I strictly use <100€ second hand phones and I love it. I flash LineageOS with MicroG and don’t use Google at all. But if you need to, go ahead and add it.
To me, the Fairphone feels more like a status symbol, it’s a cool but expensive conversation starter. But why buy new stuff when there’s already an infinite number of cheap used phones available?
I’m using a Pixel 3a now, Galaxy A5 (2017) before that. Life is good 3 generations down the road.
Should I buy a Fairphone? If not, what SHOULD I buy and why?
Submitted 10 months ago by thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz to askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
Comments
Teppichbrand@feddit.de 10 months ago
khannie@lemmy.world 10 months ago
I’m on a similar vibe to you but I keep my phones for a long time and move to lineage after official support ends rather than buying second hand. Last phone (OnePlus 5) lasted over five years this way then got passed on to my daughter.
The main reason I go this route is that I know batteries last way longer when you don’t charge them past 80% regularly and I assume all second hand phones have been charged to 100% every night.
odium@programming.dev 10 months ago
I need a lot more information about you before recommending something.
- your location (not all models of fairphone support all countries)
- what things you regularly do with your phone
- how strongly you care about various issues (privacy, Foss, environment friendly, fair trade, anti-monopolies, etc.)
- How much you need the money (it’s an expensive phone for the specs)
thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz 10 months ago
- My Android phone that I’ve had for several years just died forever and I am currently without a phone (other than Google Voice on my computer).
- I’m in the US. Carrier is T Mobile. I understand I’d have to place my order through a third party.
- Things I care about: All of the above, as long as I can do my work.
- I have the budget.
Things I do regularly:
- Make phone calls.
- Check my email.
- Text messages.
- Signal
- Podcasts and Audiobooks (I’m currently going nuts trying to do chores without my normal audio stimulation). I need Audible and I need some app that will let me keep all my subscriptions and Patreon benefits.
- Magic Arena.
- Lemmy (I currently just use it in a browser, last time I tried Jerboa it was super buggy)
- ChatGPT app.
I also “Hey Google” all the time. I’m not sure what the state of deGoogled voice assistants is. If I could “Hey ChatGPT” it would be orders of magnitude more useful than “Hey Google.” Losing voice assistance isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s something I do use frequently.
Probably 40% of my phone use is Magic Arena and 40% is podcasts and audiobooks. Then probably 5% is “Hey Google, set an alarm for 5 minutes / OK Google, set an alarm for 6:00 AM.”
Google Services I need for work… but I’m willing to hack my way around to get them, as long as it’s possible.
- Google Voice (non negotiable, sadly).
- My work email is through Google.
- My work video conferences are through Google Meet.
- My work calendar is through Google and my phone gives me 10 minute notifications before a meeting.
I would like to degoogle as much as possible, but these are work requirements, and my ADHD brain can’t handle having two phones (one will get left uncharged / lost / never turned on and the odds are that will be the work one).
calamityjanitor@lemmy.world 10 months ago
Fair phone is awesome but keep in mind it uses a very slow IoT CPU, the Qualcomm QCM6490. I don’t know how intense MTG arena is but check reviews for comparisons before buying if that’s a big part of your phone needs.
THE_ANON@lemmy.ml 10 months ago
Jerboa is solid now for your information
odium@programming.dev 10 months ago
www.kimovil.com/en/…/fairphone-5
Fairphone 5 will support all of T Mobile’s 4g bands, but only half of the 5g bands. This means that it will have lower 5g coverage than a US phone, but it will have as much 4g coverage as any US phone using t mobile. Based on your use cases, I don’t think there will be too many problems if your phone doesn’t get 5g speeds. Remember that most ppl didn’t have 5g just 3-4 years ago and people were able to do everything that you’re planning on doing with 4g networks.
If you are going to look into alternative OSes, consider degoogled androids over linux phones as you seem to need some android specific apps. Most degoogled androids have the ability to install Google apps with something called microg. For voice assistants, you might be able to install Google voice using microg or choose an open source voice assistant like this one: github.com/PoCInnovation/Elivia-AI. I don’t use voice assistants much, so I’m not too sure how well those work.
Fluid@aussie.zone 10 months ago
Unfortunately what you’re looking for doesn’t exist. We all have been down this journey. There was some hope a few years back with Purism reviving dreams of a linux phone, but they shit the bed and now there is no viable alternative outside the big two.
ahriboy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 months ago
Pay attention to LTE and 5G bands. mmWave is not available in most 5G ready countries.
scoobford@lemmy.zip 10 months ago
In my opinion, the pixel is the best option simply for grapheneOS. The privacy and security is unmatched, which are serious concerns these days.
That being said, the fairphone is an extra ~300€ here.
Neato@ttrpg.network 10 months ago
Pixel a series. Half the price for not much given up.
half_built_pyramids@lemmy.world 10 months ago
Thought pixel was Google and tracked everything?
PotatoesFall@discuss.tchncs.de 10 months ago
Fairphone 4 can run CalyxOS
scoobford@lemmy.zip 10 months ago
It can, and I’d definitely take that over stock, but Calyx is less private and much less secure.
deadbeef@lemmy.nz 10 months ago
What you need is an LG Wing: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LG_Wing
KinNectar@kbin.run 10 months ago
Lol, why
deadbeef@lemmy.nz 10 months ago
Oh not seriously, just making fun of the LTT vote which resulted in Linus using one for a bit.
A fairphone actually sounds pretty cool.
rikonium@discuss.tchncs.de 10 months ago
I own an iPhone since it fits my use case with a retail presence, (more) available repair, longer (if murkier how much exactly) software support, customer support and local backup option. (iTunes)
Out of the box it’s a superior privacy experience to a Pixel but if you’re someone who wants to tinker, there’s less potential. Personally, I don’t want to have to “work” on my phone these days and Google’s engineering snafus haven’t been reassuring. (Google Drive “fix” then sticking head in sand when problems persist, Android 14 bricking…)
and my most personal reason is that they made my Moto Z Play materially worse by removing the OK Google with screen off feature to push the then-new Pixel and pretended it never was supported.
thebardingreen@lemmy.starlightkel.xyz 10 months ago
iOS is a hard no for me. It’s like a mechanic buying a car that says “No user serviceable parts” on the sales contract.
Deceptichum@kbin.social 10 months ago
Because we’re all popping open the shell to repair our broken phones? Phones are like the least serviceable thing ever.
rikonium@discuss.tchncs.de 10 months ago
I got you, the caveat is that a DIY battery replacement is going to be easier than say a Pixel 6 (no main board removal necessary.) and will still work.
Yes, their software locking of features (like TrueTone) and less availability of original parts is reprehensible, (luckily those are less critical functions for now but they wont stop there.) I won’t get battery health metrics but it’s about the tradeoffs you want. (See: Pixel Watches outright being considered unrepairable by Google. I’m not sure how easy it would to secure nearby battery service on a Pixel - but at least it’s available on iFixit for DIY…)
THE_ANON@lemmy.ml 10 months ago
Iphone have superior privacy than pixel are you joking man. You do know pixel has graphene right
jaycifer@kbin.social 10 months ago
The words before “superior privacy” were “out of the box,” not in general. I don’t think loading a custom OS counts.
rikonium@discuss.tchncs.de 10 months ago
Yep, I’ve done plenty of custom ROMs, used most mobile OSes out there, etc. but I’m not joking when I say I don’t want to deal with SafetyNet, figuring out what works with/without Play Services and generally getting in bed with Google hardware (but that last bit isn’t privacy oriented.) And no way do I have the time to tell mom how to install Graphene and support it.
Apple’s on-hardware processing for some things is a plus as well. Yes I know it’s their current business plan and can change but they make money on hardware and services, not knowing things.
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
superweeniehutjrs@lemmy.world 10 months ago
If you already have a working phone, then no. Get the most out of what you already have.