Fairphone is building a market for ethical phones and motivating the industry to act more responsibly. They reached out to Above to design the world's most sustainable 5G smartphone, the Fairphone 4. The device is the next phase in the company’s journey to develop fair, long-lasting, high-quality devices and establish a market for ethical and fair electronics.

Above designed the Fairphone 4 to last (which also boasts an IP54 Rating). Thanks to the modular construction and spare parts, anyone can make repairs and upgrade their device. Fairphone also introduced a 5-year warranty that ensures that the phones keep running smoothly (and securely) for years to come so that users can use and enjoy them for longer by making key upgrades when needed. Longer-lasting devices aren't just great for user experience – they also help reduce our environmental footprint.

The removable backside cover was increased to make it easier to access the modules, making sure the device is as easy to repair as possible. We also increased the display size to accommodate today’s demand for richer more immersive media, and added an IP rating with a minimal increase to the product thickness, whilst making the overall industrial design “feel & appear” thinner than the previous generation. The biometric sensor moved to the edge of the device, not only enabling a seamless grab and unlock of the device with one gesture but also opened up the back of the device for a simpler module design. From a visual standpoint, Above clarified and refined the modular story, and moved away from the hobbyist/hacker aesthetic of Fairphone 3, and designed the device as more approachable, inclusive, and encouraging.