Fairphone 6 gets update to Android 16
Although actually only announced for April, Fairphone is gradually rolling out the update to Android 16 for its current smartphone starting March 16.
The Fairphone 6 is getting Android 16.
(Image: Fairphone)
The Fairphone 6 is the first model from the Dutch company to receive Android 16. The update aims for "significant improvements in usability, accessibility, and system-level security," the manufacturer writes in the announcement.
Focus on stability
Fairphone also clarifies that the update focuses on stability and practical improvements rather than experimental features. Furthermore, the device remains free of bloatware.
The update brings features that Google announced with the release of Android 16 in June 2025. Among other things, users can access the "Group notifications" feature, which automatically consolidates multiple notifications from the same app into a single, expandable entry. The "Notification Cooldown" system also prevents the device from becoming a nuisance by gradually reducing the volume of notification waves.
Fairphone 6 owners can also open Google Wallet with a double-click on the power button. In terms of personalization, Android 16 introduces support for seven new Unicode 16.0 emojis.
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Security
There are also new features for security and accessibility. To protect users from social engineering and "Vhishing" (Voice Phishing) scams, the operating system prevents apps from being installed via sideload or sensitive accessibility permissions from being changed during an active phone call.
The update is also likely to include other Android 16 features such as live updates, theft detection, and more. Since, according to 9to5 Google, the version used is Android 16 QPR1, the Material 3 Expressive introduced with the build might also be included with the update.
Android 16 for Fairphone 5?
In addition to the Fairphone 6, the manufacturer will likely also provide the predecessor, the Fairphone 5, with Android 16. However, the company has not yet revealed details about when this will happen. For the Fairphone 4 from 2021, it is currently uncertain whether it will be updated to Android 16. At the time, the company had promised software updates until at least the end of 2025. Currently, both older Fairphone models are based on Android 15. The manufacturer skipped Android 14 for the Fairphone 4.
In addition to Google's own Android, users can also use the alternative /e/ OS on Fairphones. Android 17 is expected in June of this year.
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