Hello people, new user here
Before you take out the pitchforks, please continue reading
I’m currently usin as my daily a Fairphone 2, which I bought second hand in January 2023. I’m using LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11), which I flashed myself. Also, no GApps, only F-Droid. It meets my needs correctly, which should give you an idea of how much I (don’t) use my phone. But, the battery is really dying, I’m down to having to charge it twice a day, and that’s excessive even for me. So, I’ve decided to update my phone, and I very much like the new Fairphone 6, but the price is too steep for me, so I’ve been searching for second hand options.
I’ve found various FP3+ units for around 150~180€. I’m assuming that I’ll need to buy a new battery, and maybe other spares, so I’m estimating a final price of around 200~230€. LineageOS just released the 22 version for FP3+ (Android 15), and that may get me around 2~3 years of OS support. I’m aware FP3+ can not be updated beyond this version due to kernel limitations.
As a bonus, the FP3+ has two features that I like, a notification LED, and a headphone jack <dankpods> so it’s better than any modern smartphone </dankpods>, but I don’t consider those as deciding factors, just nice to have them.
I’m not currently considering FP4 or FP5 as options, for price reasons. The FP4 is a minimum of 300€ second hand (plus battery and spares), and the FP5 is only 100€ cheaper than a FP6.
I mean, props to you for holding on your FP2 that long after it came out!
Indeed the FP3 is still holding its own, I have one and with some spares it’s 100% operational and I can still see myself using it for a year at least, barring some catastrophe.
But with 4GB RAM and other aging hardware, I don’t know if it really can hold 2-3 years. It’s going to get more and more difficult to get spares, and the modules will begin to be failing.
Consider a second-hand FP4 if you need to be around fairphone.
But you also may be considering other options for great quality second-hand phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22-23, Sony Xperia 5 III-IV, Google Pixel 7-8, that might carry you over the 3 years usage without concern.
Can you give a source?
I’m interested because I’m also still using a Fairphone 3 (and an additional one as a backup device since I retired my Fairphone 2 for lack of any chance of further security updates).
Ah thanks, I don’t use LineageOS (even if /e/OS is a fork of it), so I didn’t follow that too closely.
In case the kernel prevents Android 16 I guess we’ll just have to deal with it when security update support for Android 15 runs out presumably early 2028.
If my Fairphone 3s and OSes with security updates make it so far, that wouldn’t be too bad of a run, regarding time as well as scarcity of issues so far (knocking on wood).
If you don’t mind that the FP3 has NO water protection and some FP3 get the sudden death you could still use it. The FP3+ has a louder speaker and a better camera.
@Enrique
I would have concerns over FP3 predisposition to “thermal throttling” noticeable with LineageOS, although individual usage patterns must have a bearing upon result. Whether this has implications for possible increased risk of motherboard failure upon this device I know not.
well, it was 200€ when I bought it second hand, three years ago. It’s true that I would expect it to cost closer to 100-120€ if it’s in good state and a couple of spares.
For some reason, 2nd hand Fairphones are soo expensive. I would also love to pay less, obviously, but that’s what I’ve been able to find (it’s on eBay).
Maybe people think they can use the FP3 for several years with a cutom ROM. If the USB port breaks or the battery gets weak you just replace it. Though sudden death is an important topic still many FP3 work.
The FP3 has outstanding features: It is the oldest and cheapest Fairphone with 64bit and therefore gets android (AOSP) updates. It has a jack integrated and it is quite small, though the newer FPs get smaller again.
yes, definitively still worth going for a FP3/FP3+ but only if you can get hold of a couple of spares as a replacement battery, a bottom module, the module that contains the power switch, and a screen (tends to die after ~4 y).
I don’t think you would need a new battery. I can get away with only charging once a day even missing some days if I don’t use it a lot. I have had to replace the bottom module to resolve charging and connection issues but at around £19 and a job I could do in under 10 minutes next time around that isn’t a big issue. I am likely to carry on using mine for a good while longer though unless it dies on me, then I will probably go to a 6 or 7 depending on what is newest then to ensure it will have maximum life. (I bought my 3+ just before the 4 came out!
