The Fairphone 3 has reached an important milestone, marking the end of its official software support cycle. While the journey is coming to a close, it also highlights how long a smartphone can realistically last.

Seven years of support and design evolution

Launched in 2019 with a promise of five years of updates, the Fairphone 3 has now completed seven years of support, extending well beyond its original target. The final software update is expected to roll out by June 2026, with support ending in August. This extended lifecycle stands out in a market where most smartphones receive significantly shorter update timelines.

The device also marked a shift in design for the brand. It introduced a more refined and modular build compared to earlier models, making repairs easier and improving accessibility of spare parts. Over time, updates such as the Fairphone 3+ brought improvements in camera modules and audio, while maintaining compatibility with existing hardware.

Beyond hardware, the Fairphone 3 played a role in Fairphone’s broader sustainability initiatives. It was the first device linked to the company’s living wage program, which has contributed over $1.25 USD to supply chain workers since its introduction. The phone also supported reuse initiatives, where components like displays, motherboards, and speaker modules were refurbished and made available again.

Even as official support ends, the device is expected to remain functional through alternative operating systems. Platforms such as LineageOS, /e/OS, and postmarketOS continue to offer updates, extending the usability of the hardware further. Fairphone has also shared development work to support these communities, encouraging longer device lifespans.

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The confusion surrounding Android updates on smartphones regrettably persists at full speed.While there has been significant improvement compared to a few years ago, users are still concerned about the inconsistent update schedules across different manufacturers. Thankfully, companies like Samsung and Xiaomi are making efforts to address this issue. Recently, Fairphone joined the ranks of these companies, bringing Android 13 to older smartphones through a new beta update. Here are the details…

Android 13 Comes to Fairphone 3 and 3+ Models

A Dutch Android phone manufacturer, Fairphone, has been trying to compete in the market with various modular models for some time. Although their achievements have not brought them significant success so far, the company has not given up. In fact, they have an update policy that would put many of their giant competitors to shame when it comes to older phones. According to the announcement, third-generation Fairphone smartphones will soon move from Android 11 to Android 13.

Launched in 2019, both the Fairphone 3 and Fairphone 3+ are set to receive the Android 13 update. The standard model, which features 4GB RAM and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 632 processor, initially came with Android 9.0 Pie. On the other hand, the Fairphone 3+ was sold with Android 10, despite having similar technical specifications.

Even though neither model got the Android 12 update, it’s noteworthy that they haven’t been left behind. It’s important to mention that the average Android phone update lifespan is generally between 2-3 years. With that in mind, it’s clear that more manufacturers should follow Fairphone’s lead. Both models are expected to receive updates by the end of June.

Technical Specifications of Fairphone 3 and Fairphone 3+

The main difference between the Fairphone 3 and Fairphone 3+ is in the camera department, with the Fairphone 3+ sporting a dual-camera setup (48MP + 5MP) compared to the Fairphone 3’s single 12MP camera.

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Fairphone 3+ launches as a successor to Fairphone 3 from last year. The new handset and its modules contain 40% recycled plastic, more than any other device from the brand. Also, it comes with an upgraded 48MP primary camera and 16MP selfie camera. Further, it arrives with Android 10 and is currently up for pre-order on its official website for €469. It will start shipping to buyers from September 14.

Apart from the above-mentioned changes, the new Fairphone 3+ (Plus) is identical to its predecessor Fairphone 3. In fact, if you own the last year’s model, you can upgrade it with the new 48MP Samsung ISOCELL GM1 rear and 16MP front camera modules priced at  €59.95 and €34.95 respectively.

Talking about other specs, the Fairphone 3+ sports a 5.65-inch FHD+ (2160 x 1080 pixels) IPS LCD panel with 18:9 aspect ratio, 427ppi, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.  It comes powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage with support for microSD card up to 400GB.

It features dual nano-SIM card slot, 4G, dual-band WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo), NFC, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a 3,040mAh battery.

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The device is only available in Black color and the box only contains the phone, a mini screwdriver as well as a quick start guide. Hence, even though the handset comes with 2 years of warranty, you will need to buy the charger and USB cable separately.

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Fairphone 2 was unveiled last year and it became the only smartphone to achieve a 10-out-of-10 score on gadget repair website iFixit. This is as a result of the ease of repairability as a result of the modular design it adopts. The company followed up with the Fairphone 3 which was announced recently. The phone has now been scored by iFixit, bearing the same 10/10 repairability score. This makes it the second phone after the first iteration to get a 10/10 iFixit score.

The Fairphone 3 adopts the same modular design as its predecessor, packing several modules that can easily be swapped out. The device also features a removable battery that can be swapped out by the user.

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iFixit adduced several reasons for the 10/10 score given to the Fairphone 3. The reasons include that key components like the battery and screen can be accessed either without tools or with a standard Phillips screwdriver or a Torx screwdriver. The parts can then be replaced very easily once there is access. The panel also has pictorial guides to recognise several of the modules and components. However, some of the components are soldered and may not be easy to replace.

In case you are just meeting the phone for the first time, the Fairphone 3 sports a 5.7-inch full HD+ LCD screen. It is powered by a Snapdragon 632 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, and there is 64GB of expandable storage. The phone packs a 12MP rear camera while at the front there is an 8MP selfie camera. It gets its juice from a 3,000mAh battery. The Fairphone 3 adopts a 450 euros retail price which isn’t cheap considering the hardware lineup but then, there may still be a market for it.

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