Fairphone is expanding its sustainable audio lineup with the Fairbuds 2. Announced earlier this month, the new wireless earbuds focus heavily on repairability and eco-friendly materials to reduce electronic waste.
Repairability and Sustainable Materials
The Fairbuds 2 feature seven user-replaceable parts, including the individual earbuds and all of the batteries. Fairphone claims these are the only wireless earbuds in the industry that allow users to replace the battery in both the buds and the charging case. The company says the earbuds are assembled without any glue, meaning they are not totaled when the batteries eventually degrade.
The device emphasizes the use of recycled plastics and rare metals, which Fairphone says are extracted by workers earning fairer wages. Additionally, the plastics and silicone are manufactured without PFAS, a group of forever chemicals linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and increased cholesterol levels.
Audio Upgrades and LDAC Support
Fairphone says it has improved the audio experience by using an 11mm bio-cellulose dynamic driver made from light organic fibers instead of plastics or metals. This driver is designed to deliver brighter, crisper treble, while refined tuning offers deeper bass, warmer mids, and clearer highs. For the first time, the earbuds also support Sony's LDAC codec for high-resolution streaming.
Redesign and Battery Life
The second-generation earbuds adopt a stem design with capacitive touch controls and have been redesigned for better passive noise cancellation. The earbuds are 37 percent smaller than the first generation, and the charging case is 32 percent smaller. They feature hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) that reportedly cancels 45dB of noise, a transparency mode, and preset EQs adjustable via a companion app.
Battery life is rated at six hours with ANC turned on and eight hours with it turned off. Writing for Gizmodo, James Pero notes that this is an average battery life at best, but suggests it may be a small sacrifice for a more eco-friendly device.
Pricing and Final Verdict
The Fairbuds 2 will be available in the U.S. starting November 2 for $119, coming in green and black color options. In his review, Pero concludes that while the earbuds lack a ton of extra features, Fairphone is leaps and bounds ahead of its competitors when it comes to repairability and sustainability.
This article was written by AI from reporting by gizmodo.com.
