The economics of modular repair and material circularity

Fairphone’s modular growth

Fairphone’s Q4 2025 results show 83% average year-on-year growth, signaling a consumer shift toward device longevity. The Fairphone 6 is the latest modular model to earn a 10/10 iFixit repairability score because its design avoids the glue that traps most modern smartphones. Users remove the battery in under five minutes by taking out two T5 Torx screws and disconnecting a single flex cable. I think the modular USB-C port and individually replaceable rear cameras provide a defense against planned obsolescence. Although the device lacks flagship camera power, Fairphone promises seven years of Android updates and eight years of security patches. The 6.31-inch LTPO OLED panel reaches twice the brightness of earlier models and supports an adaptive refresh rate from 10 to 120 Hz. This device contains a 17.26 watt-hour battery that stays in place with four screws. The Fairphone 6 comes in Horizon Black and Cloud White. You, who already know that glue makes repairs a nightmare, will appreciate the screw-based assembly. The device includes a time of flight sensor on the back. The repair process for the screen involves eight silver screws which allow for a mess-free swap. The device also has an IP 55 rating, which provides protection against dust and water jets. The Fairphone 6 is a practical alternative to glued-together gadgets.

Samsung and the EU mandate

The EU Council’s right-to-repair directive requires manufacturers to offer repair services after the legal warranty expires and grants consumers a one-year warranty extension if they choose to repair their devices instead of buying new ones. This regulation aims to make repair services more accessible and transparent across the 27-member bloc to reduce waste. Samsung meets environmental goals by using 50% recycled cobalt in Galaxy S25 batteries and introducing recycled tantalum in the Galaxy S26 series. The company also uses recycled aluminum and rare earth elements to improve circularity. Samsung received the 2025 Design for Recycling Award for these efforts. While Samsung supports consumer repairability through its Self-Repair program, it still relies on internal components that do not match the tool-free simplicity of the Fairphone 6. Samsung also works to repurpose discarded fishing nets into smartphone components and aims to return 110% of the water it consumes. Does the focus on recycled materials offset the environmental cost of frequent device replacements? The directive also prohibits hardware or software techniques that prevent repair unless they protect intellectual property. Independent repairers can use second-hand or 3D-printed parts if they meet safety requirements. Samsung aims to include at least one recycled material in every mobile module by 2030 while working to achieve ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ Platinum grade across manufacturing sites.

The repairability divide

The economic struggle between modular repair and material recycling defines the current smartphone market. Fairphone saw a 241% increase in UK phone shipments and 200% growth in the Netherlands, proving that European consumers value long-term utility. I find the US market much harder to penetrate because carrier deals and trade-in offers drive users toward constant upgrades. In 2025, Fairphone revenue hit €73.3 million, which represents a 35% increase from the previous year. This growth persists even as global shipments fell 6% this quarter because of the memory crunch. The company’s best-selling year occurred in 2025 with 145,259 units sold. Fairphone’s total revenue approaches $500 million as it nears the milestone of one million total devices sold. Fairphone’s expansion into the US in 2025 served as a brand validation moment. However, the company faces the challenge of a market where operators drive sales through bundles. The current memory crunch, driven by the AI boom, forces many brands to adjust pricing or reduce specifications. Fairphone manages to grow while the wider market shrinks, showing a demand for transparency and responsible production.