Fairphone 5 Review: A Sustainable Smartphone Choice

 Fairphone 5 Review: A Sustainable Smartphone Choice


Introduction and Specifications

Fairphone has once again raised the bar for sustainable and eco-conscious smartphones with the introduction of the Fairphone 5, marking a significant leap forward from its previous iteration. This new model comes with a host of hardware upgrades and design enhancements, all aligned with Fairphone's mission to reduce electronic waste and promote sustainability. Impressively, over 70% of the materials used in the Fairphone 5 are either recycled or ethically sourced from transparent supply chains, reflecting the company's commitment to responsible sourcing.




In a world where smartphones are often seen as disposable commodities, Fairphone offers a refreshing alternative. They provide an industry-leading 5 years of full warranty coverage, along with a promise of 8 years of software updates, which includes five major Android upgrades. Moreover, the Fairphone 5 is designed for easy repairability and features a removable battery, emphasizing the company's commitment to longevity and reducing electronic waste. What's more, for every Fairphone 5 sold, factory workers receive a $2.63 living wage bonus, underlining Fairphone's dedication to ethical manufacturing.


Fairphone 5 Specifications at a Glance


Design and Build: With dimensions of 161.6x75.8x9.6mm and weighing 212g, the Fairphone 5 boasts a durable construction with a glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), an aluminum frame, and a plastic back. It's also IP55 rated for dust and water resistance and MIL-STD-810H compliant.


Display: The device features a 6.46" OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant visuals with a peak brightness of 880 nits. The resolution stands at 1224x2700px, resulting in a 19.85:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 459ppi.


Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset (6 nm), the Fairphone 5 boasts an octa-core processor (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) and an Adreno 643 GPU.


Storage and Memory: The device comes with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, utilizing UFS 2.2 technology. It also includes a dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage.


Operating System: Out of the box, the Fairphone 5 runs on Android 13, with a planned upgrade to Android 14.


Camera System: The Fairphone 5's camera setup includes a 50 MP wide (main) lens with f/1.9 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, along with a 50 MP ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture and PDAF. Additionally, there's a TOF 3D depth sensor. The front camera boasts an impressive 50 MP sensor with an f/2.5 wide lens.


Video Capabilities: The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, as well as 1080p at 30/60/120fps, with gyro-EIS. The front camera also offers 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps, also with gyro-EIS.


Battery: Equipped with a 4,200mAh removable battery, the Fairphone 5 supports 30W wired charging, promising 50% charge in just 20 minutes (as advertised).


Connectivity: The device supports 5G connectivity, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC.


Additional Features: The Fairphone 5 includes a side-mounted fingerprint reader and stereo speakers.


In terms of hardware, the Fairphone 5 delivers notable improvements compared to its predecessor. The larger and higher-resolution display, purpose-built Qualcomm chipset, and impressive camera setup reflect the company's commitment to providing a robust smartphone experience. Additionally, the increased battery capacity and faster charging contribute to extended battery life.


The Fairphone 5 stands as a unique device, appealing to those seeking a sustainable and long-lasting alternative to the typical smartphone upgrade cycle. However, it's essential to consider the device's competitiveness in the upper mid-range market segment. In this review, we delve deeper to uncover any potential trade-offs you should be aware of before making your purchase.


Unboxing the Fairphone 5


The Fairphone 5 arrives in an environmentally conscious, recycled carton box, aligning with the company's goal of minimizing e-waste. Inside, you'll find user manuals, and it's worth noting that the Fairphone 5 supports standard USB-C cables and chargers up to 30W, making it compatible with existing accessories and further reducing waste.

Jack

Meet Jack, our resident content writer who is passionate about helping people build and maintain healthy relationships. With years of experience in the field, Jack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our blog. Through his engaging and informative articles, Jack offers practical tips and advice on everything from communication and conflict resolution to intimacy and trust-building. Whether you're single or in a long-term relationship, Jack's insights are sure to help you navigate the ups and downs of modern dating and foster deeper, more fulfilling connections with those you love.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post