Two years ago, FairPhone launched a fully functional, fully customizable pair of headphones called fairbuds XL. Now, the Dutch Social Enterprise is releasing an updated version where the focus will not be on the quality of its hardware, but on the merits of its raw materials.
FAILBUDS 2025 Fairbuds XL with a new ship “Premium” 40mm dynamic and powerful N52 drivers rated at “More power and improved bass response.” Listeners should expect to hear “improved accuracy in the mids and high frequencies” as a result of the sound enhancement. And there’s a new paper-based speaker membrane that’s thinner than ever before.
The sound quality was improved more than before, with clean bass and sharper mid and high tones. You can really hear how clean the sound is, especially when listening to something light and orchestral. Going by my memory from two years ago, the ANC seems to be unchanged, it can deal with unwanted sounds like my keyboard tapping easily.
Obviously, you shouldn’t go expecting the same kind of brilliant sound that you can get from top tier manufacturers. While I think it’s possible that the FairPhone may be closing the gap so it’s still a generation or two behind the bleeding edge, it’s not by an embarrassing degree. And, if we’re being honest, if you’re looking for cans that will last for years and years, you can probably forgive the absence of shiny bells and whistles.
Closed pictures of Fairbuds XL (2025) (Daniel Cooper of Engadget)
It’s easy to see the design changes, too, with the more Austere FairPhone logo and the use of hard plastic instead of the original bold pattern. Sadly, that extends to the POPT Little of Copper available with a four-way Joystick, now a different shade of the same color. I get it: a lot of people want non-buyers to come together, but the loss of white is a little off-putting to me.
There is little clarity but you accept quality of life improvements, including adding power automatically turned off after 30 minutes. Also, buyers get the benefit of a three-year warranty, and can be sure that the XL is guaranteed for a long time. Durability is the new European level standard for gears built for durability, repaired and supported by a strong maintenance infrastructure. Also, if you already own an XLS, you can buy new drivers and flash your existing cans.
The side that shows the sign. (Daniel Cooper of Engadget)
But, in keeping with Fairphone’s founding principles, the update is equally focused on the devices that have been making their debut in 2025 xls. The “PU” skin found in the ear holes – climate friendly material – has been reduced to replace the bird’s eye fabric. That is a cotton fabric produced with a series of air holes for breathing that are common in athleisure products. Similarly the pu found in the head is replaced by a fabric that reminds me of many other finishing headphones.
Under the surface, the new model contains 100 grains of cobalt, copper and silver – in mining mats, at least. The rare earth metals used in the platform maps are now 100 percent renewable, and were assembled in a facility that uses 100 percent renewable energy. You’ll also find more than 90 percent recycled aluminum, and 80 percent recycled, and the company recycles an equal amount of e-waste for every pair sold. And, as always, FairPhone will pay hardware assemblers who live to ensure that “employees can cover the needs of their families.”
The Fairbuds XL are available to order today in Europe both from the fairphone website and select third-party retailers. If you’re in the US, you’ll have to wait until “later” this month, but you’ll be able to pick them up on Amazon for $229.
