Seven years later Fairphone 2 receives its last software update

08 March 2023
The sustainable phone reaches the end of its life cycle.

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  • 08 Mar 2023

Anonymous, 08 Mar 2023Wrong, the iPhone 6s from 2015 received 6 major OS updates ... moreiPhone 6s is an exception. iPhone 7 was just dropped recently no questions asked.

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    • Anonymous
    • mc5
    • 08 Mar 2023

    Wojtek , 08 Mar 2023that should be the norm. or at least open devices so commun... moreTechnically, drivers are separated from the OS, BUT newer OS:es use newer API:s to talk to new drivers. To support old hardware you may need to add some sort of shim/adapter between os and kernel. This work can be really easy, or extremely complicated, depending on the OS and driver

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      • An0n
      • txF
      • 08 Mar 2023

      Anonymous, 08 Mar 2023But then you can unlock the bootloader and use a custom OS,... moreNope. It's not. Android 12 requires kernel to run at least 4.x. SD 801 up to SD 821 never officially receives new kernel beyond 3.18.x. Can you "upstream" 3.18.x to 4.x? Yes, but it's not easy. One that made it was Mi 5, now still receiving pure build, not just "port", of A13. One of many reasons why like even the famous OnePlus 3T never see beyond A11. I have my Mi 4c, similar to fair phone 2, stopped at A11. Even that, that phone is almost useless these days, everything runs slow for new apps released after 2017. The SoC just couldn't keep up.

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        • Anonymous
        • gDe
        • 08 Mar 2023

        oofio2461, 08 Mar 2023Longer than apple RIP FP2Wrong, the iPhone 6s from 2015 received 6 major OS updates (vs 5) and is still receiving security patches on iOS 15 (latest one being 15.7.3 released together with 16.3).

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          • Anonymous
          • gDe
          • 08 Mar 2023

          codedslam, 08 Mar 2023I Still Don't Know Why Fairphone Isn't Global, Fo... moreDon’t write like that

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            • Anonymous
            • gDe
            • 08 Mar 2023

            Anonymous, 08 Mar 2023its not fair i guess5 Major OS upgrades and 7.5 years of security updates for a mid-range-priced phone is pretty fair.

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              • Anonymous
              • Dks
              • 08 Mar 2023

              SShock, 08 Mar 2023Lol, this myth still rolling around. Ever thought things sl... moreDoes hardware become old enough right after the end of warranty period? 1-1.5 years max to become an obstacle?

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                • Anonymous
                • y2j
                • 08 Mar 2023

                But then you can unlock the bootloader and use a custom OS, right?
                Can do that with some Android phones at all.

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                  • Anonymous
                  • CMN
                  • 08 Mar 2023

                  Why is the fairphone 2 not in the phone database?

                    My FP2 is running Ubuntu Touch. That is one way to extend the life of this old champ, playing with alternative operating systems.

                      Anonymous, 08 Mar 2023It's pretty much the same for flagship devices. Compan... moreLol, this myth still rolling around. Ever thought things slow down because hardware doesn't change, but we put more and more features on that same old hardware?

                        Longer than apple RIP FP2

                          Fair enough.

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                            • Wojtek
                            • LB%
                            • 08 Mar 2023

                            that should be the norm. or at least open devices so community can easily prepare custom roms.

                            ideally drivers should be separate from the OS so the user could update independently to wins of the hardware maker... it works for Windows or Linux...

                              Farewell Fairphone

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                                • Anonymous
                                • 3xK
                                • 08 Mar 2023

                                YUKI93, 08 Mar 2023At this phone, every phone with Snapdragon 801 is no longer... moreBig LOL

                                Somehow, Snapdragon 800 devices get Android 13 ports...
                                My Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 (the device infamous for not receiving a single update even tho it is a flagship tablet), has an Android 13 port...

                                  Man if only Fairphone releases in Ph, I'd get one considering how sustainable it is in the long run

                                  Better get one of these than buying a cheap phone every two-three years.

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • XS%
                                    • 08 Mar 2023

                                    lyy, 08 Mar 2023Thats good. But I wonder if updating is always necessary... moreIt's pretty much the same for flagship devices. Companies intentionally slow down the phones. They would have an easy time fooling us if it weren't for custom ROMs.

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • m0x
                                      • 08 Mar 2023

                                      lyy, 08 Mar 2023Thats good. But I wonder if updating is always necessary... moreAs long you use a smartphone to keep sensitive information (name, address, email , bank details etc ) it's always the case to keep it updated, not matter if it's a samsung s23 ultra or a few years ago low budget phone, i'm no talking about about OS updates, i'm talking about security updates and if those are well written should not slow down a smartphone even if it's old or low budget.

                                        Impressive stuff indeed