Unexpected Software Leap for Older Device
Owners of the Fairphone 4 are reportedly receiving more than they anticipated for their update patience. According to reports from the company’s community forum, the 2021 smartphone will completely skip Android 14 and jump directly to Android 15, with the rollout planned for early November. This development represents a significant turnaround from previous update timelines that had pushed major software enhancements into 2025.
Development Acceleration Enables Version Skip
The unexpected version jump became possible after development “sped up” sufficiently to make the leap feasible, according to a Fairphone employee posting on the company’s Community Forum. Sources indicate that the update will roll out in batches, meaning some users may not receive it immediately when the deployment begins. This approach to software distribution follows common industry practices to ensure stability and identify potential issues before widespread release.
Analysts suggest this development marks a dramatic improvement from last year’s situation, when Fairphone delayed Android 14 due to technical issues that reportedly required assistance from Qualcomm. The current plan effectively leapfrogs the previously delayed version entirely, bringing the four-year-old device back in line with newer models like the Fairphone 5 and recently announced Gen 6, both of which already run Android 15.
Extended Support Commitment Honored
The Fairphone 4 launched in 2021 with official support promised through at least 2027, representing the company’s commitment to longer device lifespans compared to industry averages. It was notably the first Fairphone device to reach the United States market, where it replaced Google’s software with /e/OS, a privacy-focused Android variant. This commitment to extended support comes amid broader industry developments in sustainability and device longevity.
Despite the promising announcement, the report states that given the device’s update history, some Fairphone 4 owners may remain cautiously optimistic until they actually see the update notification on their screens. This sentiment reflects ongoing market trends where consumers increasingly value reliable software support throughout a device’s lifespan.
Broader Industry Implications
The move demonstrates how manufacturers can potentially accelerate update timelines when technical hurdles are overcome, offering hope for users of older devices across the smartphone market. This development in mobile software updates comes alongside other related innovations in the technology sector that prioritize user experience and device longevity over forced obsolescence.
Looking forward, the successful implementation of this update strategy could influence how other manufacturers approach software support for older devices, potentially setting new expectations for what consumers can reasonably expect throughout a smartphone’s lifespan.
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