Fairphone has been building ultra-repairable Android smartphones for the past few years, but has yet to sell anything in the US market. That’s officially changing now, but it’s starting off with headphones instead.
Speaking to Reuters, Fairphone has confirmed plans to expand to the US market starting off with an Amazon partnership. That deal will see the Fairbuds XL, the company’s modular and repairable over-ear headphones, available to US customers.
Fairphone says that it wants to sell “at least as many audio units it sold in Europe last year this year in the U.S.”
Fairbuds XL sell for €249 in Europe, but it’s unclear what the price will be in the US. Amazon listings for the headphones have yet to go live.
In a LinkedIn post, Fairphone’s CEO Raymond Van Eck says:
We will begin our US journey by launching our award-winning, modular Fairbuds XL over-ear headphones, made with responsibly sourced materials, designed for easy self-repair, and offer a premium sound experience. Launching a phone in the US is a complex and ongoing process, and these headphones are our “first step” and lower entry-barrier for new users to join our mission.
The long-term goal makes it sound as though Fairphone smartphones are coming to the US as well. The CEO says that a Fairphone smartphone debut in the US “is being carefully planned for,” but there’s no timeline mentioned. The expansion, Ven Eck explains, comes “at a time when consumers are demanding change” with more American customers in favor of Right to Repair laws and practices.
Fairphone hasn’t exactly made a huge dent in Europe’s smartphone market, but apparently saw device sales jump by over 60% in Q3 of this year.
The latest Fairphone 6 was launched earlier this year. However, it is worth noting that while Fairphone promises several years of Android and security updates, the company is notorious for a much slower schedule than other Android OEMs.
Fairbuds XL
More on Fairphone:
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
