US buyers gain a mainstream option focused on repairability and long support: the Fairphone (Gen 6+) is now sold in the United States for $650, and it arrives with a five-year warranty plus software updates through 2033. After 13 years of selling elsewhere, Fairphone’s first official US launch puts a phone built around user-replaceable parts and extended service on American shelves.
The Gen 6+ upgrades the internals from last year’s model with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and 12 GB of RAM, hardware Fairphone says should keep the phone useful as memory-hungry features, including some AI-driven functions, become more common. In everyday use the handset handled Google Maps, Instagram Reels, and Pokémon Go without trouble. Benchmarks show only a small performance edge over the Gen 6, and occasional stutters are perceptible but do not break routine tasks.
Display and battery are competent rather than headline-grabbing. The 6.3-inch AMOLED screen runs at 120 Hz and is bright and colorful enough for outdoor reading, though the adaptive brightness can be aggressive. The 4,415-mAh battery generally left the reviewer with about 20 percent at bedtime after roughly five to six hours of screen time. There is no wireless charging, and the phone does not include a USB-C cable in the box.
Fairphone’s camera setup is serviceable, built around a 50-MP main sensor and a 13-MP ultrawide, with a 32-MP front camera. Images are adequate in good light, but low-light shots lose detail and require steadiness, and selfies can look soft. Fairphone does not match Apple, Google, or Samsung on imaging, so buyers prioritising top-tier photos may need to look elsewhere.
The phone’s differentiators are practical and explicit. A microSD slot expands the base 256 GB of storage, a capacitive fingerprint sensor sits in the side power button, and an accessory system lets users attach or remove modules by undoing two screws, using the included screwdriver. A yellow edge switch triggers Fairphone Moments, a minimal interface mode that limits access to up to five chosen apps for distraction-free use. The Gen 6+ also comes in a cobalt blue colour that commemorates cobalt miners and the Fair Cobalt Alliance.
Repairability is central: iFixit scored the device 10 out of 10, and Fairphone pairs that with a five-year warranty and promises of updates through 2033. That combination directly reduces the pressure to replace hardware quickly and could extend device lifecycles for buyers who prioritise sustainability. Caveats remain, the phone feels very plasticky, it is not waterproof, and it is not supported on Verizon, with caveats on other carriers. Those carrier limits and the middling cameras will narrow its appeal.
The Gen 6+ will matter most to buyers who want long-term support and the ability to repair their own phone, rather than the absolute best camera or premium materials. Whether Fairphone’s arrival nudges US buyers away from the Apple and Samsung centric market will depend on consumer demand and carrier acceptance, but for now the company has placed a clear bet that durability and repairability can compete on a $650 handset.
