So now it´s out… and I am totally supporting this decision of FP.
With this decision they stay true to their initial statement:
Yes, now there comes the disappointed who were eagerly waiting for FP3 to arrive maybe pushing their decision for purchase. But I think this is not the way it should go on. Longevity also means not to have the top most recent piece of hardware at your hand as development always goes on leaving the present behind.
I wonder how many users always wanting the top most smartphone also keep all their remaining goods up to date. Notebook/Tablet may run the latest Windows but the hardware gets outdated within time too. Always the newest smartwatch on their wrist? The most advanced car in their garage? The best smart TV?
Oh, not? Hm, well why not - too expensive or is it maybe a form of provoking self-presentation?
I think there is still enough potential for FP2 to be advanced for a longer use.
If someone is out for the latest gimmick, may it be NFC or more power for running a desired game with the highest detail and frame rate it has to be a different device. It´s just a different platform but again software sells hardware just as plenty of conventional PCs were pumped out to get this vast gaming machinery going.
For more hardware FP2 still has its internal extension connector, so who knows what´s coming up in the future.
Now as Android 7 is in the make this should also catch some more attention from potential customers. I am sure there are critical “nerds” out there complaining about an outdated platform running Android 7.
Hence they are nerds with the option to purchase precisely any device that meets all their wishes. But many customers anyway wouldn´t know the difference between (let alone use) all capabilities of Android 6 and 7. It´s just a convincing sells argument like “The platform is three years old now, but it anyway runs the widely spread Android 7 OS”. Which as I believe would then let the phone look a lot more attractive all of a sudden. Specifically with this new “eye catcher” translucent back cover. 
I think this is still unique ?? Hopefully it will be made the default cover for purchase.
FP also has proven its capability to deliver regular updates, which many other big boys wouldn´t or just pretend to do see.
Although Android smartphones are not per se most secure as there is a lot of “sniffing” going on whether by Google apps or other apps being installed.
But this subject has drawn more attention to users in the past and is moving more into focus these days. So security in relation to FP looks much better compared to what many other manufacturers deliver, let alone for the period of time a device is on the market.
In second place some users still can choose out of a few alternative OSs to run if not wanting to stick with the one delivered (without loosing warranty) 
slight_smile:
Maybe this step brings an advantage for FP if wanting to release a FP3 in the future. Preventing FP2 with an older HW and (only Android 6) won´t rot in the shelves next to a modern FP3. As much as I could catch up a next Fairphone should fulfill a lower price expectation. So anyone who wants to have more still can decide for FP2. This could be a good way to go.
At last it´s all about making a difference to get attention.
I would say it still looks quite bright for FP2 for the future to come.