Thanks for this post, it sent me off on an one hour journey researching sustainable phones, OS options and more. And now I’m thinking of getting a Fairphone or Shift phone. It’s great to see manufacturers not trying to make repairing and rooting your phone as complicated as possible.

I want a fairphone so much…

While options like Fairphone exist, the most sustainable phone is to just use your current one longer - with the state of smartphones nowadays they really shouldn’t have much of a problem lasting 4-5 years. The next sustainable thing is to buy used for an upgrade :)

It’s good that they mention the refurbished option. The most eco-friendly phone is the one you have, the second most eco-friendly phone is one someone else is getting rid of. Of course, the repairability promise of phones like the Fairphone is exciting and might make them a good bet longer-term.

I plan on using my current phone into the ground but I’m not sure what I will do when it finally dies. I think if there is a Fairphone 5 with modern specs by then, I would strongly consider it. I know constant new releases kind of goes against Fairphone’s philosophy so there might not be a 5 for a while, but with the Fairphone 4’s specs I would worry about how long it will remain useful. If there is not an improved Fairphone out by then, I would still consider a Fairphone 4 or would likely buy a refurbished Pixel.