[jansc]

I disagree (Disclaimer: I'm one of the early backers). The current trend in mobile phones is towards more closed systems. Components are glued together, and often it's not often possible for a user to even change a battery. That's what I would call a big monster.

The Fairphone is the first phone to get a 10/10 repairability score from ifixit. Though there could be more components, it's definitely a step in the right direction. The whole point is to a able to use that phone for 4-5 years. If one part breaks (touchscreen, battery), you can replace that part yourself. If a better camera becomes available, I can choose to update just the camera instead of buying a new phone. Cheaper for me as a user and better for the environment.

[Swizec]

All my iPhones have lasted 4-5 years. Granted I had to get the screen replaced on one of them after my bird dropped it off the counter.

Wtf are you people doing with your phones? I downright abuse mine (think longboarding falls at 50kph with phone flying out of pocket) and it survives all.

[SixSigma]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery

Battery life

On average, lifetimes consist of 1000 cycles, although battery performance is rarely specified for more than 500 cycles. This means that batteries of mobile phones, or other hand-held devices in daily use, are not expected to last longer than three years.

[nerfhammer]

You have a bird that carries your phone?

[StavrosK]

It's UK slang for girl.

[Swizec]

I also have an actual bird who once pushed my phone off the counter because he's a dick.

[jansc]

Seems like you're a lucky guy. My current iPhone 4s is falling apart. One of the speakers doesn't work, battery lasts only half a day, and the power off button is broken. And I guess there won't be any software updates after the current iOS release.

[whatusername]

The 4s is now in the 4-5 years since release category.

[Spooky23]

Do you have an iphone6? These models are garbage from a durability POV. the beveled glass shatters very easily on the corners.

I left my 3gs on the roof of my car and it flew into the street when i pulled out of the gas station... intact. My brother in law is a fireman, and his fell out of an aerial ladder 4-5 stories up, and survived with bruises. I dropped a 6 and 6+ from chair height into carpet tile and shattered the screen on the plus, and cracked it on the 6. It's now held together with scotch tape. :)

[dibujante]

You are a lucky guy. My phone slipped off of my nightstand, falling all of two feet, but managed to break the digitizer at exactly the point that caused the entire screen to become disabled.

[lazyjones]

> If a better camera becomes available, I can choose to update just the camera instead of buying a new phone.

If a new transmission standard becomes available, you need to buy a new phone. This could have been avoided with a truly modular design that would have satisfied security-conscious people as well.

[rlpb]

> This could have been avoided with a truly modular design

No. A new module interconnect bus standard might become available, which would limit you just as much when you compare to the competition with integrated phones which can change both in new devices as needed.

[roywiggins]

Admittedly being able to swap that out would be awesome, but you don't -have- to buy a new phone. 2G phones still work just fine.

[scintill76]

A 2G phone works only as long as there's a network. Some of the 2G networks are shutting off in the next 1-2 years.