Gear News of the Week: Fairphone Lands in the US, and WhatsApp Is Finally on the Apple Watch
This week in consumer technology brings a compelling mix of ethical innovation, long-awaited software releases, accessible hardware upgrades, and niche creative tools. From a trailblazing sustainable smartphone maker expanding its reach to a ubiquitous messaging app finally finding its native home on smartwatches, and from budget-friendly 5G phones to professional-grade cameras and unique music production kits, the tech landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
Fairphone’s Pioneering Expansion into the US Market
In a significant move for ethical electronics, Fairphone, the Netherlands-based manufacturer celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and repairability, has officially begun its expansion into the United States. While the company is renowned for producing smartphones that boast an unparalleled 10/10 iFixit repairability score, its initial foray into the demanding US market will surprisingly not be with its flagship phones, but with its equally repairable audio products.
Fairphone announced this week that it will introduce its Fairbuds XL, a set of over-ear headphones designed with the company’s signature modular and repair-friendly philosophy, to US consumers. These headphones are set to become available on Amazon later this month, marking a strategic first step into a market increasingly conscious of product longevity and environmental impact.
The company’s expansion follows a period of robust growth, with Fairphone reporting an impressive 61 percent revenue growth in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This growth, while forward-looking in its reporting, underscores a strong market appetite for its products, likely fueled by the successful launch of its latest device, The Fairphone (Gen 6), which contributed to over 100,000 units sold in 2024, encompassing both phones and audio accessories. This trajectory indicates a growing global recognition of the value proposition offered by sustainable tech.
Fairphone’s core ethos revolves around extending product lifespans and minimizing environmental footprint. Unlike many tech giants that design for obsolescence, Fairphone actively empowers users to repair their devices. This commitment is evident in its practices: providing essential tools like screwdrivers with its phones, maintaining a long-term supply of spare parts for years after a product’s release, and offering extended software support to ensure devices remain functional and secure. While Fairphone devices may not always compete on raw processing power or the flashiest designs, they represent a fundamentally more sustainable choice. Beyond repairability, the company meticulously audits its supply chain to ensure fair mining practices for raw materials and equitable wages for workers, setting a high standard for corporate responsibility in the electronics industry.
Bringing its full line of smartphones to the US presents a more complex challenge than launching headphones. The intricate web of carrier certifications and regulatory hurdles requires significant investment and negotiation. However, Fairphone has confirmed to WIRED that it is engaged in "advanced discussions" with select US retailers and carriers, signaling that the arrival of its repairable smartphones in the American market could be closer than ever. This potential move could dramatically shift consumer expectations and catalyze the burgeoning right-to-repair movement across the country, where legislation advocating for consumers’ ability to fix their own devices has been gaining considerable momentum.
WhatsApp Finally Integrates Natively with Apple Watch
For years, Apple Watch users have yearned for a fully functional WhatsApp application, moving beyond the basic notification mirroring that offered limited interaction. This week, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has finally delivered, bringing a native WhatsApp app to the Apple Watch. This release follows a broader strategy by Meta to expand its applications across various platforms, as evidenced by the recent launch of an Instagram app for the iPad.
The new WhatsApp for Apple Watch dramatically enhances the messaging experience on the wrist. Users are no longer restricted to truncated previews; they can now read full messages directly on their watch. The app also introduces several key interactive features: the ability to record and send voice messages directly from the watch, see detailed caller information for incoming WhatsApp calls (though not answer them on the watch itself), send emoji reactions to messages, and even scroll through more of their chat history on the screen.
The app’s design emphasizes seamless integration with the iPhone. It syncs automatically with the paired iPhone, eliminating the need for a separate setup process or treating the Apple Watch as an independent device for WhatsApp. This ensures continuity between the phone and watch experience. However, there are some notable limitations. While users can see who is calling via WhatsApp and decline calls, they cannot take calls directly on the watch. Furthermore, the WhatsApp app does not currently support complications, meaning users cannot add it as a quick-access icon or data display on their watch face. Despite these limitations, the native app represents a significant leap forward, offering a much more robust and convenient messaging experience for the millions of WhatsApp and Apple Watch users worldwide. It fills a long-standing gap in the Apple Watch’s communication capabilities, bringing one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms fully into its ecosystem.
Motorola Unveils Its Most Affordable 5G Phones for 2026
Motorola continues its tradition of delivering feature-rich phones at competitive prices with the early announcement of its latest budget-friendly offerings for 2026: the Moto G 2026 and the Moto G Play 2026. These devices maintain a familiar design language consistent with Motorola’s 2025 Moto G lineup, but introduce a critical upgrade to its most accessible model.
The standout feature of this release is the Moto G Play 2026, which now includes 5G support, positioning it as one of the cheapest handsets available with 5G connectivity at an attractive price point of $170. This move is significant as it democratizes access to faster network speeds, making 5G more attainable for budget-conscious consumers.
Both phones share several impressive specifications for their price range. They feature large 6.7-inch LCD screens with a smooth 120-Hz refresh rate, offering a more fluid visual experience for scrolling and gaming than typically found in this segment. Powering these devices are substantial 5,200-mAh batteries, promising excellent all-day (and likely multi-day) endurance. Durability is also a consideration, with an IP52 water resistance rating providing basic protection against dust and splashes. Under the hood, both models are powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 processor, coupled with 4 GB of RAM, ensuring adequate performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
The primary distinctions between the two models lie in their storage capacity and camera systems. The standard Moto G 2026 comes with 128 GB of internal storage, while the Moto G Play 2026 offers 64 GB. Both, however, provide expandability via a microSD card slot, a welcome feature for users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps. In terms of photography, the Moto G boasts a more capable 50-MP main sensor, while the Moto G Play features a 32-MP sensor. Despite these differences, both aim to deliver respectable image quality for casual photography. Notably, in an era where many manufacturers are ditching it, both phones proudly retain the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who prefer wired audio solutions.
Motorola has staggered the release dates for these devices. The Moto G Play 2026 will be available first, launching on November 13 at Motorola’s website, Best Buy, and Amazon for $170. The slightly more premium Moto G 2026 will follow, debuting on December 11 on Motorola’s website, with broader availability at Best Buy and Amazon starting January 15, priced at $200. This strategic rollout aims to capture different segments of the budget smartphone market.
Canon Elevates Its EOS R6 Line with the R6 Mark III
Canon has unveiled its highly anticipated EOS R6 Mark III, a full-frame mirrorless camera designed to bridge the gap between high-end enthusiast models and professional-grade equipment. The R6 III brings significant upgrades, particularly in its imaging and autofocus capabilities, pushing it further into the realm of professional tools.
At its core, the R6 Mark III features a new 32.5-megapixel full-frame sensor, a noteworthy detail given that this is the same sensor found in Canon’s professional EOS C50 cinema camera. This choice of sensor, combined with Canon’s latest Digic X processor, positions the R6 III for exceptional image quality and robust video performance. The synergy of this new technology means the R6 III now shares a substantial number of features with Canon’s more expensive and acclaimed professional cameras, the R5 and R1. Most notably, it inherits the sophisticated autofocus system of the R5, a considerable upgrade from its predecessor, promising faster, more accurate, and more reliable subject tracking for both stills and video.
While the exterior design of the R6 III remains largely consistent with its predecessor, the R6 Mark II, maintaining the familiar ergonomic body, it incorporates crucial internal and minor external enhancements. The 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the versatile 3-inch articulating touchscreen remain unchanged, offering a consistent user experience. However, Canon has equipped the R6 III with its newer, larger battery, enhancing power longevity for extended shooting sessions. A significant addition is the inclusion of a CFexpress Type B card slot, which, alongside an SD card slot, is vital for handling the camera’s demanding high-speed photo and video data rates.
These hardware advancements unlock truly impressive performance. For still photography, the R6 III can capture full-resolution RAW images—complete with continuous autofocus—at an astonishing speed of up to 40 frames per second using its electronic shutter. Even with a purely mechanical shutter, it can achieve a rapid 12 frames per second, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving action in sports, wildlife, or photojournalism.
The video specifications of the R6 III rival those of dedicated cinema cameras, further cementing its appeal to hybrid shooters and videographers. It is capable of shooting oversampled 4Kp60 video, delivering exceptional detail and clarity. For advanced production, it offers 7K RAW recording and 7K Open Gate, providing immense flexibility in post-production. The inclusion of Canon Log 2 gamma profile allows for maximum dynamic range and color grading potential. Furthermore, the R6 III integrates professional video features such as waveform monitoring for precise exposure control, and focus acceleration and deceleration controls, similar to those found in Canon’s high-end EOS Cinema C80, enabling smooth and cinematic focus pulls.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is set to be available later in November, with a body-only price of $2,799. For those seeking a complete package, several kit options will be offered, including one with the versatile RF 24-105mm f/4L lens for $4,049. Enthusiasts and professionals eager to get their hands on this powerhouse can preorder it today at B&H Photo. The R6 III positions itself as a formidable tool for a wide range of content creators, offering a compelling blend of speed, resolution, and advanced features previously reserved for Canon’s top-tier professional offerings.
Teenage Engineering Unveils the Caribbean Recording Kit: Riddim n’ Ting
Known for its distinctive design aesthetic, innovative engineering, and often whimsical approach to musical instruments and recording equipment, Teenage Engineering has once again captured the attention of musicians and producers with its latest creation: the "Riddim n’ Ting" Caribbean Recording Kit. This unique sample and microphone package is specifically designed to immerse users in the vibrant sounds of dancehall, reggae, and other Jamaican-inspired beats, offering a portable studio experience for crafting "extremely island-y jams."
The Riddim n’ Ting kit comprises two primary components: the EP-40 Riddim sampler and the EP-2350 Ting microphone. The EP-40 Riddim sampler is built upon the popular and user-friendly EP-133 K.O. II sampler, ensuring an intuitive and familiar experience for existing fans of Teenage Engineering’s pocket operators and samplers. This continuity allows users to transition smoothly and quickly begin their creative process. The Riddim is presented as a "complete rhythm and bass system," pre-loaded with an extensive library of 200 instruments and loops. These include essential components for Caribbean music production, such as drums, basslines, melodic keys, and a dedicated FX loop, providing a comprehensive sonic palette right out of the box. To further inspire creativity and lend authenticity, the sampler also includes preloaded samples from legendary figures in reggae and dancehall, such as King Jammy and Mad Professor, offering a direct link to the genre’s rich heritage.
Complementing the sampler is the EP-2350 Ting microphone, a bespoke recording tool designed to capture vocals and external sounds with a Caribbean flair. This microphone stands out with its built-in effects, including echo, reverb, and pitch shifting. These effects are crucial for achieving the distinctive vocal textures often heard in reggae and dancehall, allowing producers to sculpt sounds directly at the source without relying heavily on external processing. The combination of the sampler’s extensive sound library and the microphone’s specialized effects makes the Riddim n’ Ting kit a powerful and focused tool for specific musical genres.
Currently, the Riddim n’ Ting kit is available together for $329, offering a cohesive and immediate solution for producers and enthusiasts. Teenage Engineering has indicated that the EP-40 Riddim sampler and the EP-2350 Ting microphone will also be sold separately at a later date, providing flexibility for those who might only need one component or wish to integrate them into an existing setup. This kit not only showcases Teenage Engineering’s continued innovation but also caters to a niche yet passionate community of music creators, offering a unique and inspiring pathway to explore and produce authentic Caribbean-influenced music.
