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Fairphone 6: Two-minute assessment
Fairphone has at all times delivered on its key promise of creating probably the most eco-friendly smartphone it could possibly, and over subsequent generations it’s additionally come on leaps and bounds at making a handset that’s has inexperienced credentials but can be a strong Android cellphone. We’ve at all times given respectable evaluations to handsets from the Dutch cellphone maker however that’s principally for the eco-credos, and the standard of the gadgets has typically left one thing to be desired.
That will get much less true with every technology although and the Fairphone 6 exhibits one other step in the direction of the corporate understanding its true potential. Working example, whereas that is nonetheless a chunky Android that has one foot within the rugged cellphone camp, it has just a few options which make it stand out within the crowded smartphone market.
The successor to 2023’s Fairphone 5, the persevering with key promoting level for the brand new handset is it’s a inexperienced cellphone (actually, relying on which mannequin you purchase, however I’m speaking about its environmental credentials). The cellphone extremely straightforward to restore your self, so that you don’t must toss it away ought to one thing break. It’s made with a great deal of recycled supplies, from manufacturing processes that assist truthful working situations. There’s no e-waste within the field and even the making of the cellphone was carried out with renewable vitality.
Whereas many cellphone manufacturers would possibly mutter out a line or two about how one part of its cellphone was created from recycled wool throughout an announcement, Fairphone makes its environmental mission a part of the gross sales pitch. And with extra folks every year letting their carbon footprint (or desired lack thereof) inform their buying selections, it stays the most effective a part of shopping for a Fairphone.
However there’s extra; Fairphones have typically been fairly hardy however the sixth-gen mannequin actually has military-grade certification to make sure it’s protected. I like a cellphone that may take care of itself and also you don’t want to fret with the Fairphone 6; I didn’t even put it in a case.
Like previous fashions it’s very straightforward to switch broken components your self utilizing just a little Fairphone-branded screwdriver, however a brand new change for this technology is identical course of can be utilized so as to add equipment to the system (albeit ones purchased individually). I discovered it very easy and even enjoyable unscrewing the again panel so as to add a finger loop, or card holder, or lanyard, and this additionally inspired me to poke round contained in the system and demystify the scary-sounding self-repair course of.
My largest shock with the Fairphone 6 was its presence of a 3D time-of-flight sensor on the again, in lieu of a 3rd sensor. These have been well-liked on telephones just a few years in the past however largely as a approach of bulking up a specs listing, and infrequently did they really contribute a lot. However on the Fairphone 6, the affect is noticeable as portrait photographs have extremely correct background blur, getting blurrier with larger distance from the topic. That’s not one thing you see typically on smartphones and it made the Fairphone certainly one of my favourite telephones for photos of myself (if taken on the rear digicam, after all).
That’s to not say that the Fairphone is without doubt one of the finest digicam telephones, as photos tended to be just a little uninteresting, missing in vibrancy and colour, and the macro mode labored poorly.
Past the areas I’ve mentioned, it’s general a fairly common mid-range cellphone: its chipset, display high quality, battery capability and charging velocity are all at or barely beneath what you’d count on for the value. However the software program is inventory Android, which gives a pleasant clear interface and the addition of a helpful slider provides some fast performance if you want it.
Fairphone 6 assessment: value and availability
(Picture credit score: Future)
Introduced in June 2025, launched shortly after
Prices £499 (roughly $680, AU$990) however solely on sale in Europe
Pricier model accessible with out Android OS
After being introduced in June 2025, the Fairphone 6 was placed on sale throughout July and August, solely in Europe. That’s proper, Fairphone doesn’t vary the cellphone within the US or Australia… principally.
The handset prices £499 (roughly $680, AU$990) so it’s a mid-ranged cellular in value. The equipment Fairphone sells and you may see in assessment photographs, just like the lanyard or finger grip, all value about £25 (about $34, AU$49). For context the Fairphone 5 was fairly a bit pricier at £649 (roughly $800 / AU$1,250), and the value reduce is welcome.
There’s one other model of the smartphones that’s ‘deGoogled’ and comes with the open-source /e/OS as a substitute of Android because the default working system. This prices $899 / £549 (at the least AU$1,000 however there’s fairly a gulf between these two costs). As you may see it’s on sale within the US, though at a moderately excessive value in comparison with the UK and in addition the European pricing.
I didn’t take a look at this model of the cellphone so it hasn’t been factored into this assessment, however specs-wise it’s the identical because the Android model of the cellphone.
Fairphone 6 assessment: specs
Right here’s the spec sheet in full for the Fairphone 6:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Fairphone 6 specs
Header Cell – Column 0
Header Cell – Column 1
Dimensions:
156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6mm
Weight:
193g
Display:
6.31-inch 20:9 FHD (1116 x 2484) 120Hz OLED
Chipset:
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM:
8GB
Storage:
256GB
OS:
Android 15
Major digicam:
50MP, f/1.6
Extremely-wide digicam:
13MP f/2.2 116-degree
Entrance digicam:
32MP, f/2.0
Audio:
Stereo audio system
Battery:
4,415mAh
Charging:
30W wired
Colours:
Inexperienced, white, black
Fairphone 6 assessment: design
(Picture credit score: Future)
New slider for fast features
IP55 and MIL-STD-810H provides safety
Simply repairable or modifable
As with previous fashions, the Fairphone 6 is a fairly blocky handset, however it is smart for causes we’ll get to in a bit. It is available in white, inexperienced or black; my assessment unit was white however the equipment have been inexperienced, therefore the colour conflict, and I discovered the white mannequin picked up marks and stains fairly simply.
The cellphone measures 156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6mm and weighs 193g, so it’s just a little smaller than many different up to date Androids however is fairly thick.
The underside fringe of the cellphone has the USB-C port however there’s no audio jack. On the left facet there’s the amount rocker, which I struggled to readily attain, and changing it on the fitting fringe of the cellphone, simply above the ability button, is a slider.
The perform of this slider might be picked from the Settings menu; you need to use it to activate Do Not Disturb, Flight Mode, Torch, Darkish Mode, Battery Saver or to activate Fairphone Moments, a stripped-back menu with fast hyperlinks to the cellphone’s most helpful features (maps, messages and so forth). I personally switched it to torch, as a result of I like it when a cellphone has a fast solution to activate the flashlight.
Housed within the energy button is the cellphone’s fingerprint sensor, because the Fairphone 6 doesn’t have an under-display scanner. In testing, I discovered this dependable and fast to make use of.
The Fairphone 6 is without doubt one of the few telephones that I don’t really feel you should purchase a case for, as by default it feels prefer it’s clad in an armor of laborious plastic. However there’s extra; not solely does it have IP55 certification towards mud ingress and water, it has the military-grade MIL-STD-810H safety too. This implies it’s handed checks designed by the US Division of Protection to examine that it’s dependable in navy conditions, so it could possibly face up to altitude, excessive temperatures, humidity, intense shocks and so forth. You (hopefully) gained’t want any of those protections, however it’s a helpful little piece of thoughts in order that you already know the Fairphone is hardy.
The distinctive promoting level of the Fairphone 6 is that it’s absolutely repairable; not by an skilled or specialist however by you. If part of your ecp-friendly cellphone is broken you may simply purchase a brand new one on Fairphone’s web site and exchange it with a screwdriver (the corporate’s video tutorials would possibly assist), saving you shopping for a complete new system if one part is broken. That is that eco ethos in motion.
It’s additionally the case with equipment, as you may take away the cellphone’s again panel and exchange it with a card holder, a finger loop or related. The flexibility to be simply modded like that is maybe the Fairphone 6’s most distinct improve over its predecessor and, frankly, is fairly enjoyable to do too (Fairphone despatched me every of the equipment together with the cellphone, although they’re not included in-box).
Fairphone 6 assessment: show
(Picture credit score: Future)
6.31-inchd show feels small in comparison with contemporaries
New refresh price at 120Hz beats predecessor
Generally struggles in daylight
In comparison with the behemoth screens of some flagship Android telephones, the Fairphone 6 would possibly really feel a bit small (or ‘compact’, which is the diplomatic phrase alternative). The show measures 6.31 inches throughout, so it matches the iPhone 17 on this regard.
The decision is 1116 x 2484, only a hair above FHD+, and it has a 120Hz refresh price in a notable improve over the last-gen Fairphone. The max brightness is 1,400 nits which is ok, however not as vibrant as many rivals, and I wouldn’t have minded a bit of additional shine to be used on sunny days.
More often than not, although, the Fairphone 6 show works effectively, particularly because it totes the identical variety of pixels as a a lot greater show however crammed down right into a smaller display to extend the pixels-per-inch rely.
Fairphone 6 assessment: software program
(Picture credit score: Future)
Comes with inventory Android 15
7 years of updates
Fairphone app offers further perception into cellphone
Fairphone is without doubt one of the few remaining corporations to make use of ‘true’ inventory Android – not an Android fork, and never inventory Android buried below so many customizations that it looks like a fork anyway.
Within the case of the Fairphone 6 meaning you’re Android 15, and all of the options that include it: stay location sharing, dodgy textual content warnings, display time monitoring and so forth. The handset is because of get upgrades for the following seven years, which might take you as much as Android 22 within the yr 2033 (if that’s what Google decides to name it).
Should you like a clear interface with no added bells and whistles, you’ll just like the Fairphone 6’s software program. You begin free from bloatware and may construct up your app library simply the way you prefer it.
Fairphone does have one addition: its personal app is included on the system at begin, and whilst you can take away it, there are some helpful options. Firstly, it enables you to discover details about the system at a faucet, as a substitute of buried away within the Settings menu (though mine instructed me I had 0GB RAM and 0GB storage, maybe a difficulty with a assessment unit. It enables you to purchase spare components and equipment shortly too, offering video tutorials on the best way to add or exchange components.
However a very powerful is a cellphone well being possibility, so you may see how a lot reminiscence and storage you’ve used up, and in addition what the cellphone’s temperature is, supplying you with just a little perception into its operations. The advantage of that is for the system’s longevity, so you may preserve it ticking longer.
Fairphone 6 assessment: cameras
(Picture credit score: Future)
50MP fundamental and 13MP ultra-wide cameras, 32MP up entrance
Photos lack distinction and colour, however are detailed
Rear portraits look actually good
Judging by a have a look at the specs listing, Fairphone 6 isn’t being dragged into the camera- sensor pixel wars, dropping many from the previous mannequin. Its fundamental digicam is a 50MP f/1.6 snapper and it’s joined by a 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide in addition to a 3D time-of-flight sensor. These specs are completely positive for a low-cost cellphone (besides the TOF sensor, a relic of yesteryear, which 9 instances out of ten doesn’t contribute something) however nothing to put in writing dwelling about.
Pictures taken on the cellphone are… positive. Forgive the boring descriptor however it’s probably the most apt one. Snaps have numerous picture high quality however not a lot in the way in which of dynamic vary, with a single cloud within the sky dooming the picture with a noticeable lack of colour or vibrancy.
In well-lit situations issues fared just a little higher, however solely just a little; the greens of a pure panorama blur into one and just a little further distinction would go a good distance. Nonetheless, they’re fine-looking for sharing round, particularly when you don’t thoughts going into the edit menu and sprucing them up just a little.
Fairphone’s mobiles have not often had a lot in the way in which of picture post-processing optimization, at the least in comparison with opponents, and that’s the case once more. It gained’t impress anyone however it is a cellphone for saving the planet, not for capturing sparkly photos flaunting all of the air miles you’ve burned by going to a distant seashore to your vacation.
(Picture credit score: Future)
On the entrance there’s a 32MP f/2.0 digicam for snapping selfies and I typically discovered it fairly match for goal, if nonetheless indicative of the rear cameras’ points; snaps might be just a little washed-out and colorless.
For a quick whip across the different specs: you may report video at 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and all the way down to 120fps at 1080p in slow-motion mode. A lot of the different modes are ones you count on: Professional, panorama, time-lapse and night time mode.
There are two modes I’ll flag. First is portrait, with the Fairphone 6 surprisingly touting the most effective iterations of this mode I’ve seen. Whereas snaps weren’t precisely vibrant, the bokeh background blur was correct and various in depth relying on the space to the cellphone, which is one thing I not often see; that might be the TOF sensor in impact.
The opposite mode is macro, which actually didn’t work too effectively. Like on most telephones with out a devoted macro lens it makes use of the ultra-wide one, leading to a pixel-heavy pic, lacking the depth of area that such photos ought to have. In testing I at all times turned off macro mode and relied on the principle digicam for such photographs as a substitute.
Fairphone 6 digicam samples
Picture 1 of 11
A normal image taken on the Fairphone, in pretty well-lit situations.(Picture credit score: Future)
An ultra-wide picture taken in overcast situations, to distinction the next two snaps.(Picture credit score: Future)
A normal picture taken in overcast situations, to distinction the previous and following snaps.(Picture credit score: Future)
A 2x zoom snap taken in overcast situations, to distinction the 2 earlier snaps (the cellphone makes use of digital zoom).(Picture credit score: Future)
A canape board taken at 1x zoom in synthetic lighting at shut vary.(Picture credit score: Future)
A portrait snap of a person to point out the bokeh results (white bars added manually earlier than including this image to the online).(Picture credit score: Future)
A macro image of some flowers… or an try to {photograph} them.(Picture credit score: Future)
The flowers from the earlier picture, however utilizing the principle digicam, to point out how improved it’s.(Picture credit score: Future)
One other customary image of a better object.(Picture credit score: Future)
One other customary picture of an extra topic.(Picture credit score: Future)
A ultimate customary picture exhibiting a woodland scene with combined lighting.(Picture credit score: Future)
Fairphone 6: efficiency and audio
Mid-range Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset
Single 8GB/256GB mannequin
Bluetooth 5.4 or USB-C port for audio, no jack
As is the way in which with Fairphone’s mobiles, the Gen 6 doesn’t have a top-end chip, however it has sufficient energy that you just gained’t discover it too gradual for on a regular basis use. The chipset right here is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which we’ve additionally seen within the likes of the Nothing Cellphone 3(a) Professional and Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional Plus.
This can be a mid-range piece of equipment, able to dealing with gaming in a principally positive trend, although possibly not on the prime graphics choices when you don’t need stutters, and all on a regular basis duties.
Once I put the cellphone by way of a Geekbench 6 benchmark take a look at, it returned a multi-core common rating of three,430, which displays the chipset; Snapdragon 600s typically sit at round 2,000 factors whereas 800s I’ve examined not too long ago have gone to the mid 4,000s.
Paired with the chipset is 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, and there’s just one configuration accessible. Whereas 8GB RAM is nothing to put in writing dwelling about, a spec that flags this as a cellular not designed for power-users, the storage is a strong quantity that compensates for the shortage of a microSD card slot.
It’s 2025 so after all there’s no 3.5mm audio jack for audio, Fairphone ditched that years in the past when everybody else did. As a substitute you may hearken to music utilizing the Bluetooth 5.4 assist or utilizing a USB-C adaptor. The stereo audio system aren’t precisely spectacular however that’s regular for a smartphone.
Efficiency rating: 3.5 / 5
Fairphone 6 assessment: battery life
Comparatively slender 4,415mAh battery
Sluggish 30W charging
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Fairphone 6 has a 4,415mAh battery, one which the corporate estimates will preserve you going for “almost two days” from 100% energy. I wouldn’t go that far, and I’d put the lasting energy at a few day, or just a little bit longer when you’re not an intensive person.
That’s a positive battery life for a smartphone, even when 4,415mAh could seem anemic given that almost all contemporaries have pushed it to six,000mAh. Fairphone’s personal optimizations and software program and spec selections typically counter smaller-capacity batteries.
After all, in case your battery begins to decrease or go unsuitable, it’s one of many many components of the cellphone you may swap out very simply.
Charging is finished at 30W, which is once more just a little decrease than rivals, and also you’ll have to attend for effectively over an hour to get from empty to full. There’s no type of reverse or wi-fi powering.
Fairphone 6 assessment: worth
(Picture credit score: Future)
What value would you placed on a cellphone that appears after the planet?
Rhetoric apart, the Fairphone 6 isn’t priced significantly competitively if you have a look at the specs, however what units its aside is its lasting energy.
Not solely does its IP and navy certification guarantee it’ll survive harm significantly better than different handsets available on the market, however the reality you may exchange ailing components ensures that the cellular’s lifespan will far outstrip anything you is perhaps contemplating.
In spite of everything, the typical cellphone lasts for below three years, particularly cheaper fashions. The Fairphone 6 will final you longer than a number of different fashions when you let it.
Must you purchase the Fairphone 6?
(Picture credit score: Future)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Fairphone 6 rating card
Attributes
Notes
Score
Worth
The potential lasting energy of this cellphone means its value looks as if a cut price, when wanting on the greater image.
4.5 / 5
Design
It’s no looker, however it’s effectively protected, simply modifiable and has a helpful new slider.
4 / 5
Show
If you would like a cellphone with a smaller display, the Fairphone will suit you completely.
3.5 / 5
Software program
The software program is good and clear, as Google supposed, however with out the additional options Android forks deliver.
3.5 / 5
Digital camera
Apart from the spectacular portrait capabilities, the Fairphone 6 cameras are bang common.
3.5 / 5
Efficiency
The Snapdragon chip right here is ok for on a regular basis use for most individuals, however players will pine for extra.
3.5 / 5
Battery
The battery is small and the charging gradual, however optimizations make sure the precise battery life is okay.
3.5 / 5
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Fairphone 6 assessment: Additionally take into account
Should you don’t assume this cellular is best for you, let’s have a look at some similar-priced handsets. Simply notice, aside from the primary, these gained’t retain the Fairphone’s inexperienced rules.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Fairphone 6
Fairphone 5
Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional Plus
Nothing Cellphone 3a Professional
Beginning value (at launch):
£499 (roughly $680, AU$990)
£649 (roughly $800 / AU$1,250)
$399 / £399 (roughly AU$800)
$459 / £449 / AU$849
Dimensions:
156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6mm
161.6 x 75.8 x 9.6mm
162.53 x 74.67 x 9.95mm
163.52 x 77.5 x 8.39mm
Weight:
193g
212g
210g
211g
OS (at launch):
Android 15
Android 13
Android 14, HyperOS
Android 15, NohtingOS 3.1
Display Dimension:
6.31-inch
6.46-inch
6.67-inch
6.77-inch
Decision:
1116 x 2484
2700 x 1224
2712 x 1220
1080 x 2392
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Qualcomm QCM6490
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM:
8GB
8GB
8GB / 12GB
12GB
Storage (from):
256GB
256GB
256GB / 512GB
256GB
Battery:
4,115mAh
4,200mAh
5,110mAh
5,000mAh
Rear Cameras:
50MP fundamental, 12MP ultra-wide
50MP fundamental, 50MP ultra-wide
200MP fundamental, 8MP ultra-wide
50MP fundamental,. 50MP zoom, 8MP ultra-wide
Entrance digicam:
32MP
50MP
20MP
50MP
How I examined the Fairphone 6
(Picture credit score: Future)
Evaluation take a look at interval = 2 weeks
Testing included = On a regular basis utilization, together with net shopping, social media, pictures, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Instruments used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats
I examined the Fairphone 6 for simply over two weeks to put in writing this assessment, utilizing it as my regular cellular on this time. As acknowledged, I used to be despatched the white model of the cellular together with all the additional equipment.
The testing course of included a mixture of expertise and ‘lab’-style, so I’d use the handset as my regular cellphone for among the time but additionally performed a battery of benchmarking checks as effectively. I additionally took the cellphone with me on vacation, therefore the digicam samples.
I didn’t take a look at the military-standard safety of the cellphone, attributable to not having a close-by warzone or excessive local weather wherein to take action. I’ll should take Fairphone’s phrase for that.
In addition to this cellular, I’ve examined the previous few Fairphone mobiles, alongside loads of different gadgets since I began reviewing for TechRadar in early 2019.
First reviewed September 2025
