Fairphone 6 vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Sustainability, Performance, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality, software support, and battery life, the Google Pixel 8a is the stronger choice. However, the Fairphone 6 stands alone for those who value repairability, sustainability, and a modular design, even if it means some performance compromises.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Fairphone 6 | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 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, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, June 25 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 25 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6 mm (6.16 x 2.89 x 0.38 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1116 x 2484 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.31 inches, 96.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 880 nits (typ), 1400 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 8 major Android upgrades | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB 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) | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.42", 0.64μm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| 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/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Ion 4415 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Horizon Black, Cloud White, Forest Green | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | € 503.60 / $ 736.05 / £ 449.00 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| SAR EU | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Fairphone 6
- Unmatched repairability and modular design
- Sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices
- Long-term software support commitment
- Potentially lower peak performance compared to the Pixel 8a
- Camera system likely less advanced than the Pixel 8a
- Display brightness and quality likely inferior to the Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 8a
- Excellent camera performance with Google’s AI features
- Long battery life and fast charging capabilities
- Smooth and optimized software experience
- Difficult and expensive to repair
- Less sustainable manufacturing process
- Limited customization options compared to the Fairphone 6
Display Comparison
The Pixel 8a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1508 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight than the Fairphone 6 (brightness data unavailable). While the Fairphone 6’s display specs are currently unknown, the Pixel 8a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 8a’s display is also likely to benefit from Google’s color calibration expertise, offering greater accuracy for content consumption. The Pixel 8a’s smaller bezel size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a is expected to excel in camera performance, leveraging Google’s computational photography prowess. While specific sensor details are missing for both phones, the Pixel 8a’s image processing pipeline, powered by the Tensor G3, will likely deliver superior dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image quality. The Fairphone 6’s camera system, while potentially capable, will likely rely more on hardware than software enhancements. The Pixel 8a’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will also provide sharper images and smoother video recording. We'll need to see detailed camera samples to fully assess the differences.
Performance
Both phones utilize a 4nm process, but the underlying architectures differ significantly. The Pixel 8a’s Google Tensor G3, a nona-core processor with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, is designed for AI and machine learning tasks, offering advantages in image processing and voice recognition. The Fairphone 6’s Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, an octa-core chip with a Cortex-A720 prime core at 2.5 GHz, focuses on efficient performance. While the Tensor G3 likely holds a raw performance edge, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 offers a strong balance of power and efficiency. The Pixel 8a’s likely faster RAM (LPDDR5x assumed) will also contribute to smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8a demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, with a measured 40:06h endurance rating and 11:25h of active use. This is significantly better than what we'd expect from the Fairphone 6, given its 30W charging speed. The Pixel 8a also supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging, alongside bypass charging. The Fairphone 6’s 30W charging is faster, reaching 50% in 25 minutes, but the Pixel 8a’s superior battery capacity and efficiency provide a longer-lasting experience. The Pixel 8a’s 1000 cycle battery life also suggests greater longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Fairphone 6 if you need a phone you can easily repair yourself, want to minimize electronic waste, and appreciate a modular design that allows for component upgrades. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a seamless software experience, exceptional camera capabilities powered by Google’s AI, and all-day battery life with fast charging.