cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/45810243
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Fairphones are issued to employees by the Information & Library Services (ILS) division. In addition to new Fairphones, the university can also reissue used Samsung devices where possible. These are Samsung devices that have already been returned and still meet the technical and age requirements. As long as these devices are still available, not every employee will receive a Fairphone immediately. Employees who have an iPhone from Radboud University can continue to use it as long as the device is still functioning. However, returned iPhones will no longer be reissued.
Employees who prefer to use their private phone for work can request an RU SIM card for this purpose. The costs for using your own device will not be reimbursed. Naturally, smartphone models that have already been issued will continue to be supported by ILS colleagues, as will privately purchased smartphone models used for work.
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Due to its longer lifespan, the total cost of a Fairphone is lower than that of comparable devices. In addition, Radboud University only needs to purchase, manage and support one standard model … Fairphone offers a five-year warranty and long-term software support for up to eight years. This means that devices need to be replaced less quickly. This fits in with Radboud University’s circularity strategy, which focuses on the longest possible use and reuse of ICT hardware.
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Crazy decision. The quality of FP and their customer service are abyssimal. I know because I used all of them from FP1 to FP4. After them just sending brandnew but broken FP5 phones twice to me. Looked into FP user forum. Learned 100+ other users experienced the same issue, yet no reaction from FP. Had to fight hard to get my money back. I am out. Good luck Radboud University, godspeed.
FWIW I haven’t had any issues with my FP6, everything works well.
Same here. My battery has never died and I’ve had it for almost two months.
I got a flagship and regret it. I wanted to degoogle and I couldnt get it to work for me and now I am overgoogled. The battery is shit. As much as I have always detested them, Samsung have a better UI than pixel.
Did you get the e/ one?
Is it possible to run e.g. GrapheneOS on it? How secure is it?
Graphene only supports pixel devices
While the fairphone can’t run GrapheneOS, /e/OS is already a massive improvement over the standard Google Android as it removes the different Google viruses and bootkits installed by default. If graphene OS is a requirement for you, I’d suggest waiting until Q4 2026. As then, they have said a new device will support the software.
Wait what? Fairphone will release a ohone supporting GrapheneOS? Pog
And as for the interface… I know it sounds silly, but does GrapheneOS have a similar interface to e/, or allow you to give it that more of an Apple-ish look?
I never said Fairphone would be it, they have just announced a new partnership with an unnamed OEM that will support GrapheneOS on their devices starting Q4 2026. I wish it were fairphone.
In Android you can make the launcher look whatever you like. You just install the launcher like any other program on the device and then just select the launcher in the settings menu as your default one. You can make it look like whatever you want.
No unfortunately I’m still on regular Android for now.
GrapheneOS isn’t supported either as they only support pixel phones.
I’m not sure I’m qualified to speak to how secure it is, but my impression would be that it is about as secure as any other android phone (other than a pixel running graphene)
They would be supporting them internally anyway, and for only specific apps since it’s a phone for employees. I wonder what the change in projected costs like that are.
Interesting. My fp5 is my first fp. I wouldn’t say I’m impressed with the hardware across the board, lots of complaints honestly. But the service has been pretty great to me. I had a problem with my fingerprint button and they queued up a replacement phone (ironic? Can’t even fix this lol) for me and shipping without me even pushing
You’re gonna get downvoted but frankly you’re correct. Everything FairPhone is incredibly unappealing to me, especially the fact they made it harder to change the battery. Next gen you’ll get glued battery and we’ve come full circle lol.
You’re comparing a company that sold 100k products to a trillion dollar one. Give them time?
What trillion dollar company did I compare them with ?
IMO FP should keep doing what they are known for, which is repairability. Six gens in and they are already dropping the ball instead of getting better at their craft. I’m not a client so I don’t care, but it’s already not looking great.
I hope we eventually go back to have amazing EU phone companies like we did with Nokia, but I don’t think this is it.
Weren’t you agreeing to op saying they have abysmal customer support? Which comps don’t have poor support? The ones charging 2k usd for extra storage
Many small companies have excellent customer support, in fact I’d argue most of them have the capacity to offer customer support that goes way beyond what massive corporations can. Clearly this is something FP doesn’t prioritize.