What if your next smartphone didn’t need to be thrown away just because the battery became weak or the charging port stopped working?
That’s exactly what Fairphone is trying to change with the new Fairphone (Gen. 6+), which has now made its way into the U.S. market. Unlike most modern phones that are glued together and difficult to repair, the Fairphone is deliberately designed to be opened, repaired and upgraded by its owner.
And yes — the company actually includes a screwdriver with the phone.
The Phone You Can Take Apart Yourself
The biggest selling point isn’t the camera, processor or display.
It’s what happens when something breaks.
The Fairphone Gen 6+ has 12 user-replaceable parts, including the battery, display, USB-C port and camera modules. The back can be removed using a T5 Torx screwdriver, and the components can then be replaced without sending the entire phone to a repair shop.
Fairphone says several common parts, including the battery, USB-C port and display, can be swapped in minutes.
That is almost the opposite of how most flagship smartphones are designed.
A Replacement Battery Costs About $40
This is where things get particularly interesting.
Fairphone lists the replacement battery at $39.95, while the replacement display is $89.95 and the USB-C port is $19.95.
So instead of replacing an otherwise perfectly usable phone because its battery has deteriorated, you can simply replace the battery.
Fairphone even says the battery is designed to remain removable, with more than 1,000 cycles at 80% of its nominal capacity.
It Doesn’t Look Like a Typical “Eco Phone”
The Fairphone Gen 6+ isn’t running on ancient hardware just because it’s repairable.
It comes with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. There’s also a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 2TB.
The phone features a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz and up to 1,400 nits of brightness.
So this isn’t simply a basic phone designed around sustainability.
There’s a 50MP Camera Too
On the back, Fairphone has equipped the Gen 6+ with a 50MP main camera featuring optical image stabilization, alongside a 13MP ultrawide camera.
The main camera can record 4K video at 30fps, while the front-facing camera is 32MP.
It’s not trying to compete directly with the most expensive camera phones, but the hardware is respectable for a mid-range device.
The Battery Can Last Up to Two Days
Inside is a 4,415mAh removable battery.
Fairphone claims up to two days of battery life under its specified usage conditions, while charging can reach 30W peak power. The company says the phone can reach 50% in around 30 minutes.
And when the battery eventually wears down, you don’t have to replace the entire phone.
That’s the whole point.
Fairphone Promises Updates Until 2033
Hardware repairability would mean much less if the software became obsolete after a few years.
Fairphone says the Gen 6+ will receive software support through 2033, alongside a five-year warranty.
That gives the phone a much longer intended lifespan than the typical upgrade cycle.
It Even Has a Physical “Less Distraction” Switch
There’s another unusual feature.
The Gen 6+ includes a physical switch that activates Fairphone Moments, a simplified interface designed to reduce digital distractions.
So the company isn’t only trying to make the hardware last longer — it’s also experimenting with a different approach to how people use their phones.
How Much Does It Cost?
In the U.S., the Fairphone Gen 6+ is priced at $649.99 for the 12GB RAM/256GB configuration.
The phone is also officially compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile, while Verizon and networks using Verizon’s network aren’t supported.
One important detail: Fairphone’s U.S. website currently shows the device as out of stock/coming soon, despite its U.S. launch being announced in August.
Is This the Future of Smartphones?
That’s the bigger question.
For years, smartphone manufacturers have competed over thinner designs, faster processors, better cameras and brighter displays.
Fairphone is competing on something much less glamorous:
How long can you keep the phone you already own?
The Gen 6+ is thicker and heavier than many conventional phones, and its Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 isn’t designed to beat flagship processors. But you get something that is becoming increasingly rare: the ability to open your own phone and replace individual components.
And perhaps the most surprising part is that Fairphone isn’t asking you to sacrifice everything for that philosophy.
For $649.99, you’re getting a 120Hz OLED display, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 5G, a removable battery, expandable storage and software support through 2033.
The Fairphone Gen 6+ may not be the phone everyone wants — but it could be the phone some people never need to replace.
