You Thought the CMF Phones Were Modular? Meet the Fairphone 6
You might be familiar with the CMF Phones and its modular concept and cool detachable accessories, but have you heard of the Fairphone?
We won’t blame you if you haven’t. While CMF Phones are available in Malaysia — with the latest being the Phone 2 Pro — Fairphones have never reached our shores. Or perhaps, not yet? Whatever the case, like the CMF, Fairphone prides itself on modularity, but takes it a step further with high repairability.
This is exemplified by the Fairphone 6, which just launched yesterday. Staying true to its modular concept, the Fairphone 6’s default rear panel can be unscrewed and refitted with panels that contain accessories — including a card holder, finger loop, or lanyard.
But more than just mix-and-matching accessories and rear panels, the Fairphone 6 boasts high repairability, allowing users to repair or replace certain parts of the phone themselves — as long as they know which parts need tweaking. Users can access and swap 12 different areas of the phone — including the screen, battery, and USB port — using only standard screwdrivers, no special tools required.
The great part about all this is Fairphone’s dedication to guiding users through the process. Everything needed to replace, repair, or install accessories is available in concise, straight-to-the-point videos on Fairphone’s YouTube channel, which goes a long way from a customer standpoint.
The cherry on top is that the Fairphone 6 promises EIGHT years of software support, and comes with a five-year warranty to boot.
You might have some reservations about the phone’s quality by now, and you’re right to think that the Fairphone won’t compete with the mainstream flagship models. But still, it can hold its own and compete in the market with its specs.
The Fairphone 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, supported by 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which is expandable up to 2TB. With a 6.31″ OLED display, this can be considered a small (or at least, small-ish) phone, though visuals are decent, with a FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,400 nits peak brightness. It’s also protected with Gorilla Glass 7i.
The phone is powered by a 4,415mAh battery that’s easily replaceable by unscrewing seven screws on the back panel. The camera array holds up to flagship standards, with a 50MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide.
The only real downside is its IP55 rating, due to the panels not being sealed and glued together. While it won’t survive a dip in the pool, it should withstand raindrops and light splashes.
The Fairphone 6, unfortunately, isn’t sold in Malaysia, and it’s hard to find even through third-party retailers since it’s still a bit under the radar. For reference, the Fairphone 6 retails in Europe at €599, which is about RM2,947.32 when converted.
If the Fairphone 6 ever made its way to Malaysia, would it be something you’d consider?
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