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Avail.video · Watched for you · 17:11 video · 2 min read

The Fairphone (Gen. 6+) Review: Repairable, De-Googled, & Ethical

Outlier score1.5×Too early to tell

581,150 views vs a median of 386,260 across the channel's last 11 long-form uploads · as of Oct 29 · 4 days old, early

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Frustrated by non-repairable modern smartphones and invasive data tracking, Betty tests the Fairphone (Gen. 6+) by completely disassembling it to verify its 10/10 repairability claim. After testing its midrange hardware, she replaces stock Android with the open-source, de-Googled /e/OS operating system, finding it delivers an optimal balance of repairability, privacy, and day-to-day usability.

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5chapters3on-screen captures5people1named frameworks10claims and stats15references in all
Source: This $650 Phone Fixed Everything I Hate About Phones · Switch and Click
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    The explainer

    What the video says, with a link to every moment

    A 2-minute read. Each underlined phrase opens the video at that second.

    When faced with an aging iPhone battery and repair guides demanding hair dryers and anti-clamp fixtures, host Betty decided to search for an alternative and turned to the Fairphone. Priced at $650, the device promises fair trade materials and an industry-leading repairability profile. To put those claims to the test, Switch and Click writer Abby led a complete teardown2:15, finding that the Fairphone swaps messy adhesives and heat guns for standardized Torx screws. Sub-assemblies like the modular USB-C charging port5:20, speaker, and glue-free screen8:30 detach cleanly like Lego bricks. The disassembly also reveals an etching of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the motherboard, acknowledging the origin of electronic mineral supply chains.

    After reassembly, everyday hardware testing proved competent but distinctly mid-range. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 chipset and a 4,400 mAh battery, the phone comfortably handles daily scrolling and casual gaming while exhibiting some frame drops under heavier 3D loads, as demonstrated during gaming and performance testing15:08. The display supports a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, though contrast trails high-end flagships. The camera package avoids excessive AI sharpening, yet suffers from inconsistent color accuracy and white balance. On the connectivity front, the phone includes a physical SIM tray alongside a microSD expansion slot13:58, although it notably omits a 3.5mm headphone jack and lacks native Verizon network compatibility.

    Unsatisfied with running standard Google services on pro-consumer hardware, Betty turned to de-Googling the device using /e/OS mobile operating system17:11. Although an Android patch level mismatch initially stalled the automated web installer, manual terminal commands through Linux quickly achieved a successful operating system flash17:11. The resulting user experience blends clean iOS-inspired aesthetic styling with Android flexibility, stripping away Google Gemini, search bars, and telemetry trackers.

    The customized /e/OS installation unlocks unique hardware perks, including remapping the lime green physical slider into a hardware camera and microphone killswitch17:11. Built-in privacy controls spoof geolocations, disguise IP addresses, and monitor tracker requests. App compatibility remains remarkably seamless through the App Lounge powered by MicroG17:11, allowing anonymous downloads of everyday essentials, banking portals, and social platforms without requiring an active Google account.

    Highlights
    1. 0:48Fairphone iFixit repairability rating
    2. 2:15Inspecting the hardware slider and screw panel
    3. 3:40Removing the rear panel and battery
    Chapters across the 17:11 runtime
    How it's told

    A hardware teardown and OS flashing review

    Format: Review. The host explores the Fairphone Gen. 6+ by completely disassembling its modular parts, testing daily hardware capabilities, and flashing the de-Googled /e/OS operating system. She evaluates whether repairable hardware paired with open-source software can realistically replace mainstream smartphones.

    Story arc

    1. 0:00The iPhone Battery ProblemThe host explains her frustration with glued-in smartphone batteries and discovers the Fairphone concept.
    2. 1:29Hardware First ImpressionsExamining external hardware details including the programmable slider and screw-secured back panel.
    3. 2:15Complete DisassemblyStripping down the phone's battery, modular charging port, speakers, cameras, and adhesive-free screen.
    4. 5:32Teardown Verdict & Missing Headphone JackAssessing modular design benefits while lamenting the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack.
    5. 6:13Privacy Sponsor (Incogni)Discussing online data broker profiling and automated privacy removal services.
    6. 7:19Daily Driving Hardware & FeaturesTesting the hardware shortcut switch, display refresh rate, camera performance, and battery life.
    7. 10:46The De-Googling ProblemExpressing dissatisfaction with standard Android data collection and pursuing alternative firmware.
    8. 11:13Installing /e/OSTroubleshooting installer security patch errors by flashing via the command-line interface.
    9. 12:19The /e/OS ExperienceEvaluating the user interface, anonymous App Lounge, MicroG compatibility, and hardware privacy killswitch.
    10. 15:34/e/OS vs GrapheneOS & Final VerdictBalancing daily usability against extreme privacy, concluding that the Fairphone with /e/OS is a viable daily driver.

    Setups and payoffs

    1. 0:19Setup Host abandons repairing her iPhone due to complicated suction clamps and heating adhesive.
      ↳
      2:37Payoff The Fairphone battery is removed in minutes using only a precision screwdriver and no glue.
    2. 1:37Setup Host highlights the mysterious lime-green slider button on the phone frame.
      ↳
      7:40Payoff The slider is demonstrated as a quick mute switch and remapped in /e/OS as a sensor privacy killswitch.
    3. 4:40Setup Teardown reveals an engraved map of the DRC on the internal motherboard.
      ↳
      4:49Payoff Fairphone's ethical and conflict-free mineral sourcing initiatives are explained.
    4. 5:34Setup Host criticizes Fairphone for excluding the 3.5mm headphone jack from the modular build.
      ↳
      16:53Payoff A concluding appeal urges Fairphone to bring the headphone jack back in future models.
    5. 11:55Setup The /e/OS web installer fails due to a mismatched Android security patch level.
      ↳
      12:08Payoff The host circumvents the issue by manually running the installation script from a Linux terminal.
    6. 14:14Setup Host expresses concern over app compatibility and availability without standard Google Play services.
      ↳
      14:40Payoff App Lounge and MicroG successfully download and operate mainstream apps anonymously.

    Devices

    • humor and pop-culture insertsReaction overlays and comedy graphics to punctuate tech frustrations.0:032:04
    • animated colleague skitAnimated skit illustrating coworker brainstorming discussions.2:002:05
    • macro camera inspectionClose-up macro shots highlighting interior components and PCB etchings.3:244:48
    • side-by-side photographic comparisonSplit-screen camera photo tests against rival flagship devices.9:429:55
    • terminal walkthroughDirect on-screen command line terminal demonstration for manual flashing.12:0912:14

    From the video's own structure, matched to the transcript and on-screen text.

    Teardown

    A relatable consumer complaint about glued-in smartphone batteries hooks the audience immediately before transitioning into a satisfying hands-on teardown and de-Googling transformation.

    Above the channel's typical: 1.5× its typical views (581,150 vs a median of 386,260 across the channel's last 11 long-form uploads, as of Oct 29) · Long-form review · 4 days old, early

    The promise

    The viewer will discover an affordable smartphone that solves common modern phone annoyances by letting them easily repair and swap parts themselves.

    Packaging

    How it looks in the feed

    Show the feed as
    17:11

    This $650 Phone Fixed Everything I Hate About Phones

    Switch and Click581K views · 4d agoThanks to Incogni for sponsoring this video! Incogni scans the web for your personal data and handles the removal process for you. Get 60% off annual plans at…

    Views and age as of the teardown, Oct 29, 2026. Other videos are blanked out.

    • 5/5Thumbnail imageThe exposed internals and modular battery tell a clear story of repairability at a glance. The creator's warm expression guides attention directly to the unique hardware in her hands.A woman smiles while holding a disassembled phone displaying its circuit board alongside a detached Fairphone battery module.
    • 4/5Thumbnail text“no contest.”Two punchy words make an assertive judgment that elevates curiosity without cluttering the frame. It adds confidence rather than repeating the title.Bold white text with a black stroke reading 'no contest.' positioned above the phone hardware.
    • 4/5TitleIt anchors the value with a specific mid-tier price and targets widespread smartphone fatigue. Omitting the brand name leaves an effective curiosity gap.The phrase 'This $650 Phone Fixed Everything I Hate About Phones' naming price and problem.
    • 5/5Title + thumbnailThe title explains the price and problem, while the thumbnail visually proves the fix is modular hardware. They work together without overlapping redundant words.The title states phone frustrations were fixed for $650, while the image displays an easily disassembled Fairphone labeled 'no contest.'

    Curiosity gap: What makes this specific $650 modular phone superior enough to solve universal smartphone complaints?

    The three hooks

    The title, the thumbnail text and the first words spoken each make a promise, and each does a different job.

    • Title“This $650 Phone Fixed Everything I Hate About Phones”ReliefReliefCuriosityIt makes the viewer want a practical solution to their everyday smartphone annoyances without paying flagship prices.
    • Thumbnail text“no contest.”Contrarian takeCuriosityNoveltyIt makes the viewer want to know what alternative device easily defeats standard industry flagships.
    • First words spoken“So I have an old iPhone 13 mini that's down to 84% of its battery life.”StoryCuriosityLoss aversionIt immediately anchors the video in a universal smartphone annoyance: watching a once-great phone slowly die from an unserviceable battery.
    • PairingDifferent jobsThe thumbnail text issues an emphatic competitive verdict while the title frames the price and personal user frustration.
    • StakesFitsSmartphone battery wear and expensive proprietary repair fees are universal headaches that a $650 modular alternative directly addresses.
    • UrgencyNoneThe video provides an informational hardware teardown and firmware evaluation with no time-sensitive push or artificial scarcity.

    The first 20 seconds

    TimeWhat you seeWhat you hearWhat it does
    0:00Close-up of an iPhone displaying battery health settings at 84%, finger pointing at the number.So I have an old iPhone 13 mini...Directly shows the problem with concrete proof on screen.
    0:01Close-up on battery screen showing Maximum Capacity 84%....that's down to 84%...Anchors the exact issue: a degrading battery.
    0:02Zoom-in on Maximum Capacity 84% text....of its battery life.Punches in on the metric to emphasize battery wear.
    0:03Meme reaction graphic appears in bottom right corner.You're supposed...Adds internet humor to keep visual engagement high.
    0:04Cut to creator sitting at wooden desk making air quotes....to change it once it hits 80...Introduces the speaker and the standard rule of thumb.
    0:05Creator talking and gesturing at desk....so I figured...Builds up personal intent to solve the issue.
    0:06Web article overlay highlighting Apple recommendation to replace battery at 80%....I'd put my DIY skills...Cites third-party evidence confirming the 80% threshold.
    0:07Article text highlight remains on screen....to the test...Reinforces credibility of the maintenance problem.
    0:08Cut back to creator shrugging with open hands....and just replace it myself.Reveals the DIY plan to fix it.
    0:09Creator begins rolling up her sleeve.Parts are cheap enough...Physical body language showing preparation to do manual work.
    0:10Creator taps her forearm while talking....it's old enough...Maintains conversational energy and relatable tone.
    0:11Creator shrugs casually....but when I went to go look up...Transitions from plan to the obstacle.
    0:12iFixit webpage overlay showing $39.99 replacement battery....the repair guide...Shows real price to justify why DIY seemed reasonable.
    0:13Overlay of Wikipedia release date timeline for the phone....on iFixit...Provides context on the age of the hardware.
    0:14Cut back to creator talking at desk....and saw that...Returns to creator right before the reveal of the problem.
    0:15Creator taps her wrist and gestures forward....anti-clamp...Sets up the absurd obstacle she encountered.
    0:16Creator gestures with finger pointed outward....torture device...Uses humorous, exaggerated language to describe the repair tools.
    0:17iFixit repair guide screenshot showing clamp tool instructions....and a hair dryer...Shows visual evidence of how absurdly complex the repair is.
    0:18Transparent creator overlay over the repair guide screenshot....I just...Visually ties her reaction directly to the intimidating tool.
    0:19Cut to creator throwing hands up in frustration.[exhales / stops]Delivers the comedic surrender, justifying looking for a new phone.
    0:20Creator sits at desk looking bewildered.Leaves the open problem hanging for the alternative phone solution.
    Click confirmation
    The video opens immediately on an iPhone with a degraded battery, confirming the premise of phone frustrations that lead to seeking a better alternative.
    Time to the point
    0:08
    Hook
    personal confession, stakes, in the middle of the action
    Reason to stay
    The viewer wants to see whether modern phone repair is truly impossible for regular users and which $650 phone actually solves these repair and battery headaches.
    Missing on purpose
    No channel bumper, no 'hey guys' greeting, no request to subscribe, and no sponsor read before stating the problem.
    Pace and texture
    Fast and dynamic. Visuals change every two seconds between talking head, proof screenshots, and meme cutaways with high-energy narration.

    Story map

    Transformation. Betty wants an everyday smartphone that respects user ownership, but mainstream devices are glued shut and packed with Google tracking. By tearing down the Fairphone hardware and flashing open-source /e/OS, she tests whether a repairable mid-range device can realistically replace corporate flagships.

    TimeSectionNew tensionStakesTurnLoops
    0:00 –1:29The Glued-In Battery ProblemCan an ordinary consumer find a modern alternative to phones with planned obsolescence and unrepairable batteries?RiseShe wants to replace her iPhone battery herself, but the repair guide demands heat guns and clamps; therefore, she turns to the $650 Fairphone.Opens: Will the $650 Fairphone actually be repairable and worth the money?
    1:29 –6:13Full Hardware TeardownIs the phone genuinely modular, or will the disassembly break fragile plastic clips and hidden ribbon cables?RiseThe back panel and top bracket are stubborn to pry off; but every major component snaps out cleanly without glue using a single screwdriver bit.Opens: What does the mysterious lime-green physical slider do?Closes: Will the Fairphone live up to its 10/10 repairability rating?
    6:13 –7:19Sponsor Break: IncogniHow can users protect online identity when personal info is already scraped across data brokers?HoldSag: no turn
    7:19 –10:46Daily Driving & Hardware Reality CheckDoes the repairable hardware compromise day-to-day display, gaming, and photography performance?FallThe hardware has clever features like expandable storage and a shortcut slider, but gaming frame drops and washed-out camera shots make the experience feel aggressively mid-range.Opens: Can software fix the feeling that this mid-tier device is just whelming?Closes: What does the green slider switch do?
    10:46 –12:19Flashing /e/OS via TerminalWill flashing custom de-Googled firmware brick a brand-new $650 phone when the automated installer crashes?RiseThe automated installer aborts on a security patch error, so Betty executes manual fastboot scripts via the command line to force the install.Opens: Will standard banking and daily apps actually function without Google Play Services?Closes: Can the Fairphone break out of vanilla Android?
    12:19 –15:34The De-Googled User ExperienceCan a privacy-focused operating system provide iOS-level convenience without breaking basic apps?HoldPrivacy ROMs usually require endless troubleshooting, but MicroG and App Lounge run daily apps and banking tools anonymously out of the box.Opens: What hidden trade-offs exist between /e/OS and hardened alternatives like GrapheneOS?Closes: Will standard mobile apps work without Google Services?
    15:34 –17:11The Verdict on OwnershipIs trading flagship camera processing and horsepower worth true hardware and software autonomy?FallGrapheneOS is more technically secure, therefore /e/OS represents the best practical compromise between daily usability and user ownership.Closes: Is the $650 phone worth buying as a daily driver?

    Payoff: delivered in part at 16:27. The phone delivers completely on modular repairability and de-Googled privacy, but Betty admits the mediocre camera, weak gaming chip, and missing headphone jack prevent it from being a total flagship replacement. Ending: Betty concludes the phone is the holy grail for hardware ownership despite its modest cameras, begs the company to bring back the headphone jack, and pitches a follow-up video comparing GrapheneOS.

    Leaks

    Where a viewer might leave. Guesses from watching, not retention data.

    • 6:13 A direct segue into a data-broker privacy sponsor interrupts the physical teardown momentum right after the screen is removed.
    • 9:03 The review turns into a standard spec checklist covering mediocre benchmarks and washed-out camera samples, slowing down narrative pacing.
    • 11:55 Command-line terminal troubleshooting and fastboot script explanations risk losing casual smartphone shoppers who do not flash custom ROMs.

    Steal this

    1. Concrete problem framing in second one Opens directly on physical evidence of the exact problem (a battery health screen at 84%) rather than an abstract discussion about planned obsolescence. 0:00
    2. The mid-point narrative pivot When the initial question of hardware repairability is answered at minute six, introduce an unexpected second dimension (software de-Googling) to refresh curiosity. 10:46
    3. Physicalizing abstract tech features Instead of talking through repair schematics, she shows components popping out like LEGO blocks with a single screwdriver. 3:37

    Skip this

    • Office staff inside jokes and skit cutaways. Bits like a coworker stealing the phone during the interview work because returning viewers know the studio cast, but add bloat for new viewers.
    • Terminal command-line walk-throughs in a consumer review. Only works because Switch and Click has an established enthusiast Linux audience willing to follow manual fastboot flashing.

    Open questions

    • How does the Fairphone's modular seal hold up against water and dust over several months of real pocket carry?
    • Did the custom /e/OS camera app produce noticeably worse photos than the stock Fairphone camera app on default Android?

    Teardown by Avail.video from the thumbnail, the title, the first 20 seconds and the report's notes on the whole video.

    On screen

    Everything the video showed you

    Slides, frameworks, quotes and formulas, captured verbatim with the moment they appeared. Tap any card to jump there.

    Reference shelf

    People, ideas and things mentioned

    Said means mentioned aloud; Shown means it appeared on screen.

    People5

    Ideas & frameworks1

    • Democratic Republic of the CongoCentral African nation holding major mineral reserves of cobalt, copper, tin, and gold.4:47Shown4:50Shown4:58Shown7:24Said + shown

    Organizations2

    • FairphoneDutch sustainable smartphone manufacturer creating modular and repairable consumer electronics.0:35Said + shown0:48Shown1:42Said + shown2:26Shown5:04Shown8:08Shown
    • iFixitRepair community and tool company providing device teardown manuals and scores.0:14Said0:16Shown0:46Shown0:48Said + shown

    Things on screen7

    • Fairphone (Gen. 6+)Modular, repairable smartphone reviewed and disassembled.0:32Shown0:46Shown1:00Said + shown1:41Said + shown2:15Shown2:26Shown2:43Shown9:41Shown10:12Shown11:31Shown11:52Shown12:08Shown
    • IncogniPersonal data deletion subscription service.6:25Said + shown6:34Shown6:58Shown7:13Said + shown10:25Said + shown11:55Said + shown
    • /e/OSDe-Googled, open-source mobile operating system based on Android.1:24Shown11:13Said + shown11:15Said11:31Shown11:32Shown11:49Shown12:08Said + shown12:10Said + shown12:28Shown15:52Said + shown16:03Shown
    • GrapheneOSSecurity-focused privacy mobile operating system.11:18Said14:17Shown15:52Said + shown16:03Shown16:04Said + shown
    • MicroGOpen-source clone of proprietary Google Play Services libraries.14:53Shown
    • Apple iPhone 13 miniHost's degraded compact smartphone with deteriorating battery health.0:00Said + shown0:11Shown
    • App Lounge/e/OS application store allowing anonymous downloads from Google Play.14:12Shown14:25Shown
    Video description

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    By the numbers

    What YouTube shows about this video and its channel

    As of Oct 29, 2026. YouTube's public numbers first, then Avail.video's own arithmetic on them.

    The video

    Views
    581.2K
    Likes
    9.3K
    Comments
    1K
    Published
    Oct 24, 2026
    Length
    17:11
    Category
    Science & Technology
    YouTube's topics
    Technology
    Captions
    No
    HD
    Yes
    Language
    English
    Paid promotion
    Declared
    Made for kids
    No
    License
    Standard YouTube

    Creator's tags

    • fairphone
    • fairphone 6
    • fairphone review
    • repairable phone
    • e/os
    • eos phone
    • degoogle phone
    • de-googled android
    • graphene os
    • right to repair
    • phone teardown
    • switch and click

    The channel

    Switch and Click@switchandclickofficial
    Subscribers
    1.4M
    Videos
    1.1K
    Total views
    305M
    Channel age
    6 years (since Jan 2020)
    Country
    United States
    Uploads
    about every 3 days
    Across the last 11 long-form uploads
    Before this video
    the same day as the previous long-form upload

    Calculated by Avail.video from YouTube's public numbers

    Outlier score
    1.5× · Too early to tell
    Views against the median of the channel's last 11 long-form uploads
    Views per subscriber
    0.40
    Likes vs the channel's usual
    1.1× the channel's usual
    1.6% of views vs a usual 1.4%
    Comments vs the channel's usual
    1.5× the channel's usual
    0.17% of views vs a usual 0.12%
    Rank among recent uploads
    #4 of 12
    By views: this video and the channel's last 11 long-form uploads
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    Watched by Avail.video · 2026-10-29