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I own a fairphone 1 and after I dropped it once I was able to order a new screen. With instructions made by by the fairphone team I was able to fix my phone. I

I own a fairphone 1 and after I dropped it once I was able to order a new screen. With instructions made by by the fairphone team I was able to fix my phone. I'm bitter though, because they soon switched development to fairphone 2 in a higher price class and I'm left with android 4.2.2. Many new apps on the play store stop being compatible. I believe, something like this is only viable, if the phone maker guarantees software updates for at least 5 to 10 years. Otherwise all that talk about environment and all is just hot air.

openfuture 8y ago
It's too expensive, phone makers need to collectively support stuff like LOS but they can't because if they do then google won't allow them to bundle google software. This has been discussed a bit on here but this is a replay of what happened with linux and microsoft back when desktops were a thing.
bradfa 8y ago
Regarding longer software update promises, a good number of recent Motorola phones are on either the Android One or Android Enterprise Recommended lists, so they should get security updates for at least 3 years from launch and see at least 1 or 2 Android letter OS upgrades. The Android Enterprise Recommended "rugged" devices get at least 5 years of security updates, which is quite good, although Motorola doesn't make any "rugged" devices currently. Android is getting there and this announcement of factory repair parts through iFixit is awesome to see. It's probably not as easy to repair a Motorola phone as a Fairphone, but it's getting better which is the important part.
- woodrowbarlow 8y ago
  > Motorola doesn't make any "rugged" devices currently all of motorola's rugged phones are designed for firstnet (private, secure LTE for emergency responders). these are relatively repairable (removable battery, screws behind the battery) but i wouldn't hold my breath for consumer models. https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/lte-user-devices/lexl11.html https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/lte-user-de...
  - bradfa 8y ago
    Ah! You're right! But that's a different Motorola (arguably the "real" Motorola) that makes the rugged devices. However those rugged Motorola phones aren't on the Android Enterprise Recommended list. I'll correct myself to say that Motorola Mobility (Lenovo) don't make any "rugged" devices.
Fej 8y ago
I love the concept of Fairphone but I can't believe they're still selling their phone for €530. It's worth maybe 1/5th that, if that. Is it just hubris? I hope not, because even if their phones command a reasonable price premium over competitors, it's worth it to some people. They're definitely filling a need. It would be a shame if few of their phones get into people's hands because they price them too far above cost (because, let's face it, it's almost impossible to turn a profit as a small phone manufacturer).
- Vinnl 8y ago
  It's still expensive, but they have been handing out discounts everywhere the past year or so.
- mverwijs 8y ago
  The price is the true price for any phone, when taking into account being a responsible manufacturer. If your phone is cheaper, it is being built irresponsibly.
- akvadrako 8y ago
  That's what they need to charge to make money. I think it demonstrates how repairability and fairness isn't worth it - I can just buy 4 equivalent phones for the same price (like the Nokia 5) and throw them out when broken.
  - mrpopo 8y ago
    You're missing the point here. Repairability and fairness isn't worth "it in the current world state". In a true fair world, manufacturers would be charged for all externalities (pollution from mining, paying decent wages that ensure people don't starve, recycling thrown out electronics, etc), all phones would cost that. Currently, those externalities are just ignored, with the expected consequences.
Vinnl 8y ago
I had one too, and that was somewhat to be expected with it being their very first model - especially considering that they did not even design the phone themselves. I currently own the Fairphone 2, and that, too, probably won't last as long as I'd hope. Hell, I'm amazed that your 1 still works. That said, the repairability is great, and I'm confident that it will still last longer than most phones. Still, the main reason I bought them was to support them in their journey towards a phone that does live up to everything they hope they achieve. As they mature, they'll hopefully be in a better position to do so. And if not, they'll at least have shown other manufacturers how to do so.
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

openfuture 8y ago

It's too expensive, phone makers need to collectively support stuff like LOS but they can't because if they do then google won't allow them to bundle google software. This has been discussed a bit on here but this is a replay of what happened with linux and microsoft back when desktops were a thing.

bradfa 8y ago

Regarding longer software update promises, a good number of recent Motorola phones are on either the Android One or Android Enterprise Recommended lists, so they should get security updates for at least 3 years from launch and see at least 1 or 2 Android letter OS upgrades. The Android Enterprise Recommended "rugged" devices get at least 5 years of security updates, which is quite good, although Motorola doesn't make any "rugged" devices currently. Android is getting there and this announcement of factory repair parts through iFixit is awesome to see. It's probably not as easy to repair a Motorola phone as a Fairphone, but it's getting better which is the important part.

woodrowbarlow 8y ago
> Motorola doesn't make any "rugged" devices currently all of motorola's rugged phones are designed for firstnet (private, secure LTE for emergency responders). these are relatively repairable (removable battery, screws behind the battery) but i wouldn't hold my breath for consumer models. https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/lte-user-devices/lexl11.html https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/lte-user-de...
- bradfa 8y ago
  Ah! You're right! But that's a different Motorola (arguably the "real" Motorola) that makes the rugged devices. However those rugged Motorola phones aren't on the Android Enterprise Recommended list. I'll correct myself to say that Motorola Mobility (Lenovo) don't make any "rugged" devices.

Fej 8y ago

I love the concept of Fairphone but I can't believe they're still selling their phone for €530. It's worth maybe 1/5th that, if that. Is it just hubris? I hope not, because even if their phones command a reasonable price premium over competitors, it's worth it to some people. They're definitely filling a need. It would be a shame if few of their phones get into people's hands because they price them too far above cost (because, let's face it, it's almost impossible to turn a profit as a small phone manufacturer).

Vinnl 8y ago
It's still expensive, but they have been handing out discounts everywhere the past year or so.
mverwijs 8y ago
The price is the true price for any phone, when taking into account being a responsible manufacturer. If your phone is cheaper, it is being built irresponsibly.
akvadrako 8y ago
That's what they need to charge to make money. I think it demonstrates how repairability and fairness isn't worth it - I can just buy 4 equivalent phones for the same price (like the Nokia 5) and throw them out when broken.
- mrpopo 8y ago
  You're missing the point here. Repairability and fairness isn't worth "it in the current world state". In a true fair world, manufacturers would be charged for all externalities (pollution from mining, paying decent wages that ensure people don't starve, recycling thrown out electronics, etc), all phones would cost that. Currently, those externalities are just ignored, with the expected consequences.

Vinnl 8y ago

I had one too, and that was somewhat to be expected with it being their very first model - especially considering that they did not even design the phone themselves. I currently own the Fairphone 2, and that, too, probably won't last as long as I'd hope. Hell, I'm amazed that your 1 still works. That said, the repairability is great, and I'm confident that it will still last longer than most phones. Still, the main reason I bought them was to support them in their journey towards a phone that does live up to everything they hope they achieve. As they mature, they'll hopefully be in a better position to do so. And if not, they'll at least have shown other manufacturers how to do so.

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]