Does Fairphone 6 still have not official Qi charging? Not even as accessory? (One that does block USB ports is not acceptable)
If that is true: I don’t understand why that feature is left out again, especially since it lengthens the life span by keeping the USB port plug cycle lower.
If that is available: Why not placed prominently on the FP6 introduction page…
https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/9839096704913-How-to-charge-your-Fairphone#h_01JKQQTFNSX8WBS31CF2CJRFVC
Fairphone’s official stance, for better or worse, is that wireless charging isn’t as sustainable as wired charging due to inefficiencies.
In a pixel phone with a soldered usb c port maybe, but the USB C port on a fairphone is one of the easiest parts to repair, and one of the cheapest (€15 for the fairphone 4, €20 for the fairphone 5 and 6). In terms of extra C02 emissions, replacing the USB C is paid off by using your phone for just an extra month or two.
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That can be achieved easily by magnetic cables as well.
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This is a bit off-topic, so apologies in advance. But as a former user of a magnetic cable I was surprised to read that apparently there is an element of risk with such things. How much, I don’t know, but enough for a warning to be pinned in the subreddit for all things usb c.
https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/motlhn/magnetic_usbc_cables_are_not_recommended/
Reduces USB usage, but it generates more heat which ages the battery faster. Plus uses more energy because induction can never be as efficient as wire. As others have said, magnetic cable.
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This has been discussed in depth e.g here
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The power is costs to build the replacement USB port is missing in that “sustainable” calculation.
The environment cost of shipping is missing in that “sustainable” calculation.
For that energy wasted on building and sending the part I can waste a lot of energy in “inefficient” Qi, with most current phones in the 90% to 95% range.
Next point: I have solar power, as many others have. The “sustainable” calculation is missing that point to.
I HAVE to by a new phone end this year of next year, my six year old Xiaomi Mi 9 with Qi (>90% efficient BTW) battery only lasts about two days instead of six when it was new.
Qi missing forces me to avoid Fairphone. I already complained about it for FP5. Will be Xiaomi again, I guess.
It is a belief with no real rationality to not even OPTIONALLY offer Qi with a backcover which has the coil and contacts.
Why change your Xiaomi altogether just because the battery life has reduced to two days instead of six?
Even on smartphones not as reparable as Fairphone, batteries are replaceable, and lot of repair centers (including inside commercial malls) offer such a service for less than 70€ battery and service included.
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I appreciate there is probably a risk associated with using magnetic cables, albeit not sure how much different it is with any other cable. I have had however no issues with Syllucid magnetic cables I have used with phone, headphones and headsets over 3 years or so.
I was disappointed that FP6 did not at least offer a Qi2 wireless charging accessory (QI2 offers better energy efficiency), but alas may still purchase a FP6 (battery is dying in current phone) and switch all charging to my magnetic cables. Awaiting stock of the case…