I have a Google Pixel 5 that I installed e/OS myself on, but I dropped it a few days ago and the touch sensor is broken in such annoying locations that I feel the need for a new phone. So, trying to be more environmentally conscious, I wanted to try a fairphone for better repairability. I know they have been offering a version with e/OS pre-installed, but I only learned today that it is 50€ more expensive.

Do any of you guys know what the benefit of letting them do it is? I guess there technically is a risk I mess it up and brick my brand new phone, but I think the risk is so small that I am willing to take it.

  • chrizzly@feddit.org
    2·
    6 hours ago

    Asked myself the same question last week. Bought the AOSP Version and did the flashing myself - worked out fine! Just be careful if you want to return to Stock Android: You need to be sure not to revert to a ROM with an older security patch date than currently installed (See anti-rollback feature and the remarks in the official instructions). This could potentially brick your phone. Mine shipped with a patch from May 2025, so flashing to a ROM with June 2025 security patch (e/OS 3.02) worked fine. Wanted to save those 50€, too :D

  • Libb@piefed.socialEnglish
    8·
    2 days ago

    Do any of you guys know what the benefit of letting them do it is?

    The advantage boils down to

    • You’re sure it will work as expected.
    • Spare you the effort of doing it yourself.

    Is it worth it? Depends your skill level/interest in installing a new android on a phone (I have zero interest in doing that for example, and that is despite my computer running Linux), and what your time is worth to you (do you earn more in the time it would take you to do that yourself? If yes, it may be a reasonable choice to let someone else do it).