An ill-timed software update has turned the holiday season into a headache for some owners of the ethically-focused Fairphone 4. The company, renowned for its commitment to long-term software support, has been forced to pause the rollout of a new update after multiple reports surfaced of devices being rendered completely inoperable—or "bricked"—following installation.
A Festive Update Turns Fatal
The problematic update, bearing the version number FP4.QREL.15.15.2, began its rollout on December 23. For many users, installing a system update is a routine task, often performed overnight. However, for a subset of Fairphone 4 owners, this particular update proved catastrophic. Reports on the official Fairphone community forum detail a consistent and alarming pattern: after downloading the update and rebooting their device as instructed, the phone failed to power back on. Users described their devices as completely unresponsive, with no signs of life even when connected to a charger, effectively transforming their smartphones into expensive paperweights just before Christmas.
Affected Device & Update:
- Device: Fairphone 4
- Problematic Update Version: FP4.QREL.15.15.2
- Initial Rollout Date: 2025-12-23
- Status: Rollout paused by Fairphone as of 2025-12-24.
Fairphone's Swift Response and User Guidance
Confronted with these reports, Fairphone acted quickly to contain the situation. The company acknowledged the "unexpected issues" with the update and announced an immediate pause on its distribution. In a statement, Fairphone confirmed its technical team is investigating the root cause of the problem and stated that the official rollout would only resume once a fix is confirmed. For users already affected by the bricking issue, the company has directed them to log the problem through its official repair portal or to contact customer service directly for support, indicating that a hardware repair or replacement may be necessary for the most severely impacted devices.
Official Fairphone Response:
- Paused the rollout of the update.
- Confirmed investigation into "unexpected issues."
- Advised affected users to contact support via the repair portal.
- Will share full release notes and resume update once the issue is resolved.
The Irony of a Support Promise Undermined
This incident strikes at the core of Fairphone's brand identity. The company has built its reputation on offering one of the longest software support policies in the smartphone industry, a key selling point for consumers tired of the short upgrade cycles prevalent elsewhere. This commitment to longevity is a cornerstone of its ethical and sustainable mission. The fact that an official update—meant to extend the life and functionality of the device—has instead rendered some units useless presents a significant irony and a challenge to user trust. While the company's prompt response is commendable, the event highlights the delicate balance and immense responsibility involved in maintaining software for hardware designed to last.
Reported Symptoms:
- Device becomes completely unresponsive after installing the update and rebooting.
- Phone does not power on.
- No charging indicator appears when connected to a power source.
- Device is colloquially "bricked."
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Lessons
The immediate path forward involves Fairphone's engineers diagnosing the precise flaw in the update package. The goal will be to develop a recovery tool or a corrected update that can potentially revive bricked devices, though some may require physical repair. For the wider Fairphone 4 user base, the advice is clear: if you have not yet installed the FP4.QREL.15.15.2 update, do not proceed. Wait for official communication from Fairphone confirming that a safe, corrected version is available. This unfortunate episode serves as a stark reminder, even for companies with the best intentions, of the critical importance of rigorous software testing, especially for updates deployed to a user's primary communication device.