- The Fairphone 6+ (Gen 6+) gets a boost with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and 12GB RAM, double the previous model's memory, while keeping the same repairable chassis.
- Android 16 ships out of the box with six promised OS upgrades, and the phone is now available in the US with a full line of accessories and replacement parts.
- The base Fairphone 6 is priced at €599 / £499 in the UK and Europe, with the 6+ arriving roughly a year after its predecessor.
Fairphone's never been about chasing the latest specs. For over a decade, the Dutch manufacturer has built its reputation on modular design, ethical sourcing, and a refusal to follow the annual upgrade cycle. So when the company announced the Fairphone 6+, the question wasn't "how fast is it?" but rather "what's the story behind the 'plus'?" According to Fairphone, the answer is a phone that's all about making a proven formula last longer, run smoother, and reach a broader audience.
What's New in the Fairphone 6+
On paper, the Fairphone 6+ is a modest refresh of the Fairphone 6 that launched in 2025. The most significant internal change is the processor: the 6+ swaps the previous Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 for a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, as reported by Ars Technica and Fairphone's official product page. RAM jumps from 8GB to 12GB, which Fairphone's Instagram account calls "our highest yet." That's a notable increase, especially during a global RAM shortage, as described by Ars Technica.
Beyond those two components, the phone is largely the same device. Wired describes it as "a small upgrade over the Gen 6," and Ars Technica agrees: "The Fairphone Gen 6+ is not an entirely new phone." The display, battery, camera system, and overall form factor carry over from the previous generation. The one visible change is a new Cobalt Blue colorway, joining Horizon Black and Forest Green.
Performance: What to Expect
Fairphone frames the 6+ as an intentional refinement rather than a spec bump. The company claims app loading and switching speeds are up to 24% faster, while system RAM reservation time is down by up to 20%. Fairphone's official story reads: "The 'plus' isn't about adding features for a longer spec sheet. It's about intentional improvements that keep your device capable for longer." That positioning makes sense for a company whose core audience values longevity over raw performance.
But here's the thing: Fairphone's own language, "significant boost in performance," is somewhat contradicted by Wired's characterization of the upgrade as "small." The truth likely sits in between: the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is a mid-range chip, so users upgrading from the Gen 6 should expect smoother multitasking, not a night-and-day difference.
Repairability: The Core Identity
If the Fairphone 6+ doesn't impress with specs, it more than compensates with its modular design. Ars Technica's teardown highlights the phone's two-screw rear panel: "With other phones, even something simple like replacing an aging battery often requires melting adhesive, prying apart fragile glass panels, and decoupling cables. The Fairphone Gen 6+ has two screws on the back to open the rear panel, providing access to the internals." The battery is removable, the USB-C port is replaceable, and the phone ships with a microSD card slot — features that have all but vanished from mainstream flagships.
A YouTube teardown from the company itself poses a question: "Is the Fairphone 6 Plus the most repairable smartphone you can buy?" Based on the modular construction, the answer is plausibly yes. That repairability comes with a trade-off: the phone is only rated IP55, meaning it's safe from splashes but not full submersion. For most users, that's an acceptable compromise; for anyone who regularly drops their phone in pools, it's a dealbreaker.
Pricing and Availability: The US Push
The Fairphone 6+ is now available in the United States, marking a significant expansion for the brand. Ars Technica reports the company is offering not just the phone but "a full line of accessories and replacement parts so you can keep your phone running for years." This is the first time Fairphone has made a serious play for the US market, and the company's CEO, Raymond van Eck, is candid about the strategy: "We are really now expanding toward a more mainstream crowd," he told Wired.
In the UK and Europe, the standard Fairphone 6 is priced at €599 / £499 for the version running Fairphone's custom Android software, according to a Gizchina Facebook post. The 6+ is expected to carry a similar price point, though exact pricing for the new model hasn't been officially confirmed across all regions. The US launch includes the full accessory ecosystem, which is a meaningful step for a company that has historically been Europe-focused.
Software Commitment: Android 16 and Six OS Upgrades
One of the Fairphone 6+'s strongest selling points is its software longevity. The phone ships with Android 16 out of the box, and Fairphone promises six OS upgrades over its lifetime. That's a longer support window than most Android manufacturers offer, and it aligns with the company's sustainability mission — a phone that stays secure and current for years is a phone that doesn't end up in a drawer.
Fairphone also includes a physical switch on the side of the device that activates "Fairphone Moments," a minimal interface designed to reduce digital distractions. It's a small feature, but one that reinforces the company's focus on intentional use rather than endless scrolling.
The Cobalt Blue Story and Ethical Sourcing
The new Cobalt Blue colorway isn't just a design choice. Fairphone explains that the color "serves as a nod to our origin story as a conflict mineral awareness campaign and our commitment to fairly sourced raw materials." Cobalt is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries, and much of the world's supply is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo under conditions that have drawn international scrutiny. Fairphone has long worked to improve working conditions in those mines, and the color is a visible reminder of that mission.
It's a clever piece of branding — the color tells a story without requiring a single extra spec sheet bullet. But it also underscores the company's broader approach: every design decision is tied to a larger narrative about ethics and sustainability.
Fairphone's Strategy: Mainstream Ambitions Without Annual Launches
Despite the 6+ arriving only a year after the Gen 6, Fairphone insists it isn't shifting to a yearly release cycle. Van Eck told Wired the company "still plans to stick to its cadence of launching new phone generations every 2 years." The 6+ is an exception, driven by the opportunity to ship a meaningful hardware refresh and expand into the US market.
That patience is both a strength and a limitation. On one hand, it means Fairphone owners aren't constantly chasing upgrades. On the other, it means the company's hardware lags behind the cutting edge — the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is a solid mid-range chip, but it's not competing with the latest flagship silicon from Qualcomm or Apple. Van Eck acknowledges the company is "not immune to the challenges" of the broader smartphone market, including the pressure to support AI-powered features that demand more RAM.
Still, the 6+ represents a deliberate bet: that there's a growing audience of consumers who care more about repairability, ethical sourcing, and software longevity than about benchmark scores. With the US launch and a mainstream marketing push, Fairphone is betting that bet will pay off.
Fairphone 6+ Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 |
| RAM | 12GB (up from 8GB in Gen 6) |
| Operating System | Android 16 out of the box; six OS upgrades promised |
| Battery | Removable |
| Ports | Removable USB-C port |
| Storage Expansion | MicroSD card slot |
| Colors | Horizon Black, Forest Green, Cobalt Blue |
| Water Resistance | IP55 (splash-resistant, not submersible) |
| Materials | ~50% recycled materials |
| Repairability | Two-screw rear panel; modular internals |
| Price (Fairphone 6 base) | €599 / £499 (UK/EU) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fairphone 6+ a completely new phone?
No — it's a modest refresh of the Fairphone 6 with a newer processor, double the RAM, and a new Cobalt Blue color option.
How much does the Fairphone 6+ cost?
Exact 6+ pricing hasn't been fully confirmed, but the base Fairphone 6 is priced at €599 / £499 in the UK and Europe.
Is the battery removable?
Yes, the battery is removable, and the rear panel opens with just two screws.
How long will the Fairphone 6+ receive software updates?
Fairphone promises six OS upgrades, starting with Android 16 out of the box.
Is the Fairphone 6+ available in the US?
Yes, the phone launched in the US with a full line of accessories and replacement parts.
Final Thoughts
The Fairphone 6+ isn't a revolution — it's a refinement of a formula that already worked. For existing Fairphone owners, the upgrade is modest; for newcomers, especially in the US, it's an accessible entry point into a phone that prioritizes repairability and ethics over raw specs. Now, Fairphone's growth hinges on whether its unique blend of sustainability and practicality can win over a broader audience. If it can, the company might just prove that you don't need the latest and greatest specs to make a compelling phone.
Sources
- gizchina.com
- facebook.com
- fairphone.com
- wired.com
- arstechnica.com
- instagram.com
- youtube.com