Fairphone 2: hands-on with the modular smartphone

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A hands-on with the Fairphone 2 - the world's first publicly available modular smartphone. But that's not the only reason we love it.

We love that the company sources its minerals from conflict-free mines and works with its manufacturers to ensure factory workers receive a fair pay.

The Dutch company received the United Nations Momentum for Change climate change award for its commitment to reducing e-waste, but it isn't only a noble phone - it's a cool, techy one too.

The Fairphone 2 can literally be put together and taken apart by an average Joe - or Gina! Each part can be bought seperately, from the 8-megapixel camera through to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor.

For the full run-down, watch our hands-on and be sure to drop any questions in the comments section below!

[SonOfMidgeslayer]

An amazing project and an incredibly complex and difficult one for a small start up. Their products will probably never compete on looks, specs or price. Its a phone for the minority of people who value ethics more than those things. Its also about trying to start a debate, getting more consumers to think about where their shiny shiny toys come from and holding tech companies to account for the negative effects of their activities. Great video and well done for the publicity, most tech sites just aren't interested.

[LeonNixonUnderscore]

Look forward to seeing a review with the phone turned on in the future!

[Paadre]

I'm really considering buying this phone. Yes, it's not as great as the God iPhone or the God Samsung, but I like the ethical twist about Fairphone.

[hamzarehman]

Too much blur maaan just switch to manual focus

[floydbarber]

for all who say it is too expensive. how much costs the iphones? are they lasting that long like this?

[diegoficagna]

Love the accent! And FEARphone is a way badasser name!

[saifpilot]

Gina, your accent is so cute and adorable

[MaartenvanRossemLezingen]

These things are expensive af though, I wonder how much of that is material prices and how much of that is profit.

[tomferrari]

does the cameraman know how to focus correctly?

[MassDynamic]

it seems that easy repair + slim, dont go well together. if only phones like galaxy s8 could be a bit easier to repair.

[mjbadboy]

The front looks like the Sony Xperia U

[Bula]

Can´t watch this.. Cameraman is doing a terrible job!

[arunabhalahiri]

If it had been one year earlier, the fair phone was a fair choice. But now I see no reason to go for it instead of a say moto or nexus.  But the concept is interesting and many company will surely pick up when the smartphone market will start to saturate. I believe it's too early..

[BrokebackBob]

Needs non-transparent back, better user-facing camera and lower price. $543 is absurd.

[sayresyDevino]

Not so sure people will pay a premium price these days for a gimmicky phone. The thought of paying $5-600 nowadays seems absurd for something as clunky and semi-modular in design.  No doubt it will appeal to some, but not me. Funky holo and VR gadgets on the horizon -- much more fun.

[ahmedp]

Its more like repairable than modular, way too expensive,   Still interesting

[hjindani]

can i change GPU ? can i change CPU ? can i change RAM ? no ? so this sucks anyway

[needsomehike]

Where are the rare earth elements were mined for that phone? There are voices out there that say China now controlls the 90% rear earth element mining on planet earth. Those mines are mostly in Africa. free sounds like marketing. And fair payment for the factory workers? The top phones that are from abused factory workers come for the similar price. (Nexus...etc.)So how did they cut the costs? Make no mistake I love the concept just that bad bad sceptic me....

[Jeffli]

$500 euro for a early 2014 spec phone, no thank you, and I still have to pay extra to change the 8mp f2.8 module to something is coming soon, with no information on the spec and price.

[sarkerm]

Horrible camera job! Get something that can focus properly.