Smartphones are everywhere. In 2020, smartphone vendors sold around 1.38 billion mobile phones were sold worldwide. In the world, 38% of total population owned a smart device in 2018, and in the year 2020, it increased in 46.5%.
It is also forecasted that almost 87 percent of all mobile phone users in the United States will own a smartphone, an increase from the 27 percent of mobile users in 2010. In the UK, on the other hand, 85 percent of the adult population own a smartphone.
It is indeed true that smartphones provide endless benefits to everyone’s daily lives. But the thing is, these devices can greatly impact the environment.
Are there eco-friendly mobile phones?
You are probably wondering if eco-friendly smartphones exist. Believe it or not, they do exist. After all, despite being a contributor to the world’s e-waste, mobile phones are also a mighty tool for environmentalism.
Your smartphone can bring you closer to wildlife. Mobile phones perform so many functions that everyone has come to rely on.
The following are some of the most eco-friendly mobile phones in the market:
- Refurbished and used phones. Everyone knows that e-waste is a huge problem. One of the things that contribute to the continued increase of e-waste is your smartphone. Old smartphone models, despite being a few years old, can still be useful. As such, the greenest mobile phone you can buy is a refurbished or used phone.
QwikFone is a good place to look for refurbished phones that look and perform as good as brand-new ones. You can find the cheapest iPhone deals as well as great deals for Android smartphones on their website. What’s more, apart from being in pristine condition, all refurbished phones from QwikFone come with one-year warranty and are covered by a return policy.
Mobile phones are also a mighty tool for environmentalism. (Photo credit: handelskraft.com)
- iPhone. Surprisingly, your iPhone is one of the eco-friendly phones you can buy today. This is because the iPhone has amazing multi-functionality. Your iPhone is our mobile phone, iPod, digital camera, electronic planner, e-reader, GPS device, calculator, and more.
Actually, the more uses you find for your smartphone, the more environmentally-friendly it becomes. This is due to the fact that each time you consolidate your gadget needs into the apps and functions contained on your smartphone, the fewer peripheral devices you need. And the fewer electronics you buy, the lighter impact you have on the planet.
- Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate. This mobile phone is not as well-known compared to other Galaxy phones. The Galaxy Exhilarate is an Android smartphone that is made with 80 percent post-consumer waste material and comes with a more efficient charger.
What makes the Galaxy Exhilarate an eco-friendly phone is that this device is mostly made of recycled materials. Additionally, as an Android phone, it can take the place of so many other gadgets like the iPhone. This mobile phone is also Platinum Certified by UL Environment and the first phone to be part of AT&T’s eco-rating system.
- Samsung Replenish. Just like the Galaxy Exhilarate, Samsung Replenish is an Android mobile phone sold through Sprint that got Platinum Certification from UL Environment. This device features 82 percent recyclable materials and 34 percent recycled plastic housing, while eschewing PVC, phthalates and brominated flame retardants.
- Samsung Evergreen. The Samsung Evergreen is another eco-friendly smartphone you can buy in the market. This device is made from 70 percent post-consumer recycled plastics and the packaging is 80 percent post-consumer recycled paper. The Samsung Evergreen also received Platinum Certification from UL Environment.
This phone features an Energy Star efficient charger that notifies you when the mobile phone is done charging. It has a full QWERTY keyboard, camera, web browsing, apps and tons of other features.
- Micromax’s X259. This mobile phone is a solar-powered phone that is actually affordable and that you can buy now. The Micromax features a 2.4-inch color screen, a camera, Bluetooth connectivity, radio capability, and a dual SIM setup.
Three hours of sun gives you 90 minutes of talk time, which is great if you are in developing nations where electricity is not always accessible and also if you would rather fuel your conversations by the sun.
