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.