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Fairphone, known for making smartphones with top-tier repairability ratings, has secured its first US carrier partnership with Boost Mobile. While the company has operated in Europe for over ten years, it expanded its sales to the United States earlier this summer.
Expanding US Presence Through an MVNO
Boost Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), leasing network access rather than owning physical infrastructure, primarily utilizing AT&T’s network alongside some access to T-Mobile. According to Counterpoint research director Mohit Agrawal in an interview with WIRED, approximately 16 percent of US consumers use MVNO services, which includes carrier-owned options like Cricket and Mint Mobile.
The Fairphone Gen. 6+ is priced at $650 and represents the only cellular device the manufacturer offers in the US market, with certification for both T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Through the new partnership, customers cannot purchase the phone directly through Boost Mobile locations or online shops, but must instead buy the device via Amazon or Fairphone directly before activating it on any Boost plan. Purchasing through Fairphone’s website provides users with Boost plan choices at checkout, delivering an eSIM activation email upon the device’s arrival.
Repairability and Future Plans
Fairphone chief commercial officer Rutger Sneep explained to WIRED via text message that this agreement serves as an initial phase in a long-term collaboration, promising upcoming announcements regarding joint market strategies. Addressing whether Boost stores will handle device repairs, Sneep noted that customers will not require physical service locations for maintenance.
“You can simply and affordably order all spare parts to your doorstep and carry out the repair yourself,” Sneep told WIRED. “In the more complex cases, which are also more rare, you only need to send your Fairphone to a repair center. Fortunately, within five years after purchasing your Gen. 6+, you’re also still covered by your warranty.” Securing the full extended warranty requires registering the device within 90 days.
Each Gen. 6+ unit ships with a screwdriver, allowing users to independently replace 12 modular components including the battery, USB-C port, cameras, and display. Fairphone provides these replacement components on its website at low costs, with batteries priced at $40 and displays at $90, contrasting with much higher repair costs for devices like the iPhone 17.
Market Trends and Sustainability Focus
Beyond repairability, Fairphone emphasizes environmental sustainability and fair supply chain wages, backed by independent credentials such as B Corp certification and a Platinum EcoVadis rating. These ethical practices contribute to the pricing of the Gen. 6+, which costs more than competing devices offering similar hardware specifications.
Counterpoint data indicates that the broader smartphone industry is experiencing a decline in shipment volumes driven by a memory crunch and rising costs, with shipments dropping 19 percent year over year, though third-quarter revenue in 2026 rose 3 percent due to increased prices. Despite these industry trends affecting consumer electronics, Fairphone reports positive momentum, noting a 74 percent increase in phone sales during the first half of the year alongside 48 percent growth in the second quarter alone.
