Fairphone 6 Design Leak Teases Sleeker Looks and Slightly Trickier Repairs

It feels like every year, smartphone companies get a little more planet-friendly, swapping out plastic wraps for paper sleeves and sprinkling recycled materials here and there. Some even offer official repair kits and guides, but once you get past the surface, it is clear that most phones are still not really made for easy fixes. True repairability remains a dream, just out of reach for anyone who does not want to void a warranty.

Fairphone has always been the bold exception, and the rumored Fairphone 6 carries that torch into new territory. These leaks are not official, but the latest images and whispers hint at some thoughtful changes to the company’s already distinctive philosophy. As with any pre-release buzz, take it with a grain of salt, but the details make for an interesting peek at what might be next.

Designer: Fairphone (via Roland Quandt/WinFuture)

From the renders, the Fairphone 6 looks a bit more polished than its predecessors. The flat edges give it a modern vibe, and it is rumored to be available in three colors: Forest Green, Cloud White, and Horizon Black. Perhaps the most practical change is the two-part back cover, which lets you swap out the battery by removing just the lower section. This clever touch means you do not have to expose all the delicate internals every time your phone needs a new battery.

There is a new twist, though: screws. Instead of just popping off the cover, you will need a screwdriver to get inside. The battery itself is also screwed down, which might slow you down if you are in a hurry, but it is still an improvement over the glue and tape used in most modern smartphones. For anyone who has ever wrestled with a sticky battery, this is a small victory.

Rumor has it that the modular approach does not stop at the battery. The cameras, display, and even the speaker and USB-C port are designed to be easily replaced or upgraded. This is a phone built with tinkerers and fixers in mind, keeping those old-school DIY dreams alive in a world of sealed gadgets.

Of course, all this repairability is not without trade-offs. The Fairphone 6 is expected to have an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, which is good but not great compared to fully sealed competitors. The screws mean you cannot just pop a new battery in without a tool, but they also make it less likely you will accidentally knock the battery loose or lose a cover.

It is important to remember these details are all leaks for now, so the final product could be a little different. But if the rumors are true, the Fairphone 6 continues to put sustainability and sensible design ahead of fleeting trends, showing there is still room for a phone that wants to stick around for years to come.