It is getting more expensive to replace a smartphone, but Fairphone has introduced a cost-effective method of upgrading its phone. New versions of most phones become available every year and while the technology continues to expand and reach new possibilities, the costs of yearly upgrades is also reaching new heights.
Fairphone prides itself as a company that builds phones ethically and responsibly. Modern-day companies, and their CEOs, have adopted missions to better the world. In some cases, companies are committed to ing political movements and even Twitter's Jack Dorsey has made moves to directly and personally universal basic income. Fairphone is not any different in this sense, as the company’s goal is to make the world a better place.
In a environmentally-friendly emphasis on its module by offering s a way to keep their existing phone a little longer and only replace a certain part of it. Although a measure like this might help to cut the cost of upgrades, it is equally important to acknowledge its potential at changing communities across the world.
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The Fairphone 3+ is similar to other smartphones on the market. Not only does it come running on Gorilla Glass 5. At first, it seems like a standard phone, but the company has confirmed it is made up of 40-percent recycled plastics. For those who are new to the brand and considering the latest Fairphone 3+ as a purchase, the device is priced at €469 (around $560). Interested consumers will be able to purchase the new phone as soon as September 14 in countries where it becomes available.
New phone aside, the company wants s to keep hold of their devices for more years than usual. For example, with the camera module being sold separately, owners of an existing Fairphone 3 can simply spend €70 (just under $85) to upgrade their camera to the one included with the Fairphone 3+. However, that price is only during September, with the cost said to be increasing to €95 (around $115) in October.
Fairphone has a list of goals in addition to ing the environment. For example, the company wants to improve mining conditions in African countries while simultaneously improving the wages and conditions of Chinese factory workers. The company also plans on launching its Circular Modular Program, which fixes a customer’s old or broken module at no cost. Overall, the company is attempting to break the cycle where people replace their phones over and over again. Compared to other companies, like Apple, the module upgrades benefit people and the environment at the same time. The company expects that this cost-effective measure will reduce the phone's carbon footprint by somewhere between 28 and 42-percent.
Source: Fairphone