Fairphone challenges disposable trend in Europe with innovative repairable earbuds
What's the story
Dutch tech firm, Fairphone, has launched a unique pair of wireless earbuds called 'Fairbuds.' These earbuds are designed to challenge the industry's disposable trend, by featuring easily replaceable batteries and a swappable cell inside the charging case. The design of Fairbuds bears a resemblance to Samsung's Galaxy Buds, with the outer surface on both sides serving as a controller.
Features
It boasts impressive features and battery life
Fairphone's Fairbuds offer a six-hour battery life on a single charge, with an additional 20 hours provided by the charging case. The earbuds come equipped with standard features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), multipoint connectivity, and an IP54 rating for sweat as well as water resistance. This is the company's second venture into wireless earbuds following its 2021 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds.
Sustainability efforts
Fairphone's commitment to sustainability and fair trade
The latest model of Fairbuds is made from 70% recycled and fair materials, including all the tin and rare earth elements used. This aligns with Fairphone's commitment to sustainability. The company also claims to offer better pay for factory workers than its competitors, operating closely with suppliers to improve working conditions. These efforts underscore the company's dedication to ethical manufacturing practices in the tech industry.
Design approach
Emphasizing repairability over aesthetics
The design of Fairbuds prioritizes repairability over aesthetics, resulting in a charging case that is roughly twice as large as similar products like AirPods Pro. This larger size facilitates easy battery replacement, reminiscent of changing a 1990s cell phone battery. The procedure for replacing the battery takes approximately 30 seconds via a flat-headed small screwdriver, to slide off the rubber gasket and pry out the hinged holder.
Customer support
Easy access to replacement parts
Fairphone's charging case also features a replaceable battery secured by a single Philips head screw. Customers can easily procure replacement parts such as outer shells, charging trays, ear tips, earbuds, case batteries, and earbud batteries from Fairphone's online parts store. While battery replacements may only be necessary every three or four years, Fairphone offers a three-year warranty on the buds for added customer assurance.
Audio performance
Sound quality and customizable profiles
Despite some criticism regarding the sound quality of the Fairbuds, which some say lacks dynamism compared to competitors, the Fairbuds app offers customizable sound profiles. These include Bass Boost or Flat, standard tuning, and a Studio option for changing the tuning along eight specific frequency bands. However, the earbuds have received commendation for their battery life and ANC feature.
Information
What about pricing?
In Europe, the Fairphone Fairbuds sport a price figure of €149 (around ₹13,475). We do not know if and when the device will make its way to international markets, including India.