Fairphone 3

NETWORK
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 26
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps
LAUNCH
Announced 2019, August 27. Released 2019, September 03
Status Discontinued
BODY
Dimensions 158 x 71.8 x 9.9 mm (6.22 x 2.83 x 0.39 in)
Weight 189 g (6.67 oz)
SIM Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
DISPLAY
Type IPS LCD
Size 5.65 inches, 82.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~427 ppi density)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 5
PLATFORM
OS Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 13
Chipset Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver)
GPU Adreno 506
MEMORY
Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal 64GB 4GB RAM
eMMC 5.1
MAIN CAMERA
Single 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Video 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
SELFIE CAMERA
Single 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0″
Video 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
ADVERTISEMENT
SOUND
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
COMMS
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
NFC Yes
Radio No
USB USB Type-C 2.0
FEATURES
Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
BATTERY
Type Li-Ion 3040 mAh, removable
MISC
Colors Black
SAR EU 0.39 W/kg (head)     1.41 W/kg (body)
Price About 400 EUR

Fairphone 3 Overall Review

The Fairphone 3, announced in August 2019, marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable and ethically produced smartphones. It boasts a 5.65-inch display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, combining durability with a decent screen size for multimedia consumption and daily tasks. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset and equipped with 4 GB of RAM, the Fairphone 3 delivers adequate performance for most applications and multitasking needs.

A notable feature of this device is its 3040 mAh battery, which is designed to be replaceable, extending the phone’s lifespan and reducing e-waste. The Fairphone 3 comes with 64 GB of internal storage, offering ample space for apps and media, which can be further expanded via a microSD card.

Sustainability is at the core of the Fairphone 3’s design. It is built using fair trade materials and aims to offer a more ethical alternative to traditional smartphones. The modular design not only facilitates easier repairs but also encourages users to upgrade individual components instead of replacing the whole device, further emphasizing its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Fairphone 3 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Ethical and sustainable design, using fair trade materials.
  • Modular build allows for easy repairs and upgrades, prolonging the device’s lifespan.
  • Decent performance and storage capacity for everyday use.
  • Replaceable battery enhances sustainability and convenience.

Cons:

  • The camera and overall performance may not compete with high-end models.
  • Limited availability in certain regions may make it difficult to purchase and service.
  • Premium price point due to ethical sourcing and sustainable production practices.

Fairphone 3