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Just last year Fixit and Fairphone
Fairphone, a one-year-old Dutch social enterprise, wanted to do something about it: they set out to produce a smartphone that told the story of how things are made, and start a conversation about responsible electronics. They also wanted their phone to be serviceable through its lifetime. Enter the Fairphone, the first phone that ships with its own set of repair guides through a preinstalled iFixit app.
Fairphone is uncovering the complex systems behind smartphone production and sourcing all of their parts from conflict-free manufacturers. They’re setting a new bar for the electronics industry in many ways:
- Tin (soldering paste) and tantalum (for capacitors) are sourced and traceable from conflict-free certified mines in DR Congo.
- They’ve published a cost breakdown for the phone, so you know exactly what you’re paying for when buying it.
- Replacement parts are readily available from both Fairphone and iFixit’s EU Store for customers and repair shops.
- They’re setting up new business models for safe e-waste recycling in countries where recycling programs are non-existent.
- Fairphone is working with Ubuntu, Firefox, and Kwame Corp to open the design of the phone as much as possible, and to offer users the choice of OS when buying the phone.
We also tore down the Fairphone to find how repairable it actually was. It scored a solid 7 out of 10, with a few points taken away for some design flaws that Fairphone inherited from their licensed design. Their design team has asked for our help to try to get the next Fairphone up to a ten.
Fairphone took care of the beginning of their phones’ lives; we wanted to help take care of their phones’ lifespan. Together, we are planting the seeds for a better social and ecological future.
www.fairphone.com/#phone
