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Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

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Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#321

I never broke a phone, not even scratched the screen but I feel force to buy a new one every 3 years because they become obsolete (I guess apps require more and more memory to the point I cannot have two open at the same time, which kills my ability to pay online). I bought a Framework laptop for the same reason and I successfully managed to upgrade it, not repair it! Is there a phone that allows me to upgrade over t…

You are one of the rare people that never broke a phone, probably.... or you just started using a cellphone... or you dont really use it or armored case, or something similar

I lost one 20 years ago, that was the closest I've been to breaking one.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are you doing with it? Never had a waterproof phone, never needed one. I guess very few people benefit from it on a day to day basis. Most value is just there in case of accidents

My wife's phone died in a bucket of goat milk. All those calcium ions are great conductors.

RIP. That's an interesting phone death.

I actually killed a Nokia 6303 because the alarm went off and it vibrated off the window sill into a large pan of potatoes I'd just boiled. You just never know what is going to happen.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#323
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> without having to glue it back together It's not like using a squirt-bottle. Just buy the seal with the repair part, example below. https://www.ifixit.com/products/iphone-x-display-assembly-ad...

In my opinion, getting it safely /off/ is the challenge that makes glued-on front panels a downside.

They're really easy to get off. I've done at least 5 now. Just get one of the microwaveable heat packs and use it to soften up the adhesive, then work round it with a spudger and clean it up afterwards.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#324

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yikes. I've had multiple laptop and phone power connectors flake out gradually but never so far suddenly. I just got my first USB-C phone because my old micro USB one was crapping out among other things. I'm gradually migrating from the old phone to the new. That would be much more hassle if the old phone was totally unable to charge. Now I'm worrying about USB-C, ugh.

All connectors used that often break, but usbc is generally accepted as being more durable than microusb

I've only experienced gradual failures so far, which give me time to fix or migrate. Sudden failure is harder to deal with. Wireless charging plus replaceable batteries would be a perfect combo.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#325
post #294

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed two ways. Either you don't get any updates and at one point you can't use any app because it's outdated. Or you get all updates and at one point you can't use any apps, because your phone became unbearably slow.

Yup, that's what I'm dealing with and it sucks. I am typing this from a phone that I am already considering replacing for this very same reason although it does everything well and I looks brand new (rubber case, screen protection, etc.). I understand phones are harder to upgrade because space is very limited but the e-waste we're generating (and the money impact) seems something that needs to be addressed.

I think it is also about the use cases and apps you use. For example: I have 1 phone older than 10y serving as a music player, almost never having Internet connection, almost always being in airplane mode. Another phone as my normal phone, also nearing 10y old, with a screen that is partially broken, but still accepts touch input fine everywhere, inherited from someone else, used usually only for Signal and Hackernews reading, rarely browsing in Firefox, nothing really feeling slow. Then I have one much newer phone, but waaay cheaper phone and it felt terribly slow right from the start, got it only to separate concerns, and as a throwaway. Not sure what its issue is really.

My point is that with reasonable apps old phones work just fine. Just don't install crap apps or facebook or something like that, stick to well working apps. Use a phone as a phone, not as your universal computing interface and you should be OK for a long time.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#326

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple's USB-C to headphone dongle works on Android, I believe, and is regularly reviewed to have the same audio quality as comparably expensive DACs. It's $9

That adapter is so flimsy. I don't think it would last repeated use.

It’s been around for so long, and the Lightning version for even longer, that if it was a serious problem we would know by now.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#327

I never broke a phone, not even scratched the screen but I feel force to buy a new one every 3 years because they become obsolete (I guess apps require more and more memory to the point I cannot have two open at the same time, which kills my ability to pay online). I bought a Framework laptop for the same reason and I successfully managed to upgrade it, not repair it! Is there a phone that allows me to upgrade over t…

You are one of the rare people that never broke a phone, probably.... or you just started using a cellphone... or you dont really use it or armored case, or something similar

Is it that rare? I also use smart phones for over 10 years and have never broken one, only inherited a broken screen one. And I have never even used protective hulls or anything. I sometimes do consider myself even rather clumsy and yet I still did not break a phone.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How terrible are people treating their cables? That number is insane to me.

Travel, among other things. Wear on the phone side of the port should be considered too.

I travel with cables every day. The only cables I've ever broken were due to some accident like tripping over it or something. I'm talking like 1 or 2 in my entire life. I have never considered cables to be a consumable part.

How on earth does someone get through one a year? Are you using it as a rope? Copper isn't cheap but should last decades, not one lousy year.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#329

Quite expensive. For regular buyer it is better to get for the same money two phones: one new phone now and another new in 3 years.

For the planet: Not much better

Then the government needs to add those external costs to non-repairable phones to make the Fairphone competitive on price too. Unfortunately the vast majority of people will consider price first.

Re: Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10?

#330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's about 1% more convenient

That's really all it takes

Nah, I think someone just got addicted to adding "cool tech" to their house and is now locked in to phones with wireless charging. A lot of the smart home stuff seems to be like that.
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