Fairphone 1
The 2013 phone built on fair-trade materials and ethical supply chain.
The Fairphone 1 is a mid-range Fairphone smartphone released Dec 2013, with a launch price of $430. It pairs the MediaTek MT6589 with a 4.3" LCD display, a 8 MP main camera and a 2,000 mAh battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 40/100 — Ethical electronics, born of crowdfunding. Standout strengths: first phone built on fair-trade conflict-free materials. and dual-sim, removable battery. Main trade-off: modest hardware for the price.
Ethical electronics, born of crowdfunding.
Fairphone 1 was a Dutch startup's answer to phone-industry exploitation — conflict-free tin and tantalum, public supply-chain audits, dual-SIM and a removable battery. 25,000 backers funded its first run, launching a brand that proved ethical phones could exist.
Read the full review- First phone built on fair-trade conflict-free materials.
- Dual-SIM, removable battery.
- Transparent supply-chain reporting.
- Funded via crowdfunding (25K units).
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the Fairphone 1 compares
| Fairphone 1 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Fairphone 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 40 | 89 | 46 |
| Chipset | MediaTek MT6589 | SD 8 Elite | Snapdragon 801 |
| Display | 4.3" LCD | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 5.0" LCD |
| Main camera | 8 MP | 200 MP · f/1.7 | 8 MP (replaceable) |
| Battery | 2,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 2,420 mAh |
| Launch price | $430 | $1,299 | $580 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the Fairphone 1 released?
The Fairphone 1 was released in Dec 2013.
How much does the Fairphone 1 cost?
The Fairphone 1 launched at $430 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the Fairphone 1 screen size and type?
The Fairphone 1 has a 4.3" LCD display.
What chipset does the Fairphone 1 use?
The Fairphone 1 is powered by the MediaTek MT6589 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the Fairphone 1 have?
The Fairphone 1 ships with 1 GB · 16 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the Fairphone 1 battery capacity?
The Fairphone 1 has a 2,000 mAh battery.
What is the Fairphone 1 main camera?
The Fairphone 1 has a 8 MP main camera.
Does the Fairphone 1 have a headphone jack?
The Fairphone 1 has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
How long will the Fairphone 1 get software updates?
The Fairphone 1 update policy: To Android 4.4.
How much does the Fairphone 1 weigh?
The Fairphone 1 weighs 160 g.
What colours does the Fairphone 1 come in?
The Fairphone 1 is available in 1 colour: Black/Translucent.
Is the Fairphone 1 worth buying?
Fairphone 1 was a Dutch startup's answer to phone-industry exploitation — conflict-free tin and tantalum, public supply-chain audits, dual-SIM and a removable battery. 25,000 backers funded its first run, launching a brand that proved ethical phones could exist. SpecEagle gives the Fairphone 1 an editorial score of 40/100.
Owner opinions
Unfiltered · oldest deleted neverOwner opinions are rolling out — check back soon. Got something to say right now? Send it to the editors.