Verdict: Sustainable but with pared-down hardware
On the one hand, the Fairphone 6 stands out with eight years of updates, up to five years of warranty and excellent repairability, along with 6 GHz Wi-Fi, eSIM support and microSD expansion.
On the other hand, while the SoC delivers good everyday performance, we doubt it will remain sufficient over the long update cycle, especially with only 8 GB of RAM. The Fairphone is neither dust- nor waterproof, is limited to USB 2.0 and has cameras that deliver only average image quality.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
In Europe, the Fairphone 6 retails for €599 (around £499 in the UK). In the United States, Murena offers the /e/OS variant at $899 USD, while international import versions with stock Android 15 are listed on Amazon for around $776–802 USD, though warranty coverage may differ.
Table of Contents
- Verdict: Sustainable but with pared-down hardware
- Specifications: Fairphone 6
- Case and features: The Fairphone 6 is IP55-certified
- Communication and operation: Switch for more peace of mind
- Software and sustainability
- Cameras: Solid dual optics in the Fairphone 6
- Display: Eye-friendly pOLED in the Fairphone 6
- Performance, emissions and battery life
- Notebookcheck overall rating
- Possible alternatives at a glance
The Fairphone 6 succeeds the Fairphone 5 and aims to be even more sustainable, while also bringing fundamental improvements in other areas. The design has been completely reworked, and both the display and cameras have been upgraded.
Specifications: Fairphone 6
Case and features: The Fairphone 6 is IP55-certified
The Fairphone 6 is made entirely of plastic on the outside and comes in three colours (white, black, green). It feels a little angular in the hand but leaves a solid impression, with only minimal creaking during torsion tests. The smartphone is IP55-certified and drop-resistant according to IEC 60068-2-31 (1.8 m) and MIL-STD-810H (1.5 m), but it is neither dust- nor waterproof.
There is only one storage variant with 8/256 GB, which can be expanded via microSD card. However, in our copy test the slot proved to be relatively slow. The device also only supports USB 2.0 and cannot read NTFS storage media.
| SD Card Reader - average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (5.72 - 58.9, n=63, last 2 years) | |
| Fairphone 6 (Angelbird AV Pro V60) | |
Communication and operation: Switch for more peace of mind
The Fairphone 6 supports Wi-Fi 6E, enabling fast wireless connectivity. In mobile networks, all common standards with a broad range of frequencies are covered. In addition to a nano-SIM card, an eSIM can also be used. Call quality is good overall, though louder background noise is not filtered particularly well.
For biometric security, a capacitive fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button. A 2D face unlock via the front camera is also available.
The linear vibration motor provides subtle haptic feedback and can be customised in the settings. A distinctive feature of the Fairphone 6 is its bright yellow hardware switch, which can put the phone into a mindful mode that minimises notifications. Alternatively, it can be assigned to other functions.
| Networking | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Motorola Edge 60 Pro | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Average Wi-Fi 6E | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Average of class Smartphone | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
Software and sustainability
The Fairphone 6 ships with Google Android 15 and is scheduled to receive eight years of OS and security updates. The standard warranty is 24 months, which can be extended to five years upon registration. Fairphone also offers the "Keep Club" rewards programme, designed to encourage long-term use of the device.
In terms of sustainability, the company sets a strong example: it already uses 50% recycled materials, is 100% e-waste neutral and manufactures in fair-certified factories. Spare parts and repair guides are available and the Fairphone 6 is designed to be especially easy to repair. iFixit awarded it the maximum score.
We were unable to find a sustainability report dedicated to the Fairphone 6 itself, but Fairphone provides extensive reports on the company as a whole.
Cameras: Solid dual optics in the Fairphone 6
The front camera offers a high resolution of 32 MP and uses pixel binning. Selfies look good, though the software applies sharpening a little too aggressively for our taste. Videos can be recorded in Full HD at 60 FPS or in 2K at 30 FPS.
The two rear cameras are complemented by a ToF sensor. The main camera delivers solid results, though dynamic range is limited. Colours remain very natural, but the ultrawide softens towards the edges and offers only moderate image quality.
The main camera records video at up to Ultra HD with 30 FPS and benefits from optical image stabilisation (OIS).
Image comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
HauptkameraHauptkameraUltraweitwinkel5-facher ZoomLow-Light
Display: Eye-friendly pOLED in the Fairphone 6
Compared to its predecessor, the Fairphone 6's display has shrunk slightly, but it is now brighter and more colour-accurate. Peak brightness is reserved for HDR playback, so we would have liked a bit more headroom for outdoor use.
Thanks to high-frequency PWM dimming, the pOLED panel is easier on the eyes than many competing models.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 97 %
Center on Battery: 737 cd/m²
Contrast: ∞:1 (Black: 0 cd/m²)
ΔE ColorChecker Calman: 1.6 | ∀{0.5-29.43 Ø4.81}
ΔE Greyscale Calman: 3 | ∀{0.09-98 Ø5.1}
97.2% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.24
CCT: 6706 K
| Fairphone 6 pOLED, 2484x1116, 6.3" | Samsung Galaxy S25 AMOLED, 2340x1080, 6.2" | Motorola Edge 60 Pro P-OLED, 2712x1220, 6.7" | Honor 400 Pro AMOLED, 2800x1280, 6.7" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 12% | 37% | 56% | |
| Brightness middle (cd/m²) | 737 | 1301 77% | 1099 49% | 1535 108% |
| Brightness (cd/m²) | 736 | 1311 78% | 1073 46% | 1531 108% |
| Brightness Distribution (%) | 97 | 98 1% | 91 -6% | 99 2% |
| Black Level * (cd/m²) | ||||
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 1.6 | 3.1 -94% | 1.25 22% | 1.1 31% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 3.9 | 4.4 -13% | 1.68 57% | 2.2 44% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3 | 2.3 23% | 1.4 53% | 1.7 43% |
| Gamma | 2.24 98% | 2.01 109% | 2.031 108% | 2.29 96% |
| CCT | 6706 97% | 6454 101% | 6403 102% | 6511 100% |
* ... smaller is better
| Display / APL18 Peak Brightness | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Display / HDR Peak Brightness | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 120 Hz Amplitude: 14.02 % Secondary Frequency: 1428 Hz |  | |
The display backlight flickers at 120 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) . The frequency of 120 Hz is very low, so the flickering may cause eyestrain and headaches after extended use. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8256 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1.22 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 0.603 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 0.6215 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 5 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.4 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 3.44 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 1.573 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 1.863 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 12 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (31.9 ms). | ||
Performance, emissions and battery life
With the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and 8 GB of RAM, the Fairphone 6 delivers solid everyday performance. The system runs smoothly for the most part, with limitations only expected in more demanding games.
Surface temperatures can rise noticeably under load, though the SoC itself is barely affected. The speakers, however, are somewhat underpowered.
Despite the comparatively small battery, the Fairphone 6 achieves good runtimes. Using a compatible PD power adapter, a full charge took 64 minutes in our test (50%: 24 min, 80%: 44 min).
| Geekbench AI | |
| Single Precision NPU 1.4 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (153 - 1176, n=26, last 2 years) | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (229 - 240, n=3) | |
| Half Precision NPU 1.4 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (178 - 5178, n=26, last 2 years) | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (230 - 241, n=3) | |
| Quantized NPU 1.4 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (133 - 4983, n=26, last 2 years) | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (547 - 548, n=3) | |
| Fairphone 6 | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Motorola Edge 60 Pro | Average 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AndroBench 3-5 | 2% | 57% | -27% | -12% | |
| Sequential Read 256KB (MB/s) | 1973.22 | 3982.43 102% | 3852.89 95% | 1742 ? -12% | 2213 ? 12% |
| Sequential Write 256KB (MB/s) | 2006.71 | 2256.71 12% | 3842.42 91% | 1191 ? -41% | 1815 ? -10% |
| Random Read 4KB (MB/s) | 358.89 | 299.89 -16% | 439.58 22% | 286 ? -20% | 295 ? -18% |
| Random Write 4KB (MB/s) | 487.48 | 51.76 -89% | 585.66 20% | 318 ? -35% | 340 ? -30% |
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 45.3 °C / 114 F, compared to the average of 35.2 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 247 °C for the class Smartphone.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 46.5 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.4 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 32.9 °C / 91 F.
3DMark Steel Nomad Stress Test
| 3DMark | |
| Wild Life Stress Test Stability | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
| Motorola Edge 60 Pro | |
| Steel Nomad Light Stress Test Stability | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
| Motorola Edge 60 Pro | |
Fairphone 6 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (90 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 28.8% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (7.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 5% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (5.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 7.4% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (5.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (21.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 42% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 50% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 35%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 60% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 33% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Honor 400 Pro audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (91.1 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 17% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (9.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 5.3% higher than median
(+) | mids are linear (5.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 9.4% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (5.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.4% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 18% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 73% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 35%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 39% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 53% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
| Battery Runtime - WiFi v1.3 | |
| Fairphone 6 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Motorola Edge 60 Pro | |
| Honor 400 Pro | |
Notebookcheck overall rating
The Fairphone 6 offers a balanced package of easy repairability, eight years of updates and a level of sustainability that remains unmatched.
Fairphone 6
- 09/15/2025 v8
Daniel Schmidt
Total Sustainability Score: Possible alternatives at a glance
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Drive | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. 79.2%  | Fairphone 6 Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 810 ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 256 GB | Amazon: 1. $8.99 Suttkue for Fairphone 6 Scre... 2. $7.95 Mr.Shield Screen Protector c... 3. $9.99 MOOISVS [2 Pack for FairPhon... List Price: 599€ | 191.4 g | 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.31" 2484x1116 432 PPI pOLED |
2. 88.9%  | Samsung Galaxy S25 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 830 ⎘ 12 GB Memory, 256 GB | Amazon: 1. $7.58 firtstnow 3 Pack Glass Scree... 2. $7.58 firtstnow 3 Pack Glass Scree... 3. $16.99 Super Fast Charger Type C, 2... List Price: 899€ | 162 g | 256 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.20" 2340x1080 416 PPI AMOLED |
3. 81.5%  | Motorola Edge 60 Pro MediaTek Dimensity 8350 ⎘ ARM Mali-G615 MP6 ⎘ 12 GB Memory, 512 GB | Amazon: 1. $6.59 Natbok 2 Pack 3D Compatible ... 2. $11.99 Ibywind For Motorola Edge 60... 3. $9.88 LXEEOLX [2 Pack Hydrogel Scr... List Price: 600 Euro | 186 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.67" 2712x1220 446 PPI P-OLED |
4. 82.5%  | Honor 400 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 750 ⎘ 12 GB Memory, 512 GB | Amazon: 1. $11.99 Ibywind For Honor 400 Pro 5G... 2. $11.99 AKABEILA [2 Pack Privacy Scr... 3. $7.99 Lucyliy (3 Pack) Compatible ... List Price: 800€ | 205 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.70" 2800x1280 460 PPI AMOLED |
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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