Fairphone 4 (8GB + 256GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Voxel Hub review highlights the Fairphone 4 as a champion of sustainability, featuring a modular design that facilitates easy repairs and boasts a perfect 10/10 iFixit score. Key benefits include exceptional durability, strong battery life, 5G connectivity, and a commitment to longevity that significantly reduces environmental impact. However, the review notes a few drawbacks: the 6.3-inch LCD screen lacks the vibrancy of OLED competitors, the design is relatively "chunky," and the camera system is described as merely "decent". Additionally, the device omits a 3.5mm headphone jack, and users might find the camera quality inferior to mainstream flagships. Ultimately, the Fairphone 4 is recommended for users prioritizing sustainability and repairability over cutting-edge performance.

The Fairphone 4 is a modular, sustainable device focusing on ethical production, user repairability, and a five-year warranty, rather than cutting-edge specifications. Its key pros include a easily replaceable battery, a robust modular design requiring only a screwdriver, and the use of fair-trade materials, making it a top choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Conversely, the device faces cons due to its design, featuring a heavy, thick chassis and a dated 60Hz LCD display with thick bezels, placing it behind competitors in display technology. While the Snapdragon 750G processor handles daily tasks adequately, the €579+ price point is high for its performance, and the dual-camera system can struggle with low-light, despite a capable selfie camera. Ultimately, NextPit rates the Fairphone 4 at 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting that users pay a premium for ethical labor and sustainability rather than raw hardware, making it a functional, long-lasting daily driver. It is presented as a crucial, eco-friendly alternative to mainstream, disposable smartphones. www.nextpit.com

The DXOMARK camera review for the Fairphone 4 highlights a device prioritizing ethics over top-tier imaging, earning a 69 overall score. While praised for low noise levels and accurate white balance in bright light, the device suffers from significant limitations including frequent underexposure, limited dynamic range, and a lack of detail in low-light conditions. Additional drawbacks include unnatural skin tones, poor zoom performance, and the absence of a dedicated bokeh mode. Video performance is adequate in static, well-lit scenes, yet falls behind due to autofocus instability and sharpness issues during movement.

Based on the review, here is a three-paragraph summary of the Fairphone 4: The Fairphone 4 is highlighted as a durable, long-lasting alternative to mainstream smartphones, specifically designed to combat planned obsolescence. The reviewer praises its repairability, noting that users can easily replace parts like the screen or battery using only a screwdriver. Beyond its hardware longevity, Fairphone commits to five years of software updates, far exceeding the industry standard for budget or mid-range devices. Additionally, the device is commended for its ethical manufacturing, utilizing recycled materials and providing bonuses to assembly line workers. In terms of hardware performance, the phone is described as well-built and solid, though it is nearly twice as thick as some competitors to accommodate its modular design. Key pros include a screen that is easily readable in bright sunlight and a long battery life that can last a couple of days on a single charge. However, the reviewer notes some minor cons, such as a back cover that rattles slightly when tapped and a tinny speaker at high volumes. Despite these small trade-offs, the camera...

The Fairphone 4 is presented as a device prioritizing ethical production and longevity, featuring modular design for easy repair and components like a Snapdragon 750G processor and 6.3-inch FHD+ LCD. Pros include its durable build, five-year warranty, long-term software support, 5G connectivity, and use of recycled materials. However, cons such as mediocre camera performance, bulky design, lack of a headphone jack and wireless charging are noted.

The Fairphone 4 balances ethical manufacturing with modern smartphone features through its modular design, which allows for easy component replacement, supported by a five-year warranty and extended software updates. Powered by a Snapdragon 750G chipset, it offers reliable mid-range performance with 5G, a clear 6.3-inch LCD, and impressive battery life, running a clean version of Android 11. However, its sustainable build results in a bulkier design, lack of premium features like an OLED screen or wireless charging, and notably poor camera quality, making it a more expensive option relative to its hardware.

According to a ZDNET review, the Fairphone 4 5G is a mid-range smartphone prioritizing ethical sourcing and longevity over technical power, featuring a modular design for easy parts replacement and an industry-leading five-year warranty and up to six years of software support. Pros include its sustainable construction, 5G connectivity, clean Android software, microSD card slot, and physical SIM/eSIM dual setup. However, cons include its chunky build, relatively high price for its specs, merely "serviceable" camera quality, and lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and wireless charging.

The LB Tech Reviews assessment of the Fairphone 4 characterizes it as a device prioritizing ethical production and sustainability, featuring a modular design for easy repairs but comes at a premium price compared to competitors with stronger internal hardware. The phone is praised for its unparalleled repairability with easily swappable components, ethical construction using recycled materials, and strong support including a five-year warranty and promised software updates until at least 2027. However, the review notes significant drawbacks including outdated performance from the Snapdragon 750G processor, subpar camera quality, a compromised 60Hz LCD display lacking contrast, a bulky design, and the absence of a headphone jack or included charger.

The Fairphone 4 is described as a significant step for the company, bridging the gap between an ethical project and a modern smartphone through its unique modular design allowing easy component swaps. Pros include a high-quality build with recycled plastic and IP54 rating, consistently good performance for daily tasks with a Snapdragon 750G chipset and bloatware-free Android, and a battery lasting over a day. Cons involve hardware compromises like an outdated 60Hz LCD screen with large bezels, a weak dual 48MP camera system struggling with focus and low light, and the removal of the headphone jack.

According to a Forbes review by Ewan Spence, the Fairphone 4 represents a significant evolution for the brand, offering a modular design, sustainable features like a removable battery, and modern specifications including a Snapdragon 750G chipset and 5G. However, the device has notable drawbacks, including a high price relative to its performance, a camera that struggles in certain conditions, a thick build, and the removal of the headphone jack. Spence concludes that despite these compromises, the Fairphone 4 is a successful blend of ethical principles and practical technology, backed by a five-year warranty and extended software support, making it the first Fairphone he would generally recommend.

According to TechRadar, the Fairphone 4 balances ethical manufacturing with a functional mid-range experience, featuring a highly repairable, modular "tank-like" design. The device offers a5-year warranty, long-term software support, and a durable, eco-conscious design. However, the phone is considered heavy and "chunky" at 225g, featuring a 60Hz LCD display with thick bezels that lacks a premium feel. Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset handles daily tasks, but the 48MP cameras often produce dull, desaturated images compared to competitors. While charging is slow at 20W, the 3,905mAh battery provides impressive longevity, making it a sustainable, albeit dated-feeling, option for users.

The Fairphone 4, reviewed by The Guardian, is highlighted as a significant upgrade focused on ethical production and repairability, featuring a £499 price point, an aluminium body, and a recycled plastic back. Key advantages include an industry-leading five-year warranty and modular design allowing easy part replacement. However, the device is described as chunky and heavy, with a mid-range processor offering average performance, and notable cons like the lack of a headphone socket and weaker reception compared to competitors. The camera system, despite having dual 48-megapixel sensors, is identified as the biggest weakness, producing "muddy" or grainy images in challenging conditions, ultimately concluding that while great for those prioritizing sustainability, it lacks the polish of mainstream rivals.