Last month, at the Google I/O 2015 developer conference, Google showcased a working prototype of Project Ara hinting that the modular smartphone could be launched soon for commercial use. Now, it looks like Google’s Project Ara is not the only one for those who plan to buy modular and environment-friendly smartphones.
Fairphone 2 is a smartphone that appears to take the path between the un-serviceable smartphones and Google’s Project Ara. The Fairphone 2 is a modular smartphone and it is not that easy to replace the components as on the Project Ara. The handset is built similar to a normal smartphone in many ways, and the firm has done its best to make the device serviceable.
As the device is designed to be modular, it will be possible for the users of the Fairphone 2 to replace its internal components. The users can replace the components to get a larger RAM, better camera or faster processor and so on. Though it will not be easy to replace the components as on the Project Ara prototype, the users can take the device to a smartphone repair shop and the professionals trained to do will get the components replaced.
The Fairphone 2 features a replaceable outer shell that can double as a protective case. The firm assures to launch more outer case versions in the future with different designs and levels of protection. The standard one will have a thickness of 11 mm that is thicker than the ones in the usual smartphones. However, it makes sense as the outer shell of the Fairphone 2 can withstand drops of nearly 2 meters on a concrete surface without causing any damage to the device.
The firm states that removing the display is very simple. It is said that the display can be changed by getting away the protective outer shell and pushing the pair of clips that grasp the display in its position.
On the specs front, the Fairphone 2 is given a Snapdragon 801 chipset paired with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of native storage space. It is a dual SIM smartphone that features an 8 MP main snapper and gets energized by a 2,420 mAh battery. The firm is in plans to launch updated components such as NFC capable back covers, better cameras and more in the future.
The Fairphone 2 will be launched in Europe sometime this fall for a price of €525 (approx. $590) for the unlocked version. As of now, there is no word on when the device will make its way to the other markets.
