In August, Fairphone launched the Fairphone 6+ in a new Cobalt Blue color, emphasizing its modular design through various accessories. The phone is aimed at the mid-range market, featuring a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate, up to 1400 nits brightness, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip built on 4 nm technology, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and a triple camera system with a 50 MP main lens, 13 MP ultra-wide, and 32 MP front-facing camera. The battery is 4415 mAh with 27 W fast charging, though it lacks wireless charging. Priced at 649 euros, the Fairphone 6+ is more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A56 (around 400 euros) and the Google Pixel 9a (around 500 euros), both of which offer similar or better specs. Fairphone promises long-term software support for the 6+, including six major Android updates until 2032 and security patches through 2033. While this was once a standout feature, other major brands like Samsung and Google now offer similar commitments. Samsung, for instance, provides seven major Android updates and seven years of security patches for its Galaxy S series, while Google offers similar support for its Pixel 8 and Pixel 11. Apple, while not disclosing exact numbers, generally supports six to eight major iOS updates and one to two years of security patches after the last major release. Designed with user repairability in mind, the Fairphone 6+ allows users to replace twelve components, such as the battery, screen, camera modules, speakers, and USB-C port. It scores highly on reparability: 9.3 out of 10 in France and a perfect 10/10 from iFixit. A Torx T5 screwdriver is needed to open the device, which is sold separately. Unlike Apple and Samsung, which require specialized tools and procedures, Fairphone enables users to replace parts using basic tools without waiting for repair kits. The Fairphone 6+ has an IP55 rating, which means it is protected against dust and water jets, but not as robust as the IP68 rating found in many high-end smartphones. This lower rating is due to the phone’s modular design, which allows for user-replaceable parts but limits water resistance. Fairphone compensates by testing its durability against military standards (MIL-STD-810H). The Fairphone 6+ is priced 50 euros higher than its predecessor, mainly due to the inclusion of 12 GB of RAM. Fairphone also offers detailed pricing for spare parts, which are significantly cheaper than those from other manufacturers. For example, the battery costs 39.95 euros compared to around 85 euros elsewhere, and the main camera module is 69.95 euros versus about 240 euros from competitors. Fairphone provides a detailed breakdown of the materials used in the device, with 51% of its weight composed of fair or recycled materials. The company claims it is on track to achieve total electronic waste neutrality by 2026. While Apple, Google, and others have sustainability programs, none match Fairphone’s level of transparency about the materials used. A new European directive, 2024/1799, which grants consumers the right to repair their devices, became fully applicable in the European Union on July 31, 2026. The directive requires manufacturers to provide repair options, spare parts, and tools. However, as of July 28, 2026, only four countries had implemented the directive, and France had not yet done so. France’s measures remain under discussion, with expected adoption in the summer or early autumn of 2026.