Fairphone’s innovations are not called “Super Retina XDR with ProMotion”, but rather fair working conditions, sustainable materials and modularity. However, the Fairphone 4 stands out with a 5G processor and an impressive 5-year warranty. But what do you get in exchange for the 579 euros (US$3,670, in direct conversion)? Check out this hands-on for the !
Take a shortcut:
- Why the Fairphone 4 is almost as expensive as an iPhone
- 1. The Fairphone 4 is huge but has good construction
- 2. I want my OLED with 120 hertz back
- 3. What is the third circle next to the cameras for?
- 4. Promising removable battery
- First impressions of Fairphone 4
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Manufacturer compensates for the garbage production of each unit
- Compatible with 5G
- Modular and easy to repair
Cons
- Intermediate specifications
- Very large and heavy
- LCD screen with thick edges
Why the Fairphone 4 is almost as expensive as an iPhone
Manufacturer Fairphone has just presented the Fairphone 4 at an online event. At first glance, the new phone looks outdated with its thick edges on the screen and plastic back. In addition, the suggested price of 579 or 649 euros (R$ 3,670 to 4,100) for a dual camera and a Snapdragon 750G seems exaggerated.
For example, you can get the same processor on the Moto G 5G for about $1,800. But this is not the issue, because the Fairphone 4 has features that are simply not available with other manufacturers. After all, Fairphone is not a mobile phone manufacturer, but a social business. And it tries to produce smartphones that are as sustainable as possible, and also with adequate working conditions.
Unfortunately, the phone is unique to Europe — the company even neutralizes carbon emissions from purchases made in the Netherlands/Netherlands — and is not expected to sell in Brazil or other regions.
In addition to the technical specifications, the Fairphone 4 comes with the following features:
- 5-year warranty if purchased before 12.31.2022;
- Android updates planned by 2027 (up to Android 15);
- Neutralized junk mail — Fairphone compensates for 100% of the waste it produces;
- Fair materials, including recycled plastic and rare earth metals, as well as Fairtrade-certified supply chains for gold, tungsten and other materials;
- Easy reparability through modularity — battery, camera module, memory and other components can be replaced using a screwdriver included in the package.
Before the launch, Fairphone sent the “4” and I was able to use the phone as a personal device for much of a day. That is, I put the SIM card of my mobile operator on the smartphone just and noticed how it differs from a “normal” phone.
Following the generation of the device, I notice 4 things I noticed on the Fairphone 4 after dropping the Xiaomi 11T Pro!
- The Fairphone 4 is huge but has good construction
One thing struck me immediately after unboxing:
The Fairphone 4 is a huge phone
. Despite the moderate screen size of 6.3 inches, the smartphone is 15.6 x 7.5 x 1.1 centimeters and weighs about 200 grams. So better not wait for a compact phone. In return, the device transmits a special air of quality.
You can remove the back without tools and change the battery/©
On the one hand, this is due to the choice of materials. A thick aluminum frame and a replaceable plastic back, along with the Gorilla Glass 5 screen, give the phone a feeling of robustness. However, this is just an initial impression, as the Fairphone 4 is only IP54 certified, but does not use a shrapnel-proof glass.
I was positively surprised by the precise vibratory motor and the super-fast fingerprint sensor, which is located on the right-hand button. The volume buttons, which are also located there, also offer a good touch response. Handling the Fairphone 4 was really fun in the early hours!
- I want my OLED with 120 hertz back
I must admit that leaving behind the display of the
Xiaomi 11T Pro
it was a little difficult. The Fairphone 4’s screen isn’t exactly state-of-the-art, with an HD+ resolution LCD panel and 60 hertz. In addition, there are the thick edges around the component and a drop of water notch, which takes away some of the immersive experience in video content.
The fidelity of the colors depends a little on the angle of view and the sides are surrounded by a slight edge where the brightness is lost a little. Of course this doesn’t stop you from following the latest posts from your favorite youtuber, but I think the video part is the aspect that would bother me the most on Fairphone 4 in the long run.
