While the competition is cutting back on memory, the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) comes with more RAM and a next-generation chip. Both of these factors have driven up the price of this modular smartphone.
I recently praised Fairphone for not releasing a new generation with minor changes every year. Yet just as I do this, the Dutch company brings the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) to market. A mere 14 months after the Fairphone (Gen. 6) came out, the Plus version – now with more RAM! – is now available. Sporting the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, the smartphone is also taking a step forward in terms of its chips.
New colour, next-gen chipsets
Since nothing has changed compared to the Fairphone (Gen. 6) – apart from the new cobalt blue colour option, the display, the cameras, the battery and the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) modular design – I refer you to my previous review for all other points:
Product test
Fairphone (Gen. 6) review: brave new sustainability
Jan Johannsen
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Today, I’m solely talking about the differences resulting from the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and the increase in RAM from eight to twelve gigabytes.
The cameras in the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) are identical to those on the Fairphone (Gen. 6).
Qualcomm states that the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 boosts CPU and GPU performance by seven per cent each compared to the predecessor. Overall, this is consistent with my benchmarks.
We run various benchmarks on our smartphones, namely 3DMark, Geekbench and Antutu. The results achieved by the device we’re testing correspond to 100 per cent. This is then compared with the results of other devices. After that, average values are generated from the various benchmarks for CPU and iGPU performance. Here, results are equally weighted in each instance.
During everyday use, I don’t notice the seven-per-cent increase when comparing the smartphones. Mainly because the Fairphone 6’s performance was already more than adequate in that respect.
Fairphone (Gen. 6) accessories are also compatible with the Fairphone (Gen. 6+).
Fairphone has increased the RAM by 50 per cent. Those twelve gigabytes of RAM will be factored into some of the benchmarks. But even when I deliberately create situations that place a heavy burden on the RAM, I hardly notice any improvement. Sometimes, the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) feels a little faster to me. But the difference is so slight that I wonder if I’m just imagining it. After all, I’m expecting it to work better with more RAM.
Battery life hasn’t improved; software updates still available for the standard model
Qualcomm doesn’t promise any improvement in energy efficiency for the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 compared to its predecessor. This is noticeable when measuring battery life using PC Mark. The Fairphones are neck and neck in performance, although the (Gen. 6+) falls just short of the Gen 6 by nearly half an hour, with a runtime of 14 hours and 18 minutes. Not much, but still a downgrade to note.
Despite offering better hardware, the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) doesn’t provide any added value compared to the Fairphone (Gen. 6).
In terms of software, the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) introduces two new features that’ll also be added to the Fairphone (Gen. 6) via a software update – in other words, there’s no reason to spend more money on the (Gen. 6+). These include improvements to Fairphone Moments – which lets you use a switch to turn your smartphone into a dumbphone with fewer distractions – and a Fairphone Gallery app.
New to our range
Now available: Fairphone (Gen. 6+)
In a nutshell
Not what we needed
The Fairphone (Gen. 6+) is marginally better than the Fairphone (Gen. 6). However, the differences in everyday use are so minor that, to me, the Plus version is unnecessary. A seven-per-cent increase in performance just isn’t worth the 100-euro upcharge. The processing power of the standard model is sufficient for my needs. Even the pretty cobalt blue doesn’t tip the scales enough.
Taken on its own, the Fairphone (Gen 6+) is a solid smartphone with a few unique features. As with the Fairphone (Gen 6), these include a modular design that makes repairs easier and great long-term software support. In addition, the manufacturer strives to produce intensely sustainable products and to pay fair wages in its production facilities. On top of that, it offers hardware suitable for everyday use as well as a variety of accessories to customise your smartphone.
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
