You can put the best part of the new Fairphone headphones into the originals

After more than two years Fairphone introduced the first pair of modular and repairable wireless headphonesthe company announced an upgraded version. The new Fairbuds XL look similar to the originals but feature an updated design with more comfortable fabrics and improved sound thanks to new drivers. What’s most interesting about these is that thanks to Fairphone’s commitment to modular hardware, some of the improvements are backward compatible. This way, owners of first-generation Fairbuds XL can upgrade to better sound without replacing them entirely.

The new Fairbuds XL launch with an updated, sleeker design that now uses breathable mesh fabrics on the headband and earpads, which Fairphone says “enhances comfort during long listening sessions.” Features like IP54 dust and water resistance, a USB-C charging port, a dedicated ANC button, and a mini joystick to control playback and volume have been pushed forward, while the two color options, now called Forest Green and Horizontal Black, have been deepened to give the Fairbuds XL a more premium look.

Fairphone says the new headphones also have better sound thanks to “new 40mm dynamic drivers” and “improved volume tuning,” but Bluetooth connectivity remains limited to AAC, SBC, and aptX HD. The battery is still replaceable along with eight other modular components that can be swapped out to extend the life of the headphones, but battery life is still up to 30 hours, which is reduced if you use the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature.

It took more than two years to The original Fairbuds XL will be available in the USBut this time the wait won’t be long. The new Fairbuds XL are available globally starting today through the Fairphone online store for the same price as the originals and are expected to launch in the US via Amazon later this month for $229.

Fairphone is selling the new drivers alone for €61.95 (left) and €39.95 (right) for those who want to upgrade to the original Fairbuds XL, but these components are also available as part of a discounted package that includes the ear cushions and speaker covers. However, given the originals were just launched in the US last month, Fairphone won’t be selling the new parts there until later in 2026.