Fairphone Gen 6 Plus: The phone people should buy, but probably won't

The device features 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a Snapdragon 7s processor, and runs a nearly stock version of Android with only Google-mandated apps and a My Fairphone utility, the outlet said. Users can also install /e/OS, a privacy-focused operating system that strips out all Google services. The report called /e/OS one of the most secure software alternatives available.

Fairphone’s manufacturing practices are highlighted as a key selling point. The company describes its products as "made fair from the inside out," meaning they are made by people earning decent wages in workplaces that do not require suicide nets, and without using rare materials mined by children under slave-like conditions. The Gen 6 Plus is designed for long-term use, with readily available spare parts and repair guides, and older Fairphone models have received software support for nearly a decade, according to Android Authority.

However, the review notes two major obstacles to adoption: price and availability. At $650, the Gen 6 Plus carries a midrange price tag, but it lacks carrier subsidies or trade-in deals. The phone is fully compatible with T-Mobile and T-Mobile-based MVNOs via nano-SIM and is only mostly compatible with AT&T. No in-store carrier availability is planned, which may turn away consumers who prefer to see a device in person.

Android Authority concludes that the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus is the phone everyone needs, but it is unlikely to reach a wide audience because of these factors.