Fairphone 3: The Sustainable Smartphone

The Fairphone 3 is a game-changer in the world of sustainable smartphones. Its modular design allows users to replace individual components, reducing electronic waste and the need for frequent device replacements.

The phone's modular design is made possible by a simple and intuitive system. Users can swap out the battery, camera, and other components with ease, extending the life of the device.

The Fairphone 3 is designed to be repaired and reused, reducing electronic waste and the carbon footprint of the device. By choosing to repair and reuse, users can significantly reduce the environmental impact of their phone.

The modular design also makes it easier to upgrade the phone's functionality, without having to replace the entire device. This approach not only reduces waste but also saves users money in the long run.

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The Fairphone 3's design is a game-changer for repairability. The phone's modular design is constructed out of seven modules, making it easier to repair than most smartphones.

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Removing the rear of the phone is a breeze, no tools needed. You can then lift out the battery and replace it with a new one.

The display is also easily removable, held in place by press fit sockets. With a regular Phillips #00 screwdriver, you can take it out and give your phone a fresh new look.

The motherboard, containing the system on a chip, RAM, and storage, can also be easily removed. However, its individual components can't be replaced, so be mindful of that.

The Fairphone 3 is built with sustainability in mind, using conflict-free materials like tin and tungsten. The gold used is Fairtrade, and the copper and plastics are recycled.

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When choosing a smartphone, many of us want to know that it's been made with care for the planet and its people. A good example of this is the Fairphone 3, which has been manufactured in a factory that pays the local living wage.

The materials used in the Fairphone 3 are also carefully selected. Tin and tungsten are used in its construction, and both are conflict-free.

The phone's modular design is a game-changer for repairability. It's constructed out of seven modules, making it easier to fix than most smartphones.

The rear of the phone can be removed without using tools, giving you easy access to the internal components. This is a huge advantage over traditional phones that require specialized tools to open.

The battery can be lifted out and replaced, which is a big plus for users who want to upgrade or replace their battery without voiding their warranty. I've seen this feature come in handy for friends who have accidentally dropped their phone and need a quick battery swap.

Using a regular Phillips #00 screwdriver, the display is easily removed, making it simple to swap out a cracked screen. This is a huge time-saver compared to traditional phone repair methods.

The modules are held in using only press fit sockets, which makes it easy to remove and replace them as needed. This design also allows for easy upgrades and customization.

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The Fairphone's design and build are quite impressive, and let's take a closer look at its specifications.

The screen is a 5.7in FHD+ LCD with a pixel density of 427ppi, which should provide a crisp and clear display.

This device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, which should handle everyday tasks with ease.

With 4GB of RAM, you'll be able to switch between apps quickly and smoothly.

The Fairphone also comes with 64GB of storage, which can be expanded using a microSD card.

The operating system is Fairphone OS, based on Android 9 Pie, which provides a clean and intuitive interface.

The camera setup includes a 12MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie-camera, perfect for capturing life's moments.

Here's a summary of the Fairphone's key specifications:

The Fairphone's dimensions are 158 x 71.8 x 9.9mm, and it weighs 189g, making it a compact and lightweight device.

The Fairphone 3 is a phone that truly lives up to its name, with a range of features that make it stand out from the crowd.

Its modular design allows for easy repairs and upgrades, so you can keep your phone running smoothly for years to come.

The Fairphone 3 also has a durable and water-resistant design, making it perfect for everyday use.

Its 5.6-inch display is a great size for watching videos or browsing the web, and the 1080 x 2160 pixel resolution means the picture is crisp and clear.

The phone's battery life is also impressive, with up to 2 days of use on a single charge.

The Fairphone 3 runs on its own custom OS, Fairphone OS, which is a standard version of Android.

Fairphone OS is free of bloat and duplicated apps, making it a more streamlined experience.

It ships with Android 9, not the newer Android 10, but Fairphone promises to provide security and software updates for five years from release.

Lag issues have been reported, but with some optimization, these problems might be avoidable.

The Fairphone 3's camera is a standard 12-megapixel shooter on the back, which is actually the same as the one on Google's Pixel 3a.

In good lighting, the Fairphone 3 takes reasonable pictures with a solid amount of detail and color. Selfies and portraits also come out well.

However, in middling to low light conditions, the camera struggles to produce clear images. This is evident in shots taken indoors at night with mixed lighting, which turn out dark, grainy, and indistinct.

Overall, the Fairphone 3's camera performance is on par with budget phones of today. It's fine for sunny days, but falls short indoors.

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The Fairphone 3 has a lot to offer when it comes to its hardware. The Fairphone 3+ was launched in August 2020 with upgraded front and rear cameras.

The rear camera now has a larger sensor, intelligent scene detection, and a higher dynamic range. The front camera has a bigger sensor and a higher dynamic range as well.

The audio has also been improved, but it's not just the speaker module that's responsible for this upgrade. The speaker module is only for the rear/side speaker, and output is only improved if the new core module for the FP3+ is used.

The Fairphone 3+ also contains 40% recycled plastic, a significant increase from the 9% in the original Fairphone 3. This is a great step towards sustainability.

Some of the key features of the Fairphone 3 include:

Repair and Maintenance is a breeze with the Fairphone 3. The phone's modular design lets you replace parts as needed, no technical expertise required.

You can start by removing the back and battery, held in place with standard screws that come with a handy screwdriver. The rest of the phone can be pulled apart with ease.

A replacement camera will cost you €49.95, while the speaker can be had for €19.95. The bottom module, which includes the USB-C socket, is also €19.95, and the top module with the selfie camera and headphone socket is €29.95.

The Fairphone 3 has a modular design, allowing you to take out and replace or repair parts when they go wrong. This is a game-changer for anyone who wants to reduce electronic waste and save money on repairs.

You can start by removing the removable back and battery, which is a standard feature. Fairphone even includes the correct screwdriver in the box, making it easy to get started.

The individual parts aren't that cheap, but they're a fair trade-off considering you can replace them yourself without breaking everything else. A replacement camera costs €49.95, for example.

The repair process is also made easier with the help of repair guide masters iFixit, who gave the Fairphone 3 a big thumbs up. This means you can find reliable resources to help you fix your phone.

Some of the most commonly replaced parts include the screen, battery, and back cover, which cost €89.95, €29.95, and €24.95 respectively.

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The Fairphone 3's design and functionality have some notable quirks. The phone includes a bumper case in the box that wraps the sides of the phone while leaving the back open.

If you're someone who likes to customize your phone's look, you might appreciate this feature. However, it's worth noting that the phone itself is not water-resistant, so be careful not to expose it to any moisture.

One area where the Fairphone 3 falls short is in its vibration motor. It's strong, but imprecise, feeling like a vibration motor from four years ago.

If you're someone who relies on strong vibrations for notifications, you might find this to be a drawback. On the other hand, if you're not too particular about vibration quality, this might not be a major issue for you.

In terms of connectivity, the Fairphone 3's Bluetooth performance is poor, causing hiccups with headphones that are rock-solid with other devices.

The Fairphone 3 costs €450 direct, or £420 from the Phone Co-op, and is available for pre-order now delivering in mid-September.

You can get it on a contract with Sky Mobile starting at £21 per month.

For comparison, the Google Pixel 3a costs £399, the OnePlus 7 costs £499, and the Motorola Moto G7 costs £220.

But the Fairphone 3 is a unique product that goes beyond its price tag.