The Next Big Must-Have Phone Feature? DIY Repairability

DIY repairability is quickly becoming a must-have feature on any new phone, according to Ben Wood from CCS Insight. He noted that this trend has progressed from being just an extra perk to becoming one of the key differentiators in the market.

Steven Moore, head of climate action at GSMA, revealed to Techopedia ahead of this year's Mobile World Congress that people are keeping their phones longer and showing more interest in fixing them themselves.

The Fairphone 3

If you need a phone that will last the test of time and won't break the bank, the Fairphone 3 is an ideal option. Not only does it boast plenty of features to keep you satisfied, but its design also takes into account sustainability considerations.

The Fairphone 3 is designed as a modular device, so it's simple to replace parts when they break. You can replace the battery, display, rear and front cameras and more - an excellent feature for those who want their phones to last as long as possible since components can be changed out without cost-prohibitive costs.

Fairphone stands out from other manufacturers by using only ethically and environmentally friendly parts in their production process. They use tin, copper and tungsten from sustainable sources as well as recycled plastic and Fairtrade gold - all to promote a more sustainable production system than other companies'; something they believe everyone should strive for.

On the Fairphone 3, Android 9 is preloaded and runs smoothly without any major bugs or bloatware.

Its IPS LCD has a resolution of 2,160 by 1,080 pixels, more than enough for photos and videos. It is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and boasts an average screen-to-body ratio of 72.5% - not bad at all for such a budget handset!

Though not quite up to par with the camera on the Fairphone 2, the Fairphone 3 still manages to take good pictures in good lighting conditions and takes decent pictures. Unfortunately, it struggles a bit in low light conditions and lacks a night mode for front-facing camera users.

Finally, the Fairphone 3 offers a microSD card slot for expanded storage and supports fast charging. While it may not be a top-of-the-line smartphone, it still boasts enough features like a fingerprint scanner and 3.5mm headphone jack to keep you contented.

The Google Pixel 6

Google appears to have turned things around with their Pixel 6 phone, offering superior performance, updated UI/camera options, and a bold design. After some initial struggles with the Pixel line, it looks like they have put all their eggs in one basket with this model.

The Google Pixel 6 is a 6.4-inch smartphone featuring an OLED display and 90Hz refresh rate. It boasts an impressive battery life as well as Android P's Material You design theme which makes the interface appear more like Google's own apps.

The Pixel 6 also utilizes Google's Tensor chip, enabling it to perform computations and AI more securely on-device than if it had to rely on the cloud. This enables impressive software features like incredibly accurate voice recognition and Magic Eraser photo editing that can effectively remove unwanted objects or people from photos.

Google's Pixel 6 is the first phone designed with an exclusive chip, offering exceptional speed and performance. Furthermore, this chip helps ensure that its software stays up to date with Android updates for years to come - truly making this phone stand out.

One of the greatest features of the Pixel 6 is its superior cameras. The primary camera has been completely redesigned with a larger sensor, providing outstanding image quality. Furthermore, there's a new face unblur algorithm built with AI and machine learning to eliminate blur from photos without losing any detail.

Another notable improvement is live translation, which works much better than it did last year and can translate a conversation in real-time. If both speakers are using the Pixel 6, it even supports talking to two separate audiences at once!

The Pixel 6 comes with Google's own charging solution, which charges faster than most other wireless chargers. When charging wired, it supports 30 watts and has a 12-watt wireless option compatible with other devices that have compatible Google chargers.

The Nokia G22

When shopping for a smartphone, one feature that should definitely be on your checklist: DIY Repairability. This ability to fix your device without spending thousands of dollars is becoming more and more common among manufacturers.

Samsung, Google and Apple have often collaborated with iFixit to offer replacement parts or launch their own self-repair programs. While this makes buying a battery, screen or charging port easier, the actual ease of repairing a smartphone can vary significantly.

HMD Global's Nokia G22, on the other hand, is designed with DIY Repairability in mind; making it one of the simplest phones to repair yourself if you have access to appropriate tools and knowledge. The smartphone features a removable plastic back that enables users to easily take apart and replace parts such as batteries, displays or charging ports as well as internal components.

This device is powered by an octa-core Unisoc T606 chipset with 4GB of RAM and runs Android 12. It features a triple rear camera setup featuring 50MP main camera, 2MP depth sensor and 8MP selfie camera; plus its 5,050mAh battery provides 20W fast charging at 20W rates.

The G22 is incredibly user-friendly, boasting features such as OZO Playback for enhanced bass and clarity and Audio Boost mode to increase volume when listening to music or podcasts. Its 6.5-inch IPS display is scratch resistant and supports various display brightness settings so you can customize your viewing experience accordingly.

HMD Global and iFixit have joined forces to offer FixKits that include all the tools necessary for repair of your G22 smartphone. At a press event held earlier today, Adam Ferguson from HMD Global demonstrated how easy it is to swap out the battery on your G22 in just five minutes!

iFixit offers comprehensive step-by-step guides and FixKits that detail how to repair various components on your Nokia G22. Furthermore, the organization stocks replacement parts and tools so you can easily upgrade your phone if required.

Although it's encouraging to see more smartphones with repairability at their core, the G22 isn't exactly cheap; starting at PS150 in Europe. That said, those looking for an affordable way to take advantage of this feature and keep their phones in top condition will find the G22 a good value.

The Fairphone 4

The Fairphone 4 is a 6.3-inch mid-range phone available in two variants - 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage, or 8GB of RAM and 256GB. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processors, these phones boast impressive Geekbench scores of 639 (single core) and 1877 (multicore).

At the top of your smartphone screen, there's a small notch that houses the front-facing camera. While not a huge notch, it stands out amongst all-punch-hole cameras for its modern aesthetic and single lens functionality - which may result in less than ideal photos.

Another noteworthy feature of the Fairphone 4 is its modular design. Every part is replaceable, so upgrading your device is effortless without paying for repairs or services. All you have to do is buy the part online, follow instructions, and get your phone up and running quickly.

Fairphone's policy of not sealing the back of its devices gives you full access to everything inside, even encouraging you to take apart and replace the battery yourself with the provided screwdriver if desired. This makes for a unique experience: unlike most brands, Fairphone doesn't seal it shut behind you so that you have full access to everything inside - and even provides you with an included screwdriver for this purpose!

Sustainability is a key feature of this product, as it helps the company reduce plastic waste and pollution by keeping components inside instead of letting them break down over time. Their eco-friendly efforts have earned them the Blue Angel label - an prestigious environmental accolade given to products and services with exceptional environmental credentials.

The Fairphone 4 is an ideal option for those seeking a sustainable smartphone but don't have much money to spare. Its modular design allows you to fix any issues yourself, while the price point strikes an optimal balance between performance and affordability.

Its battery also offers the fastest quick-charging speed we've seen in a smartphone, taking just 15 seconds to charge. This makes it ideal for those who frequently travel and need to ensure they don't miss any calls or texts while away.