It’s no secret that the electronics industry contributes tons of e-waste to landfill each year and while some phone makers are starting to realise that the way they make their products needs to change, companies like Fairphone are already paving the way, with the new Fairphone 5 now available to buy from EE Store.
Based out of Amsterdam, Fairphone has committed itself to making smartphones and headphones in a way that’s ethically minded, and as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. Its latest offering – the Fairphone 5 – takes the company’s initiatives to new heights, with a greener construction than ever before, complete with more fair and recycled materials within its construction (including the cobalt and lithium in its battery) and more user-replaceable parts, so that it’s easy to repair piece by piece (meaning you don’t need to send your phone off when the screen needs repairing).
What’s more, it benefits from an OS update and software support roadmap that surpasses anything you’ll find from big names like Samsung or even Apple, and comes from a supply chain with emphasis on workers operating in safe working conditions and receiving fair pay.
On the hardware side, the Fairphone 5 (which comes in three finishes this year: Matte Black, Sky Blue or a Transparent edition) gets a notable display upgrade over 2021’s Fairphone 4, finally making the jump to OLED, meaning beautiful vibrant colours and deep blacks that work perfectly for enjoying media, while the switch from a 60Hz to a 90Hz refresh rate (that’s higher than a new iPhone 15) means swiping around and motion feel far more smooth and responsive.
Flip the Fairphone around and you’ll find two of the phone’s three high-resolution 50MP cameras: a wide and an ultra-wide which are, of course, user-replaceable as needed. The company has reportedly worked particularly hard on ensuring these cameras deliver a top-notch experience, especially in low light.
Speaking of user replaceable parts, everything from the cameras, to the USB-C port, to the battery can be swapped out, with a 4,200mAh cell that boasts 30W fast charging (that’s quicker than an iPhone 15 Pro Max) working out to 50% charge in just 30 minutes. That battery also lives under a 100% recycled plastic removable back cover, which comes in black, blue or – if you’re looking for something that really stands out – a smoky transparent finish.
Even though you can replace ten key parts of the Fairphone 5 with, at most, only a screwdriver (more than any prior entry in the series), the phone is also impressively durable, with MIL-810H certification against shock and drops, and IP55 certification against dust and water ingress.
Hardware is only part of the story, though. Thanks to the phone’s use of a Qualcomm chipset that’s more commonly found in IoT products (think automotive and the like), it’s perfectly suited to receiving software updates far longer than conventional smartphones do. Fairphone has actually worked to ensure that it receives even more updates than the chip maker would typically serve it; with a promised minimum of eight years of support following its clean out-of-box Android 13-powered user experience, but they have the goal to update it for up to 10 years. For reference, at best Samsung manages four and Apple five OS updates on their respective devices. This means that Fairphone 5 owners can expect their devices to remain secure through to at least 2031, which is unheard of in the smartphone space.
Tempted? The Fairphone 5 is available now – directly from EE – where you can pick the phone up unlocked for £619, knock money off by trading in your old phone or spread the cost and pay in instalments across 6, 12 or 24 months. The Fairphone 5 also comes with a five-year warranty and if you buy from EE, you get a free case, at no extra cost. Ethical and wallet-friendly.
