Not really a lost cause in general, there are a bunch of regular phones that have a headphone jack. But fairphone seems unwilling to listen to all the feedback they are getting telling them this is a blocker, so yes, in that way it is a lost cause there.

A shame really.

+1 for headphone jack. At least they got the MicroSD correct!

I've been very happy with my Fairphone 4 that I've had for 4 years now running CalyxOS.

I could probably use it for a few more years but I may upgrade to the 6 if the speakers/microphone are better (and to support the company).

The removal of the phone jack is so obviously planned obsolescence, it is ironic that this project for sustainability follows the trend.

Wired headphones still have better sound quality. Don't need charging. Don't break with software update. But because of that it means less consumption.

Think about how insane it is that companies can remove the phone jack and glue in the battery with the very obvious goal of planned obsolescence. And this is legal.

CalyxOS support Fairphones. It is a better option anyway, also supports bootloader relocking etc.

It's not exactly a flagship phone, but the Unihertz Jelly Max has a fingerprint reader on the back.

I hate Face ID so much. I hate being asked for my PIN for every single little thing I do. I already unlocked my phone, please stop asking me. If I grabbed it, YES, I WANT TO DO THE THING!

-Exhausted Apple user also wanting easier authentication

My main gripe with fingerprint sensors on the back is that it's easy to inadvertently smudge the camera lens when unlocking the phone. Some phones have/had fingerprint unlock on the side power button which is similarly convenient, although I actually don't mind the underscreen sensors that are most common these days. I do appreciate being able to sneak a peek at my phone by discreetly unlocking it at very oblique angles that aren't possible with Face ID.

The backside fingerprint reader could even be used as an input device on some models for scrolling, or pulling down/up the notification bar. Great for scrolling through content or swiping through screens without having to cover your display for gesture input: https://www.androidauthority.com/miss-rear-fingerprint-scann...

Another plus: you could swipe down on the fingerprint reader for additional actions, like seeing your notifications.

I do the same with the sensor being on the lock button, why does it have to specifically be the back?

> Fastest way to unlock your phone, because no matter how slow the fingerprint reader is you activate it while pulling it out of your pocket.

You can also do this with under-screen fingerprint readers which are excellent these days.

> fingerprint reader on the back of the phone

Seconded, vehemently.-

My humble, tiny, circa-2014 Elephone E1 (RIP) was unsurpassed.-

Me wonders if the "onscreen reader" is not an integration-cost cutting measure, as it saves one part?

Which SoC should they switch to? Google's Pixel phones for Android 16's release just updated[0] their kernels to 6.1, which means the bleeding edge kernel version for Android phones is a release from December 2022. What Qualcomm SoCs are supported by this kernel, and how fast are they?

[0] https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-linux-6-1-android-15-...

> They should switch to an SOC with mainline Linux support so you don't have to throw it out in three years.

Starting 20th of June this year (so 3 days ago) every new phone released in European Union will need to have software updates for at least 5 years from the date of the end of placement on the market. This might be the first one released under new regulations. Also looking at Fairphone's history it looks like they really support their phones for a long time.

I heard about Fairphones and really wanted one. I was disappointed to find that they have poor support in the US.

TINA.

I'm curious to know your current phone that passes that test.