Fairbuds 2 Leaks Reveal a New Design, however I Have One Query

Fairphone has already confirmed a This fall 2026 launch for the Fairbuds 2, however that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning—or the Fairbuds 2 leaks from, properly, leaking. Dutch outlet NieuweMobiel has revealed photos of the upcoming Fairphone Fairbuds 2, and so they reveal an actual departure from the rounded stemless design of the unique Fairbuds. The Fairbuds 2 seem like adopting a extra acquainted stem-style look as a substitute.

The redesign doesn’t shock me. Fairphone making its most experimental-looking gadget a traditional pair of wi-fi earbuds is a logical transfer.

However what has me extra curious is what’s taking place on the within. Fairphone nonetheless calls the Faibuds 2 “modular,” however the firm hasn’t mentioned which elements we’ll really be capable to change. And that’s what worries me, as a result of the brand new stems and noticeably thicker charging case have individuals speculating a few greater battery—which is precisely what made the Fairbuds distinctive.

That leads me to marvel: what occurs when the battery dies?

What the Fairbuds 2 leaks get proper

I’ll miss the unique’s rounded form. It stood out on a shelf stuffed with AirPods clones, which was form of the purpose. However a stem design may match extra ear shapes, which is sensible. If something, it exhibits that the corporate is getting extra assured that individuals will purchase theirs for repairability and sound, not for wanting uncommon. That’s a fairly honest commerce.

However the Fairbuds 2 battery is the place Fairphone must show itself

The unique Fairbuds set an unusually excessive bar: 7 individually replaceable elements. That’s a battery in every earbud, the battery within the case, the silicone rings, the information, and the case’s outer shell. No proprietary instruments had been vital, only a Philips screwdriver. iFixit gave the design an ideal 10/10 repairability rating.

The Fairbuds 2 are reportedly staying modular. However till Fairphone spells out precisely which elements open up, “modular” can imply plenty of issues. The batteries will matter as a result of in each different pair of wi-fi earbuds, the battery is successfully a consumable. It would degrade, and when it does, the entire product turns into trash. Not nice.

The unique Fairbuds price $165 at launch. A pair of earbuds in that worth vary shouldn’t turn out to be digital waste simply because two tiny batteries wore out.

Fairphone has one job with the Fairbuds 2

Fairphone doesn’t have to reinvent the wi-fi earbud, nevertheless it does have to show its trademark repairability can survive the redesign. In spite of everything, it’s what made the unique Fairbuds so common within the first place.

Suppose Fairphone ships stem-style Fairbuds 2 with swappable batteries; that’s an enormous win. It might imply the corporate can chase a extra “mainstream look” with out strolling again what made them attention-grabbing within the first place. If that doesn’t occur, the Fairbuds 2 danger turning into a standard pair of earbuds, albeit with Fairbud branding.

The whole lot right here continues to be leaks and educated guesses, since Fairphone hasn’t confirmed specs or pricing but. However I already know what I’m waiting for when the Fairbuds 2 really launch.

Personally, I don’t want the Fairbuds to look bonkers. However I do need them to be boringly repairable. The most effective factor Fairphone may do with this launch isn’t shock individuals with a intelligent industrial design. It must show that one thing as small and disposable as wi-fi earbuds doesn’t need to be disposable.

Lauren has been writing and modifying since 2008. She loves working with textual content and serving to writers discover their voice. When she’s not typing away at her laptop, she cooks and travels together with her husband and two youngsters.