Whenever we tell people about Fairphone, this is usually the standard response. And to be fair (pun intended), it is a valid question. Put bluntly, a smartphone that is 100% sustainable is not realistic, at least not right now. However, that doesn’t mean that smartphones (and by extension, audio products) can not be more sustainable. At Fairphone, we are setting an example for the industry by designing all our products to be physical proof of just that. More sustainable than the competition, more sustainable with each generation. We achieve this by pushing for modular design that is easy to repair, by offering industry-leading warranties and support periods, by incorporating fair and recycled materials in the supply chain, by championing fairer working conditions across mines and factories, by supporting living wage bonuses, and by pushing for 100% e-waste neutrality… among other things. It’s not just talk. We have the data to back us up. And after more than a decade of doing what we do, we’re starting to see tangible change within the tech industry, with more and more brands now mulling longer software support periods for their devices and exploring fairer materials as well. But we’re jumping ahead. We put together this article to help you trace the journey of making a Fairphone from scratch, from an idea to a finished product. Let’s get into it.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.fairphone.com/en/2025/06/05/how-to-design-a-fairphone-101/