Fairphone (Gen. 6) review: the sustainable business phone you can repair yourself

The Fairphone (Gen. 6) is the Dutch company's modular, repairable smartphone, launched in June 2025, and in August 2026 Fairphone added the Gen 6+ with a faster chip and more memory. Both are sold in 2026, and both are pitched strongly at businesses that want a sustainable business phone that lasts longer, costs less to maintain and supports standard device management.

We have not used the phone ourselves. This Fairphone 6 review is based on Fairphone's official specifications and business information, iFixit's repairability assessment and published coverage of the launch. We cover design, repairability, performance, battery, cameras, software support and what the Gen 6+ changes.

Fairphone Gen 6 vs Gen 6+: what changed?

The Gen 6+ is an internal upgrade. It moves from the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, raises RAM from 8 GB to 12 GB and ships with Android 16 instead of Android 15. Fairphone says apps load and switch up to 24 percent faster. It also adds a Cobalt Blue colour, and it is the first Fairphone sold officially in the United States.

Everything else stays the same: the 6.31-inch display, cameras, 4,415 mAh battery, IP55 rating, 12 replaceable parts and software support until 2033. The Gen 6 remains on sale at a lower price, so fleet buyers can choose between value and extra headroom.

Design and repairability

The Fairphone Gen 6 is more compact than its predecessor at 193 g, with a 6.31-inch screen. It is built to be opened: iFixit gives it a 10 out of 10 repairability score and notes the two exposed Torx screws that start most repairs. Fairphone lists 12 user-replaceable spare parts, including the battery, display, back cover and USB-C port, and says parts will be available through 2033.

For businesses this means a cracked screen or tired battery can be swapped on site by staff in minutes, instead of sending the phone away. The phone also supports modular accessories that attach to the back. Fairphone says the Gen 6+ contains 51 percent fair and recycled materials by weight, including Fairtrade gold, and that the company offsets e-waste for each device.

Display and performance

The 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display runs at up to 120 Hz, adapts its refresh rate to save power and reaches up to 1,400 nits peak brightness, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. That is a clear upgrade from older Fairphones and comfortable for daily use outdoors.

Performance is mid-range. The Snapdragon 7s chips handle email, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, video calls and navigation well, and the Gen 6+ with 12 GB RAM keeps more apps open. It is not built for demanding mobile games or heavy video editing, and flagship phones are noticeably faster.

Battery life, charging and cameras

The 4,415 mAh battery is removable, which is rare in 2026. Fairphone claims up to two days of use and fast charging to 50 percent in about 30 minutes and 80 percent in about 45 minutes with a compatible charger. There is no wireless charging. The real advantage is longevity: when the battery wears out after a few years, you can simply replace it.

The rear camera system pairs a 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation and a 13 MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree view. The front camera is a 32 MP sensor with autofocus, and video records at up to 4K 30 fps. That is more than enough for documenting site visits, scanning documents and video calls, but photo enthusiasts will get better results from flagship phones from Apple, Google or Samsung.

Software, security and business features

Fairphone promises updates until 2033, including six major Android version upgrades for the Gen 6+, and backs the phone with a warranty of up to five years. The phone is Android Enterprise Recommended and supports zero-touch enrollment, so IT teams can configure and manage devices remotely with their usual mobile device management tools. Fairphone says it supports rollouts from 10 to 10,000 devices.

A de-Googled /e/OS version is available for privacy-focused deployments. Fairphone Moments, a customisable distraction-free mode, lets users limit apps, contacts and notifications during focus time. Fairphone also claims a lower total cost of ownership over five years than typical business phones, thanks to longer use and cheaper repairs; that is the company's own calculation.

Deploying Fairphones in a company

Fairphone sells directly to businesses through a dedicated sales team and authorised business resellers, which helps with volume purchases, custom configurations and support contracts. Devices can be enrolled via zero-touch, so they arrive ready to connect to your mobile device management platform and apply company policies from the first boot.

The phone runs standard Android with Google services, so common business apps such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Teams, Slack and banking or field-service apps work as expected. For teams handling sensitive data, dual SIM with eSIM makes it easy to separate business and personal numbers, and the /e/OS version is an option where companies want to minimise data sharing with Google.

Fairphone argues that the warranty, which combines the standard two years with a free three-year extension, and the ability to repair screens and batteries in-house can cut replacement cycles substantially. Its own five-year cost comparison favours the Fairphone clearly; independent figures will depend on your repair rates and what you currently pay for devices, so it is worth modelling with your own numbers.

Is the Fairphone 6 worth it for business?

If your company cares about sustainability reporting, long device lifecycles and easy repairs, the Fairphone Gen 6 or Gen 6+ is the most convincing choice in 2026. Choose the Gen 6+ for extra performance headroom over its long life. If your staff need top-tier cameras, IP68 protection or the fastest chips, a flagship Android phone or iPhone is the better fit.

For individual professionals, the same logic applies on a smaller scale. A phone that can be repaired at home and receives updates until 2033 can replace two or three short-lived handsets, which is good for your budget and for the environment.

Key specs

Display

6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED, 1116 x 2484, 120 Hz, up to 1,400 nits peak

Processor

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (Gen 6) or 7s Gen 4 (Gen 6+)

Memory and storage

8 GB (Gen 6) or 12 GB (Gen 6+) RAM; 256 GB, microSD up to 2 TB

Cameras

50 MP main with OIS, 13 MP ultra-wide, 32 MP autofocus selfie

Battery

4,415 mAh, removable; fast charging to 50% in about 30 min

Durability

IP55, Gorilla Glass 7i

Software

Android 15 (Gen 6) or Android 16 (Gen 6+); updates until 2033; e/OS option

Weight and warranty

193 g; up to five-year warranty

Alternatives to consider

• Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: A mid-range Android phone with long update support, IP68 and Samsung Knox for business.
• Google Pixel 10a: A strong camera and long Android update support at a similar price.
• Apple iPhone 17e: A lower-cost iPhone for companies standardised on Apple devices.

Frequently asked questions

The Fairphone Gen 6 and Gen 6+ show that a business phone can be practical, manageable and far more sustainable. With 12 replaceable parts, a five-year warranty, updates until 2033 and Android Enterprise support, they are built to stay in service long after typical phones are replaced. The trade-offs are mid-range speed and cameras and IP55 protection. For companies that value longevity, it is the sustainable business phone to beat in 2026.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.