Fairphone 4 test: an ethical and completely repairable mobile

As for the cost, Fairphone offers affordable For his spare parts. Count 30 € for a new battery or 15 € for the USB-C port. Not overpriced, so.

Fairphone 4 test

Fairphone renews its “” Socially responsible smartphone »» with the Fairphone 4, which now offers characteristics of competitive smartphones.

Fairphone announces a 5 -year warranty and an ease of repairing the device with a simple screwdriver. The repairability note is thus 9.3/10.

Fairphone 4 has a 6.3 -inch Full HD LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 × 2340 pixels.

The smartphone works with the Android 11 operating system as well as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750g processor with 6 GB of RAM memory and 128 GB of internal memory with reader. A 256 GB version is also available.

The device has a Type-C USB connector, a double SIM card location, a fingerprint reader, a 3,905 mAh battery and 5G, Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 5 connections 5.1 with NFC.

Finally, it is equipped with a double rear camera (48 + 48 Mpixels), a 25 mpixel front camera and can film in 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels).

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Fairphone 4 test: an ethical and completely repairable mobile

Made by the eponymous Dutch firm, the Fairphone 4 logically succeeds model 3+. Always as ethical, since the company remains faithful to its credo: a sustainable, eco -eco -friendly and fully repairable smartphone. Fairphone 4 presents interesting technical developments.

Fairphone 4 test: our opinion

Its greatest interest lies in its great modularity and repairability. Spare parts are sold on the manufacturer’s site and can be changed by ordinary people. Fairphone 4 offers satisfactory overall performance. It has mid -range components with a coherence price. Finally, he is the only one to benefit from a software support over 5 years.

Recycled plastic and modern design

The smartphone inherits a more modern design than its predecessors. The rear shell is made of 100 % recycled plastic and benefits from a tapering matt finish and pleasant to the touch. The body of the phone is made from certified aluminum. In the upper left corner, the photo island demonstrates the modularity of the product. Indeed, it includes three locations, while the device has only two 48 megapixel sensors. The company should offer in the close future of modules with three optics to improve its taking capacities. The digital fingerprint reader is on the right slice of the phone, integrated into the switchboard. As often, the lower part contains the USB-C port and an vent for one of the two speakers. On the left side, a notch allows you to remove the shell and thus access the components. In addition, the Fairphone 4 is certified IP54, it therefore resists small projections of liquid and dust.

Good performance and 5G

Fairphone 4 works with a Snapdragon 750g processor manufactured by Qualcomm, the American reference in terms of mobile technologies. It is supported, depending on the version, of 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM). The 5G chip, very good, also teams the Xiaomi Mi 10 T Lite 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 5G. The applications settle and launch without latency and the interface remains fluid and reactive in all circumstances.

A quality screen

Fairphone has equipped its latest model with a Full HD+ LCD panel of 6.3 inch (15.8 cm diagonal), unlike the competition, all passed to the OLED. Despite this, the display finesse and the brightness respond present. The refresh rate has been set at 60 Hz, an option that reduces costs and saving the battery. The colors are faithfully restored and the “adaptive tone” function automatically adjusts the color temperature by analyzing the ambient light.

Most of the photo

The Fairphone 4 photo module is made up of two 48 megapixel sensors: a large angle with optical stabilization and an ultra-wide-angle. The integrated application helps to choose the program most suited to the scene that we want to immortalize. A automatic mode will reassure the less experienced image hunters. The large angular offers excellent photos in broad daylight when the light is lively. The details are precise and the colors, natural. At night, the Fairphone 4 manages to take exploitable shots despite the presence of digital noise. The front sensor of 25 megapixels gives quality selfies, but without any software processing. For the video, it has a 4K mode to 30 frames per second and a full HD at 30 or 60 frames per second, with electronic stabilization.

Correct autonomy

The 3905 mAh battery offers Fairphone 4 a big day before having to be connected to the sector. Its recharge with a block of 20 watts takes approximately 1:40, but it finds 50 % of autonomy in 30 minutes, what to put into perspective. True to its commitment to eco -responsibility, the company offers in the box, cable or charger.

Highly reparable and modular

It is undoubtedly its big strong point: repairability. Its 9.3/10 index talks about itself. With a simple screwdriver, the device turns out to be fully removable and its rooms can be changed by any user. The rear shell is unclipped to be able to replace the battery easily. For other components such as speakers or photo modules, anyone can make changes. The manufacturer provides a minimum 5 -year warranty for its Fairphone 4 and promises a support for future Android dirts at least until version 14.

To whom the fairphone 4 is for ?

Fairphone 4 interests people who want to consume ethical and durable, since this mobile phone is designed to be used at least 5 years. Its strong eco -responsible dimension should attract all defenders of the circular economy, movements for repair and recycling. More generally, buying a fairphone constitutes a “political” act in favor of the planet.

What is the price of Fairphone 4 ?

The current fairphone 4 rate varies according to the version. With 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, it costs 579 euros and for 8 GB of RAM, it appears at 649 euros. However, if you prefer to opt for a Bouygues Telecom 130 GB or more package, you will get a significant discount on the price of the phone and benefit from the many bonuses associated with this package.
Choose Fairphone 4

• Modularity and repairability
• 5 years of guarantee and software monitoring
• Day photos
• Overall performance
• 5g.

Fairphone 4: The ethical, sustainable and repairable smartphone eventually convinces

Conjugating sustainability, repairability and ethics, this unique smartphone is playing it resolutely personal, but still invites itself into the big leagues thanks to its version 4 which makes it more persuasive than its predecessors. We have gone its performance (and its repairability) to a sarcher. Our opinion.

Singular concept in the smartphones, THE Fairphone does not claim the best performance or the most affordable price. His only wish is to be The most repairable and most durable as possible. Its design is studied so that its ecological footprint in terms of natural resources is limited, but also so that its various components are easy to replace. How ? Thanks to a modular approach, where the parts are easily interchangeable.

What are we talking about exactly ?

Fairphone is certainly the name of the smartphones, but it is also, at the start, a social society, based in Amsterdam (Netherlands), which wishes to offer a different product. A smartphone from the “fairer world” perspective, where the notions of repairability, of sustainability and D’equity occupy a central place.

As’consumer association, We make a point of honor, at Purchasing test, to compare all smartphones with equivalent test conditions. Certain elements (origin of components, respect for human rights, availability of spare parts, p.ex.), however, difficult to verify for the entire market. And therefore complicated to quantify in our protocols.

Historically, the Fairphone had therefore not subscribed to mirobal scores (rather average quality). Especially since they are not the most optimized in terms of pure performance. But the Fairphone 4 (released at the end of 2021) returns in improved version, especially thanks to a more powerful processor. Strong his 5G compatibility, He also clearly hears the ground for a long time.

Clearly not in the “feathered” category

First surprise, its weight: with 225 gr on the scale, the Fairphone 4 Rather in the heavyweight category. On the other hand, we appreciate its slimped black edges compared to its predecessors, which enlarges the screen.

Its black edges are now finer.

His modularity does not prevent him from displaying a IP54 certificate, or protection against dust (but do not try to teach him to swim). Although it does not benefit from a waterproofing certificate, it resists Belgian drizzle (fine rain test) and came out of our robustness and fall tests with some barely traces. Morality of history: interchangeable pieces do not hinder the solidity.

Let us also note that if it is not equipped with facial recognition, its fingerprint, On the device slice, works well.

Photophone ? Not yet, but it’s already better

On the back, we find, for the first time, a Double photo module, Composed of a wide angle (48 megapixels) and an ultra -wide angle (48 MP too). A TOF sensor, helps in the depth of field, completes everything.

The double photo module, a first at Fairphone.

The shots taken with the Fairphone 4 are relevant, without however making it a real photophone. It is a little less true when the brightness is rare, the device experiencing some difficulties in rendering details. Videos are of good quality thanks to optical stabilization. Without reaching an exceptional score, the Fairphone 4 now offers a suitable camera, unlike its predecessors who struggled.

And screen side ? A 6.3 inch LCD in Full HD (1080 x 2340 pixels). No OLED or high refresh rate, but a slab that does the job well. A greater contrast, associated with better brightness, would have been welcome because readability in the sun is average.

With a Snapdragon 750g processor, The device is certainly not as powerful as its colleagues in this price range, but it is not ridiculous. He is quite capable of performing all daily tasks. If we really look for the little beast, we could say that we would have appreciated more power, especially since its DNA, as the first lasting smartphone, is to be kept as long as possible.

Is it less autonomous for once ? In our normal use scenario, it holds a chouïa more than 10 p.m., with the luminosity pushed to the maximum, and 27:30 in average brightness. A score that is not exceptional, but in progress compared to versions 2 and 3. Want to compare this info with other smartphones brands ? Meeting on Our comparator ::

There recharge is carried out in 3 hours with a charger Basic (5W), half less with the 30W charger (not delivered with the device, count € 24.95). No charger or cable in the box fairphone. If we can understand, in this philosophy of sparing the planet, the desire not to produce non -essential components, we would like, as with other manufacturers, being able to obtain the charger for free when we are not yet equipped. Ditto for the absence of a mini-jack port, which forces either to use USB-C headphones (delivered), or to bring an adapter (not delivered) to use a good old wired helmet.

Too bad for the absence of a mini-jack port.

Our opinion

Compared to the previous models which were sinking by insufficient performance, this new version becomes convincing. The proposal is more consistent, we pay the price of a high -end smartphone with technical services of a mid -range, but the essential is elsewhere: in sustainability and ethics. And for that, he is the only one.

This singularity has a cost : € 579 for the 128 GB version (6 GB of RAM), and € 649 for the 256 GB version (8 GB of RAM). But at this price, we have a exceptional warranty 5 years old, on a device that is extremely easy to repair, as well as a software monitoring, Both from the point of the security updates and the bone, promised until the end of 2025 at least, or even more, if it is technically possible (be up to Android 12, or even 13)).

Repairable, that means what, concretely ?

If many of us dream of a smartphone that we could keep for years, the complexity and cost of repairs are often dissuasive.

You said complex ? Fairphone is designed to be easily dismantled : the rear shell is unclipped by hand, also the battery, only a few standard screws retain the most fragile elements. The manufacturer publishes a series of video tutorials To accompany the user during manipulations. The necessary equipment comes down to a standard screwdriver, which can assume all the changes to make.

Example ? Replace the screen : usually one of the most delicate operations, but which takes only a few minutes here, without specific equipment. For most other smartphones, many components are glued, and removing them is an thankless task that requires a minimum of expertise and tools. And if it is the battery ? Even simpler: just declip the rear cover, then the battery of your accommodation. The operation takes 30 seconds.

As for the cost, Fairphone offers affordable For his spare parts. Count 30 € for a new battery or 15 € for the USB-C port. Not overpriced, so.

Our boost for all your repair desires

For help you to know your rights (Guarantee, p.ex.), but also to find answers to all your repair questions, We have set up, as part of the project Sharepair, The “Repairguide” platform::