Can a smartphone last for decades? How the Fairphone works
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:20 am
We're used to changing our smartphones every few years — we're encouraged to do so by Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers who introduce new products every year. But what if we used the same device for a whole decade? It's possible, but most modern gadgets aren't designed for that.
The New York Times journalist Brian H. Chen figured out how to extend the life of a phone using the Fairphone as an example — one of these "long-lasting" devices.
Popular smartphones on the market are not designed to last for many years. They are tightly sealed with glue so that the user cannot see inside. Cameras and screens cannot be replaced individually, and software updates are only available for a limited period of time: about two years for Android and five years for iPhone.
The short smartphone ownership cycle is beneficial for tech companies, but probably not for us and our wallets.
Manufacturers treat consumer electronics like fashion, says Don Norman, former vice president of advanced technology at Apple and author of about 20 books on design. Every year they release products that are less and less repairable and add features that accelerate their obsolescence.
But a durable phone isn't just a fantasy. One already exists: the $580 Fairphone 4. It's designed by Amsterdam-based startup Fairphone and sold only in Europe.
The phone has a plastic cover that can be easily removed to uruguay number data reveal its internals. Components can be replaced in minutes by simply unscrewing a few common screws.
Fairphone is the complete opposite of most modern smartphones. To get a phone with new technologies, you don't have to completely change your current device, and if it breaks, it can be easily repaired.
Appearance and components
Take a close look at your iPhone or Android phone. Note: it's held together tightly with unique screws (Apple even designed its own) that require special screwdrivers. The Fairphone, on the other hand, comes with a small screwdriver that allows you to open it.
By opening the case, you can replace the main components of the Fairphone 4
It takes less than five minutes to completely disassemble the Fairphone. It takes about the same amount of time to assemble it. Behind the plastic cover is the camera, battery, speakers, and other components. They are secured with regular screws that can be quickly unscrewed with a screwdriver.
The New York Times journalist Brian H. Chen figured out how to extend the life of a phone using the Fairphone as an example — one of these "long-lasting" devices.
Popular smartphones on the market are not designed to last for many years. They are tightly sealed with glue so that the user cannot see inside. Cameras and screens cannot be replaced individually, and software updates are only available for a limited period of time: about two years for Android and five years for iPhone.
The short smartphone ownership cycle is beneficial for tech companies, but probably not for us and our wallets.
Manufacturers treat consumer electronics like fashion, says Don Norman, former vice president of advanced technology at Apple and author of about 20 books on design. Every year they release products that are less and less repairable and add features that accelerate their obsolescence.
But a durable phone isn't just a fantasy. One already exists: the $580 Fairphone 4. It's designed by Amsterdam-based startup Fairphone and sold only in Europe.
The phone has a plastic cover that can be easily removed to uruguay number data reveal its internals. Components can be replaced in minutes by simply unscrewing a few common screws.
Fairphone is the complete opposite of most modern smartphones. To get a phone with new technologies, you don't have to completely change your current device, and if it breaks, it can be easily repaired.
Appearance and components
Take a close look at your iPhone or Android phone. Note: it's held together tightly with unique screws (Apple even designed its own) that require special screwdrivers. The Fairphone, on the other hand, comes with a small screwdriver that allows you to open it.
By opening the case, you can replace the main components of the Fairphone 4
It takes less than five minutes to completely disassemble the Fairphone. It takes about the same amount of time to assemble it. Behind the plastic cover is the camera, battery, speakers, and other components. They are secured with regular screws that can be quickly unscrewed with a screwdriver.