Table of Contents
If you’re looking for the most eco-friendly phone of 2021, the Fairphone 4 is by far the best choice. It’s the newest smartphone from Fairphone, a company that specialises in tech made from eco-friendly materials that are sourced in a sustainable way and built in factories that treat workers well.
The Fairphone 4 is the company’s new device for 2021. This is the first “new” device from the company since the Fairphone 3 in 2019. We say this because the Fairphone 3 Plus of 2020 was really just an upgraded version of the 3. We don’t say this lightly, either, because you could change the parts in your 3 to make it a 3 Plus.
Fairphone 4 Specifications
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2022 |
| Dimensions | 159.6 x 75.6 x 9.2 mm |
| Weight | 190 g |
| Display | 6.3 inches, AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| OS | Android 12 |
Design and build
Fairphone says that the phone is made with materials from “sustainable and fairer sources” by using recycled plastics and Fairtrade-certified sellers. The device is 10.5mm thick, which is thicker than the iPhone 13, which is 7.7mm thick. It is also a big phone, with big edges and a big screen. The flexible design of the Fairphone 4 is to blame for this extra weight. You can take off the back cover and remove the battery, just like on phones from at least ten years ago. You can buy this phone from its official website
Fairphone 4: Display
The Fairphone 4’s 6.3-inch LCD screen is fine, but if you want the best screen you can get for this price, it’s not the best thing about it. But it seems a little pointless to compare the phone to other mid-range phones because it has a totally different business plan and set of principles.
Yes, you can find a phone with a better 120Hz OLED screen instead of the 60Hz LCD screen on the Fairphone. But the first device won’t have been bought in an ethical way from the manufacturer all the way to you, which is probably why you want to buy from Fairphone in the first place.
Fairphone 4: Cameras
When there is a lot of light, the colours tend to be too bright, and it’s hard to see details when there isn’t much light. But they are a lot better than the cameras on past Fairphones, and the 25Mp front-facing camera is surprisingly good and can record in 1080p at 30fps.
The main camera on the back of the Fairphone 4 can record in 4K at 30 frames per second. For the price, this makes it a good camera and video recorder, but it’s nothing special in the world of modern smartphone cameras.
Fairphone 4: Performance
The Fairphone 4 is a good choice for a mid-range phone because it is fairly cheap, good for the environment, and a big step up from its predecessor. It is also the obvious choice right now for anyone who wants a phone that will last through drops, falls, and years of use.
People who are used to a high-end smartphone might not like the Fairphone 4 because it has a lower refresh rate, a weaker processor, big bezels, and an LCD screen. The camera is the only major flaw in the Fairphone 4’s otherwise good performance.
Battery and charging
The Fairphone 4 can charge at 30W with a wired USB-C charger, but in keeping with its green image, it does not come with a charger brick or cord. It sells these accessories in the UK for £31.95 and £21.95 each. However, £31.95 is a very high price for a USB-C connection, even if it is made to last like this one is.
Many other Android phones can charge faster than 30W, but most Samsung phones can only charge as fast as 25W. If you already have a USB-C charger, it will work fine to charge the Fairphone 4.
Price and availability
The Fairphone 4 can charge at 30W with a wired USB-C charger, but in keeping with its green image, it does not come with a charger brick or cord. It sells these accessories in the UK for £31.95 and £21.95 each. However, £31.95 is a very high price for a USB-C connection.
Final Words
The Fairphone 4 is by far the best Fairphone we’ve seen so far, and it’s also a very good smartphone in general. If the company can keep spare parts in store and keep its promise that the software will work for five years, it will be the most ethical and environmentally friendly phone you can buy right now and for the next few years.
Fairphone 4 review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Has a durable body
- Great battery life
The Bad
- Iffy camera performance
FAQS
The Fairphone 4 is a good choice for a mid-range phone because it is fairly cheap, good for the environment, and a big step up from its predecessor. It is also the obvious choice right now for anyone who wants a phone that will last through drops, falls, and years of use.
This smartphone is not compatible with any CDMA networks, like VERIZON, SPRINT, or US CELLULAR, so it won’t work with them.