According to tipster Ice Universe, Samsung has disabled Odin, a proprietary firmware flashing tool typically used to install stock firmware, install custom ROMs, and restore devices. It also appears that Samsung has removed “Download Mode,” which acts as a gateway for Odin. This change appears to have been made in the latest One UI 8.5 firmware and currently affects the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and recently launched Galaxy S26 series.
I can recommend the Fairphone for those who appreciate actually owning the device they paid for
How do you get the new one in the US?
Through Murena, I believe?
Also doesn’t seem to have the necessary bands to work well on Verizon. I believe it works on T-Mobile and unsure of ATNT. Just something to be aware of.
How is the fairphone doing these days? I was scared off by the battery life last time i checked it out
Wel that is subjective, but I’m happy with my FP6. ymmv
I also am happy. My battery has never died. It can go days and days it seems.
Unfortunately it isn’t a particularly great spec. It’s fine if you don’t care about those things but for people that want high-end smartphones the phone isn’t going to cut it.
Subjectivity was implied, stating the obvious does not add new insights.
You could have, e.g. by pointing to some of the things you don’t like. This way other readers could decide if they care about the thing. For example, FP6 is does not have a folding screen, which would have been nice. On the other hand, that would have added anothe couple 100s of €s to the price and would have ruined servicebility. So I’m glad they decided to focus on an affordable phone that gives the owner the option to replace parts that they legit sell via their site.
I require a decent camera.
The pre-processing (for example on Pixel) is a tad annoying but the end result is still better than most other phones.
Low-light is also important.
Who knows, in a year or 2, when tech has moved forward, they FP may release a camera module with better specs. Because of the phone’s modular assembly, that camera could be swapped. I think this is a beutiful concept.
Sounds like FP bringing 2 year old tech to a current gen phone.
Sorry but that doesnt cut it.
If it’s a monetary issue, release a specced up model. Then we may talk.
I do miss the camera from my Samsung since making the switch. I’m looking into pocket cameras since I do find those fun to play around with, but that’s a bit of a dead category in recent years.
Performance-wise the Fairphone 6 has been more than fine for me. Maybe it wouldn’t have been if I played 3D games, but I don’t, so I wouldn’t know.