Fairphone 4 Smartphone Review - 5G Phone with Environmental Focus

The Fairphone 4 is a game-changer for those who care about the environment. It's a 5G phone that's designed with sustainability in mind, from its modular design to its use of conflict-free materials.

The Fairphone 4's modular design is a big deal - it allows you to replace individual components rather than the entire phone, reducing electronic waste. This is a huge step forward for the industry.

With a 6.3-inch display and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, the Fairphone 4 is a powerhouse of a phone. It's perfect for streaming, gaming, and all your other favorite activities.

The phone's 4500mAh battery is also a highlight, offering up to two days of use on a single charge. This is a huge advantage for anyone who's tired of constantly running out of battery.

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The Fairphone 4's design is all about modularity, making it incredibly easy to repair. The phone is constructed of seven modules, which is a game-changer for extending the life of your device.

Having a modular design means that you can easily swap out parts as needed, rather than having to replace the entire phone. This is a huge plus for the environment and your wallet.

The rear of the phone can be removed without using any tools, which is a testament to the phone's user-friendly design. This makes it easy to access the battery and other components.

Replacing the battery is a breeze, as it can be lifted out once the rear is removed. This is a great feature for people who want to reduce their electronic waste.

The display is also easily removable, requiring only a regular Phillips #00 screwdriver to take it off. This makes it easy to repair or replace the screen if it gets damaged.

This level of repairability is a big deal, as it allows you to keep your phone running for longer and reduces the need for single-use plastics and other waste.

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The Fairphone 4 is a powerhouse of a phone, packed with future-proof specs. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, which provides a 64-bit Octa-Core processor with speeds up to 2.2GHz. The GPU is also top-notch, with a Qualcomm Adreno 619 GPU.

The phone comes in two main configurations: 6GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage, or 8GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. Both options include an external storage slot that can hold up to 2TB of data via microSD.

The camera system is another highlight, with a dual 48MP rear camera setup, one with an f/1.6 aperture and the other with an f/2.2 aperture. The primary camera also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and can capture up to 8x digital zoom. The selfie camera is a 25MP shooter with an f/2.2 aperture and HDR support.

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The Fairphone 4 is a powerhouse of a device, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor that's fast and efficient. This 64-bit Octa-Core processor has a processor speed of up to 2.2GHz, making it perfect for heavy users who want a seamless experience.

The phone's memory is also impressive, with options for 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. This means you can store plenty of apps, photos, and videos without running out of space.

One of the standout features of the Fairphone 4 is its battery life. The 3905mAh removable Li-ion battery is designed to last, with up to 200 hours of idle time and 13 hours of talk time. You can even charge it quickly, with a minimum of 20W charger getting you to 50% in just 30 minutes.

The phone's display is also top-notch, with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ LCD (IPS) touchscreen that's perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. The 410ppi pixel density ensures that everything looks crisp and clear, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides protection against scratches and drops.

Here are the key specs:

The Fairphone 4 is also designed with sustainability in mind, with a unique modular design and a 9.3 out of 10 repairability score. This means you can easily replace parts and keep your phone running for years to come, reducing electronic waste and minimizing your environmental impact.

Your device has a high-resolution display with a screen size of 13.3 inches, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing the web, or working on documents.

This device is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, which provides fast performance and efficient multitasking.

The battery life is up to 12 hours, so you can use your device on the go without worrying about running out of power.

With 16GB of RAM, you can run multiple applications at the same time without any lag or slowdown.

The device has a range of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and an HDMI port, making it easy to connect to external devices.

The device also features a fingerprint reader for secure biometric login.

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The cameras on the Fairphone 4 are neat, but the results are fair. They feature a 48MP telephoto and a 48MP wide-angle lens, along with laser autofocus.

Photos taken with the Fairphone 4 are generally okay and suitable for social media sharing, but there are some inconsistencies. The phone tends to blow out highlights, making it difficult to capture details in certain situations.

You might notice the difference between photos taken with and without Night Mode. While Night Mode helps in low light, it's not as effective as you'd hope, and it doesn't allow access to zoom and the wide-angle camera.

Low light photography is a challenge with the Fairphone 4, even with Night Mode. You might want to avoid photographing people in less-than-ideal lighting situations, as the results can be disappointing.

The camera can be slow to react, especially in Night Mode, making it frustrating to use. Autofocus issues are also common, with the camera sometimes ignoring faces and focusing on the background instead.

The Fairphone 4 comes with Android 11, but it has been updated to Android 13 as of June 2023. This update provides the latest security patches and features.

Fairphone has pledged software support until 2026, which means you can expect regular updates for the next few years. They also aim to provide upgrades for Android 14 and 15.

If you're looking for alternative operating systems, you're in luck. Fairphone 4 is supported by LineageOS, which makes Android 15 available for the device. CalyxOS 4.2.7, Android 13, is also available for the Fairphone 4 as of December 2022.

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The Fairphone 4 is a powerhouse when it comes to battery life. It boasts an impressive 3905 mAh battery, outdoing its predecessor, the Fairphone 3, which had a 3000 mAh battery.

One area where the Fairphone 4 shines is in WiFi websurfing. In tests, it lasted an impressive 804 hours, a significant increase from the Fairphone 3's 662 hours. That's a difference of 142 hours, or about 18% more.

Here's a quick comparison of the battery life of the Fairphone 4 and some of its competitors:

For those who want to know exactly how long the battery will last, the Fairphone 4 can surf the web for 13 hours and 24 minutes on a single charge.

The Fairphone 4 is a great option for those who want a sustainable smartphone.

The phone is made with environmentally-friendly materials, including Fairtrade-certified gold, aluminum from certified vendors, fair tungsten from Rwanda, recycled tin, rare earth minerals, and plastics.

You can repair your phone yourself, which is a huge plus for sustainability. Nothing is glued shut, making it easy to swap out a battery.

The repair costs for the Fairphone 4 are lower compared to equivalent flagship models from other manufacturers, with an average cost of $676 or less.

The Fairphone 4 is made with a range of sustainable materials, including Fairtrade-certified gold.

The phone's aluminum casing comes from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard certified vendors, ensuring responsible sourcing.

Recycled tin is used in the Fairphone 4's production, reducing waste and the demand for primary tin.

Rare earth minerals are sourced for the phone's components, highlighting the complex supply chains involved in modern electronics.

The Fairphone 4's plastics are used in the phone's casing, a common material in many electronic devices.

Fair tungsten from Rwanda is used in the phone's production, a notable example of responsible sourcing in the mining industry.

The Fairphone 4 is designed with repairability in mind, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.

The average smartphone repair costs were calculated using the repair costs shown on the websites of two well-known manufacturers, between 16 – 27 Feb 2023.

Repairing your Fairphone 4 is a straightforward process, as nothing is glued shut, and you don't need expertise to swap out a battery.

Fairphone repair costs shown do not include shipping costs.

You can repair your phone yourself, making it a more sustainable option compared to constantly buying new devices.

The Fairphone 4 is a good overall package, offering modern features like 5G, fast Wi-Fi, and high performance, while also being repairable and sustainable.

A cheaper alternative is the rephone from mobilcom-debitel, but it is hardly available outside Europe.

The Fairphone 4's modular design and easily replaceable components make it a more cost-effective option in the long run, compared to flagship models from other manufacturers.

The Environmental Phone's display is a notable feature in terms of sustainability, as it does not use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology. This is a significant advantage, especially for users who are sensitive to screen flicker.

The phone's Full HD IPS screen has a brightness typical for its class, but it can't quite match the brightness of OLED screens. However, it should be sufficient for occasional outdoor use.

The black value is quite high in our measurements, which causes the contrast ratio to drop below 1000:1. This results in colors that don't look as bright as they could be.

One of the benefits of the Environmental Phone's display is its response time. It has a response time of 46 ms (21 ms gray-to-gray and 25 ms black-to-white), which is relatively fast compared to some other IPS screens.

Here's a comparison of the Environmental Phone's display with some other phones:

The Environmental Phone's display also has a relatively low PWM frequency of 22320 Hz, which is a good thing for users who are sensitive to screen flicker.

The Fairphone 4 is a significant step forward for the company, and it's the first phone I can recommend unequivocally for those who care about a repairable, fair, and long-lasting phone.

However, if the Fairphone isn't available in your region or you want faster software updates, iPhones might be the way to go, with more than five years of software support being the norm.

The Fairphone 4 has some issues like the camera, display, and vibration motor, but none of these are real deal breakers.

If you're looking for a phone that's not only sustainable but also fair to its workers and the environment, the Fairphone 4 is a great option. It's the first Fairphone that I can recommend without hesitation, thanks to its repairable design and long-lasting battery.

The Fairphone 4 also boasts a replaceable battery, which is a game-changer for those who want to reduce electronic waste. This feature alone makes it a more eco-friendly choice than many other phones on the market.

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However, if the Fairphone 4 isn't available in your region or you prioritize faster software updates, iPhones might be a better fit. iPhones have historically received software updates for over five years, making them a reliable choice for those who want to keep their phone up-to-date.

In the Android world, the Pixel series is another option to consider. While they don't quite match the Fairphone 4's repairability, they do offer five years of security updates and are made with more recycled materials, including aluminum frames.

Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons of each option:

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual priorities and needs. If you're willing to compromise on some features for a more sustainable and fair phone, the Fairphone 4 is a great choice.

When considering alternative options, it's essential to look at the ratings and features of possible competitors. The Fairphone 4, for instance, has a rating of 80.5% and features a 6.30" screen with a resolution of 2340x1080.

The Fairphone 4 is also relatively lightweight, weighing in at 225g. In comparison, the Nokia X20 is slightly heavier at 220g but has a larger 6.67" screen.

The mobilcom-debitel rephone, on the other hand, has a rating of 79.1% and features a 6.30" screen with the same resolution as the Fairphone 4. However, it has a slower processor, the Helio G85.

Here's a quick comparison of the possible competitors:

Ultimately, the choice between these options will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

The Fairphone 4 is available directly from the manufacturer, but the Speckled Green color is exclusively available there.

You can also find the Fairphone 4 on Amazon for $834.70.

If you're in the US and want to buy from Amazon, be aware that this is the price you'll pay.

The Fairphone 4's price and availability options are straightforward, making it easy to decide how to purchase.

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The Fairphone 4 is a modern, well-equipped smartphone that convinces with its modular and sustainable concept.

If you want to have a somewhat calmer conscience when buying a smartphone, the Fairphone 4 is a good overall package with exchangeable components, including the battery, and modern features like 5G, fast Wi-Fi, and high performance.

The Fairphone 4 is available directly from the manufacturer in Germany, and the Speckled Green color is exclusively available there.

You can also find the Fairphone 4 on Amazon in the US for $834.70, but be aware that a cheaper alternative, the rephone from mobilcom-debitel, is hardly available outside Europe.

A cheaper option is the Nokia X20, which offers long update cycles and fewer accessories, but it's also less repairable than the Fairphone 4.