Hello, will it be available on FP5 ? by any chance ? 
Android 16 will most definitely come to the FP5 at some point, there has however not been any word from Fairphone on this yet. The Android 15 update has only been released a few months ago and there are still bugs to fix in that release, so I wouldnāt get my hopes up for a quick release.
@ev_1_69 @kwasow while we strive for software parity across our devices, the Fairphone (Gen. 6) and Fairphone 5 use different hardware architectures that require independent development cycles. The Fairphone 5 uses a unique industrial-grade chipset (the Qualcomm QCM6490), the Gen 6 uses a Snapdragon chipset. Bringing this Android 16 update to the Fairphone 5 is a more complex engineering task requiring a full Vendor Software Requirements (VSR) implementation and a Linux kernel update. This means we are updating the foundational code that allows the hardware to communicate with the operating system. This deep-level technical work requires a more intensive development and testing cycle than the A16 upgrade on the Gen. 6. Weāre working hard to get it right rather than just getting it out fast, this upgrade requires rigorous testing to ensure that the stability, battery life, and performance you expect arenāt compromised. Rest assured, Android 16 is coming to Fairphone 5. By staggered releases, we ensure that our engineering team can provide the dedicated focus each model deserves to stay reliable for the long haul.
I bought the fp5 for two reasons:
- For the unique possibility to repair it by myself. This ist still wonderful!
- For the very long promise to support android-updates. Theres was nobody who told me, that Iām still waiting for Android 16 while Android 17 ist nearly to be rolled out. And what will be the future? Iām waiting for Android 17, while Android 19 ist coming to Pixel phones??? So sorry, but it was the choice of Fairphone to use this architecture with the āvery specialā processor.
Release notes of previous phones would have told youā¦they always were up to a year later.
Hello @Mathias_Paul and welcome to the community forum
Please let me understand your perspective more.
From where I stand, I care about the long security support but not really about the number of my OS. Android 15 should be supported till 2028, and I am convinced FP will deliver the update prior to that deadline.
Are there any specific functionalities you need, apps that do not work as they should or you are concerned about security attacks?
You realise the difference between very long and very quick now, I guess.
Hi Fairphone Team,
I understand the efforts required for the development of Android 16 on FP5. I was wondering if thereās a possibility where we can work together to make that happen? The resources necessary are not publicly available like the bsp so, if itās possible for the team to collaborate please can we go ahead with the same?
Join the community for a fairer electronics industry.
This user forum is not an official Fairphone support channel.
I am not sure what you mean.
But if you want to become a beta tester, the applications are open
Otherwise, feel free to contact the Fairphone directly
Hi, do we have any further indication of when the Android 16 update might be available for Fairphone 5? I switched to Fairphone because of the promise to keep the OS no more than one version behind so the phone doesnāt become redundant as it ages. Android 17 has been available for developers for some time, and was released over 2 months ago. My employers security requires a recent OS to use work related communication apps on the device.
Where was this promised?
Hello Emma and welcome to the community
It is always good to clarify the expectations and commitments.
FP5 is now on Android 15, so there is a gap of one version between both FP6 and FP4 - all are still supported. Furthermore, for the devices launched after 2026 there was an additional EU regulation of providing timely security updates - but this does not concern FP5.
I wonder then what your employers are specifically requesting.
Current site reads āat least seven Android upgrades starting from Android 15, the Fairphone is built to lastā, but when I bought my phone 20 months ago it implied the OS was only 1 version behind the newest Android OS version and would upgrade to remain so for a promised period of time. Not that FP5 would be one OS version behind a newer FP model.
I think it would be very good to clarify expectations, because regular and timely OS upgrades was my expectation when buying the phone from what I read at the time.
Well to be honest. A recent OS is one that still gets security updates, everything else is rather marketing than security.
But I am aware that, especially in corporate environments, security demands are made by people that should be in marketingā¦
is totally not the same as
But donāt worry, itās a very common mistake to see in this forum, we are used to it and will just kindly point it out 
.
Iām pretty sure, Fairphone never promised a ānot more than one version behindā rule. In contrary, they made clear before the FP5ās release that their (back then) eight-updates-promise wouldnāt necessary mean eight consecutive OS updates, but might even skip certain Android versions (as happened with the FP3) - making it longer lasting, but, yes, at certain times two OSs behind.
ā¦ which, unfortunately, doesnāt necessarily mean, that weāll get Android 17 next. Right now, I think, weāre just behind. 
However you are trying do defend the situation - it is annoying in my opinion, and clearly also to others.
And if there is no update soon, this was my first and last Fairphone - as simple as that. Every day more it takes, I regret the buy more and more.
Bought it one year ago, and definately not bought this to have the same software-desaster as anywhere elseā¦its one year old to me and I again have watching others using a OS that is 1 year newe than mineā¦the situation is anything else than satisfying in my opinion. Sure it was already on the market for a āwhileāā¦but I also expected there would be quicker updates. This clearly was a mistake (possibly by me)ā¦but I dont care if or who made wrong expectations or promises - I feel stuck here with a year - old operating system, while others get to enjoy the latest functions and features (again)ā¦and it just frustrates. Even though it works and is not completely outdated / getting security updates - the situation shows me there seems to be no way around Google or Apple if you do not want to be left behind.
Welcome to the community forum.
I highly respect honesty.
I hope itās just envy and the others arenāt mocking you.
If you are able to feel āleft behindā by an OS version, then you are absolutely correct, you will have to use a Pixel or an iPhone to minimise the chance of that happening.
Other options include prioritising why you chose a Fairphone in the first place, caring less about the OS version on other peopleās phones, or taking a mental step back for some perspective on the overall seriousness and gravitas of this perceived issue in the face of life and the universe.
I have no FOMO on being 1 OS version behind. For me the frustration is in line with my reasons for buying a FP. I want a phone with a long life (4+ years) and not have to be in the situation where a lacking software / OS update forces the need to buy a new phone.
Hence my original question - is there any new info on when a FP5 OS16 update is aiming to be available?
Work security has now removed my access, 2 months after the 17 release. So I want to know if it will be a short wait longer or if I should be considering a new phone again - after only 18 months - the thing I wanted to avoid!