Fairphone 6 and VoLTE support in NZ

Forums › Android › Fairphone 6 and VoLTE support in NZ

matisyahu

1639 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 355

Trusted

#320355 4-Aug-2025 01:34

I've been looking at the Fairphone 6, specifically The Fairphone (Gen. 6) with /e/OS - has anyone got any experience with that on any of the carriers - is VoLTE supported? I'm looking at degoogleing my life and The Fairphone (Gen. 6) with /e/OS looks like a pretty good way of getting that done but I can't find any posts on the net from users in New Zealand.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

mrgsm021

1538 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 310

ID Verified

Trusted

#3399801 4-Aug-2025 08:07

That's a very niche handset, probably even more so in NZ, I could be wrong but might be difficult to find someone here on GZ who has experience with one.

Worth the try none the less.

nztim

4012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2710

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#3399806 4-Aug-2025 08:44

You need to ask Fairfone, not any carrier or anyone else, its entirely up to manufacturer if they have put One or more of the NZ carriers VoLTE profiles into their software.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Behodar

11094 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6071

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3399814 4-Aug-2025 09:21

Fairphone officially supports VoLTE on the Gen 6 in a whopping seven countries. All of them are in Europe.

https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/9779766652689-How-to-set-up-4G-and-Wi-Fi-Calling

gzt

18679 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#3399816 4-Aug-2025 09:45

Does that necessarily mean VoLTE won't work on other carriers?

Warning: I do take chances with phone features ; )

nztim

4012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2710

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#3399822 4-Aug-2025 10:04

gzt: Does that necessarily mean VoLTE won't work on other carriers?

Warning: I do take chances with phone features ; )

It means they have either put one or more of the NZ carriers' profiles into their software and not published it on their website or they have not put any of the NZ carriers' profiles into their software at all.

If you like gambling your money with a phone that may or may not be able to make/receive calls in four months that's on you :)

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Asteros

363 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 189

#3399827 4-Aug-2025 10:26

It’s clear they are focusing on Europe based on that supported carrier list. VoLTE is a minefield for Android

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Linux

12173 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8469

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3399828 4-Aug-2025 10:27

What about Wi-Fi calling support as well? You are opening a can a worms here!

Asteros

363 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 189

#3399936 4-Aug-2025 16:09

According to the Fairphone site linked above wifi calling only compatible with those European networks. Looks like the phone is meant to be sold in Europe and as such the manufacturer doesn’t seem to be interested in more geographic compatibility.

gzt

18679 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#3400069 5-Aug-2025 01:21

It's hard to know. On the same page:

Wi-Fi Calling does not handle the full call. You'll still need to be connected to a mobile network to make a call.

Either they are trying to explain to people who have not clue that carrier registration is required, or the WiFi calling is effectively not a real thing. A developer site might be more helpful.

matisyahu

1639 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 355

Trusted

#3400070 5-Aug-2025 01:55

The alternative I've had a look at to the Fairphone would be to get a Pixel 9 Pro XL and load GrapheneOS on it but if I replace the Google Android with GrapheneOS will I retain VoLTE compatibility with Spark/Skinny or would I lose it when installing GrapheneOS on the phone.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

Asteros

363 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 189

#3400086 5-Aug-2025 07:25

From my friend's experience, installing Graphene on a Pixel 9 Pro retains the VoLTE and Wifi calling networks that come with the standard Google OS. Pixel 9 works out of the box with Spark VoLTE and Wifi calling. Apparently the Graphene developers cannot alter these settings so can't add previously unsupported networks.