FairPhone

FairPhone 2 (2015)

Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB
Adreno 330
2 GB / 32 GB
5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5 inch IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB chipset, and 2 GB of RAM.

Explore its upsides and downsides!

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the FairPhone 2 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

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FairPhone 2 specifications

BrandFairPhone
Name2
ModelF2
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.22 oz
Dimensions5.63 x 2.87 x 0.43 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of the FairPhone 2 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1 (Lollipop)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB
CPUQuad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400
GPUAdreno 330

The FairPhone 2 comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The 2 has 32 GB. We can expand the internal storage of the 2 (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of 2 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The 2 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. We can use Bluetooth to connect our 2 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The 2 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2420 mAh

The Li-Ion 2420 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM, Modular design

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this FairPhone phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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