Nearly impossible? How Fairphone built the ethical, repairable Fairphone Gen 6+

Dutch smartphone manufacturer Fairphone has officially entered the US market with its latest device, the Fairphone Gen 6+. Priced at $650, the phone distinguishes itself from industry competitors by prioritizing modularity, longevity, and user-led repairability. While modern flagship smartphones from companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google often rely on glued components and fragile glass-and-aluminum designs, the Fairphone Gen 6+ is engineered to be easily disassembled and repaired by the owner. CTO Chandler Hatton emphasizes that the company's core mission is to allow users to fully own their hardware, addressing concerns about the physical durability of devices that now receive up to a decade of software support. Although the design involves trade-offs compared to traditional sleek smartphones, Fairphone aims to provide a compelling, sustainable alternative for consumers who value device longevity and the right to repair their own technology.