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Fairphone 5 Review

Fairphone 5 Review
1 day ago

Fairphone 5 is a mid-to-upper-mid range Android smartphone focused on sustainability, repairability, and long-lasting software support, rather than only chasing raw specs. It aims to appeal to buyers who care about ethical sourcing, modular repair, and wanting a phone that can serve over many years. In this review we’ll examine how well Fairphone 5 delivers on those promises in terms of design, display, battery, camera, performance, and whether it offers good value.

What’s New in Fairphone 5

  • First Fairphone model with OLED display (previous models used LCD) with higher refresh rate (90Hz) for smoother scrolling.

  • Upgraded camera sensors: three 50MP cameras (main, ultra-wide, front) vs lower resolution on previous ones.

  • Better battery capacity (approx 4200mAh) and user-replaceable battery.

  • More durable materials and improved eco credentials (recycled materials, fair trade sourcing).

  • Very long software support commitment: at least 5 years of Android version upgrades and ~8 years of security updates.

  • Improved performance via choice of a more long-lifecycle chip (Qualcomm QCM6490) rather than using purely consumer-grade chips that often get abandoned.

Release Date

Fairphone 5 was announced August 30, 2023, and began shipping in markets (particularly Western Europe) around mid-September 2023.

Design & Build

Physical Dimensions & Materials

  • Dimensions: approx 161.6 × 75.8 × 9.6 mm.

  • Weight: 212 grams, which makes it heavier than many slim phones.

  • Build: Modular design. Many components are user-replaceable with just a screwdriver. The back is removable. Materials include recycled aluminum frame, plastic rear (in transparent variant), and Gorilla Glass 5 at the front.

Durability & Resistance

  • IP55 rating: protected from dust and water spray, but not full submersion.

  • Meets MIL-810H durability standard in some respects (protection from shocks, etc.) in reports. 

Display

  • Size: 6.46-inch, which gives a good screen real estate without going into very large “phablet” territory.

  • Type: OLED, moving away from LCD in earlier Fairphones. Brighter colors, better contrast & blacks.

  • Refresh rate: 90Hz, which makes UI animations, scrolling etc feel smoother.

  • Resolution: Full HD+ (1224 × 2700 pixels approx), with a pixel density around 450-460 ppi.

  • Brightness: Reports indicate decent max brightness (~880 nits in some tests) for outdoors.

Battery & Charging

  • Capacity: 4200 mAh user-replaceable battery.

  • Charging speed: 30W wired charging.

  • Charging times: From reports, 0-50% in ~20-21 minutes with a suitable charger; full charge takes more than an hour (~60-70 minutes depending on conditions).

Camera System

Rear Cameras

  • Main rear camera: 50 MP, wide lens, around f/1.88 or f/1.9 aperture, with PDAF (phase detection autofocus) and OIS (optical image stabilization).

  • Ultra-wide rear camera: 50 MP, approx f/2.2 aperture, wide field of view (~121°) but in many reviews the ultra-wide performance (edges, detail) is weaker.

Front Camera

  • Selfie camera: 50 MP, wide lens, f/2.45 or f/2.5 approx. Moderate performance especially in good lighting; less impressive in low-light.

Video & Features

  • Video: Supports up to 4K at 30 fps on rear; slow motion is available: Full HD 120 fps or 240 fps in HD depending on mode.

  • Modes: Scene optimization, pro mode/manual controls, macro via ultra-wide lens, etc.

Camera Weaknesses

  • Ultra-wide and edges tend to suffer from distortion, soft detail.

  • Low light performance is not top tier: noise, softness, less detail than premium camera phones.

  • Color consistency between lenses can vary.

Audio & Speakers

  • Stereo speakers: The device has stereo sound output for media, though reviews indicate that although sound is good, it may lack the refined depth or richness of premium audio systems.

  • No 3.5 mm headphone jack. Users will need to rely on USB-C earphones or Bluetooth.

Processor & Performance

  • Chipset: Qualcomm QCM6490, Octa-core (Kryo cores), designed for longer life.

  • GPU: Adreno 643.

  • RAM & Storage options:
      • 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage
      • 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage

Performance in daily tasks (browsing, social media, productivity) is smooth. However for heavier tasks, demanding games, or future demands years ahead, this chip is mid-tier and will lag behind flagship processors. Users report occasional sluggishness in animations or multi-tasking heavy apps.

Memory, Storage & Operating System

  • Internal storage: 128 or 256 GB, which is generous for many users.

  • Expandable storage: Yes, supports micro-SD up to large capacities (2 TB in some sources) for those who want to add.

  • OS at launch: Android 13; updates: Android 14 came later; future upgrades promised.

  • Software experience: Fairly clean, close to stock Android, minimal bloat. Has “My Fairphone” app etc.; supports installing alternative OSes (some users) if desired.

Connectivity, Networking & Sensors

  • 5G support (various bands depending on region) plus Wi-Fi 6E.

  • Bluetooth 5.2, NFC.

  • USB-C port supporting OTG; possibly DisplayPort over USB-C.

  • Dual SIM: physical nano-SIM + eSIM (region depending).

  • Sensors: fingerprint scanner (side/power button), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, ambient light, compass, etc.

Colors & Variants

Fairphone 5 comes in a few color/finish variants: transparent back (allows you to see some internal parts, especially battery), black, blue. Some markets may have slight differences.

Pros of Fairphone 5

  • Ethical / Repairable design: modular, many components user-replaceable; good for reducing e-waste.
  • Long software support: 8 years security updates & multiple OS upgrades.
  • High-resolution cameras (50 MP main, ultra-wide, front).
  • OLED display with good brightness and 90 Hz refresh rate.
  • 5G support, WiFi 6E, broad band compatibility.
  • Removable battery.
  • Variety of color options including Transparent back.

Cons of Fairphone 5

  • Performance is not flagship-level: gaming and heavy tasks lag behind top phones.
  • Camera software and image quality in low light or with complex scenes trails premium competitors.
  • No wireless charging.
  • Bulky / heavy compared to slimmer phones.
  • IP55 means some water resistance, but still not full waterproof.
  • Absence of headphone jack may disappoint some users.

Phone Performance

System Performance

In day-to-day use, the Fairphone 5 handles basic tasks (social apps, email, browsing) well. The QCM6490 chip is efficient and paired with 8 GB of RAM in the higher version, it offers smooth multitasking for moderate usage. Heavy multitasking and resource-intensive apps may suffer some lag compared to flagship phones.

System responsiveness is acceptable but not class-leading. The phone’s advantages are more in reliability over time, rather than peak speed. Some users note minor lag with large apps or with many background services.

Gaming Performance

For casual and moderate gaming (2D / light 3D games), Fairphone 5 performs adequately. The Adreno 643 GPU can run many games at reasonable framerates at medium settings. However, high-end games with demanding graphics will need to be dialed down. Heat management is okay but in extended gaming sessions the phone may become warm, especially near camera module. Frame drops can occur under heavy load.

Battery Performance

Battery life under light to moderate usage (calls, messaging, browsing, occasional video) can last a full day or even up to two days depending on usage patterns. Under more intense use (gaming, camera, high brightness, 5G), users may need to charge more often.

Charging is reasonably fast with 30W wired, and 50% in about 20 minutes helps. The fact that the battery is replaceable means battery degradation over years is less of a long-term concern.

Global Phone Reviews and User Ratings

  • On Fairphone’s site, user rating ~ 4.6 out of 5 based on thousands of reviews.

  • Reviewers generally praise its sustainability, repairable design, and long software support.

  • Criticisms tend to focus on camera performance compared to premium phones especially in low light, lack of wireless charging, bulk (weight & thickness), and somewhat modest performance for expensive price tag.

Warranty, Warranty Terms and After-Sales Service

  • Standard warranty: 5-year warranty in many markets.

  • Warranty terms cover manufacturing defects; spare parts are sold; many parts modular and user-replaceable. Fairphone publishes repair guides.

  • After-sales: Spare part availability is generally good. Repair cost of some parts is relatively reasonable (for example display, USB-C port) compared to premium flagship phones.

Competing Phones

To assess whether Fairphone 5 offers good value, here are some comparable phones competing in similar price / feature segments:

Competitor Strengths vs Fairphone 5 Weaknesses vs Fairphone 5
Google Pixel 7 / 7a Better camera processing, stronger performance & software refinement Less repairable, shorter warranty, lower modularity & less eco focus.
Nothing Phone 2 or similar mid-range Often lighter, more powerful GPUs, more flashy design Less open repair, fewer spare parts, fewer years of updates.
Samsung A series upper mid-range Wide availability, strong support, good service centers Might lack in eco credentials, repairability, and long-term update promise.
iPhone SE / older iPhones Strong ecosystem, resale value, camera & video quality Expensive, less repairability for user, fewer spare parts, not modular, battery aging etc.

Buying Tips for Fairphone 5

  • Choose 256 GB / 8 GB RAM version if you often store media, install many apps, or plan to keep phone for many years.

  • Check whether your region supports after-sales spare parts; repair availability is essential to its promise.

  • Look for bundled charger / cable deals; since the box often includes only minimal accessories (guide), adapters may cost extra.

  • Consider colors: Transparent back is visually appealing but might show fingerprints or require more careful handling.

Charging Tips for Fairphone 5

  • Use a good quality 30W USB-C charger; avoid low wattage chargers that stretch charging times.

  • Avoid excessive heat while charging; remove cases if the phone gets hot. Heat degrades battery faster.

  • Try not to let battery consistently drop to very low (<10 %) nor keep at 100 % all the time if possible—this helps prolong battery lifespan.

  • Because battery is replaceable, when battery health drops (after many years), replacing battery is more sustainable than replacing whole phone.

Fairphone 5 is a strong choice for buyers who care deeply about sustainability, repairability, and long-term usability. It may not compete with top flagships in raw performance or luxury features, but its OLED display, high-res cameras, removable battery, broad connectivity make it a capable all-rounder. If you prioritize ethics, environmental impact, and durability, the Fairphone 5 delivers a unique value proposition.

Contents of the Box for Fairphone 5

  • Fairphone 5 smartphone (device itself)

  • Quick-start guide

Note: Power adapter, USB-C cable, or headphones often not included (to reduce waste), depending on seller or version.

Approximate Price as of 17 September 2025

Below is a table with approximate prices for the 256 GB / 8 GB RAM version (or closest available variant), in various countries. These are estimates for new, unlocked units (excluding heavy customs, shipping variations):

Country Currency Approximate Price
United States USD $800
Canada CAD CA$1,100
United Kingdom GBP £650
Germany EUR €699
France EUR €699
Netherlands EUR €699
Sweden SEK SEK 7,500
Norway NOK NOK 8,500
Denmark DKK DKK 5,400
Spain EUR €699
Italy EUR €699
Australia AUD AUD 1,250
New Zealand NZD NZD 1,400
India INR ₹70,000
Japan JPY ¥120,000
China CNY ¥5,800
South Korea KRW ₩1,300,000
Brazil BRL R$4,500
Mexico MXN MX$17,000
South Africa ZAR R3,500
Egypt EGP EGP 18,000
United Arab Emirates AED AED 3,100
Saudi Arabia SAR SAR 3,000
Russia RUB ₽65,000
Turkey TRY TRY 16,000
Thailand THB THB 30,000
Indonesia IDR IDR 12,500,000
Malaysia MYR MYR 3,900
Singapore SGD SGD 1,100
Hong Kong HKD HK$6,200

(Note: local taxes, shipping fees, import duties can alter final price.)

Summary

Fairphone 5 is not for someone chasing every bleeding-edge spec. But if your priorities are a durable phone, one that you can repair, with long software support, reasonably good cameras, and strong ethical sourcing, then this phone stands out among mid-range 5G phones. For those who value sustainability and want to use a phone for many years rather than upgrade frequently, this is one of the best choices today.