• 𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        7 months ago

        I like having options and the versatility personally 😁

        The 3.5mm jack can also be used to record video audio with a much better microphone, attach a HW infrared blaster, or use your device as a crude oscilloscope im a pinch with appropriate software

        The more common use case is people with existing wired headphones - there’s honestly no need to cast aside perfectly good cans for no reason. Yes USB-C DACs exist, but IMO that’s a completely manufactured expense and inconvenience, considering almost all phones still have the 3.5mm dac and amplifier components physically present on the mainboard: only now you must purchase a dongle to access the output via passthrough, or purchase a third party dongle that includes its own DAC.

        My pain point though is the fact that users with wired headphones are now being forced to induce more usage cycles on a single connector port (which is not always economically repairable on modern devices), and all the avoidable e-waste produced by these things when the unreplaceable, consumable batteries give up the ghost after two years of ownership

  • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de
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    7 months ago

    This sounds like very bad news imo.

    To be more than a blip on the radar, Fairphone needs to go way past 80% of customer needs. Hendriks says people want to make a contribution (to sustainability), but they don’t want to sacrifice everything else in the process.

    This sounds like the new CEO wants to sacrifice sustainability for popularity. The current gen fairphones are everything they need to be imo. There is barely a need for improvements on the hardware side and its supported very well by custom roms.

    To achieve that feat, Fairphone is more closely collaborating with Google and Qualcomm.

    This could mean anything but i dont think collaborating closely with google is what Fairphones need more of tbh.

  • space_comrade [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    7 months ago

    Do these things really deliver on their promise? Did anybody have one for multiple years? Is it really easily repairable? Is it more durable than your average smartphone?

    • Joxnir@kbin.social
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      7 months ago

      I just updated my FP3 to Android 13 yesterday. I love it. It’s still running like new. Software aside, I’d say it’s physically as durable as most phones, but I can easily replace any part that might break, since it’s made in such a modular design. Heck it even came with a screwdriver to make it easier.

        • Atemu@lemmy.ml
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          7 months ago

          Sorry, can’t answer that as my crystal ball is broken at the moment.

        • Joxnir@kbin.social
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          7 months ago

          Sorry for the late reply. I think they promised “5+ years” of support for the FP3, so that could theoretically already end in August this year.
          However, like with the FP2, they have a great track record for long support and only ever seem to want to push that support even farther. Also I’m using the EOS ROM on this phone which is based on LineageOS. The combination of a very open phone and an open source OS leads me to expect I’ll still be using this phone for another 5 years easily.

          • Churbleyimyam@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            That’s great. I’m very nostalgic for my old FP2 (which i only recently stopped using). Still worth buying a FP3 then by the sound of it… Do you know if EOS has google services removed? And can you allow hotspot connections to use the phone’s VPN? Thanks :)

            • Joxnir@kbin.social
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              7 months ago

              EOS does indeed have google services removed, and replaced with microG, which is an open source replacement that allows dependent apps to still work. You can check it out here:
              https://e.foundation/e-os/

              I really like the balance they go for between practicality and privacy. Never tried their own online services so I can’t comment on that part.

              As for VPN with hotspot, no idea. :D For what it’s worth, regular hotspotting worked fine in my experience.

              If you’re concerned about the lifespan of the device, maybe the FP4 or FP5 would better. Lacking headphone jack aside, they seem like good upgrades and should last waaay longer.

    • AngusTheNerd@feddit.uk
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      7 months ago
      1. Yes, at least in my experience.

      2. I’ve used my Fairphone 4 since I got it in Febuary 2022, although I ordered it November 2021, replacing the Oneplus 3 I’d bought at release. Main reason for the upgrade was because of the relockable bootloader, which meant it would get CalyxOS support.

      3. Repair is trivially easy. Like, you have to be an idiot to make a mess of it easy. Only thing I’ve replaced so far is the plastic back (for reasons explained in answer 4) which took literal seconds. I also bought a spare battery that can, again, be swapped in seconds. It’s come in clutch several times. I’ve disassembled and reasessembled this phone to satisfy the same impulse I get when taking apart a pen.

      4. I’m very clumsy, for reference repairing my old OP3 cost me double what I initially paid for it. The FP4 has so far landed face down on the pavement about as many times my OP3 did, and the only damage it’s recieved is to the plastic back, which takes alot of the impact energy with it when it pops off. Eventually the back had so many chips in the sides it had to be replaced but everything else has remained fully functional despite such mistreatment. It’s also thicker than most phones, it feels comfortably sturdy to hold. There was also a massive camera upgrade recently thanks to a software update, although being on CalyxOS I can’t offer first hand impressions.

  • Twoafros@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    This awesome if its possible. The article said they would try reduce costs by closer partnerships with Google and Qualcomm but I don’t think hat will get them to reduce their prices that drastically. I hope I’m wrong though!

  • taiyang@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    I really need a better option in the US. I use phones I fix from relatives who discard them, but it’s not exactly fun prying out a glued in spicy pillow battery every time (plus fully replacing the glass because it’s practically designed to shatter when opened). I looked into Fairphone but those expanded markets don’t seem to include mine.

  • Ross_audio@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    Are they bringing back the headphone jack?

    My Nokia should last until 2027 with updates but it would be nice to know my options if it breaks.