Hi there,
Long-time tech enthusiast and smartphone addict here.
After years of chasing the latest flagships and being part of the endless upgrade cycle, I hit a point where I wanted my tech to reflect my values. I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I’m stepping away from the ‘shiny and new’ to embrace something more intentional. The Fairphone 6 is my way of breaking the cycle, prioritizing sustainability and digital well-being over raw specs.
I’m sharing my thoughts because I truly believe in Fairphone’s mission, and I want to provide honest feedback to help the brand and the product evolve.
The Good: Ethics and Design
First off, the ideology behind this phone is fantastic. We need more companies with this ethical, sustainable approach.
Design & Feel: The device feels great in the hand, and I find the design “cute” and approachable. The Lime Switch accent is a brilliant touch, it really makes the phone pop.
Repairability: The core concept of repairability is wonderful and executed well.
Hardware: The buttons feel solid, and the accessories are clever.
Battery: Charging is sufficiently fast, and the battery life is holding up quite well so far.
The Bad: Limitations and Room for Improvement
While I want to love everything about it, there are several areas where the user experience feels unrefined, even for a non-flagship device.
Audio & Haptics: The media speakers are weak with almost no bass. More importantly, call quality is underwhelming—it lacks clarity, which is a fundamental requirement for any phone. The vibration motor also feels like a very basic, “budget” solution.
Camera: The main sensor can take great shots, but it’s unpredictable. You never know if you’re going to get a superb photo or a mediocre one. (I haven’t tested video yet).
Software Inconsistency: The OS isn’t always reliable. I experience slowdowns during basic tasks, like the two-stage pull-down of the Quick Settings panel.
UI/UX Issues: Widgets on the home screen behave clumsily and don’t align well with the grid—even stock apps struggle here. While some system sounds (like the camera shutter or UI taps) are great, others (like the Gboard typing sound) are quite annoying. On a positive note, I love the “UnderMyThump” ringtone!
General Bugs: The screen occasionally feels like it freezes for a split second. The double-tap to wake is unreliable, and the fingerprint sensor often requires multiple attempts to unlock.
My Final Words
Despite these flaws, the Fairphone 6 is a lovable device. I am rooting for the brand and fully support this direction. It’s not a flagship killer, but it has a soul. I truly hope these software quirks can be patched, as I plan on keeping this phone by my side for a long time.
.