The Fairphone Fairbuds 2 will be released on October 14, 2026, and will cost 119 euros in Europe. That’s 30 euros less than the first model, even though the new earbuds feature Sony’s LDAC codec for high-resolution audio. Fairphone remains true to its philosophy: The second generation also relies on replaceable parts instead of disposable electronics.
This has been confirmed by several international media outlets after Fairphone itself had initially only mentioned a launch window in the fourth quarter of 2026. The exact date has now been set, and initial details about the features have been revealed.
Release Date and Price of the Fairbuds 2
The official launch is scheduled for October 14, 2026, initially in Europe. The U.S. is set to follow shortly thereafter. The price in Europe is 119 euros, and in the U.S., 119 U.S. dollars. The first Fairbuds went on sale in 2024 for 149 euros and 99 US dollars, respectively, so the European price has dropped significantly.
Your sound.
Made better.Fairbuds 2.
Coming soon.
#Fairphone #TheOneThatLasts https://t.co/Sti7V1V6gL
— Fairphone Newsroom (@Fairphone) September 28, 2026
So far, Fairphone has only officially confirmed the quarter, not the exact date. However, several sources, including Android Authority and Android Central, all agree that October 14 is the launch date. Fairphone itself currently still lists the fourth quarter of 2026 on its support page and asks interested parties to sign up for the newsletter.
What’s new compared to the first Fairbuds
The most notable upgrade concerns audio transmission. The first generation only supported the standard SBC and AAC codecs, while the Fairbuds 2 also support Sony’s LDAC codec. This codec transmits significantly more data per second and is designed to deliver sound quality comparable to that of wired headphones via Bluetooth—provided the source device also supports LDAC. This is the case for most Android smartphones, but not for iPhones.
The basic repair concept remains unchanged. Fairphone is sticking with seven replaceable components—the same approach that set the first generation apart from virtually every other manufacturer on the market. New, however, are the handle-shaped case design and apparently new color options: a green version has already been leaked, and a black version is considered confirmed.
Seven Replaceable Parts: What’s the Idea?
Fairphone’s core promise is that no one has to buy a complete set of new earbuds just because a battery is wearing out. The replaceable components include, among others:
- The batteries in the individual earbuds
- The battery in the charging case
- The individual earbuds themselves, in case only one fails
Anyone who’s ever had to throw away an expensive pair of brand-name earbuds because, after two years, they only had 40 minutes of battery life left knows why this isn’t a minor detail. With most TWS earbuds, the battery is permanently glued in place, so replacing them isn’t economically viable. Fairphone, on the other hand, sells replacement parts individually.
Fairbuds vs. Fairbuds 2: A Comparison
| Feature | Fairbuds (2024) | Fairbuds 2 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Launch | 2024 | October 14, 2026 |
| Price (Europe) | €149 | €119 |
| Price (U.S.) | $99 | $119 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Interchangeable Components | 7 | 7 |
| Colors | White, Black | Black confirmed, green leaked |
Sustainability remains the key selling point
For years, Fairphone has positioned itself as an alternative to traditional consumer electronics, where repairs are often more expensive than buying a new device. This applies to the brand’s smartphones as well as its headphone lineup, which began in 2023 with the modular over-ear Fairbuds XL model and was expanded a year later to include the first true wireless Fairbuds.
With the Fairbuds 2, the company is linking this approach directly to an audio feature for the first time—one that was previously reserved for premium models like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or certain in-ear models, as seen in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra review. Repairability and sound quality are thus no longer mutually exclusive at Fairphone.
Conclusion
The Fairbuds 2 fill the exact gap that Fairphone has left open until now: decent sound quality combined with consistent repairability—and at a lower entry-level price than their predecessor. Whether LDAC support will be audible in everyday use can only be assessed after the market launch on October 14, 2026. For those who value sustainability and have previously had reservations about the limited codec support, the Fairbuds 2 provide a compelling reason to take another closer look.
