Fairphone 6 vs. Fairphone 5: Is the Latest Model Worth the Upgrade?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Fairphone 6 represents a worthwhile upgrade, primarily due to its more modern and efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. While the Fairphone 5 still offers excellent battery endurance, the 6’s performance gains and potential for longer software support make it the better choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Fairphone 6 | Fairphone 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE (4CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, June 25 | 2023, August 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 25 | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6 mm (6.16 x 2.89 x 0.38 in) | 161.6 x 75.8 x 9.6 mm (6.36 x 2.98 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 212 g (7.48 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2484 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~459 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.31 inches, 96.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.46 inches, 101.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 880 nits (typ), 1400 nits (peak) | OLED, 90Hz, 880 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm QCM6490 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Adreno 643 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 8 major Android upgrades | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12μm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.42", 0.64μm, AF | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.74µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 30W wired, 50% in 20 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4415 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Horizon Black, Cloud White, Forest Green | Matte Black, Sky Blue, Transparent |
| Price | € 503.60 / $ 736.05 / £ 449.00 | € 389.00 / $ 549.68 / £ 460.97 |
| SAR EU | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
Fairphone 6
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset
- Potential for longer software support
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Slightly slower charging time (50% in 25 mins vs 20 mins)
- Price is likely to be higher than the Fairphone 5
Fairphone 5
- Exceptional battery endurance (88h rating)
- Faster charging speed (50% in 20 mins)
- Established repair community and readily available parts
- Older and less efficient QCM6490 chipset
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
Display Comparison
The Fairphone 5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 772 nits, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility. While the Fairphone 6’s display specifications haven’t been fully detailed, it’s reasonable to expect similar brightness levels. However, the real difference may lie in panel technology; the Fairphone 6 could potentially benefit from a more modern panel with improved color accuracy and viewing angles. Both phones prioritize repairability, meaning display replacement remains a user-serviceable task.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a modular camera system, allowing for user-replaceable cameras. However, the core image processing capabilities are tied to the respective chipsets. While both are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Fairphone 6’s newer ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 should deliver improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Fairphone 6’s processing power will also enable faster image processing and potentially more advanced computational photography features. Without detailed camera sensor specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the chipset upgrade strongly favors the Fairphone 6.
Performance
The Fairphone 6’s Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Fairphone 5’s Qualcomm QCM6490 (6nm). The 4nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal characteristics, translating to less throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3’s CPU configuration – 1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520 – is a more modern design than the Fairphone 5’s 1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55. This means the Fairphone 6 will likely exhibit faster application launch times and smoother multitasking, particularly benefiting users who engage in gaming or content creation. The Fairphone 5’s older Cortex-A78 cores, while still capable, are less efficient and offer lower peak performance.
Battery Life
The Fairphone 5 achieved an impressive endurance rating of 88 hours, showcasing its excellent battery optimization. The Fairphone 6, while featuring a similar battery capacity (specifications not yet fully released), benefits from the more efficient 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. This efficiency translates to potentially longer battery life despite the increased processing power. The Fairphone 6 also boasts 30W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in 25 minutes, slightly slower than the Fairphone 5’s 20 minutes to 50%. However, the improved efficiency of the 6 may offset this minor charging speed difference with overall longer usage times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Fairphone 6 if you prioritize future-proofing, smoother performance in demanding applications, and a more efficient processor. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come. Buy the Fairphone 5 if you value exceptional battery life above all else and are content with a slightly less powerful processor; it remains a very capable device, especially at potential discounted prices.