Fairphone 1: Repair vs Replace Guide
Model-specific repair costs, repairability rating, and support lifecycle for the Fairphone 1 (2013).
Some figures on this page are category averages for smartphone. Model-specific data may be incomplete.
Typical Verdict
Don't Bother Repairing
The Fairphone 1 is highly repairable. Most common fixes are straightforward with the right guide. A typical repair runs about 65% of buying new. At this point, the repair math doesn't work out for most owners.
Confidence
47%
Based on a typical Fairphone 1 owner at mid-lifespan. Your situation may differ. Share your experience to help others.
Repair Economics: Fairphone 1
- Typical Repair
- $213
- Replacement
- $325
- Repair Saves
- $113
- Device Age
- 13 years
- Est. Life Left
- ~2.5 years
- Verdict
- Replace
- Repairability
- 7/10
- France Index*
- 7.1/10
- Support
- Ended Dec 2015
*France Repairability Index category average (data.gouv.fr)
Prices in USD (US dollars). Market prices move week to week.
Prices updated Nov 2, 2026
Why we wouldn't repair this device
- •Fairphone support for this model has ended. It no longer receives security updates, meaning every month you keep it is a month of unpatched vulnerabilities.
- •Typical repairs cost $213, 65% of a $325 replacement. At that ratio, the math doesn’t work in repair’s favour.
- •This model is known for Battery degradation after 2-3 years and Charging port wear and failure. These are recurring issues. Repairing them once does not prevent them from coming back.
When the math doesn't work out for repair, the move is to find a replacement built to last longer. Here are our picks:
Top Rated Replacement Smartphones
When replacement is the right choice, invest in a smartphone known for durability and longevity.
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Fairphone 1 Repair Costs
| Repair | Professional Cost | DIY Cost | Success Rate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Replacement | $110 - $329 | N/A | - | Professional |
| Battery Replacement | $37 - $110 | N/A | - | DIY Medium |
| Charging Port Repair | $58 - $146 | N/A | - | Professional |
| Back Glass Replacement | $73 - $183 | N/A | - | Professional |
| Camera Module Replacement | $88 - $292 | N/A | - | Professional |
| Speaker/Microphone Repair | $37 - $88 | N/A | - | DIY Hard |
Prices in USD (US dollars). Shop rates vary by city, so treat these as a ballpark.
Common Issues
4 known issues reported by owners.
- !Battery degradation after 2-3 years
- !Charging port wear and failure
- !Speaker or microphone failure
- !Software slowdown from OS updates
Fairphone Repair Track Record
How Fairphone mobiles fare at community repair events.
Fix rate
Based on 73 community repairs
Top failure types
Source: openrepair.org ORDS community repair data (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Environmental Impact
Manufacturing a new Fairphone 1 produces roughly 70 kg of CO₂. Repairing it uses just 10 kg, that's 60 kg saved, equivalent to 150 km of driving. It also keeps 80 g of metals, plastics, and rare earths out of landfill.
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Dig deeper
All prices shown are approximate estimates and may not reflect current retail or repair shop pricing. Verify costs with your local retailer or repair provider before making a decision.