I’m thinking of getting a fairphone in the future. I like that they are modular and last a while. Are they easily customizable to where I can flash a different ROM? Is the default configuration private?

  • Domi@lemmy.secnd.me
    10·
    1 month ago

    what’s your use case that you need that kind of a phone?

    I repair my phones when they break and the easy repair of a Fairphone is in no way comparable to the absolute pain it is to remove the display on a phone released in the last 5 years.

    Especially considering they provide a 5 year warranty, source fair materials, 8 years of security updates and many more years to come with full access to replacement parts.

    • alienscience@programming.dev
      4·
      29 days ago

      I bought my Fairphone for similar reasons to you.

      I had a second hand mid-range Samsung for about 6 months and then the USB port got destroyed. I was unable to replace the USB port so the phone is useless.

      I bought a Fairphone 5 thinking that, if anything similar happened, I would NOT need to replace the phone and would save money in the long term.

      Kids not dying in cobalt mines is also a bonus: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara

    • dingdongitsabear@lemmy.ml
      1·
      1 month ago

      I too repair my phones when they break and I haven’t had any issues replacing batteries, one camera assembly (was supposed to be an upgrade - wasn’t) and twice the screen with assembly on budget phones. in fact, before I buy them (always used) I check youtube for replacement videos for battery and screen. all replacements done with chinese parts, ultra-cheap and locally available.

      I don’t know about the fair sourced part, I guess I’m too jaded to consider that an issue so I’ll concede that’s important to some people. I figure I’m doing everyone a service by repurposing a discarded 5 year old phone.

      • Domi@lemmy.secnd.me
        8·
        1 month ago

        I check youtube for replacement videos for battery and screen

        You already lost me there. My times of looking up video guides on how to repair my phone are over, I can replace the battery with my hands and the screen is mounted with 8 screws. OEM parts can be ordered directly from Fairphone and arrive within 2 days.

        all replacements done with chinese parts, ultra-cheap and locally available.

        It is incredibly difficult to get OEM parts for many phones, you never know if it is a good part until you actually have it in your hand. In some cases it doesn’t matter but I have never seen a cheap third party screen which comes close to the original.

        I figure I’m doing everyone a service by repurposing a discarded 5 year old phone.

        You are, the best phone for the environment is an old phone.