Our planet is gorgeous, however we solely have one to go round. As such, making good decisions about how we reside our lives and the merchandise we purchase is vital to making sure it sticks round for generations to return. Some smartphones are created to be extra sustainable and repairable than others — and if these are vital elements to you when shopping for a brand new cellphone, the Fairphone 4 is the one to purchase. There are additionally a couple of different choices value discussing relating to the very best modular cellphone, which we’ll dive into on this article.(Image credit score: Jerry Hildenbrand / Android Central)Replace components everytime you want toReasons to purchase+Replaceable modules permit for simple DIY repairs+Comes with a five-year guarantee+Five years of software program updates+Responsible materials sourcing+Fairphone advocates for good working conditionsReasons to avoid-Only accessible in Europe and the U.Okay.-So-so cameras-Expensive-Slow updatesIn the world of sustainable smartphones, the Fairphone 4 is maybe the preferred. Why? It’s arguably probably the most repairable on the planet, receiving an ideal 10/10 repairability rating in iFixit’s teardown similar to the older Fairphone 3. Most of the Fairphone 4 is made out of user-replaceable modules, which means you’ll be able to swap components out and in as you could. There are modules for the show, battery, rear digicam, selfie digicam, headphone jack, USB-C port, speaker, and extra. If one thing right here breaks, chances are high you’ll be able to substitute it within the blink of a watch.For repairs or upgrades, all you want is a Philips screwdriver, which Fairphone thoughtfully offers together with the cellphone. And, only for some additional peace of thoughts, Fairphone 4 comes with a beneficiant five-year guarantee. Even higher, simple repairability is not the place Fairphone stopped with the Fairphone 4. The handset is created with responsibly-sourced supplies, to not point out that Fairphone is a large advocate for higher working situations within the cell tech business.On the specs entrance, the Fairphone 4 delivers a Snapdragon 750G processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage, a 6.3-inch Full HD+ show, and a 3,905 mAh battery. The cellphone within reason waterproof, sporting an IP45 water resistance score. It runs Android 11 out of the field, and you will get software program updates till 2025, together with Android 12 and 13. Users may set up various working programs like /e/os on their Fairphone gadgets.As a lot as we love the Fairphone 4, it does include a giant caveat. It’s solely accessible in Europe and the U.Okay., which means you are out of luck in the event you reside within the U.S. Unfortunately, most customers are additionally nonetheless ready for Android 12.(Image credit score: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)Sustainability completed rightReasons to purchase+Four-year guarantee+Low payment for all repairs+Covers accidents, water harm, misuse, and many others.+Good specs for the value+Made of 25% recycled plastic componentsReasons to avoid-Only appropriate with AT&T and T-Mobile-Weak cameras-Ships with Android 11-Three years of updates would not impressAs you may study studying by way of this text, discovering sustainable telephones accessible within the U.S. may be fairly tough. Thankfully, we’ve the Teracube 2e. Initially a part of an Indiegogo marketing campaign and now being offered as a fully-funded product, the Teracube 2e is designed to be “the world’s most reliable smartphone.”The huge draw to the Teracube 2e is its guarantee. You get a four-year guarantee along with your buy, and below that guarantee, all repairs price a flat price. That consists of water harm, a cracked show, ageing batteries, you title it. Screen repairs are solely $59, and new batteries are $29. Those costs embody components, labor, and two-way transport. The firm can also be working with iFixit to make restore guides and components accessible for these do-it-yourself-ers.The Teracube 2e has strong specs for its worth, with a few of the highlights being a MediaTek Helio A25 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, 6.1-inch Full HD+ show, 13MP + 8MP twin rear cameras, and a 4,000 mAh battery. You additionally get a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C charging, microSD enlargement, twin SIM slots, and NFC for Google Pay.Fortunately, the Teracube 2e is slated to get two platform updates as a part of the Android One initiative. So you are going to get updates till Android 12, however you may should be affected person. Forget worrying about Android 13, Teracube 2e customers are nonetheless ready for Android 12 to roll round. It’s too dangerous Teracube would not work with Verizon, however in the event you depend on AT&T or T-Mobile to your cell service, it is an unimaginable buy.(Image credit score: SHIFT)SHIFT6mqIf you want highly effective specsReasons to purchase+Can be taken aside with only a screwdriver+Modular design+Easily detachable battery+SHIFT provides free restore guides+Natively helps customized ROMsReasons to avoid-Only offered in Europe-Runs Android 10 out of the boxSticking with telephones offered in Europe, the SHIFT6mq stands out as one other simple suggestion. Like Fairphone, SHIFT goals to create gadgets which might be easy to restore and open to modification.We’re particularly trying on the SHIFT6mq, which is astonishingly simple to restore. The last-gen SHIFT6m earned a 9/10 repairability rating from iFixit, with a few of its highlights being easy accessibility to the battery and display, just one sort of screw head getting used to carry the cellphone collectively, and a screwdriver being included within the field, so nothing is holding you again from making repairs as wanted. With the SHIFT6mq, you get all the identical benefits.The SHIFT6mq does have some overlapping elements and brief connection cables, which means that it isn’t fairly as simple to restore because the Fairphone 4. That stated, it is nonetheless gentle years forward of what most different corporations are promoting nowadays.Unfortunately, that is one other cellphone that you simply can’t purchase in the event you reside within the U.S. I do know — unhappy trombone.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Keep your recollections trying pretty much as good as can beReasons to purchase+Most elements are simply replaceable+Comes with Android 12+Guaranteed updates for 5 years+Incredible rear digicam+Works on all U.S. carriersReasons to avoid-Not as repairable as others on this list-Battery may be very tough to replaceMoving again to telephones which you could truly buy in the event you reside within the U.S., we would prefer to shine a lightweight on the Pixel 6. No, it isn’t on the identical repairability degree as the opposite Teracube 2e, Fairphone 4, or SHIFT6mq, however it is among the higher choices from a mainstream producer.If you wish to do any DIY repairs on the Google Pixel 6, doing so is comparatively easy. The majority of Google’s elements are modular and straightforward to exchange, and we additionally respect the easy-to-remove adhesive that holds the display in place. The Pixel 6 earned a six out of ten repairability rating from iFixit, which is not dangerous in any respect for a flagship Android gadget.Regarding the remainder of the Pixel 6 expertise, it is top-of-the-line worth flagship telephones cash should purchase. There’s a 90Hz OLED show, a 50MP important digicam that takes beautiful images, and software program updates/safety patches are assured by way of July 2027. You may use the cellphone on whichever service you want, which is a large plus.(Image credit score: HMD Global)Nokia X30 5GKeep prices lowReasons to purchase+Runs Android 12 out of the field+Slated to obtain 3 extra platform updates+3-year guarantee+Constructed with 60% recycled supplies+IP67 water and mud resistance ensures lengthy lifespanReasons to avoid-Not accessible within the U.S.-HMD Global is not good with software program updates-Not as simply repairable as others on this listAnother sustainable cellphone we would prefer to deliver your consideration to is the Nokia X30 5G. The Nokia X30 5G is designed to be a mid-range cellphone, which means it isn’t as highly effective or attention-grabbing as extra mainstream Android telephones just like the Pixel 6. It’s not as repairable because the Fairphone or the Teracube both, however it does have a leg up by way of sustainability and endurance.The Nokia X30 5G sports activities a hardy IP67 water and dustproof score so it could possibly survive tough use. This is clearly going to assist it keep alive for much longer than your common cellphone. HMD Global guarantees a three-year guarantee, three years of OS and safety updates, and the cellphone comes with Android 12 out of the field. That means you may be good till Android 15 sees the sunshine of day.On the eco-friendly aspect of issues, HMD Global claims that the Nokia X30 5G is probably the most sustainable Nokia cellphone but. A whopping 60% of all of the supplies used to construct Nokia X30 handsets are recycled, together with plastic and aluminum. In an effort to scale back e-waste, there isn’t any energy brick within the field and the cellphone options eSIM assist.Sadly, the sturdy Nokia X30 5G will not be accessible within the U.S. simply but and we do not know if it ever will. Making issues worse, Nokia telephones are famously gradual to obtain new updates.The finest eco-friendly cellphone to your wantsWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you’ll be able to select the very best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.Sustainable/repairable smartphones aren’t as distinguished as we want they had been among the many finest Android telephones. Still, so long as you are keen to do a little bit of digging, it is attainable to search out loads of hidden gems that excel in these regards. Overall, we predict the Fairphone 4 is the very best of the very best.One take a look at Fairphone’s five-year guarantee is sufficient to make it a compelling buy — no matter whether or not or not you are involved about your influence on the planet. If you drop the Fairphone whereas plugged in, by accident shatter its display on the sidewalk, or for just about another cause, you will get a substitute battery or display and simply substitute any half your self.The sustainable and modular construct is the large promoting level of the Fairphone 4, however the cellphone itself can also be designed to be pleasant to make use of. Between its Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB RAM choices, expandable storage, IP45 score, and deliberate upgrades to Android 12 and 13, the Fairphone 4 virtually has all of it. It’s a stellar bundle that comes at a steep price, however we really feel that responsibly sourced supplies are value it.It’s a bummer that U.S. residents cannot get their arms on the Fairphone, so that they’ll should accept the Teracube 2e as an alternative. Teracube is not half as dangerous, however it’s simply not on Fairphone’s degree.Round up of right this moment’s finest offers (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)