Fairphone 5 in for review

15 September 2023
A smartphone nod to simpler times.

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  • 16 Sep 2023

Anonymous, 16 Sep 2023Exactly. Phone itself is not better than A34 for exampleThe point of this phone is to show how much an A34 should cost if you didn't throw death and human suffering at it until it is manufactured. The goal is to produce the phone as ethically as possible and use it as long as possible. If Apple or Samsung have to make a flagship like that, it would cost more than double what they are charging now.
You are given the choice to consume a product ethically here(at least as ethically as possible under capitalism). It's not about stats.

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    • Carol
    • nUJ
    • 16 Sep 2023

    Androuser, 16 Sep 2023Iphone is in different league when it comes to long run. So... moreYou're right, the league of "deprecate the device by software, and 200 euros battery swap, uite a different league whenn it comes to long-run

      404, 16 Sep 2023> Who wants to pay a fortune for an AVERAGE phone and to... moreIphone is in different league when it comes to long run. So no comparison

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        • lneam
        • 00Y
        • 16 Sep 2023

        404, 16 Sep 2023> Who wants to pay a fortune for an AVERAGE phone and to... moreone smartphone device at a cost of 700€ can work for 5 years to play games and over 10 years for all the others situations. To do this, it must have new battery and OS updates. Fairphone company has 10 years life and the customers have all the necessary proofs to buy company's new devices

          • 404
          • txF
          • 16 Sep 2023

          Pumpino, 15 Sep 2023Yeah, only updating to every second android version is a co... more> Who wants to pay a fortune for an AVERAGE phone and to tolerate it for 8 years?
          I mean, there's someone who still uses an iPhone 6s until now.

            Kangal, 16 Sep 2023" Who wants to pay a fortune for an average phone and ... moreSounds good. The Fairphone 5 certainly doesn't have a headphone jack or lighter weight. ;)

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 0BG
              • 16 Sep 2023

              Kangal, 16 Sep 2023" Who wants to pay a fortune for an average phone and ... moreYep. The most I've paid for a phone is 400EUR for the Galaxy A72. Currently nothing gets close to it and if I had to replace it, I'd probably get the Redmi note 12 pro or even Galaxy A24. 3.5mm Jack is a must so nothing interests me in higher segment, except for the Asus ROG, but with its 1000+EUR and non-removable battery, it's still not acceptable for just great speakers+3.5mm jack and good battery life. All of these things could be fount in much, much cheaper phones, just not at the same time.

              But if I see a really good phone with the 3.5mm jack, removable battery (And fresh spare batteries years later. Which is also a problem with the usual brands), great speakers, big enough display (At least 6.6), then I'd propably pay up to 700-800EUR.

                Pumpino, 15 Sep 2023Yeah, only updating to every second android version is a co... more" Who wants to pay a fortune for an average phone and to tolerate it for 8 years? "

                I think that's the crux of the issue. And I think I personally could have solved that.
                Firstly, I would've done some very heavy-handed Guerilla Marketing the likes that we saw with the OnePlus One and OnePlus 3. And I would have made direct comparisons of my device to the Latest iPhone Max and Samsung Ultra, and highlighted all the areas where my device gives you a superior overall experience.

                I'm talking like including features: IrDa Blaster, Dual SIM, microSD slot, Headphone Jack (with QuadDAC), FM Radio, Front-Firing Stereo Loudspeakers, No Notch, Durability, lighter weight, more ergonomic, easier serviceablity, no Display Burn-in, Long Warranty, and even Longer Software Support.

                Then to sweeten the deal, I would make it so that the first 1 Million Units sold come with enticing BONUS PACKAGE. Pre-applied Glass Protector on back and Front, TPU Bumper, decent on-earbuds, Cable in box, Charger in Box, Horizontal Phone Stand, two slide-in controllers for Gaming. After that, the phone is sold at standard cost (eg USD $800) and the Pro Package (eg USD $150) is sold separately.

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                  • Anonymous
                  • 0p}
                  • 16 Sep 2023

                  Pumpino, 15 Sep 2023Yeah, only updating to every second android version is a co... moreExactly. Phone itself is not better than A34 for example

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                    • ali
                    • jpR
                    • 16 Sep 2023

                    we are waiting

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                      • Anonymous
                      • MFr
                      • 16 Sep 2023

                      I don't really see the logic behind making a phone that should last at LEAST 5 years and not using a top of the line or even upper midrange chip...apps will require more and more and so will the os. So while you aren't limited by the software, you will be by the hardware (depends a lot on the use case tho)

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                        • Anonymous
                        • MFr
                        • 16 Sep 2023

                        Anonymous, 15 Sep 2023Bad colours Excess of contrast. Excess of sharpening. ... moreThere was no sharpness at all in cameras of phones from 2001...maybe it's not great, but it's not as bad as you make it out to be

                          Anonymous, 15 Sep 2023Pointless if not giving all android versions in sequence. ... moreYeah, only updating to every second android version is a cop out for a company that uses stock android and only has a couple of phones to support. The volunteer devs on xda are more dedicated than this.

                          I think the review will reveal that it's a very average phone - an average display, average camera and average battery life. If it starts off average, it won't age well. Who wants to pay a fortune for an average phone and to tolerate it for 8 years?

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                            • Anonymous
                            • 0p}
                            • 15 Sep 2023

                            MarOMG, 15 Sep 2023They say "at least" 5 Android updates plus 3 &quo... morePointless if not giving all android versions in sequence.

                            Apple gives 6 versions of iOS. Still high % get new iphone in less than 30 months.

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                              • Anonymous
                              • 0p}
                              • 15 Sep 2023

                              YUKI93, 15 Sep 2023*coughs* Google Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, and 5a 5G *coughs*Bad colours
                              Excess of contrast.
                              Excess of sharpening.

                              Good photo does not have any of this. Those digital cameras of 2001 do not have these issues. Even with tiny 1/4" sensors.

                                Mike, 15 Sep 2023When they refer to 8 years of software support it is major ... moreThey say "at least" 5 Android updates plus 3 "to maybe" 5 years of security updates. They mean it.

                                Fairphone 2 was launched in 2015 on Lolipop (Android 5) and got Android 10, while last security update was in march 2023 (the last one). So this one got 5+3.

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                                  • Mike
                                  • 8FI
                                  • 15 Sep 2023

                                  When they refer to 8 years of software support it is major Android versions or security patches?

                                    Anonymous, 15 Sep 2023But gsmarena's long term review is 6 months. It would ... moreTf bruh ☠️

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • vaS
                                      • 15 Sep 2023

                                      Anonymous, 15 Sep 2023Let's review this phone again in 7 years along with th... moreBut gsmarena's long term review is 6 months. It would also be interesting to see how many commenters (or if this site) would still live to see that day.

                                        Anonymous, 15 Sep 2023All midranges have lame jpegs. *coughs* Google Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, and 5a 5G *coughs*