The Fairphone Gen. 6 vs iPhone 16 Series: A Deep Dive Comparison
Published date: February 2026
The Fairphone Gen. 6, launched in June 2025, represents a radical departure from conventional smartphone design philosophy. But how does this sustainable and ethical-focused device stack up against Apple's mainstream offerings - the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e?
The Philosophy Gap Between Fairphone & Apple
Before specs and features, it's important to note that these phones represent fundamentally different approaches to smartphones.
Apple's iPhone 16 series are sleek, sealed devices designed for intended replacement cycles. The Fairphone Gen. 6, meanwhile, is built around the unique concept that your phone should last a decade (or more), not just until the next model or two arrives.
The philosophies can be felt when looking through different aspect of these devices, from their physical design to their software support policies and key features.
Design and Build: Fairphone’s Modular Revolution vs The Apple Aesthetic
Dimension Differences between the Fairphone Gen.6 and iPhone 16 Series
| Specification | Fairphone Gen. 6 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (mm) | 156.5 | 147.6 | 146.7 |
| Width (mm) | 73.3 | 71.6 | 71.5 |
| Depth (mm) | 9.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Weight (grams) | 193 | 170 | 165 |
Fairphone Gen. 6: Built to Last, Designed to Evolve
The Fairphone Gen. 6's most striking feature isn't something you'll find in any iPhone: complete modularity. This isn't just marketing speak – you can take the device apart at home with ease. The 12 replaceable components, including the battery, screen, cameras, and USB port, Fairphone treats repairability as a core feature rather than an afterthought.
The phone measures 156.5 x 73.3 x 9.6 mm and weighs 193g, making it slightly thicker and heavier than its iPhone counterparts. But this isn't excess bulk - it's the physical manifestation of a repairable and more robust design. The modular back panel system also allows you to attach various accessories which includes a finger loop, card holder and lanyard.
The device meets IP55 standards for dust and water resistance and is MIL-STD-810H compliant, meaning it can survive drops up to 1.5 meters. While not as refined as Apple's water resistance ratings, it's impressive for a phone you can literally take apart with just a standard small screwdriver.
iPhone 16 Series: Refined Simplicity
The iPhone 16 measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs just 170g, while the iPhone 16e is even more compact at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm and 165g. Both phones showcase Apple's signature glass-and-aluminium fused design.
Apple's build quality is undeniably premium, with perhaps a more luxurious and sleeker feel in hand. However, this refinement comes at the cost of repairability and robustness – the iPhone 16 & 16e have easily crackable and smashable glass backs after even just one fatal drop, and they’re not especially grippy in your hand, so a case and likely screen protector are a must.
Cost to Repair Comparison Between the iPhone 16 and Fairphone Gen. 6
| Component | Fairphone Gen. 6 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | £34.82 | £95 |
| Display screen | £78.39 | £289 |
| Back cover | £13.03 | £169 |
| Rear main camera | £60.96 | £169 |
| Top Unit (flash & TOF sensor) | £34.82 | Can’t be fixed |
| Ultra-wide camera | £39.17 | Can’t be fixed |
| Front camera | £30.46 | Can’t be fixed |
| Upper back cover | £8.67 | Can’t be fixed |
| SIM tray | £6.93 | Can’t be fixed |
| USB-C Port | £17.39 | Can’t be fixed |
| Loudspeaker | £21.74 | Can’t be fixed |
| Earpiece | £17.39 | Can’t be fixed |
| Screws kit | £6.93 | Can’t be fixed |
| iFixit screwdriver | £8.67 | Can’t be fixed |
Repair prices for the iPhone 16 can be seen at Apple’s UK iPhone Repair Service.
Prices for the Fairphone Gen. 6’s modular parts can be found at Fairphone’s Spare Parts store.
Fairphone are paving the way not only in the smartphone industry, but for wider tech markets too. They’re proving high-quality electronics can be totally repairable, long-lasting and provide value in the long term.
Apple don’t seem to value repairability and long-term user value to the same degree, with limited and costly repair options that make longevity more difficult and less appealing. The iPhone 16 and 16e are sealed devices that require specialised tools and expertise to repair them. Adding to their short-term ownership cycle and obsolesce by design.
Fairphone vs iPhone Display Technology
Fairphone Gen. 6: Cutting-Edge with a Conscience
- Display Type: 6.31-inch LTPO OLED
- Resolution: 1116 x 2484 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (variable, thanks to LTPO technology for battery efficiency saving)
- Peak Brightness: 1400 nits
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: 83.7%
iPhone 16 and 16e: Apple's Bright-Light Display
iPhone 16
- Display Type: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2556 x 1179 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz (does not use LTPO for variable refresh rate)
- Peak Brightness: 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
- Protection: "Latest-generation Ceramic Shield front" (Apple's proprietary glass-ceramic material)
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: Approximately 86.8%
iPhone 16e
- Display Type: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz (does not use LTPO)
- Peak Brightness: 1200 nits peak (HDR)
- Protection: "Ceramic Shield front" (same as iPhone 16)
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: Approximately 87.1%
The Fairphone Gen. 6 display offers more than enough detail for most people, especially with its greater on-screen fluidity thanks to a higher refresh rate. Though with smart added features like Apple’s dynamic island – the iPhone 16’s screen has a compelling set of credentials. However, it’s a no-contest for which display is smoother and easier to replace if needed.
Apple & Fairphone Performance Under the Microscope: Efficiency vs. Raw Power
Fairphone Gen. 6: Premium Performance with a Focus on Longevity
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset built on a 4nm process, the Fairphone Gen. 6 offers solid and competitive performance. The octa-core CPU configuration paired with the Adreno 810 GPU handles daily tasks smoothly, offers excellent energy efficiency (less use and wear on your battery) and can manage gaming with a responsive and agile feel.
This chipset choice reflects Fairphone's philosophy: providing performance for current and future needs without the energy consumption and heat generation of the markets most costly and flagship processors. The focus is on sustained performance that people really require, over peak technical benchmark scores.
iPhone 16 Series: Software from Silicon Valley
Both the iPhone 16 and 16e are powered by Apple's A18 chip, though the 16e version has one fewer GPU core. This represents cutting-edge performance that often outpaces most market leaders in both synthetic benchmarks and real-world usage.
Apple's vertical integration of hardware and software creates exceptional efficiency, with the A18 delivering flagship performance while maintaining impressive battery life. The Neural Engine in the A18 also enables advanced Apple Intelligence features that aren't available on the Fairphone, however Fairphone does have integrated Google Ai for a similar experience.
Fairphone Gen. 6 Camera System vs iPhone 16 and 16e
Fairphone Gen. 6: New Tri-Camera Configuration
The Fairphone Gen. 6 features a sophisticated triple-camera setup:
- Main camera: 50MP, f/1.6 with optical image stabilisation
- Ultra-wide: 13MP, f/2.2 with OIS (Rare for ultra-wide cameras)
- TOF 3D depth sensor for enhanced portrait effects
The inclusion of OIS on both main and ultra-wide cameras is remarkable for this price point as it simply allows for more photo capability when capturing a selfie with the masses or the grandest landscapes. The front-facing 32MP camera with OIS is particularly impressive, offering better selfie stabilisation than many flagship phones in the market.
Tip: Fairphone’s resident photographer thinks that shooting RAW in pro mode gets the most out of the triple camera system.
iPhone 16 and 16e: Apple's Camera Philosophy
The iPhone 16 includes Apple's "advanced dual-camera system" with a 48MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera. Including features like Portrait mode, Night mode, and Cinematic mode, almost certainly produces more processed but arguably more pleasing results than the Fairphone's more natural approach. In fact, recent iPhone’s often have a warm yellowish hue to its photos compared to most other smartphone cameras.
The iPhone 16e makes a significant compromise with a single 48MP camera, lacking the ultra-wide lens entirely. However, it benefits from the same algorithms powering its photography as its more expensive sibling.
Fairphone’s Software Longevity vs iPhone’s iOS
Fairphone Gen. 6: Long-Term Commitment Like No Other
Perhaps the Fairphone's most impressive specification isn't hardware-related: the company promises at least 8 major Android updates. This means a phone purchased in 2025 could receive Android updates until 2033, far exceeding typical smartphone support cycles.
The Fairphone arrives with Android 15, offering the latest and greatest Android experience.
Fairphone Moments – Customise Your Relationship with Your Phone
Fairphone Moments has arrived, putting more control and fairness in your hands. With the flick of the lime green control button, your operating system will switch to a slimmer and simpler mode for when life is too good or important to miss out on. Allowing you to customise what you let in and leave out.
Select up to 5 apps that you can access and receive notifications for, meaning you are able to reduce the distractions that can take up our day. Just another way that Fairphone focus on people.
iPhone 16 Series: iOS Integration Excellence
Apple typically supports iPhones with major iOS updates for a maximum of 5 years. With iOS 18 coming soon this will mark the end of software support for the iPhone 11. Both iPhone 16 models ship with iOS 18 and support Apple Intelligence features, providing seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
The iOS experience offers superior app optimisation, regular security updates, and features like AirDrop, Handoff, and iMessage that create a cohesive experience.
Fairphone or iPhone for Daily Performance?
Battery Life and Charging
The Fairphone's 4415mAh removable battery typically outlasts both iPhone models in standard usage. The 30W charging (50% in 25 minutes) is respectable, though it is slightly slower than iPhone 16's charging speed. However, the ability to instantly swap to a fresh battery arguably makes outright charging speed less critical.
Connectivity and Futureproofing
All three phones support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and modern connectivity standards. The Fairphone's extensive band support makes it particularly suitable for international travel, giving it the edge overall.
How Does Apple’s Sustainability Stack Up Against Fairphone?
Fairphone Gen. 6: Sustainable by Nature
Over 50% of the Fairphone Gen. 6’s total weight consists of fair and recycled materials, the highest percentage in any smartphone. This includes recycled aluminium, copper, tin, plastics, rare earth elements and Fairtrade Gold. For other materials like silver and cobalt, Fairphone utilises fair mined credit systems that directly support positive impact at mine sites and communities, such as child labour prevention and mine safety improvements.
The commitment to ethics extends to using renewable energy in their ‘fair factories’ that have some of the highest health and safety standards and conditions for workers in the technology industry.
Fairphone also provides detailed annual impact reports that are shared with the public, detailing lifecycle assessments, material use breakdowns, and information about fairer production. A level of openness that has never been seen before by an electronics manufacturer.
Additionally, Fairphone ensures that the Fairphone Gen. 6 is electronic-waste neutral meaning that for every handset sold by any retailer, they will recycle the equivalent weight of electronic waste.
For longevity, the modular design means individual parts can easily and affordably swapped at home without expert knowledge or support. All you need is a small screwdriver to replace the screen, battery, charging port and more. The 8-years of software support also significantly extends device lifespan, reducing the need for device replacements when they aren’t necessary.
Last year, Fairphone also won the prestigious Mobile World Congress Award for Sustainability, adding to their long list of accolades for prioritising the planet and people.
iPhone 16 Series: Improving but Conventional
Apple has made some environmental commitments, including carbon-neutral goals and increased use of recycled materials. However, the sealed design, fast turnover of new handsets and typical 4–5-year lifecycle for software, still leads to electronic waste.
Unique Fairphone Gen. 6 Features That All iPhones Don't Have
1. Complete Repairability
The Fairphone's modular design allows you to replace any component using just a small screwdriver. A Broken screen or warn battery can be ordered affordably and swapped in seconds and this has no impact on your warranty. This is impossible with sealed iPhone designs, only a short list of parts can be replaced and only with professional support that tends to be expensive.
2. Removable Battery
While iPhones require professional service for battery replacement, the Fairphone's battery simply pops out. Meaning you can carry a spare battery to instantly double the charge for power than can last days.
3. Modular Accessory System
The modular back panel supports various mountable accessories including a card holder, finger loop holder and lanyard.
4. Ethical Sourcing Transparency
Fairphone provides detailed information about material sourcing, working conditions, and environmental impact. They actively work to improve mining conditions, worker conditions and uses recycled materials wherever possible for all of
their devices.
5. microSD Expansion
Unlike iPhones, which require users to choose storage capacity at purchase, the Fairphone supports microSD cards for unlimited storage expansion.
6. Dual Physical SIM Support
While iPhones use eSIM technology, the Fairphone supports both nano-SIM and eSIM simultaneously, offering greater flexibility for international use.
The Fairphone vs Apple Verdict: Different Phones for Different Values
Choose the Fairphone Gen. 6 If You Value:
- Affordable Repairability and long-term device ownership
- Greater value for money and only pays for a smartphone with features you need
- Easy customisation of operating system for a slimmer experience
- Want to minimise environmental impact
- Want to support ethical manufacturing practices
Choose the iPhone 16 If You:
- Crave cutting-edge performance
- Are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem
- Prefer changing your smartphone on a more regular basis
Choose the iPhone 16e If You:
- Want Apple ecosystem integration at a lower price
- Can accept camera compromises for iOS experience
- Don't need ultra-wide camera capabilities
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