Why One Tech Writer Ditched Samsung for a Fairphone

Key Takeaways

• User-replaceable parts and a perfect iFixit score make Fairphone resistant to planned obsolescence
• Samsung's ecosystem of phones, watches, buds, and rings creates constant upgrade pressure
• Fairphone releases new models every two years instead of annually, reducing FOMO

The Upgrade Treadmill Is Exhausting

Bertel King loved his Galaxy Z Fold 6. He called it his favorite consumer device ever purchased. It worked as a phone, tablet, and desktop PC in one package. Samsung promised seven years of updates. He could have used it until 2031.

But that's not how things work in practice. King covers tech for a living. He needs the latest software to do his job. Updates hit newer devices first. The Z Fold 7 got the One UI 8.5 beta weeks before the Z Fold 6. The Z Fold 5 still hasn't made the list.

This pattern creates a quiet pressure. Even when your phone works fine, you start eyeing the next model. You wonder if it's time to upgrade. Samsung designs it that way.

One Device Becomes an Entire Ecosystem

The problem extends beyond phones. Samsung has built an ecosystem of devices that work best together. If you own a Galaxy phone, you want Galaxy Buds. Then a Galaxy Watch. Maybe a Galaxy Ring.

King tried the Galaxy Ring twice. He forgot how uncomfortable it was the first time. Each device has a limited lifespan. Each one creates another upgrade decision to track. The mental overhead adds up.

Fairphone Takes the Opposite Approach

The Fairphone community celebrates longevity. Browse the subreddit and you'll find users proud of how many years they've kept their phones running. This isn't accidental. Fairphone designs for repair.

The Fairphone 6 earned a perfect iFixit score. Every major component is user-replaceable. When your battery degrades, you swap it yourself. When the screen cracks, you order a replacement part. The phone stays in service.

Fairphone releases new models every two years instead of annually. The improvements between versions are noticeable but not dramatic. The software experience stays consistent. The cameras don't suddenly become obsolete. If your current phone works, there's little reason to upgrade.

The Murena Fairphone 6 Specs

King chose the Murena version of the Fairphone 6. Murena pre-installs /e/OS, a de-Googled Android variant focused on privacy. The hardware includes a 6.31-inch display. It runs the same modular design philosophy as other Fairphone models.

One compromise: the Fairphone 6 dropped USB 3.0. Earlier models had it. King calls this a shame. If he upgrades again, it would likely be to get that feature back.

Privacy as a Feature

Beyond the upgrade cycle, King wanted to escape Big Tech tracking. The Murena Fairphone runs /e/OS with built-in privacy controls. The operating system blocks trackers by default and avoids Google services.

This matters for users who have grown uncomfortable with how much data their phones collect. Every app requests location access. Every service wants to sync with the cloud. The Fairphone with /e/OS offers an alternative that doesn't require technical expertise to set up.

Is This Practical for Everyone?

King's switch won't work for everyone. He covers technology. He can adapt to a different software ecosystem. Most users rely on apps that need Google Play Services. Banking apps, rideshare apps, and many others may not function on /e/OS.

The Fairphone also can't match Samsung's camera quality or processing power. If you shoot video professionally or need the fastest chip available, the Galaxy lineup still wins.

But King's point isn't that Fairphone beats Samsung on specs. It's that the upgrade treadmill itself is the problem. He wanted off, and Fairphone offered an exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Murena Fairphone 6?

It's a Fairphone 6 pre-installed with /e/OS, a privacy-focused Android variant that removes Google services and blocks tracking by default.

How long does a Fairphone last?

Fairphone designs for longevity with user-replaceable parts and a perfect iFixit score. Many users in the community report using their devices for 4-5 years or longer.

Can you use normal apps on /e/OS?

Many apps work through alternative app stores, but some that depend on Google Play Services (banking, rideshare, certain games) may not function properly.

Why doesn't the Fairphone 6 have USB 3.0?

Fairphone hasn't explained the omission. Earlier models included USB 3.0. The current version uses USB 2.0, which limits data transfer speeds.

Is Fairphone available in the US?

Fairphone primarily sells in Europe. US availability is limited, and network compatibility can vary by carrier.

Source: How-To Geek