The Fairphone 4, which is scheduled to receive updates until the end of 2027, will receive its first major update from Android 11 to Android 12 on February 1st its first update promise, which should last up to and including Android 15.
Fairphone 4 receives its first major update
When it comes to software and operating systems, the Amsterdam-based manufacturer also focuses on longevity. The smartphone was delivered on October 25, 2019 with Android 11 in the stock version, which is also used by Google itself for the Pixel series.
The The update to Android 12 announced for February 1 is the beginning and will be rolled out in waves as usual, as the manufacturer has announced in its official support forum.
Hi everyone,
It's been a few weeks since our last update 36 regarding Android 12 for the Fairphone 4, and we're excited to share more information with you.
When you can expect Android 12
We are preparing for a staggered rollout, starting with most regions on Wednesday, February 1st.
The eagle-eyed among you noticed I wrote “most regions”. The current performance in some regions (Switzerland and France) does not meet our quality standards, so the Android 12 upgrade will be delayed for some Operators there. We hope to release it to everyone in the near future.
Plans for Android 11 security updates
In order to keep Andrdoid 11 users up-to-date with security, we have prepared a maintenance release with a new security patch. Users won't be left behind or without security. This will be pushed out shortly.
In some regions such as France and Switzerland, the update may be delayed if the Fairphone 4 was purchased through certain mobile operators. The company is working on a solution.
Users who leave the Fairphone 4 on Android 11 should continue to receive the appropriate security updates.
Updates are planned until 2027
Fairphone also wants to deliver updates when support from the manufacturer of the system-on-a-chip, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, has already expired is. There is a commitment for security updates until at least the end of 2025, but the target is until the end of 2027, i.e. for a total of six years.
When the Fairphone 4 was presented in September 2019, the company guaranteed major updates up to and including Android 15, which is expected to be released in autumn 2024 if Google sticks to the annual release cycle.
In addition, the update from Android 12 to the current Android 13 should be faster than the update from Android 11 to Android 12. Fairphone would like to announce further details after the update on February 1.
49 million euros additional investments
At the same time, Fairphone announces that an international consortium led by new shareholders Invest-NL, the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund and existing shareholder Quadia with its Regenero Impact Fund, in combination with the other existing shareholders DALHAP, DOEN Participaties and PDENH Eu 49 million ro invested in Fairphone. The investment aims to enable Fairphone to accelerate growth.