Fairphone, a Dutch smartphone maker, has entered the US market with its $650 Fairphone Gen 6+, designed for longevity and repairability. Unlike typical smartphones glued and screwed shut, the Gen 6+ can be fully disassembled in about 20 minutes using a single T5 Torx screwdriver. Chandler Hatton, Fairphone's CT O, explains that the company aims to deliver a compelling mobile experience while enabling users to 'fully own' their device.

The phone features a 6.31-inch OLED screen and supports user replacement of 12 different parts, reducing e-waste and repair costs. Fairphone prioritizes sustainability through recycled materials, conflict-free sourcing, and fair labor practices. The company tracks a key performance indicator: ensuring every purchaser uses the device for at least five years.

This modular approach makes the phone slightly thicker than conventional models but offers significant long-term value. As Hatton notes, there's an incentive in planned obsolescence to replace devices, but Fairphone's proposition is different—building phones designed to last.