Trying to make it brief:
- I have used a Fairphone 3+ since March 2021 and it’s still running without noticeable sluggishness. Back in 2021, I switched almost immediately to Murena’s /e/OS operating system which is now on Android 14 on my device and is to be receiving Android 15 some time later this summer. I also have an FP3 here running Android OS (previously called “Fairphone OS”) Android 13. Although the latter A13 FP3 has almost no personal data on it, its user interface responds noticeably less fluid and with more delays than my primary FP3+ on A14 /e/OS. There is a whole range of alternative operating systems like /e/OS for the FP3, see ✏ Operating Systems for Fairphones
- On @Rosamund’s charging issue – sounds most likely to be a charging port problem (i.e. the USB-C port in the bottom module). Have a thorough check of tiny hairs/dust/dirt inside the port (this might pile up to a “mini carpet” at times). If it’s really clean and still the issues persist, it’s worth to try with another bottom module. Unless there is Fairphone Angel or you know someone else nearby with an FP3 (whose bottom module you could test in your own FP3), this probably means buying one.
- Last but not least: The Fairphone 6 seems to be coming very soon, see Possible release date for the Fairphone 6? - #43 by Meaghan (and following posts there).