During the Mobile World Congress 2023, Nokia made headlines with the announcement of the G22: a smartphone that does not arouse particular emotions from the point of view of the technical data sheet, but which stands out for having been designed with a certain degree of repairability in mind.
In the company’s intentions, having purchased the phone, the user can intervene as needed on some components such as the screen, the battery or the charging port, using any repair kit, such as that of iFixit, and without having particular skills.
An interesting idea partly because it opens up to issues, such as sustainability, which are increasingly central to communication in the world of consumer electronics. Partly because, after all, it’s something different than usual and it has intrigued us since the announcement.
In the past few days we therefore decided to take a Nokia G22 and see how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble itcomparing it with a Fairphone 4, the latest model in a line (and a company) that has staked everything on sustainability and social responsibility.
IT DOES WHAT IT PROMISES, BUT THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO
To disassemble the Nokia G22 we used the standard iFixit kit but you can choose any alternative. Removing the cover is simple, just remove the SIM tray and then use the pick on the rear edge to lift it.
Once this is done and being careful to disconnect the sensor for the fingerprint reader, you can start disassembling the set of components piece by piece in order to gradually access the different parts. It takes about 5 – 10 minutes to reach the battery while you can consider a maximum of 45 – 60 minutes to disassemble the screen.
Nothing impossible but compared to the Fairphone 4, which is designed to remove the battery without unscrewing anything and in any case involves removing a few screws to get anywhere, it is clear that the Nokia project still has a long way to go.
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On the one hand Fairphone 4 seems to have been conceived with a truly modular design in mind, while in the case of Nokia access is feasible without having to use particular equipment, but it does not give the idea of ​​having the same level of attention and procedures they are more laborious, requiring greater attention in order not to damage them.
Even in terms of available spare parts, Nokia currently sells the battery, screen, charging port and back cover while the Fairphone 4 also makes speakers, photographic modules and selfie cams available.
A QUESTION OF SUSTAINABILITY
Wanting to broaden the discussion a bit, Nokia embraces a more sustainable production model with this G22 also paying attention to aspects such as the materials used for the back cover, made entirely of recycled plastic, and guaranteeing a 3-year guarantee.
The same argument made above is valid: it is a good start but Fairphone 4 demonstrates more attention to these aspects by also using other recycled materials, such as aluminium, and can boast certifications such as Fairtrade Gold which give further reassurance on the supply chain. It also offers up to 5 years warranty, spare parts also available for previous models and higher quality in every aspect, including packaging.
These are obviously two very different smartphones, also in terms of price given that the G22 costs 199 euros while the Fairphone 4 starts at 529 euros, on offer on the official website. It is therefore difficult to compare them directly and longevity is not in question: Fairphone with the Snalpdragon 750 processor and its repairability will last for years with discrete performance; Nokia is already very limited by a processor that is already struggling today, let alone in 2/3 years…
And in any case interesting to note how more mainstream companies are progressively trying to get closer to principles, such as those of sustainability and repairability, which are increasingly essential but at the same time there is still a long way to go.
We discuss it in more detail in the video but We also leave you here the question posed in the video:
if there was a top-of-the-range smartphone (Snap 8 gen 8 and all that is needed) made with the quality of the Fairphone and with updates guaranteed for 5 or more years, almost total repairability and excellent construction, you would prefer it to a classic smartphone even if it did you have to pay more?
What is Price of Fairphone 4
- Â Fairphone 4 is available online from Galaxus at 591 euros or from eBay to 845 euros.
- Nokia G22 is available online from Galaxus at 221 euros. The value for money is discreet. There are 56 top models.
(updated March 20, 2023, 2.30 pm)
