Fairphone releases tougher recycled cables and chargers

Fairphone expands its sustainable accessories line with new USB-C cables and chargers in Europe and the UK.

Fairphone's new cables and chargers are both faster and tougher

Fairphone has announced three USB-C cables and two chargers for the UK and Europe. The cables are USB-C to USB-C with a removable USB-A adapter and support up to 240W. They are built to survive at least 70,000 bends and use recycled copper wires plus recycled plastic braiding and jackets. For the first time the company is using Fairmined credits to source gold and silver, directing part of the funds to small-scale, responsible mines. All cables are braided and come with cable organizers.

Prices start at €19.95 for the USB 2.0 cables and €34.95 for the USB 3.2 version. A 30W charger is €24.95 and a three-port 65W charger is due by the end of September. Both chargers use 100 percent recycled plastic in the casing and recycled copper-zinc alloy pins. The range is assembled using green energy and carries a three-year warranty. Availability is Europe and the UK now, with a US release still awaiting certification. The review notes these peripherals are pricier than rivals, but offer an ethical production story and longer warranty that may appeal to buyers seeking sustainability alongside performance.

The move shows how ethical tech brands are expanding beyond core devices to accessories. By emphasizing durability, recycled materials and long warranties, Fairphone tries to turn the cost premium into a durable value proposition rather than a marketing line. Yet the math remains a hurdle: higher prices limit mainstream adoption and the real test will be whether durability translates to lower overall cost for consumers over time.

The strategy also highlights how supply chain ethics can become a product feature. Fairmined credits add a layer of nuance to the mining story, showing incremental progress rather than a simple badge. The pending US certification and the ongoing debate over green optics versus real impact will shape whether this approach becomes a norm or a boutique preference.

Highlights

Ethical tech is gaining traction, but price and access will determine its wider impact.