Have you gone in to get an iPhone or iPad fixed recently in Wales only to receive an enormous repair bill that you can’t avoid? This has been an increasingly common story across the tech world recently, as right-to-repair laws and regulations keep getting pushed back by companies more focused on your money than your satisfaction. Some companies fight against this rising tide, however, like Fairphone. With smartphones and now earbuds, these devices return power to the purchaser, and they could be worth a look for your next upgrade.
What is a Fairphone?
Developed by the company with the same name, the Fairphones are a line of smartphones built on the concept of repairability, fair trade, and minimising environmental impacts. This philosophy has led their systems to perform slightly worse than big names like Apple or Samsung up-front while offering far lower long-term costs for repairs and part replacement.
The company has also dipped its toes into earbuds with the aptly named Fairbuds. As covered by Ars Technica, these earphones take the same approach as their smartphone cousins, where part replacement and repairs appear at the forefront of design. Whether looking at smartphones or earphones, the same advantages apply to each, and in a time when you have fewer rights over the goods you purchase, they’re more important than ever.
Realities of an Open Approach
The expensive repairs of Apple devices due to a lack of third-party repair support have been criticised for years, and it’s far from the only consumer-unfriendly move made by big tech. More recently, companies like Roku have forced users of their products to accept new terms and conditions to keep access to what they already fully paid for. As Tech Crunch details, these new terms include forced arbitration, taking away the power of the consumer if Roku does something wrong, and other tech companies are following suit.
Fairphone Potential
Cheaper repairs from Fairphone systems are the most obvious positive aspect of their systems, but it’s not the only advantage they offer. Just as welcoming is the ability to easily replace batteries, a feature that is becoming less possible with mainstream devices. Since battery degradation is often the main reason why long-term users replace their systems, this key change offers immense potential for users not interested in making constant new phone purchases.
Replacement parts are more important now than ever also thanks to how powerful modern systems have become. For an example of this power, consider a common Welsh pursuit of using smartphones to play online casino games. Casinos like Mr Vegas and Casumo as mentioned in Bonusfinder UK`s recent post run well even on systems years old. Whether collecting free spins or bonus cash, playing games, or watching streams, the tech on modern systems like the Fairphone is already years ahead of what users really need. As long as you can repair the device and replace the battery, you have an effective long-term way to engage these casinos and many other entertainment platforms.
While you don’t need to rush out and purchase a Fairphone, we would encourage readers to research and consider one of these more user-friendly devices for their next upgrade. To help reduce electronic waste in Wales and leave a little more in your wallet, the businesses which adopt a more consumer-friendly approach are worth supporting. They even help local stores repair systems that would otherwise be thrown away, so it’s something to think about next time you need a new piece of tech.
Feature image: “Oof. No one likes to see that…” (CC BY 2.0) by whatleydude