The new fairphone 5 came out, it looks cool but the price is really, really high…

If it’s a phone that can really last 10 years it could be good, but is that true? Is it worth it? I could get the one with /e/os from Murena because i want a degoogled phone with a bootloader locked, but is it usable on a daily basis?

99 points
*
Deleted by creator
permalink
report
reply
46 points
*

Actually, when you buy a Fairphone directly from them, they offer you to send them your old phone to be refurbished and reused, I believe in 3rd world countries.

Edit: Here’s the direct link: https://shop.fairphone.com/recycle

permalink
report
parent
reply
23 points
*
Deleted by creator
permalink
report
parent
reply

It’s interesting that they include phone brands like MobiWire and Blackberry, but not Google.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-5 points
Deleted by creator
permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point
*
Deleted by creator
permalink
report
parent
reply
43 points

I’ve had a Fairphone 4 for just under a year running CalyxOS, and I am very happy with it. Not sure when / if CalyxOS will be available for FP5, but unless they have locked down anything, I don’t see why that shouldn’t happen. If I understand your post correctly, it is already available with e/OS/?

Maybe the specs are underwhelming, but with the FP4, it does not affect me the slightest based on my use case. Phones are more than good enough already. I do not play any games on my phone. Camera could be better - maybe it is on FP5? Is it the perfect phone? Nope, but at the moment, I think our choices are too limited if you want privacy and repairability. Supporting a company that pushes these kinds of phone is also a reason I went with this phone.

Swapable batteries are nice - I’ve not made use of it yet, but I am planning on getting one or two spare batteries for travel to keep in a printed case. In the EU, this will be mandatory in the future, but first form 2027. Other than that, I am happy with the ability to buy spare parts if something breaks. I can’t see myself ever buying something that is deliberately unrepairable again when there is no reason it should be. I don’t mind the lack of 3.5mm-port, which I know irritates a lot of people. If you swear to this, I can understand that this is disappointing. There exists an adapter, but my experience with these kind of adapters is that they quickly wear out. That was my experience with the iPhone and Apple’s own adapters at least. I burned through four in 1-2 years.

permalink
report
reply
12 points
*

Running a Fairphone 4 with IodéOS (another de-Googled privacy focused Android) for close to two years now and I agree that it’s a capable phone which doesn’t limit myself in any way.

As you mentioned the biggest downside is the camera, which apparently has something to do with the firmware.

Edit: regarding the headphone situation: I’m using Austrian Audio (=former AKG engineering team) Hi-X25BT headphones, which are noticeably better than pods or cheap headphones and have been running well over a year now. They come with both (mini-)jack to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables, but I haven’t tried the latter yet.

permalink
report
parent
reply
37 points
*

No.

No headphone jack, no buy. It’s not a question of whether a headphone jack is useful to you, it’s just the principle of it - there’s no good reason to remove it (especially for the asking price of FP5), and more importantly, it goes against what the Fairphone stands for, IMO. I can understand if it were some other profit-driven company making a shrewd business decision, but for Fairphone to do it, seems very unfair to me.

permalink
report
reply
24 points

There is a good reason to remove it. Especially for a company like fairphone. Why waste resources and money into making a redundant component (USB-C can do audio, also the majority of people have switched to wireless audio) when you’re trying to make a planet-conscious product?

permalink
report
parent
reply
36 points

There is no good faith argument that can be made for the removal of the headphone jack. Companies removed it to sell overpriced wireless headphones.
They said it was due to size, but new phones are quite chunky these days so that’s not true. Waterproofing? Can be done, many phones have waterproofing and a headphone jack.
Costs? Come on it’s a very simple, very old, plastic bit.
And sustainability? “planet-conscious”? You must be kidding. It’s way better to use regular headphones than the wireless pieces of crap with batteries and an amplifier and a bluetooth receiver in them.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Well good luck then. Because enough of us have absolutely no problem with using the usbc or Bluetooth. I rarely even listen to music anymore anyway so it’s not something I use.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-2 points

Companies removed it to sell overpriced wireless headphones.

Of course, I’m not denying this. That still doesn’t negate my point about audio jacks being redundant ports.

It’s way better to use regular headphones than the wireless pieces of crap with batteries and an amplifier and a bluetooth receiver in them.

Yes, and those regular headphones CAN be plugged into phones without headphone jack via the USB-C port

permalink
report
parent
reply
30 points
*

majority of people have switched to wireless audio

Citation needed. Also, just because people have “switched” to wireless doesn’t mean that they don’t have a pair of old wired headphones still lying around somewhere, unused, eventually turning into e-waste. Also, I suspect a significant portion of Fairphone users are the kind who’d still hold on to wired headphones.

when you’re trying to make a planet-conscious product?

The first rule in making a planet-conscious product is the RRR - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. If people already have wired headphones, then the most eco-friendly solution would be to enable users to continue to use them, and not force them to buy even more new products. And as a manufacturer, there’s practically no shortage of 3.5mm jacks around (plenty of old devices where the parts can be recycled from), and there’s almost no complexity involved in wiring up or making circuitry for something that’s been a standard for several decades.

permalink
report
parent
reply
20 points

Also, just because people have “switched” to wireless doesn’t mean that they don’t have a pair of old wired headphones still lying around somewhere, unused, eventually turning into e-waste.

Another use-case for the headphone jack: I use it to connect my phone to various audio devices, e. g. E-drums for practising playback or the practice room PA tolisten to demos. Nearly all professional equipment uses wired connections.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-4 points

Citation needed.

I don’t have a source ready with me to back up my statement. But at least here in India, almost everyone I see in public transportation use wireless earbuds. Usually I look like the odd one out for wearing wired earphones.

If people already have wired headphones, then the most eco-friendly solution would be to enable users to continue to use them, and not force them to buy even more new products.

You absolutely don’t need to go out and buy a new headphones if your phone doesn’t have an audio jack. Just buy a dongle. Yes, I’m aware that this is worse for the planet than just including an audio jack in the phone. But if you buy a dongle once, you don’t have to worry about your future phones not having a headphone jack. So in the long run, this move is better for the planet.

permalink
report
parent
reply
16 points

it’s not a redundant component at all. USB-C doesn’t carry analogue audio. You need an external DAC to convert that digital signal to analogue to make it usable. You can’t plug your headphones into a USB-C port.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-13 points

Basically you need to buy a 10$ dongle to make it work. How hard is that?

permalink
report
parent
reply
16 points
*

Regarding the “no good reason to remove it,” my understanding was that Samsung opted to remove it to increase the water resistance rating. Unfortunately the fairphone 4 only has an IP54 rating, so that’s certainly not the case here.

Apparently they address the headphones jack question in an article on fairphone’s support page.

permalink
report
parent
reply
22 points

Not arguing with you btw, but the excuses they’ve provided are all BS. For starters, IP rating isn’t really an issue - the Pixel 5a, Galaxy A52, Xperia 5 V, Zenfone 10 - all have a headphone jack, and a minimum of IP65, even going up to IP68 (Pixel 5a), so that really can’t be an excuse. Also, cost can’t be an excuse either, considering the examples I’ve provided consists of both budget and premium phones.

The only answer that makes sense here is GREED. Nothing but plain and good ol capitalism at work.

permalink
report
parent
reply
17 points

I think Air Pods netted Apple more money than Spotify’s annual revenue or some shit.

Which is why Samsung gave up after making fun of Apple.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Solid agree.

The Galaxy S5 from ~7 years ago was submersible, had a headphone jack, and was pretty damn slim.

Any points made by manufacturers now for 3.5mm removal IMO are just excuses in my eyes. A supply chain issue is the only reason I’ll (selfishly) accept.

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

i took a chance with the FP4 and bought it even though it has no 3,5mm jack. i absolutely hate it. if there’s no headphone jack on the next model, i will have to switch to nokia or shiftphone.

permalink
report
parent
reply
7 points

“This phone has a port I’m not going to use & I’m angry out of morals”

I’m still on a CRT because most new TV don’t have AVI for some reason, I convert AVI to HDMI on my CRT but its about the morals.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

Those legacy connectors (AV, SCART, S-Video, RF Modulators etc.) have had a superior replacement with no compromises though, HDMI.

The 3.5mm jack hasn’t really had a viable replacement IMO, and to be honest I don’t think it needs one. Personally I use bluetooth headphones when I’m out, usually switching it off in shopping environments (see #1 below) but indoors everything is 3.5mm.

My main problems with the omission of the 3.5mm jack are…

  • privacy: Beacon trackers can follow you through a store by monitoring the bluetooth packets between your phone and headphones
  • Limited spectrum space: if you’ve been on public transport where everyone is wearing BT headphones, the signal is terrible. Newer versions of BT are much better at frequency hopping compared to the old ones, but it’s still not a great listening experience
  • interference: retrofitting/replacing a perfectly good sound system just to add Bluetooth capabilities isn’t realistic for everyone. Most of the retrofit BT recievers add unnecessary interference to a sound setup, and this gets worse if you need a longer cable to put the aftermarket reciever somewhere to get a better BT signal for your phone
  • dongles: they’re a solution, however IMO it’s a bit of a janky one that puts unnecessary strain on your charging port when you’re out and about. They also may consume more battery life (external ADC via USB, if your device/headphones/dongle does not support amplifying audio directly over the C port) and even more jank when the headphone cable is weighing down the dongle. In something like a car, or maybe home too, these dongles are OK, but they’re a non starter for people who like to go out and about.

My biggest issue though is the planned obselecence stuff. The tiny li-ion batteries in the buds being pushed by manufacturers as a “3.5mm replacement” are likely going to get their recharge cycles rinsed out with frequent usage, leading the consumer to buy new buds every 2 years, just like with phones. It’s really disappointing.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points
*

if only USB C headphones existed, also 3.5mm jacks aren’t prefect and tend to snap and get warn out quite quickly.

But like your comment is completely beside the point, your allowed to want a headphone jack and u can freely dictate your purchasing habits due to that. But it isn’t anything to do with Morals

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

On the GrapheneOS side, a used Pixel 5a js the last good phone… both size and a headphone jack. Sucks a lot.

permalink
report
parent
reply
-1 points
*
Removed by mod
permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

I like a headphone jack and definitely prefer to have one but even to me that’s a really fucking stupid comment!

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Often a phone with no heasphone jack will offer a higher degree of waterproofing performance. Not the case with the Fairphone, I’m guessing because it’s modular. But doesn’t that mean I can add a headphone jack?

permalink
report
parent
reply
-1 points

Personally, I don’t want a huge hole in my phone and case that I’m never going to take advantage of. Wireless headphones with noise cancelling and such are far more convenient when outside than the open backs I use at my computer. The DAC in most desktops suck so I use a USB-C to 3.5mm anyways, makes it really easy to plug into my phone if I ever needed.

Just my opinion for my situation, but I would honestly rather buy the same phone without a headphone jack than one that did.

permalink
report
parent
reply
35 points

If you’re not a power user, then it’ll probably work fine for several years. And it will be cheap and easy to replace the battery in 3-5 years when it starts to degrade, or replace the screen if you drop it. Not sure if a full 10 year lifespan is realistic, though.

And you’re right, the price is high, but it’s not supposed to be an affordable phone. The stated goal of the Fairphone is to be better for the environment and better for people than most other electronics. So, they have to do things like use sustainable materials and source parts from places that treat their workers well. All of that means that Fairphones will NEVER be as cheap as other brands. Because doing things right costs more.

permalink
report
reply
9 points

We’ll probably never be allowed Fairphone in USA, which I’ve been eying since before launch. Curiosity got the better of me anyway; it’s still cheaper than iPhone https://eu.mobgsm.com/mobile/apple-iphone-14-pro-max-price-in-europe

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

Wasn’t the FP4 launched in the US recently?

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

I had to search, and so it was! https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/5/23783714/murena-fairphone-4-us-release-date-price-sustainability-repair

It’s still currently not budgetable, but it’s closer! Thanks for great news!

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Do you not count the Murena partnership? I’ve been considering a Fairphone since I saw this.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

I don’t know enough about Murena to speculate, let alone comment

permalink
report
parent
reply
29 points

The price feels really high, you’re right. For me, it makes me think of why the rest is the phones are not more expensive. If FP5 costs this much with such underwhelming specs, but with a truly fair supply chain, then all other players must be cutting a lot of corners. I will must likely be getting a FP5 because of the statement. Just hope the camera is good enough that I can live with it for 10 years…

permalink
report
reply
9 points

Ingl, I don’t see the difference between phone cameras anymore. I mean, I do when I look very closely, but if I want a really proper photo, I use a standalone camera. (Or ask people who own lenses twice as expensive as my phone on their own.)

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points
*

I suspect the question isn’t just how sharp or high res or low distortion or whatever your pictures are, but how fast will the camera open and take a picture and how many of those pictures are good enough given the range of lighting and distance people want quick pics of.

If you miss a lot of shots because the camera is too slow or crashes or the files are blurry, text unreadable, out of focus, badly exposed… failures of any kind, then the camera is not usable. That’s still not uncommon in phones.

Lots of people are starting to figure out how useful being able to take a picture at a moment’s notice is.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

then all other players must be cutting a lot of corners

I mean, I’m pretty sure other phone companies use child labor to harvest the raw materials necessary to produce their devices, so yeah, they are screwing over tons of people.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Privacy

!privacy@lemmy.ml

Create post

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

  • Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn’t great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
  • Don’t promote proprietary software
  • Try to keep things on topic
  • If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
  • Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
  • Be nice :)

Related communities

Chat rooms

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

Community stats

  • 4.1K

    Monthly active users

  • 2.9K

    Posts

  • 78K

    Comments