5 ms·

Specs look good, and the value proposition is interesting, as many articles state, it's about time a manufacturer did something different. My wishlist for this

Specs look good, and the value proposition is interesting, as many articles state, it's about time a manufacturer did something different. My wishlist for this kind of phones: - OS support and updates beyond the standard 1 or 2 years (TBD, but I think they're aiming for a 3 year lifecycle) - upgradable RAM, check :) - upgradable internal memory, check :) - replaceable battery, check :) - glass fixable separately, nope (they do say it's much more sturdy than standard phones though) - alternative OSs, check :) things that don't influence my buying decision that much - fairly traded materials (their original value proposition, which DID appeal a lot to the early backers :) ) Their success depends on appeal beyond their initial core backers, and whether someone comes up with cool or killer app modules :) (they mention some like solar cells, etc.)

al2o3cr 11y ago
From what I've read "upgradable RAM" is really more like "upgradable RAM if somebody designs, builds, and gets through certification a module with an upgraded SoC" which really isn't the same thing...
rloc 11y ago
I love the value prop. For the OS support, they cannot commit fully as they work with partners. For the Fairphone 1 (released end 2013) they were able to secure licenses to get the source code and are working hard on making it live for as long as they can even if that means replacing Android: https://www.fairphone.com/2015/09/16/long-term-software-support-fairphone-1/ https://www.fairphone.com/2015/09/16/long-term-software-supp... It's worth noting that they released the "Stagefright" fix very quickly.
rzwitserloot 11y ago
Unfortunately this ships with an already outdated version of android and fairphone has explicitly said they will not guarantee support for Marshmallow. They have solid reasons for this, but that is a pretty big down side as a potential customer. In fact, I'll go so far as to say: If the android OS cannot be kept updated, claiming that this phone has what it takes to last you more than 2 years is ridiculous. Even if you somehow get to keep security updates coming, there will be features in the new OS that are worth upgrading for even if the hardware is still perfectly fine, and apps will begin requiring an OS version you don't have.
- gcb0 11y ago
  newer version of android stop being relevant after 4.4 down vote all you want, but there's no security or functionality after that. only silly animations and insane bright color schemes.
  - nickpsecurity 11y ago
    They don't do bug or vulnerability fixes in new releases?
    - gcb0 11y ago
      no relevant vulnerability since 4.4. before that you have ssl holes and lock screen issues. after that you only have to worry about vendor specific "enhancements" that only add issues.
      - mcintyre1994 11y ago
        There was a security update in November : http://www.androidcentral.com/androids-november-security-patch-live http://www.androidcentral.com/androids-november-security-pat... And from that link: > Google also states the "most severe of these issues is a Critical security vulnerability that could enable remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files," Sounds pretty relevant and severe to me.
  - skybrian 11y ago
    Android 6 fixes the permission system. That's pretty fundamental. http://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html http://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting...
    - gcb0 11y ago
      that's in my list of useless features. if you don't use your phone like clueless people used their computers (i.e. install 20 browser tool bars and such) you have zero need for it. also, that was included since 2.3 but never exposed (some custom firmwares did)
darklajid 11y ago
RAM is not upgradable (as far as I understand, and I'm involved in one of the 'WTH is the amount so small?' threads in their forum). The memory is sandwiched on top of the SoC I think? MAYBE you'll be able to replace the core module at some point. But I don't know about any promises and it doesn't seem to be a focus.
awqrre 11y ago
It'd be nice if you could remove the mobile chip to have a device that strictly does Wi-Fi

al2o3cr 11y ago

From what I've read "upgradable RAM" is really more like "upgradable RAM if somebody designs, builds, and gets through certification a module with an upgraded SoC" which really isn't the same thing...

rloc 11y ago

I love the value prop. For the OS support, they cannot commit fully as they work with partners. For the Fairphone 1 (released end 2013) they were able to secure licenses to get the source code and are working hard on making it live for as long as they can even if that means replacing Android: https://www.fairphone.com/2015/09/16/long-term-software-support-fairphone-1/ https://www.fairphone.com/2015/09/16/long-term-software-supp... It's worth noting that they released the "Stagefright" fix very quickly.

rzwitserloot 11y ago

Unfortunately this ships with an already outdated version of android and fairphone has explicitly said they will not guarantee support for Marshmallow. They have solid reasons for this, but that is a pretty big down side as a potential customer. In fact, I'll go so far as to say: If the android OS cannot be kept updated, claiming that this phone has what it takes to last you more than 2 years is ridiculous. Even if you somehow get to keep security updates coming, there will be features in the new OS that are worth upgrading for even if the hardware is still perfectly fine, and apps will begin requiring an OS version you don't have.

gcb0 11y ago
newer version of android stop being relevant after 4.4 down vote all you want, but there's no security or functionality after that. only silly animations and insane bright color schemes.
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  They don't do bug or vulnerability fixes in new releases?
  - gcb0 11y ago
    no relevant vulnerability since 4.4. before that you have ssl holes and lock screen issues. after that you only have to worry about vendor specific "enhancements" that only add issues.
    - mcintyre1994 11y ago
      There was a security update in November : http://www.androidcentral.com/androids-november-security-patch-live http://www.androidcentral.com/androids-november-security-pat... And from that link: > Google also states the "most severe of these issues is a Critical security vulnerability that could enable remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files," Sounds pretty relevant and severe to me.
- skybrian 11y ago
  Android 6 fixes the permission system. That's pretty fundamental. http://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html http://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting...
  - gcb0 11y ago
    that's in my list of useless features. if you don't use your phone like clueless people used their computers (i.e. install 20 browser tool bars and such) you have zero need for it. also, that was included since 2.3 but never exposed (some custom firmwares did)

darklajid 11y ago

RAM is not upgradable (as far as I understand, and I'm involved in one of the 'WTH is the amount so small?' threads in their forum). The memory is sandwiched on top of the SoC I think? MAYBE you'll be able to replace the core module at some point. But I don't know about any promises and it doesn't seem to be a focus.

awqrre 11y ago

It'd be nice if you could remove the mobile chip to have a device that strictly does Wi-Fi