Fairphone 4 The Ethical Smartphone Unveiled Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Fairphone 4 stands out in the competitive smartphone market thanks to its unique design philosophy focused on sustainability and user repairability. This phone is designed to be environmentally friendly while ensuring durability and functionality for everyday users. The device measures 162 x 75.5 x 10.5 mm and weighs 225 grams, making it robust yet portable. It features a Gorilla Glass 5 front, an aluminum frame, and a plastic back that collectively provide a sleek yet strong build.

The attention to build quality is apparent in components like the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, facilitating secure and quick access to the device. Unlike many modern smartphones, the Fairphone 4 is designed for easy repair and component replacement, allowing users to extend the device's life significantly and reduce electronic waste.

Display

The Fairphone 4 sports a 6.3-inch IPS LCD that occupies about 79.7% of the front panel. With a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 409 ppi, the display offers sharp, vibrant images and videos, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and daily applications. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 not only ensures added protection against scratches and falls but also maintains screen clarity and touch sensitivity.

Performance and Processing Power

Under the hood, the Fairphone 4 is powered by the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset, constructed on an 8nm process, ensuring power efficiency and decent performance. The octa-core CPU setup consists of 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores, coupled with an Adreno 619 GPU for handling graphical tasks seamlessly. This setup ensures smooth performance across various applications including multitasking, gaming, and general day-to-day activities.

The device comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM variants, allowing for a responsive user experience under typical usage scenarios, while storage options of 128GB or 256GB, expandable via microSDXC, ensure ample space for applications, media, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The Fairphone 4 is equipped with a dual main camera setup, featuring a 48 MP wide sensor with an aperture of f/1.6, equipped with PDAF and optical image stabilization (OIS), ensuring impressive low-light performance and stable photography. It also includes a 48 MP ultrawide sensor with an aperture of f/2.2 to capture wider shots and a TOF 3D sensor for depth sensing in bokeh and portrait modes.

The front-facing camera houses a 25 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, ideal for selfies and video calls. Both the main and selfie cameras support video recording, with the main camera capable of shooting 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, and the front camera supporting 1080p at 30fps.

Battery Life and Charging

The device is powered by a 3905 mAh lithium-ion battery that is removable, following Fairphone's philosophy of user-accessible repairs and replacements. This battery size should provide ample power for a full day of moderate to heavy use. It supports 20W fast charging, capable of charging the device to 50% in just 30 minutes, which is competitive in today's fast-paced environment.

Operating System and Software

Initially running on Android 11 with a planned upgrade to Android 12, the Fairphone 4 provides a smooth, near-stock Android experience. Fairphone is committed to providing software updates and security patches well beyond the typical industry norms, ensuring users benefit from ongoing improvements and security enhancements over the lifetime of the phone.

Connectivity and Network Support

In terms of connectivity, the Fairphone 4 supports an array of network technologies including GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G, providing vast coverage and fast internet speeds where the infrastructure is available. The device supports dual-SIM functionality through a combination of nano-SIM and eSIM.

Additional connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring compatibility with modern wireless environments and accessories, along with providing superior data transfer speeds and efficient power delivery.

Environmental and Ethical Impact

Fairphone has set itself apart by focusing intensely on ethically sourced materials, fair labor practices, and sustainability. The Fairphone 4 has received a high repairability score due to its design, which allows users to replace components such as batteries, screens, and cameras easily, reducing the need to dispose of the device over minor damages.

Final Thoughts

The Fairphone 4 is not just a smartphone; it represents a significant step toward sustainable and ethical electronics. While it competes well with other mid-range smartphones in terms of specs and performance, its most substantial achievement lies in its commitment to reducing electronic waste and promoting fair trade practices in technology manufacturing.

The blend of practical features, decent performance, and an unwavering focus on sustainability makes the Fairphone 4 an appealing choice for environmentally conscious consumers who are not willing to compromise on the quality and functionality expected from a modern smartphone.