SMARTPHONES

Fairphone 4: Eco-Friendly Phone

Caring for both the planet and the people.

March, 2022

Olivia B. | Author

Forget about the Fairphone 3, we’re here to introduce the new Fairphone 4.

Two years since the launch of the Fairphone 3, Fairphone are back with the new and improved Fairphone 4. Keeping it easily repairable with your standard screwdriver, it’s the go-to sustainable phone, made with fairer materials that are built to last.

Fairphone’s mission is clear – and brilliant. The following is taken from their website - “From the earth to your pocket, a smartphone’s journey is filled with unfair practices. We believe a fairer electronics industry is possible. By making change from the inside, we’re giving a voice to people who care.”

2022 is the year to act. To participate. To be a part of the change. And brands like Fairphone are doing just that, and so can you. With every phone they make, they’re paving the way to a fairer and more sustainable electronics industry.

The world is improving ways in which we can live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. We’re more informed than ever, so where best to start than reducing e-waste and making the most of the materials used in consumer electronics?

Making an impact

We’ve touched on Fairphone’s mission - to make the electronics industry a fairer place. As well as using the most environmentally-friendly materials, they also care for the people who make them; worker well-being is high on the agenda. Like with most things, change starts from the inside.

Here’s how they’re doing it:

Creating products that last: Fairphone designs for longevity, easy repair and modular upgrades. Their goal is to make your phone's hardware last as long as possible, and to provide the support to keep its software up to date. The longer you can keep your phone, the smaller it’s environmental footprint.
Reducing e-waste: Fairphone want to make the most of the materials used in consumer electronics. They’re moving one step closer to a circular economy by encouraging the reuse and repair of their phones, researching electronics recycling options and reducing electronic waste worldwide.
Choosing Fairer Materials: Fairphone go straight to the source to make sure they’re creating positive change. One material at a time, they’re working to incorporate fairer, recycled, and responsibly mined materials in our phones – to increase industry and consumer awareness.
Putting people first: They’re innovating ways to improve job satisfaction for workers in the industry. Together with suppliers, they’re listening to workers and creating better working conditions with employee representation, income and growth opportunities for all.

Fairphone 4 scores 10 out of 10 for repairability.

With the Fairphone 4, there’s no need to go into a store or send it off by post for repairs. You don’t need to be an expert to swap out the battery or display. With just a standard screwdriver, you can repair the phone yourself. Proving it’s good for the world, and easy on your wallet.

The majority of your phone’s CO2 emissions come from the production process, so your phone will last longer with replaceable modules – and the more you’re able to repair it, the longer you have your phone. The longer you have your phone, the smaller its environmental footprint.

Much like the Fairphone 3, the Fairphone 4 received an iFixit score of 10/10 for reparability; Fairphone are the only smartphones in the world to be awarded a perfect score!

According to their website, this is how iFixit rates devices: “A device with a perfect score will be relatively inexpensive to repair because it is easy to disassemble and has a service manual available. Points are docked based on the difficulty of opening the device, the types of fasteners found inside, and the complexity involved in replacing major components. Points are awarded for upgradability, use of non-proprietary tools for servicing, and component modularity.”

We’re impressed, too.

So, what’s in the box and why the Fairphone 4?

Keeping in line with Fairphone’s mission and ethos, there’s a limited number of products in the box. If you don’t necessarily need it, they won’t include it.

Fairphone 4 comes with:

Fairphone 4
Quick-start guide
Eco-friendly packaging

You’ll notice there’s no charger, earphones or cables in the box like you’d usually expect when buying a new phone. They’ve not been left out by accident. To help cut down on e-waste, you can use the ones you already have and pair them with your device. If you don’t already have any of the accessories listed, you can buy them separately.

What are the key features?

Made from fair and recycled materials
Has a modular and repairable design
Super-fast 5G speed
High-quality 25MP camera with 4K video
Electronic waste neutral
Has a replaceable and long-life battery
Comes in eco-friendly packaging
It has an easy-to-use operating system with Android 11
It’s designed and built with a commitment to fairness

Sustainability has never been this powerful. Designed to last, with fair and recycled materials, the Fairphone 4 brings you 5G speed, with great battery life and a premium dual-camera - all backed by our 5-year warranty for longevity.