Fairphone, the Dutch company known for building smartphones designed to be repaired and kept for years, is officially launching in the United States for the first time with full Android software and direct carrier support.
The Fairphone Gen 6+ is available starting at $649 and works on both T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Previous Fairphone models reached US buyers only through a partnership with French open-source OS maker e/OS, which sold a de-Googled variant. This marks the first time American consumers can purchase a Fairphone directly with standard Google services and mainstream US carrier compatibility.
Midrange Specs, Maximum Repairability
The device runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor with 12GB of RAM and features a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. The 4,415 mAh battery supports 30W fast charging. While the specifications position it firmly in the midrange category, Fairphone’s core value proposition has never been about top-tier performance. The company’s phones are engineered from the ground up to be opened, repaired, and kept in service far longer than typical smartphones.
Fairphone CEO Raymond van Eck described the US launch as a milestone for the right-to-repair movement. We are delivering a device built from the ground up to be opened, repaired, and kept alive for many years, van Eck said. The company sells individual replacement parts directly to consumers and publishes repair guides for every component.
Timing Amid Component Shortages
The US launch comes at a notable moment for the consumer hardware market. Memory chip shortages and rising component costs are pushing smartphone and PC prices higher across the industry. Major manufacturers have warned of potential price increases and shipment declines through 2026 as supply constraints bite. In this environment, a repairable device designed to last five to seven years could resonate with cost-conscious consumers looking to avoid the upgrade treadmill.
Fairphone’s sustainability model also includes ethical sourcing of materials, with the company tracking cobalt, lithium, and other critical minerals in its supply chain. The Gen 6+ is available directly from Fairphone’s US website and will soon be listed on Amazon. The company is also selling its wireless earbuds in the US market as part of the broader expansion.
Sources: TechCrunch; Ars Technica; Gizmodo
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