Fairphone has introduced the Fairbuds 2, a new generation of true wireless earbuds designed to combine improved audio quality, long battery life, and user-friendly repairs. The latest model features a smaller design, support for high-resolution wireless audio, hybrid active noise cancellation, and seven replaceable components, including batteries in both the earbuds and charging case.
The European launch took place on October 14, 2026, coinciding with International E-Waste Day. U.S. sales are scheduled to begin November 2 through Fairphone’s website and Amazon. The earbuds will retail for $119 in the United States, 20 percent less than their predecessor’s launch price, according to the company.
With the Fairbuds 2, Fairphone is continuing its effort to challenge the disposable electronics model by making wireless audio products easier to repair and keep for longer.
Fairbuds 2 Focus on Repairability and Longer Product Life
A major feature of the Fairbuds 2 is its modular construction. Instead of permanently sealing the earbuds and charging case, Fairphone has designed the components so users can replace worn parts rather than discard the entire product.
The earbuds feature seven user-replaceable components, including the batteries in both individual earbuds and the charging case. Fairphone says the design uses no glue or special tools for battery replacement, making repairs more accessible to consumers.
The approach addresses a common problem with wireless earbuds: battery degradation. As batteries lose capacity over time, many conventional earbuds become difficult or impractical to repair, leaving consumers with limited options beyond replacing the entire device.
Fairphone is positioning the Fairbuds 2 as an alternative for people who want wireless audio without treating the product as disposable. The company also backs the earbuds with a three-year warranty.
Smaller Design With More Capabilities
Fairphone has redesigned both the earbuds and their charging case to make them more compact than the previous generation. The company says the Fairbuds 2 earbuds are 37 percent smaller, while the charging case is 32 percent smaller.
Despite the reduced size, the new model includes several hardware and connectivity upgrades. These include Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and a stronger magnetic connection to help keep the earbuds securely seated inside the charging case.
Users can save up to six devices and remain connected to two devices simultaneously. This makes switching between a phone and a computer more convenient for people who use their earbuds for calls, music, and other everyday activities.
The earbuds can also automatically pause playback when both are removed and resume when they are put back in. These features are intended to make the Fairbuds 2 more practical for everyday listening.
New 11mm Driver Brings Improved Audio
Fairphone has equipped the Fairbuds 2 with a new 11mm dynamic driver featuring an organic bio-cellulose diaphragm. The company says the lightweight material helps the driver respond more quickly, contributing to clearer, brighter high frequencies.
The sound profile was tuned in collaboration with Form Follows Frequency, a design and acoustic engineering studio based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Fairphone describes the resulting audio as balanced, with deeper bass, warmer midrange tones, and clear treble.
The Fairbuds 2 also introduce LDAC support, marking the first time the company has included the high-resolution wireless audio codec in its earbuds. Compatible devices can use LDAC to transmit more audio data over Bluetooth than standard Bluetooth audio codecs typically allow, although the actual listening experience depends on the source material, device compatibility, and connection conditions.
Listeners can personalize their sound through the redesigned Fairbuds app. It includes audio presets developed for the new model and a five-band equalizer that allows users to adjust frequency levels to their preferences.
Hybrid Noise Cancellation and Clearer Calls
The Fairbuds 2 feature hybrid active noise cancellation designed to reduce distracting sounds in busy environments. Fairphone says the system can reduce noise by up to 45 decibels, helping limit background disturbances from wind and surrounding activity.
A six-microphone array, with three microphones in each earbud, is designed to improve voice pickup and call clarity. The earbuds also offer improved passive noise isolation and have been re-engineered to provide a more comfortable fit across a wider range of ear shapes.
These changes give the Fairbuds 2 a broader range of uses, from listening to music while commuting to taking calls in noisy surroundings. Actual noise-cancellation performance can vary depending on the fit, environment, and type of sound.
Up to 40 Hours of Total Battery Life
Fairphone rates the Fairbuds 2 for up to 40 hours of total playback when combining the earbuds and charging case. The company also says a 10-minute charge can provide approximately 2.5 hours of listening time.
Compared with the previous generation, Fairphone reports an increase of more than 50 percent in overall battery life. The smaller hardware design therefore comes alongside a claimed improvement in listening endurance.
The companion app includes a device-finding feature that can activate the earbud speaker to help users locate misplaced earbuds nearby. Bluetooth 6.0 also provides newer connectivity capabilities, including support for precise proximity sensing where compatible hardware and software are available.
Battery performance will depend on factors such as volume, noise cancellation, connectivity, and usage patterns. However, the replaceable-battery design is particularly significant because it offers a way to extend the earbuds’ useful life after the original batteries begin to deteriorate.
Redesigned Fairbuds App Adds Customization
Alongside the new hardware, Fairphone has refreshed the Fairbuds app with a revised visual identity and additional listening controls.
The app provides access to audio presets, customizable equalizer settings, and guidance for getting the most out of the earbuds. Fairphone also plans app and firmware updates to keep the software experience aligned with the product’s longer-term support goals.
The combination of replaceable components and ongoing software improvements reflects the company’s broader approach to making electronics that remain useful beyond a typical short replacement cycle.
PFAS-Free Materials and Recycled Components
Fairphone says approximately 49 percent of the Fairbuds 2 materials are fair or recycled. The company highlights several specific material choices, including 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in the speaker magnets, 100 percent recycled tin in solder paste, and plastics containing more than 70 percent post-consumer recycled material.
The earbuds also use PFAS-free plastics and silicone in components that come into direct contact with the skin. Fairphone says these materials have been tested by SGS, an inspection and testing organization.
Other materials, including cobalt, copper, gold, and silver, are covered by mineral credits intended to support more responsible production and improve conditions in mining communities. The company also says assembly uses 100 percent renewable energy.
Fairphone’s sustainability commitments extend to manufacturing conditions. The company says its manufacturing partner participates in its Living Wage Bonus and Workers’ Voice programs, which are intended to support workers in the supply chain.
Fairphone Says the Earbuds Are 100 Percent E-Waste Neutral
Fairphone describes the Fairbuds 2 as 100 percent e-waste neutral. Under its stated program, the company collects and responsibly recycles an amount of electronic waste equivalent to the weight of each unit sold.
The initiative is intended to address the growing waste associated with small consumer electronics. Earbuds are particularly challenging to recycle because they combine batteries, plastics, magnets, and electronic components in compact enclosures.
By making key components replaceable and supporting e-waste collection, Fairphone is attempting to address both the lifespan of the product and its eventual disposal.
The company previously introduced repairable audio products and says the Fairbuds 2 build on the modular approach established by its original Fairbuds. The new model extends that strategy to a smaller true wireless design while adding audio and connectivity improvements.
Fairbuds 2 Price and Availability
Fairphone is launching the Fairbuds 2 in Forest Green and Horizon Black. The earbuds will be sold through Fairphone’s website, Amazon in the United States, and selected retailers and network operators.
The company has announced the following recommended retail prices:
- United States: $119, with sales beginning November 2, 2026.
- Netherlands, Germany, and France: €119.
- Switzerland: CHF 108.
- United Kingdom: £99.
- Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway: €129, as listed in the announcement.
There will be no U.S. presale, according to Fairphone. Customers in the United States will be able to purchase the earbuds starting November 2.
The lower launch price is notable because Fairphone says the new model improves several aspects of the product while costing 20 percent less than its predecessor at launch.
