Is there really such a thing as an eco-friendly mobile? Fairphone may be the answer

In an earlier article I described my dilemma about which phone to buy to replace my aging Samsung S6 Edge. Certainly writing the article helped me work through the issues and clarify what was important to me. In the end I did actually get a Fairphone 3+ (costing about £440 from Clove UK). I am enjoying the bigger screen, faster response and longer battery life. At the end of one day my wife (always bemoaning the lack of battery life on her Samsung S9) plugged my Fairphone into the charger in the kitchen as I do every night – it had 93% battery left! Still, I’m a creature of habit. Slightly uncharitable words may have been muttered on both counts.

Okay so I don’t make heavy demands on a mobile phone. The Fairphone is better than the S6 and being 5 years newer that’s not surprising. I have managed to not install lots of apps, though of course I have installed the NHS Covid track and trace app. NFC payments work well, and I can read “Biggles Delivers the Goods” from Google Books whilst waiting in the supermarket queue.

In purchasing a Fairphone, I have chosen (hopefully) to place my investment in technology not only for my benefit as an end user but for a greater ‘good’ in the supply of this device. Purchasing a mobile designed to be easily repairable, made from fairly sourced / recyclable materials and from a company taking social responsibility by ensuring a living wage for factory workers will hopefully become more widespread among consumers, especially as mobile device usage is predicted to reach 17.72 billion units worldwide by 2024.

I’m glad I made the choice to buy a Fairphone – I would do the same again and I hope my experience perhaps leads to others considering an alternative to the mainstream.

Mark Wheadon, Director. January 2021

_{*NB: PacSol are not affiliated with the Fairphone company or its associated products. This article is not sponsored.}