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In a world of carbon-copy smartphones, the new Fairphone 5 stands out. It isn’t the prettiest device, nor is it the most powerful, and it doesn’t have mind-boggling cameras. Instead, the Fairphone 5 is a smartphone that lasts.
Fairphone doesn’t want you to trade in for something new in a couple of years, but instead hold onto your device for as long as possible. It’s easy to repair, has a warranty for five years and is supported for far longer than any competing devices.
In fact, from sourcing materials right through to the end-of-life process, the Fairphone 5 is about as sustainable as smartphones get. But does this focus on repairability and sustainability mean sacrifices in the ability of the smartphone? We spent time with the Fairphone 5 to find out.
Sustainability
In recent years, there has been a major push from tech companies to make their goods more sustainable. Trying to cut carbon emissions, devices are being made with recycled materials, less packaging and a more eco-friendly attitude.
However, while most companies are starting to think about this, Fairphone has made it the entire ethos of the company at every single stage of the process.
More than 70 per cent of the Fairphone 5 is made using fair or recycled focus materials. The battery uses 100 per cent fairtrade gold and responsibly mined lithium, as well as 100 per cent recycled tin in the solder.
The back cover of the phone is made using 100 per cent recycled plastics and even the OLED display and speakers are almost 100 per cent fairtrade or recycled.
Once you have the smartphone, the sustainability aspect continues in a different aspect. The phone is modular, with each part being easily repairable by the user. Fairphone sells replacements for batteries, cameras, screens and just about every bit of the phone on their website.
If something happens to the phone that is beyond your repair abilities, there is a five-year warranty, and if you manage to keep hold onto it for long enough, you’ll be backed by security updates all the way up to 2031 - much longer than other smartphones guarantee.
To top it off, for each Fairphone 5 bought, the company will recycle the same amount of electronic waste or give an old smartphone a new lease of life. This, in theory, compensates for the production of your smartphone.
Design
Made from recycled plastic, the back of the Fairphone 5 doesn’t look or feel as premium as the glossy metal and glass backs that the likes of Apple, Samsung and OnePlus use for their smartphones.
However, while style has been somewhat put on the back benches, it is made up for with a sturdy feel, removing the innate fear of dropping and smashing those expensive glass-backed devices.
While it is by no means an unesthetic smartphone, it does have a dated design. Thick bezels surround the display, and the back resembles the design of some of Samsung and OnePlus’s more budget smartphones.
The side features a pretty snappy fingerprint sensor, as well as a premium metal surrounding all the way around the phone.
It's what's inside that counts
The Fairphone 5 might be eco-friendly inside and out, but how does its internal specs stack up against the competition?
In terms of processing power, Fairphone takes a unique approach. It uses the Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset – designed primarily for commercial systems instead of smartphones. Despite smartphones being new territory, it performs just as well as any other mid-range smartphone chip.
It is by no means going to win any awards, and will still show signs of lag or struggle in places, but for most examples of gaming or daily tasks - it will perform. It is also the reason that Fairphone is able to offer security updates for so long.
The battery life is about average, getting you through a full day of normal usage with nightly charges or top-ups throughout the day as needed.
One of the most noticeable differences compared to the previous Fairphone is the display. Now running at a 90Hz refresh rate, swiping, scrolling and general movements around the phone feel much smoother.
Camera
Fairphone has put a lot of effort into camera improvements compared to last year’s model. Continuing the theme, it is by no means the best camera at this price point, but it handles most tasks you throw at it with ease.
Three cameras can be found on the device – a wide and ultrawide on the back and a single 50MP selfie camera on the front.
Photos taken at night tend to be a challenge, requiring the steadiest of hands, but the camera performs much better in well-lit conditions. When outside, the Fairphone 5 secured some fantastic images.
Struggles did emerge when trying to make use of the zoom functions, demonstrating some blur, and the camera tends to over-edit photos. This makes most things look better but isn’t accurate to life.
Like last year’s Fairphone, the selfie camera is weaker. While it can take clear images and is mostly fine, it isn’t always the most flattering and can often lose details in shadows or over-expose light.
Verdict
Finding an eco-friendly smartphone isn’t easy, especially one with credentials as impressive as Fairphone. Is it the best smartphone out there at this price? No, the likes of Samsung, OnePlus and Apple can offer better for the price.
However, none of these brands come near to matching Fairphone’s repairability, durability or even life span. While its competitors will outperform, they will be dead far before the Fairphone starts to show its cracks.
Despite lagging behind its competitors somewhat, the Fairphone is by no means a bad smartphone. It has plenty of power, a decent camera and battery, and even a hardy frame. Really, it all feels like a fair trade-off for its unique and impressive eco-credentials.
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