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Fairphone 3

Specifications

Fairphone 3
Fairphone 3 (3 Series)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 8 x 1.8 GHz, Kryo 250
Graphics adapter
Memory
4 GB 
Display
5.65 inch 18:9, 2160 x 1080 pixel 427 PPI, capacitive, IPS, Corning Gorrilla Glass 5, glossy: yes, 60 Hz
Connections
1 USB 2.0, Audio Connections: 3.5-mm combo, Card Reader: microSD (FAT, FAT32, exFAT, up to 400 GB), 1 Fingerprint Reader, NFC, Brightness Sensor, Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, USB-C
Networking
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 5.0, 2G GSM (850/900/1,800/1,900 MHz), 3G HSPA+ (800/850/900/1,700/1,900/2,100), 4G LTE (1/2/3/4/5/7/8/13/20/26), Dual SIM, LTE, GPS
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 9.89 x 158 x 71.8 ( = 0.39 x 6.22 x 2.83 in)
Battery
3000 mAh Lithium-Ion, removeable, 3.5 hours charging time, Talk time 2G (according to manufacturer): 20 h, Standby 2G (according to manufacturer): 300 h
Charging
fast charging / Quickcharge
Operating System
Android 9.0 Pie
Camera
Primary Camera: 12 MPix IMX363 sensor, 1/2.55", f/1.8, 8x digital zoom, 4K video at 30fps, 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 30fps
Secondary Camera: 8 MPix 1/4", f/2.0, 8x digital zoom
Additional features
Speakers: speaker and earphone, Keyboard: on-screen, bumper, miniature screw driver, 24 Months Warranty, head SAR: 0.388 W/kg, body SAR: 1.405 W/kg, fanless
Weight
189 g ( = 6.67 oz / 0.42 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
450 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 67.46% - average
Average of 14 scores (from 25 reviews)
price: 60%, performance: 55%, features: 47%, display: 81% mobility: 89%, workmanship: 83%, ergonomy: 78%, emissions: 95%

Reviews for the Fairphone 3

76.5% Fairphone 3 Smartphone in Review: All Around Improvement | Notebookcheck
The makers of the Fairphone can certainly claim to make the most sustainable smartphone currently available. While some devices will not even let you swap out the battery anymore the Fairphone comes with various modules in order to reduce waste. Let's find out how the concept evolved with this latest iteration, the Fairphone 3, in our review.
60% Fairphone 3 review: Sustainability requires sacrifices
Source: Android Central English
The Fairphone 3 is not the most impressive smartphone when it comes to specs or looks, but it certainly walks the walk when it comes to delivering one of the most responsible, ethical, and sustainable devices available today. If you are someone who really cares about the environment, fair trade, and labor practices, and you want to be on the leading edge of a social and business movement, then you'll truly appreciate this phone. If you're just looking for an affordable or mid-range Android phone, then you'll probably be disappointed.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/16/2021
Rating: Total score: 60%
60% Fairphone 3 review: Sustainability requires sacrifices
Source: Android Central English
The Fairphone 3 is not the most impressive smartphone when it comes to specs or looks, but it certainly walks the walk when it comes to delivering one of the most responsible, ethical, and sustainable devices available today. If you are someone who really cares about the environment, fair trade, and labor practices, and you want to be on the leading edge of a social and business movement, then you'll truly appreciate this phone. If you're just looking for an affordable or mid-range Android phone, then you'll probably be disappointed.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/01/2021
Rating: Total score: 60%
60% Fairphone 3 review: Sustainability requires sacrifices
Source: Android Central English Archive.org version
The Fairphone 3 is not the most impressive smartphone when it comes to specs or looks, but it certainly walks the walk when it comes to delivering one of the most responsible, ethical, and sustainable devices available today. If you are someone who really cares about the environment, fair trade, and labor practices, and you want to be on the leading edge of a social and business movement, then you'll truly appreciate this phone. If you're just looking for an affordable or mid-range Android phone, then you'll probably be disappointed.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/22/2020
Rating: Total score: 60%
70% Fairphone 3
Source: Gadgetspeak English Archive.org version
This is an unusual phone, it does not have the latest and fastest processor, nor does it have the largest screen in the thinnest body, it is sold at a premium price but unlike the competition you can get into it and it even comes with a screwdriver so instead of the standard 12-18 months life this is marketed for a five year cycle of use.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 02/10/2020
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 60% performance: 80% workmanship: 80%
Fairphone 3
Source: Pocket Lint English Archive.org version
Das Fairphone 3 ist ein solides Mittelklasse Handy mit Android 9 Pie im nahezu unveränderten Zustand geworden. Ein gutes, wenn auch nicht herausragendes, Display, eine passable, wenngleich etwas langsame, Kamera und ein ausreichend leistungsstarker Snapdragon 624 machen aus dem Fairphone 3 ein wirklich gutes Gerät.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/04/2020
Fairphone 3 review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
The Fairphone 3 is a phone that should be analysed from a different point of view. We cannot compare its specs, power or design with other smartphones that are cheaper and more powerful, because they do not promise the same commitment to our society as the Fairphone does. However, if you are conscious of the environment and social issues, the Fairphone 3 is the phone you are looking for. The company offers the certainty of knowing that you have a device in your hands that has been manufactured in a fair and sustainable way. To summarise: you will not get a premium smartphone with the best specs, but you will have a very capable, decent device made by a company that has not dirtied your hands when manufacturing it.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/04/2019
80% Fairphone 3 review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
Fairphone deserves a lot of plaudits for what it's trying to do in the areas of sustainability, eco-friendliness, repairability, and protections for workers along the supply chain, and the Fairphone 3 has enough going for it to make it a viable option for your next smartphone.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/01/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
Fairphone 3 camera review
Source: DxOMark English Archive.org version
The Fairphone 3 is designed to factor in the human and environmental costs of smartphone manufacturing and disposal. As with other phones with relatively low-cost components, of course, it does not have a camera module that any serious photographer or videographer would choose for its image quality. Nevertheless, the reality is that while it is not great for shooting video, the Fairphone can produce largely usable moving and still images under many common shooting conditions; and with the exception of underexposure, what flaws and faults there are simply aren’t noticeable on a small display. Near-chronic underexposure is a problem, though, as is its near-omnipresent pink cast.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/31/2019
Fairphone 3 hands-on: Modular, repairable, five years of support. What gives?
Source: Android Authority English Archive.org version
For Android fans, the Fairphone 3 is nothing like the shiny new device we usually see. It’s about a completely open and fixable modular phone, it’s about freedom to repair your own product, actual spare parts, and fair, ethically-sourced components. The specs are good enough, but definitely not great. Is it a bargain? No. Think of it this way: Have you been to shops where they sell goods made locally and decided you should support people, not big business? Maybe you have, even if you only bought soap. It’s the same concept.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/12/2019

Foreign Reviews

Fairphone 3 Das Smartphone mit Gewissen – ist es konkurrenzfähig?
Source: Curved German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/17/2019
Fairphone 3 Nachhaltigkeit in dritter Generation
Source: Android Pit German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/27/2019
Fairphone 3 Ausstattung Mittelklasse, Reparierbarkeit Extraklasse
Source: Golem German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/27/2019
Fairphone 3 Transparentes, 'fair' gebautes Smartphone
Source: WinFuture German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/27/2019
Fairphone 3 Transparentes, 'fair' gebautes Smartphone
Source: WinFuture German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/27/2019
Fairphone 3 Das Smartphone mit dem Schraubenzieher
Source: Spiegel Online German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/27/2019
70% Fairphone 3 recensione: lo smartphone per chi pensa all'ambiente
Source: AndroidPit.it Italian IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/09/2019
Rating: Total score: 70%
80% Fairphone 3 - repareerlijkheid van Nederlandse bodem
Source: Computer Totaal Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/30/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
Fairphone 3: eerste indruk
Source: Consumentenbond Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Modern design; solid workmanship; excellent cameras.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/16/2019
70% Test du Fairphone 3 : le smartphone qui fait du bien à la planète
Source: CNet France French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/27/2019
Rating: Total score: 70%
70% Test complet du Fairphone 3 : le smartphone écolo et équitable
Source: AndroidPit.fr French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/10/2019
Rating: Total score: 70%
Fairphone 3 : Nos Photos Et Nos Premières Impressions Du Smartphone Équitable
Source: Frandroid French FR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good price; excellent cameras; nice performance.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/27/2019
80% Test Fairphone 3
Source: Tek.no NO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/21/2020
Rating: Total score: 80%
50% TEST : Fairphone 3
Source: Lyd og Billede DA→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/22/2020
Rating: Total score: 50%
50% Test: Fairphone 3
Source: Lyd og Billede DA→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/22/2020
Rating: Total score: 50%
68% Test: Fairphone 3 – En fairtrade-mobil att köpa för deras skull
Source: Mobil.se SV→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/04/2019
Rating: Total score: 68%

Comment

Model: The Fairphone 3 is a smartphone that claims to be made with care for people and the planet. It’s got everything users expect from a great phone and so much more. Fairphone is also one of the first smartphone companies to integrate Fairtrade gold into their supply chain. Besides that, it is the only smartphone in the world to be awarded a perfect score for repairability. The Fairphone 3 ensures that it is not the end of the phone if accidents happen. Users can make it last longer with replaceable modules, they can repair it themselves with a single screwdriver. iFixit even awarded the Fairphone 3 a perfect score for repairability. And for extra peace of mind, the Fairphone 3 phones are backed by 2-year warranty. For camera, users can capture their memories in sharp detail with a 12 MP rear and 8 MP front camera. They also combined great hardware and software to ensure quality photos in low-light situations. Displaying on the Fairphone 3 is a 5.65-inch Full HD+ 18:9 display. It is a screen with a resolution of 2,160 x 1,080 pixels, 427 ppi pixel density, and million colors. Gorilla Glass 5 protects the screen from scratches.

As for specifications, it has a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). It can handle most apps and games without problems. Powering up the Fairphone 3 is a 3,000 mAh battery with 300 hours whilst idle, 20 hours with phone calls and 3.5 hour charging time. The battery is also replaceable, which is something we don’t see very often with smartphones these days. Users can swap it out for a new one if it starts to degrade, rather than replacing the entire handset. Furthermore, it also comes with a 3.5 mm headphone jack which is getting less common these days. In conclusion, the Fairphone 3 is a smartphone that emphasizes fairness, some of the best features are the ones users can’t see, like the fairly sourced and recycled materials, better working conditions and programs to reduce e-waste. It is a mid-range smartphone that can handle most tasks without issues.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Qualcomm Adreno 506: Integrated graphics card in the Snapdragon 625 SoC and based on the new 500-series architecture with support for Vulkan, OpenGL ES 3.1 + AE (3.2) and UBWC.

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


SD 632: Mid-range octa-core SoC with eight Kryo 260 cpu cores at up to 1.8 GHz, an Adreno 509 GPU, a LPDDR4-2666 memory controller and a X12 LTE (Cat 13/12, 300 / 150 MBit) modem. Manufactured in the modern 14nm process.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


5.65":

It is a very small display format for smartphones. You should by no means be mis-sighted and you will generally see very little on the screen and only have a small resolution available. In return, the device should be very small and handy.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


67.46%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

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Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Fairphone 5
Adreno 643, Snapdragon QCM6490, 6.46", 0.212 kg
Fairphone 4
Adreno 619, Snapdragon SD 750G 5G, 6.30", 0.225 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum (Update: 2019-09- 2)