enterprise Fairphone has recently unveiled its newest device, the Fairphone 4, marking its entry into the 5G smartphone market.

This “greentech” company distinguishes itself within the smartphone industry by prioritizing sustainability through a repairable and modular design.

Commitment to Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Fairphone couples its modular approach with a strong emphasis on social responsibility and ethical sourcing. The company is dedicated to obtaining materials fairly and ensuring improved working conditions, including a living wage program, throughout its entire supply chain.

This supply chain encompasses the complex processes of mining rare earth minerals and acquiring all other necessary components, as well as the manufacturing of the handsets themselves.

Software Support and Warranty

The Fairphone 4 is backed by a comprehensive five-year warranty. Furthermore, the device is guaranteed to receive software support until at least the end of 2025.

This support includes upgrades to Android 12 and 13, as the phone currently operates on Android 11.

The company aims to extend software support even further, potentially until 2027, with upgrades to Android 14 and 15 also being considered.

Building on Previous Success

The launch of the Fairphone 4 follows the release of the Fairphone 3+ last year.

Owners of the previous flagship model were able to upgrade for as little as €70 by simply replacing a few modules.

Reducing E-Waste Through Reuse

A core objective for Fairphone is to minimize electronic waste through reuse.

Despite introducing a new phone, the company is actively working to avoid contributing to e-waste by incentivizing the continued use of existing hardware.

“Electronic Waste Neutral” Initiative

The Fairphone 4 is the first device marketed as “electronic waste neutral.”

For every Fairphone 4 sold, the company will either responsibly recycle an equivalent phone (or amount of small electronic waste) or refurbish an existing device to prevent the creation of new hardware.

Expanding Fairly Sourced Materials

Fairphone has expanded its list of fairly sourced materials to include six new additions.

These materials, incorporated into the Fairphone 4, include Fairtrade-certified gold, aluminum from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard certified vendors, fair tungsten from Rwanda, recycled tin, rare earth minerals, and recycled plastics.

Changing Consumer Habits

Consumers are increasingly holding onto their smartphones for longer periods, as device upgrades have become less significant.

Growing environmental awareness is also influencing purchasing and usage patterns.

The desire to maintain existing devices for as long as possible and responsibly recycle them when necessary is becoming a key consumer trend.

Right to Repair Legislation

In Europe, legislators are currently evaluating right to repair legislation.

A Glimpse into the Future

Fairphone’s modular design, enabling easy component replacement, could represent the future of consumer electronics.

If regulators mandate repairability to address e-waste and promote reduced consumption, it could incentivize a shift towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

fairphone adds a 5g smartphone, touting software support until at least 2025

CEO Statement

Eva Gouwens, CEO of Fairphone, stated: “We want to challenge the traditional way of designing devices, including the notion that thinner is better.”

She added that the development of the Fairphone 4 prioritized creating a premium, sustainable smartphone that is future-proof, easily repairable, durable, and therefore more circular and fair.