Hardware

Mobile Phone

Long-term Field Test: 17.09.2021 to 19.09.2022


Fairphone 3+

Fairly produced Phone with Privacy

I was already interested in Linux smartphones in March 2016. At that time, however, there were only tinker solutions with quirks. When the first beta version of /e/OS based on Android 7.1 appeared in September 2018, I had already been a satisfied iPhone user for two years.

Apple will introduce surveillance technology with iOS 15.x, which I do not agree with. Therefore, I give Foundation founder Gaël Duval and his mobile operating system /e/OS a chance. His e-Foundation sells, among other things, the Fairphone 3+ preconfigured with the privacy-friendly LineageOS fork without Google services. You may also install /e/OS yourself on a suitable smartphone, but this also requires a suitable computer (Windows/Linux). I was happy to order a ready-configured Fairphone 3+.

What does the “Plus” or plus-sign after the “3” stand for?

“Plus” or “+” for short stands for an improved camera module.
One of the advantages of a Fairphone is its modular design: this makes it easy to repair and if an improved version of one of the modules is developed during the marketing phase, as happened here with the camera module, buyers of the basic model can buy it separately and exchange it for the old module. Or you can buy the Fairphone as soon as the new module is offered. The updated Fairphone will then be marketed as a Plus model.
On 30.09.2021, the successor Fairphone 4 5G was presented and is already available for pre-order in the Fairphone shop. However, with original Google Android OS. But I wanted /e/OS – and didn't want to wait any longer …

Purchasing

Mobile Phone

21.08.2021: Order a Fairphone 3+ in the Shop of the e-Foundation.
Also: Fairphone USB-C 2.0 charging cable 1.2 m for 19.79 EUR.
Reinforced with braided, 100% recycled nylon – more robust and durable than conventional charging cables.
Total with postage (UPS standard delivery): 501.22 EUR.
Delivery time: 4 weeks. Deceleration already starts in the shop …
23.08.2021: Purchase price for Fairphone 3+ charged to credit card.
17.09.2021: According to tracking data and SMS notification from UPS, the Fairphone will be delivered to me today. At 12:34 noon, a UPS driver brings my Fairphone 3+.

o2 Multicard

21.08.2021: Order an additional Multicard via the “My o2” app.
26.08.2021: Telefónica's Multicard for the Fairphone 3+ has arrived.

Nappa Leather Sleeve

23.08.2021: Order black nappa leather sleeve from fitBAG.
30.08.2021: fitBAG's black nappa leather sleeve has arrived.

Threema Software Licence

17.09.2021: I buy a licence in Threema's online shop.

Memory Card

26.09.2021: Memory card SanDisk Extreme Pro 400 GB ordered online at Saturn for self-collection (85.99 EUR). Will be made available tomorrow.
27.09.2021: Memory card collected. Changed the memory card at home.

Equipment

  • Fairphone 3+
  • Mini-screwdriver
  • Stereo headset (pointless gimmick)
  • Quick guide

Tech Specs

Model Fairphone 3+
Display size 5.65 inch Full HD
Screen resolution 2160 x 1080 Pixel – Ratio 18:9
Dimensions (H × B × T) 158,1 × 71.8 × 9,89 mm
Weight 189 g
Operating System /e/OS
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 632
RAM 4 GB
Internal memory 64 GB
Memory expandable yes, up to 400 GB with microSD card
Mobile networks 2G/3G/4G LTE
SIM card slot Dual SIM
SIM card size Nano SIM
WiFi 2,4 + 5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC yes
Fingerprint scanner yes, on the back
VoLTE yes, if supported by your mobile phone provider
VoWiFi yes, if supported by your mobile phone provider
Front camera (Resolution + Aperture) 16 MP, F/2.0
Main camera (resolution + aperture) 48 MP intern/12 MP extern, F/1.79
Headphone jack 3.5 mm, stereo
Charging socket USB-C
Battery 3040 mAh lithium-ion, easily exchangeable
SAR value 0.411 W/kg

This table you can move horizontally on small touch displays

Power Adapter

Fairphone 3 and 3+ use a Qualcomm SoC.
Therefore, the charger must be compatible with Qualcomm's SoC protocols to achieve optimal charging performance.
The Fairphone 3/3+ can be charged with any charger from Qualcomm's official list (unfortunately Qualcomm's list is no longer publicly available).

Charger and cable for the FP3/FP3+ must meet the following specifications:
5 volts (5V)
Minimum output power: 1 ampere/h (1 A, 1,000 mA).
Note that this will result in slow charging.

Maximum output power: 3 amps/h (3 A, 3,000 mA)
Qualcomm Quick Charge Processor compatible, version QC 3.0.
The cable must have a USB-C connector and be manufactured by a USB certified brand (a product without a brand is not certified).

Practice

Setup

For initial operation, I will equip the nano-SIM card slots with a new Multicard from Telefónica and the Deutsche Telekom SIM card previously used in the iPhone 11 Pro. The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC 200 GB previously used in the BlackBerry P'9982 will move into the memory card slot of the Fairphone 3+.

Battery Performance

Battery Life, Battery Saving, Charging Time

Battery Life (Time after Battery Charge until next Charge)

I am cautious about making a statement about the regular runtime. During the set-up and familiarisation phase, a smartphone is used much more intensively than later in everyday life. But over fourteen hours of heavy use is a very good value, especially since I charge up to about 70% at about 35% residual charge to save the battery. So fourteen hours of use (14:17 h) was not 100% battery power, but only 35%! The battery would last almost three times longer when fully charged (0–100%), but it would wear out quickly. You can easily change this battery yourself and fresh batteries are really available for purchase, but recharging in good time is no effort and ensures telephone readiness in an emergency.

Standby: over 73 h (flight mode at night, checked something now and then).
Good mobile coverage, Dual SIM, Bluetooth switched on, WiFi switched off.

Little use: approx. 47 h so far (some emails/SMS, calendar, minimal web). Good mobile coverage, Dual SIM, Bluetooth + WiFi switched on.

Normal use: approx. 15–23 h (reading a book [Kindle app], Threema messages or SMS, many emails, calendar, calls, 5 h listening to music, 3 h web).
Good mobile coverage, Dual SIM, Bluetooth on, WiFi off.

Heavy use: approx. 4–15 h (e.g. as WiFi Hotspot or more intensive use than “normal” or normal use with poor mobile phone reception).
Dual SIM, Bluetooth on.

Battery Saving

The battery is easy to change without tools, but I rarely let it reach its limits, because that wears it out unnecessarily.
When there is about 35% remaining charge, it is charged up to about 70%. Deviations only occur when I check on the Fairphone too late.
If you let the battery get almost empty and charge it up to 100% (e.g. overnight), you stress it and also use up a full charge cycle every time.
Modern lithium-ion batteries can cope with 300–500 charge cycles. In practice, these are achieved within 1–5 years, depending on treatment.

Automatic Battery-Saver Mode

/e/OS automatically activates the battery-saver mode at five, fifteen or twenty-five percent remaining charge if desired. Because the app BatteryBot Pro can only warn below/above values in increments of five, I set 35%. And as soon as 65% is exceeded, I also let myself be warned and continue charging until 70% or disconnect at 66% if I am not sitting next to my Fairphone.
Somewhat hidden in the settings menu is the setting “Battery saver mode/extend battery life”. Battery > Battery Saver Mode.
Tap this, then at the top there is “Set schedule”.
Here you can also set higher values than 25% as the start for the Battery-saver mode. I have set it to 35%. I charge the Fairphone at 35% anyway, but if I don't think about charging, the energy consumption is throttled and up to 30% residual charge I certainly check again in good time, which the battery thanks to its longer life.

Charging Time

Battery-saving slow charging: to do this, I plug the USB-C 2.0 charging cable I ordered with the USB-A plug into a socket on the D-Link DUB-H7 and the USB-C plug at the other end of the 1.2 m long nylon reinforced charging cable goes into the USB-C socket on the Fairphone 3+.

Or I plug Fairphone's “Long-Life Cable USB-C to USB-C 3.2” into the lower front socket (PD) on the Anker PowerExpands Elite.
Or I connect the Fairphone 3+ directly to the MacBook Air using the “USB-C to USB-C 3.2 Long Life Cable”.

Interesting

The Fairphone 3+ is charged slowly by Anker PowerExpands Elite and Apple MacBook Air. Even with the double-thickness cable “Long-Life Cable USB-C to USB-C 3.2”. The Fairphone 4 is charged quickly with it.

For fast charging, I use the otherwise no longer needed 30-watt fast-charging power supply A1882 from the MacBook Air.

You can expect these Loading Times

Chronologically sorted (from the battery log of the app BatteryBot Pro)

  • Charging time on USB A 2.0 port: 3:30 h (36% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB A 2.0 port: 3:16 h (38% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB A 2.0 port: 2:59 h (35% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 3:08 h (31% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 0:29 h (61% to 83%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 0:53 h (35% to 46%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 1:49 h (45% to 64%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 4:17 h (33% to 71%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 2:43 h (34% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 0:11 h (51% to 53%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time on USB-A 2.0 port: 2:47 h (35% to 70%)(USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:41 h (34% to 71%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:52 h (34% to 80%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:35 h (40% to 72%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:39 h (35% to 70%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:32 h (40% to 70%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:27 h (44% to 70%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:42 h (34% to 70%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:36 h (35% to 70%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time with Power supply: 0:40 h (34% to 74%)(Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 3:06 h (34% to 70%)(Anker PowerExpands Elite)
  • Charging time on USB-A 3.0 port: 0:47 h (35% to 70%)(Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • Charging time on USB-A 3.0 port: 0:48 h (32% to 71%)(Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • Charging time on USB-A 3.0 port: 0:53 h (36% to 76%)(Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • Charging time on USB-A 3.0 port: 0:45 h (35% to 70%)(Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • Charging time on USB-A 3.0 port: 1:16 h (32% to 90%)(Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 2:28 h (30% to 70%)(Anker PowerExpands Elite)
  • Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 2:20 h (30% to 70%)(Apple MacBook Air 2020)
  • Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 2:32 h (30% to 70%)(Apple MacBook Air 2020)
  • Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 3:05 h (30% to 70%)(Apple MacBook Air 2020)

Battery Protocol

Logged by BatteryBot Pro. This app had already made battery maintenance easier for me back in 2013 (alarm times for under- and overcharging of any charge level in 5 percent steps and any temperature, battery status and log). Above I had already listed the charging time with various charging options in chronological order.
Here is the actual battery log, unfortunately not from the first charging process, so the first entry does not contain any operating time. If I can find a screenshot of this, I can determine the time later.

  • 19.09.2021: charged after nn:nn h at 34% to 71% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 19.09.2021: charged after 14:17 h at 34% to 80% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 20.09.2021: charged after 05:47 h at 40% to 72% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 20.09.2021: charged after 19:38 h at 36% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 21.09.2021: charged after 03:18 h at 35% to 70% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 21.09.2021: charged after 13:48 h at 40% to 70% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 22.09.2021: charged after 03:46 h at 44% to 70% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 22.09.2021: charged after 03:47 h at 34% to 70% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 22.09.2021: charged after 11:39 h at 38% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 22.09.2021: charged after 03:59 h at 34% to 70% (Anker PowerExpands Elite)
  • 23.09.2021: charged after 15:39 h at 29% to 67% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 24.09.2021: charged after 06:41 h at 34% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 24.09.2021: charged after 15:19 h at 35% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 25.09.2021: charged after 08:32 h at 37% to 63% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 25.09.2021: charged after 14:42 h at 31% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 26.09.2021: charged after 04:02 h at 61% to 83% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 27.09.2021: charged after 20:36 h at 35% to 46% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 27.09.2021: charged after 01:27 h at 45% to 64% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 27.09.2021: charged after 15:30 h at 33% to 71% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 28.09.2021: charged after 19:23 h at 34% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 29.09.2021: charged after 17:12 h at 35% to 70% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 30.09.2021: charged after 07:14 h at 34% to 74% (Apple 30W Model A1882)
  • 30.09.2021: charged after 14:49 h at 35% to 70% (USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 01.10.2021: charged after 20:50 h at 35% to 70% (USB-Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 02.10.2021: charged after 22:42 h at 35% to 70% (Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • 03.10.2021: charged after 06:16 h at 32% to 71% (Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • 04.10.2021: charged after 22:22 h at 36% to 76% (Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • 05.10.2021: charged after 22:09 h at 35% to 70% (Anker PowerCore Edge)
  • 19.10.2021: charged after 47:00 h at 27% to 69% (USB-Hub D-Link DUB-H7)
  • 20.12.2021: charged after 71:37 h at 30% to 70% (Anker PowerExpands Elite)
  • 03.01.2022: charged after 45:49 h at 34% to 70% (Apple MacBook Air 2020)
  • 06.01.2022: charged after 69:20 h at 34% to 70% (Apple MacBook Air 2020)
  • 10.01.2022: charged after 73:24 h at 22% to 70% (Apple MacBook Air 2020)

Measured Value Acquisition

I don't need to manually record and enter data in a calendar template as with my iPhones before. I only take additional screenshots of the start and end of charging when it suits me, to make it easier to resolve any discrepancies that may arise later and in case BatteryBot Pro does not write needed data in the log.

App Store

The /e/ Application Checker from the e-Foundation is pre-installed.
In addition, I have F-Droid installed (it's great!).

Backup

Local backup of all personal data from Fairphone and memory card is possible via software and USB cable.

This can be done, for example, with Google's “Android File Transfer” software (for Windows, macOS and Chromebook) or better with “OpenMTP” (open source, only for macOS). Under Windows, file explorer is sufficient.

For security reasons, only change the “Purpose for USB connection” in the settings menu from “No data transfer” to “File transfer” if necessary, preferably when the Fairphone is already connected to the USB cable for charging. Immediately reset it again afterwards (don't forget)!

Data backup is also possible in the Nextcloud of the e-Foundation. However, this requires trust in the operator because the data is not encrypted end-to-end. Theoretically, an employee at the Finnish location of the cloud could read the data. However, you can operate your own Nextcloud, e.g. in your NAS or with your trusted web hoster to synchronise your smartphone data.

At Nitrokey Berlin I just discovered another interesting option: a fully configured Raspberry Pi 4 with 1.5 GHz Quad Core 64-bit CPU and 2, 4, or 8 GB RAM in a robust, passively cooled metal housing.

Music Player

22.09.2021: Listening now also on the Fairphone from my favourite album “The Best Of The Art Of Noise (1992)”, 2nd track: Yebo (Mbaqanga Mix).
This is ideal for testing the low bass reproduction! Further play tip: 7th track: Legacy.

This is synthesiser sound, which – taken on its own – is not objectively suitable for testing the sound quality of a music player. Electronic music sounds good on any device. But I know this album inside out and have listened to it very often on various MP3 players (constant quality encoding; dynamic data rate up to max. 320 kbit/s).

Afterwards, for a more objective test of the sound quality, I used the listening test CD of the hi-fi magazine Audio. Piano tones from Bösendorfer and Steinway and some other musical instruments helped in assessing the sound quality.

23.09.2021: Tonight I hear some of my Depeche Mode albums. Great!

Linear smooth Frequency Response

The Fairphone 3+ can thus show that it has a ruler-like frequency response down to the low bass range. Otherwise, the bass would not be so abysmally deep, undistorted and clear (unfortunately, I can't measure it).

Conclusion: an excellent music player – but not with the included headphones!
As I don't think much of such gimmicks, I didn't even unpack the included stereo headset this time either.

Test Equipment

As headphones, I use the Sony MDR-EX90LP.
These in-ear headphones in studio monitor quality offer quite undistorted reproduction. I tested directly on the jack socket and via Bluetooth with the very good Bluetooth transmitter HiGoing BT1002 (made in China). The device is equipped with Qualcomm's aptX HD. This improved codec supports 24-bit music quality via Bluetooth. This means that the listener can hear even the smallest details in their music.

Messaging

End-to-End encrypted Communication

Silence immediately replaced the SMS app pre-installed on the Fairphone 3+ by /e/. Those who use neither Threema nor Tutanota can still send me end-to-end encrypted messages easily and securely also using Silence on their Android smartphone (available at Google Play Store and F-Droid).
Silence uses the encryption protocol of Signal, but relies on SMS/MMS messages, while Signal relies on internet messages. I consider Signal server compromised because it uses Intel's RAM encryption technology SGX, which has been the subject of several security leaks. However, Silence is not affected by this.

16.06.2023: Today the TLS certificate of the website https://silence.im, which has not been maintained since 2019, expired. That's it then.

Tutanota I'm using for emails since June 2019. Now with their Android app.

Threema has proven itself to me as a messenger on the iPhone since 23.12.2020; that's why I was happy to buy another licence; this time directly from the Threema shop!

Telephony

The acoustics of the Fairphone 3+ are very good.
Already during the test call of the time announcement (Hamburg landline no.), apart from the good sound quality, I noticed the HD symbol in the display. I've never seen that on the iPhone (doesn't mean that an iPhone doesn't support HD, but iOS unfortunately doesn't show an HD symbol)!
22.09.2021: First phone call with a human. 40 minutes of excellent HD sound quality in the Telefónica mobile network!

Call Filter

Please do not disturb

This is the name of the professional call filter on Android OS and /e/OS.
Here you can even create as many schedules as you like and individually define the conditions in them (works great!).

Allow Calls

This is configured in the settings menu “Please do not disturb”:

  • From all (put through all callers)
  • Only from contacts (saved in your address book)
  • Only from marked contacts (this means favourites)
  • Do not allow calls

Important Settings of the Phone App

At the top right, the three vertical dots take you to the menu for Call List and Settings.

Settings

Tip! Check and define the many useful configuration options here immediately after initial operation of your fairphone, as it will save a lot of time later and make use easier! Take half an hour for this …

Display Options

Sorting of names in the address book, e.g. by last name, but name format: first name first.

Sounds and Vibration

Here you can set the default ringtone, select vibration settings and whether “Do not disturb” should be active during a phone call.
If you don't think much of haptic feedback and find vibrations rather annoying, this is one of the many hidden menus for turning off the annoying energy-consuming vibration.

Short Answers

Four SMS templates for callers who call at an inopportune moment are stored in an editable form.

Phone Number Search

Unknown callers can be looked up directly using the integrated reverse search! The usual forward search is also available.

Call Accounts

Settings, separate for each of the two SIM cards, important for dual SIM and SIP.
Companies or parents find the call number restriction here, WiFi telephony can be preferably started via WiFi or mobile radio. Settings for all kind of call forwarding (always/if busy/if no answer/if not reachable).

The most important thing is hidden under “Additional settings”:
Display caller ID – number for outgoing calls with the options:
- Network default setting (usually means “suppressed call number”!)
- Suppress call number
- Display call number

In addition, you can switch on “Call waiting” here if you do not want to miss other callers during a call and perhaps even want to toggle calls on hold.

Blocked Numbers

View, add or delete “Blocked numbers”.
In my opinion the top item is very important:
Unknown” – Block calls from unidentified callers.
Callers with a suppressed number receive a busy signal or are dropped to voicemail on “Divert when busy”. Smiley sticks out tongue
SMS from blocked numbers will also not be delivered. Smiley

Mailbox

Here, mailbox notification and setup can be achieved for each of the two SIM cards.

Operating Aid

Speech- or hearing-impaired people will find the TTY mode here.
TTY = Telephone TYpewriter.

Info

App version, licence data, privacy policy, terms of use

Accessibility for the eternally Outdated and Stubborn who are nevertheless dear to us

Despite the threat of punishment by the Federal Network Agency, there are still too many dubious companies that do not comply with the law and call us with suppressed or falsified telephone numbers. Therefore, I do not even temporarily switch off the blocking of anonymous callers in order to be reachable for stubborn people and can no longer recommend this to others.
In the meantime, word has also spread that you can reach fewer and fewer people with a suppressed phone number …

For stubborn acquaintances and relatives who do not want to have the free number transmission switched on by the network operator, I would use the mailbox if necessary.
I would formulate the announcement text of the mailbox accordingly:
“… landed on my mailbox due to suppressed call number, … please always call with activated call number transmission to reach me directly!”

As soon as automatic diallers of dubious advertising callers start ringing at short intervals without interruption, suppressing your own telephone number or displaying a fake, constantly changing telephone number, “Please do not disturb” must remain active, otherwise you are no longer accessible to serious callers!

Alternatives to “Please do not disturb”

Since Android OS version 6, you no longer need a call filter app. Serious call filter developers also point this out in their app descriptions!

I had bought a proper call filter (Advanced Call Blocker by wahooka) on 12.12.2010 for my Android smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note.
Since 24.03.2011 I was already using a location- and time-dependent profile control called “Llama” on the above-mentioned smartphone. Both of these have long since been discontinued.

Blocking individual Phone Numbers

In /e/OS + Android OS, unwanted numbers can be blocked directly from the call list, without having to store them in the address book!

Block dubious Numbers directly from the Call List

  1. calling up the call list
  2. tap the centre of the list entry of the interferer (not on the handset symbol!)
  3. a menu pops up with the options Send SMS, Block number, Call details
  4. tap on “Block caller
  5. a safety query appears: Block (Phone number)?
    “You will no longer receive calls from this number.” Cancel | Block contact

If you make a mistake (e.g. slip in a line, get the wrong contact), you can tap on “Unblock” immediately afterwards.
If you want to unblock the number later or check all the blocked numbers already stored, you can do this in the settings menu of the phone app:
Go to Settings/Blocked numbers.
All the blocked numbers are listed here.
There is an X to the right of each entry. Click on it and the block will be deleted after confirming the safety query.

Firmware

The /e/OS version on the Fairphone 3+ is based on Android version 10.
For more information, see “Settings/About the phone” at the bottom:
Build Number: e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.
200805.001 eng.root.20210827-151157 dev-keys,stable-release.

29.10.2021

Just noticed that there has been an update:
/e/OS 0.19 27.10.2021, 0.96 GB.
00:15: Download via mobile phone started.
00:20: Download successfully completed.
00:21: Installation started.
00:34: Package installation completed successfully.
00:34: Restart /e/OS.
00:36: Home screen after successful restart.

After update, “Settings/About the phone” now shows at the bottom:
Build-Nummer: e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.200805.001 eng.root.
20211027-184504 dev-keys,stable-release.

03.02.2022

Just received the notification for an update:
/e/OS 0.21 22.01.2022, 0.96 GB.
Download and installation go smoothly.

After update, “Settings/About the phone” shows at the bottom:
Build number: e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.200805.001 eng.root.
20220122-015514 dev-keys,stable-release.

03.03.2022

Just received the notification for an update:
/e/OS 0.22 28.02.2022, 0.98 GB.

19:24: Download via mobile phone started.
19:45: Download successfully completed.
19:46: Installation started.
19:50: Package installation successfully completed.
19:59: Reboot /e/OS.
20:00: Home screen after a successful restart.

Download and installation were trouble-free.

After update, “Settings/About the phone” shows at the bottom:
Build number: e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.200805.001 eng.root.
20220228-083402 dev-keys,stable-release.

25.04.2022

Notification for new update received:
/e/OS 0.23 06.04.2022, 0.97 GB.

00:06 Uhr: Download via mobile phone started.
00:25 Uhr: Download successfully completed.
00:30 Uhr: Installation started.
00:42 Uhr: Package installation successfully completed.
00:42 Uhr: Reboot /e/OS.
00:45 Uhr: Home screen after a successful restart.

Download and installation were trouble-free.

After update, "Settings/About the phone" shows at the bottom:
Build-Nummer: e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.200805.001 eng.root.
20220406-130425 dev-keys,stable-release.

31.05.2022

I have been checking the settings menu every day for days to see if there is a software update and sure enough, today it has been ready since 18:01:

/e/OS 1.0
26 May 2022
1.0 GB

01.06.2022

Now I'm taking the time to update my Fairphone 3+ …

After 11 minutes, the download is successfully completed.
The download check takes ten seconds, then the update can be installed.
After tapping on “Installation”, a window appears
(German-language texts translated for you to English):

Install update

 

Ready to update to /e/OS 1.0 -
26.05.2022

 

When you press OK, the device starts the installation
in the background.

 

Once this is complete, you will be prompted to restart.

 

Cancel        OK

Seven minutes later, the package installation is complete.
Restarting /e/OS takes two minutes.
Download and installation were completely flawless.

The Settings/System Updates menu now shows:

/e/OS
1.0-20220526188859

Android 10
26 May 2022
Last checked: 31 May 2022 (18:01)

To be read in detail via the following menu path:
“Settings/About the Phone/Android Version”:

/e/ OS Version
1.0-q-20220526188859-stable-FP3

Android Version
10

LineageOS API Level
llama (9)

Status of the Security Updates
5 April 2022

Manufacturer Security Patch Level
5 March 2022

Baseband Version
953_GEN_PACK-1.356774.1.425464.1

Kernel Version
4.9.218+
#1 Thu May 26 10:19:21 UTC 2022

Build Number
e_FP3-userdebug 10 QQ3A.200805.001 eng.root.
20220526-101318 dev-keys,stable-release.

What's new?

Certainly, security gaps have been closed and various bugs have been fixed. More detailed information, such as a changelog, is still not online.
Since the previous update, I had only noticed one annoying bug: the “Files” app had been totally screwed up! Write access to the SD card no longer worked, so neither copying nor moving on the SD card was possible.
This has now been corrected. Smiley

Software

17.09.2021: My Threema-ID moves from iPhone 11 Pro to Fairphone 3+.
All previous chats incl. media exported as encrypted zip file. In case I want to look up something later, this is only possible outside of Threema (chat history migration unfortunately not possible when changing systems).

After Threema is successfully installed on the Fairphone and the Threema ID is imported, I delete the ID and chats in the Threema app on the iPhone and finally the app itself.
Threema's Android version offers more in terms of backup anyway.
That's why I preferred to switch now while the data stock is still small rather than later, although I will still use the iPhone 11 Pro as a secondary device for a few apps that are not available for Android.

A few of my apps are not available as Android versions or the Android version only works with real Google services, therefore not with /e/OS.
These include the app “BudgetPro” and the app of my health insurance company. The latter saves me filling out and sending reimbursement applications by post and allows me to scan medical bills instead. I no longer want to do without this. So far, it's only twice a year for preventive dental check-ups, but still.
04.12.2021: Look on suspicion in the App Store of /e/ for an update for the app “Post & DHL” and indeed there is a new version! This version 7.3.41 (291000883) from 24.11.2021 finally also works with /e/OS! Very important, because parcel collection for Packstation customers will soon only be possible via smartphone or tablet! First Deutsche Post abolished sending the pick-up code by e-mail/SMS and now there are no more customer cards.

Preparation for Switching from iOS to /e/OS

In order to be able to do the same things on the Fairphone as before with the iPhone, I had already searched for corresponding apps and found most of them. This comparison may also help you if, like me, you want to switch from iOS to Android.

You can find apps that I have already tested on the Mobile Apps page.
Most of these have proven themselves.
For apps that I have not yet tested myself, I link to the developer's website or to f-droid.org for further information.

Hardware – Details and much Photos

I took a lot of photos of the Fairphone 3+, but I still have to edit them.
Goal: as high quality as possible, but still as small as possible and also quickly loadable from the smartphone without eating up a lot of data volume.
Will all be put online as soon as possible.

Nappa Leather Sleeve from fitBAG

Photo: fitBAG Nappa leather sleeve in original packaging, front side

For years I have been protecting my mobile phones with a custom tailored nappa leather sleeve by fitBAG (Made in Germany).

That's why I also bought a nappa leather sleeve for my Fairphone 3+ (fitBAG Beat black, Base price 17,90 EUR).
I select integrated lining “Microfibre Premium (IFP)” for 4.90 EUR surcharge.
Quote: “Highly innovative microfibre with an antibacterial efficiency of 98.04%. Neutralises unpleasant odours and blocks microbial contamination to the greatest possible extent.”
Including postage, the custom-made bag costs 25.30 EUR. Very fair price!

Photo: fitBAG nappa leather sleeve in original packaging, back

Photo: fitBAG nappa leather sleeve in original packaging, backside

Photo: fitBAG nappa leather sleeve, front

Photo: black fitBAG nappa leather sleeve, frontside

Photo: fitBAG nappa leather sleeve, back

Photo: black fitBAG nappa leather sleeve, backside

Photo: view into the nappa leather sleeve with MicroFibre lining “Microfibre Premium (IFP)”

Photo: View inside the leather sleeve with lining “Microfibre Premium (IFP)”

Pros

  • very good radio characteristics
  • very good acoustics
  • very good battery performance in standby
  • Dual SIM is supported (2 slots for Nano-SIM)
  • separate memory card slot for memory expansion
  • current Bluetooth version 5
  • NFC support
  • Accumulator can be changed by the customer easily
  • the entire smartphone can be easily repaired
  • Spare parts available at fair prices
  • alternative operating systems installable
  • Fairphone is more sustainable than the big manufacturers
  • /e/ would like to provide SW updates + security patches for at least 3 years

Cons

  • old mid-range CPU not suitable for computationally intensive tasks
  • outdated graphics processor makes image processing a test of patience
  • 5G not supported

Conclusion

The Fairphone 3+ is a mid-range smartphone with good features and very good workmanship. The processor performance is sufficient for everyday tasks. I did not notice any lags or very long start-up times for apps.

Only apps that use encryption like Tutanota or Threema have occasional pauses in thinking. You experience that even with recent iPhones. But photo editing really requires patience because of the slow graphics processor.

The battery lasted only a few hours with the first firmware version during heavy use and less than 15 hours during normal use if you used a firewall app such as AdAway, AdGuard, NetGuard or RethinkDNS.

Some firewall apps expect the battery optimisation to be deactivated for trouble-free operation, which can increase the energy consumption to two percent per hour! If you avoid such apps, you will have much better battery runtimes. Actually, a firewall should save energy by blocking advertising (usually associated with spying!). This is how I know it from 1Blocker for iOS.

With the Fairphone 3+, the energy consumption is already at one per cent per hour in idle mode without the firewall app and in flight mode, strangely enough, nothing changes until 10 December 2021. On this day, I receive the successor model Fairphone 4 and curiously I check the energy consumption in flight mode. I find that the Fairphone 4's energy consumption in flight mode is zero per cent, which is even better than every iPhone, which sometimes consumes one to two per cent of energy overnight by doing nothing (depending on the firmware version). For comparison, I switch the Fairphone 3+ to flight mode for an hour and now this Fairphone also behaves as desired: zero percent consumption!

I don't know (at this point) what solved the power problem, but since receiving the successor model, the FP3+ has behaved correctly. Daumen hoch!
This is not only true for one hour of flight mode, but also for the whole night!

By the way: BatteryBot Pro, Threema and Tutanota have no noticeable energy consumption despite battery optimisation being deactivated for them!

21.05.2022: Exchange nano-SIM cards from FP3+ and FP4. This way, the Deutsche Telekom nano-SIM comes back into the FP3+ and I can test whether the energy consumption becomes as high as it was back then after commissioning.
The main reason for the change is to optimise the phone numbers on the main phone Fairphone 4 5G. Now I can be reached with it via a nice mobile phone number and a very similar virtual landline number.

22.05.2022: No more increased energy consumption can be detected.
The cause of the initially extreme energy consumption can therefore only have been the first firmware version. Because I had removed the nano SIM card from the FP3+ after receiving the successor FP4, the cause of the incompatibility due to faulty firmware was also eliminated. And in the meantime there have been several updates. 68:55 h operating time is super!

24.08.2022: When used as a second device, operating times of around 70 hours are normal. In mid-August, the Fairphone 3 even lasted over 93 hours!

Alternatives

  • Fairphone 4 – Aluminium chassis, Plastic back, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage (max. 2 TB), 6.3-inch LCD Display, dual camera (48 MP wide-angel/ultra-wide-angel), 5G, Nano SIM + eSIM
  • Google Pixel 7 – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6.3-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (50 MP wide-angel, 12 MP ultra-wide-angel), 5G, Dual eSIM
  • Google Pixel 7 Pro – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 12 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6,7-inch OLED full screen display, triple camera (50 MP wide-angel, 12 MP ultra-wide-angel, 48 MP Tele), 5G, Dual eSIM

Reference

golem.de: GrapheneOS developers plan own smartphone (German)

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