Arol is a tech journalist who currently works as a contributor at How-To Geek since 2022. He first began writing online for the short-lived portal of Spanish-language gaming forum Emudesc in 2013. Years later, in 2017, he got his true start in tech journalism working for a small Google-focused site called Pixel Spot. He transitioned to a news and feature writer role at XDA Developers that same year, where he worked until 2021 before making the jump to other websites.
Arol brings nearly a decade of writing experience, and the occasional hot take, to his writings. While he’s a technology lover at heart, he holds computer hardware and smartphones particularly close to heart. You’ll normally find him covering news, although he has also written the occasional deal, buyer’s guide, how-to post, and round-up. He’s also written for Android Police and MakeUseOf. He’s also a Political Science student. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him hitting the gym, trying to ace a new hobby, reading his textbooks, or traveling. You can reach him at me@arolwright.com.
Summary
- Fairphone 6 arrives in the US via Murena partner, not sold directly by Fairphone.
- /e/OS de-Googled Android: strong privacy, but no Google Play, Maps, Gmail, or tight Google integration.
- Modular, ethically sourced midrange phone: Snapdragon 7s, 8GB/256GB, 6.3″ 120Hz OLED. $900.
We recently reported on the release of the Fairphone 6. I really like Fairphones, but like every other phone that’s not from Samsung, OnePlus, or Apple, they’re not really sold in the United States. Now, that’s changing. Kind of.
Fairphone’s latest device is finally available in the United States, albeit through a partner: Murena. It has the same modular, repair-focused hardware as its European counterpart but with one major difference: it runs /e/OS, a privacy-centric version of Android stripped of all Google services. /e/OS is specifically designed to remove all Google applications and trackers, so it’s pretty good for those who want a more private, de-Googled phone. For many, this will be its main appeal. However, this also means the phone lacks the Google Play Store and the tight integration with services like Google Maps, Gmail, and all of the Google ecosystem, including the removal of some apps that might be otherwise essential to your Android experience. So there’s that.
The phone was already announced to be available in the US by Murena back in June, but now, it’s actually shipping.
As a reminder, the device itself, the Fairphone 6, is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The front features a 6.3-inch, 120 Hz OLED display. Additional storage can be added via a microSDXC card reader, which supports cards up to 2TB. The main appeal of the phone hardware-wise, though, is the fact that its components are sourced ethically and its supply chain is also as ethical and “fair” as possible. The phone is also a technician’s dream: it’s modular, meaning key components are designed to be easily replaced. This contrasts sharply with most modern smartphones, which are often sealed and difficult to repair. With the Fairphone 6, users can replace the battery, the USB 2.0 Type-C port, the display, speakers, and even the camera modules.
Other hardware specifications also include a dual rear-camera system, featuring a 50MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultrawide lens, while a 32MP camera handles front-facing duties. Connectivity-wise, the phone supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and dual-SIM 5G (via one nano SIM and one eSIM). The phone is powered by a 4,415 mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging and is rated IP55 for dust and water resistance. It includes a fingerprint sensor but omits a headphone jack.
The Murena partnership has always been key to Fairphone’s US releases, as the company doesn’t sell its phones directly in the US. It happened with the Fairphone 5, and now, the Fairphone 6 is joining the party.
The phone is priced at $900, which isn’t ideal for a midrange phone, but you’re not really paying for the specs here. The phone is now available for purchase.
Source: Liliputing
