Fairphone, the brand known for its repairable smartphone lineup, has launched a new pair of headphones. The Fairbuds XL is an over-the-head style headphone that is both modular and repair-friendly. Available in two colours, the headphone is currently listed on the company’s official website for €250/£220.
The Fairbuds XL is constructed using 11 modular components. Just like most high-end headphones, the headphone has easy-to-replace ear cushions. However, what sets this headphone apart from the competition is the easy-to-replace battery. The 800mAh battery claims to offer 26 hours with ANC and can last up to 30 hours when ANC is turned off.
Despite having a modular design, the headphones have an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. These are not just easy-to-repair headphones; in fact, they are also made using 100 per cent recycled aluminium and 80 per cent recycled plastic parts. On top of that, even the carry case of the Fairbuds XL is made using 100 per cent recycled cloth, and the company is even using 100 per cent recycled tin for soldering.
In terms of technical specifications, the headphones are equipped with large 40mm drivers. While they do miss out on a 3.5mm headphone jack, one can connect these headphones to a smartphone or a laptop using a USB Type-C port. The headphones come with Bluetooth 5.1, and there is also support for codecs like AAC, SBC, and aptX HD. Users can download the Fairbuds app on Android and iOS devices to control and configure the headphones and the audio output.