At a time when the environmental impact of the production and consumption of electronic devices is becoming more and more of a public concern, the issue of sustainability in the smartphone industry is becoming increasingly important. Manufacturers are required to develop and implement responsible practices to reduce the environmental footprint of their products while meeting customer demands. In this blog post, we would like to introduce three sustainable smartphones that stand out for their special features and approaches to sustainability: the Fairphone 4, the SHIFT6mq and the Rephone.
But what actually makes a smartphone sustainable? An important aspect is the repairability of the device. Thanks to a modular design and easy access to spare parts, users can maintain their smartphones themselves, which extends the life of the device and reduces electronic waste. In addition, the use of sustainable materials plays a crucial role. Recycled and bio-based materials can help to minimize resource consumption and environmental impact.
Energy efficiency and carbon neutrality are other important factors to consider when assessing the sustainability of smartphones. Manufacturers who pay attention to optimizing the energy consumption of their devices and reducing CO2 emissions throughout the production chain are helping to combat climate change.
Fair working conditions and transparent supply chains also play a key role. Companies that promote decent working conditions and fair wages and carefully select their suppliers contribute to improving working conditions and strengthening human rights.
Last but not least, durability is another key feature of sustainable smartphones. Devices that last a long time and receive updates even after years allow users to use their smartphones for longer and thus reduce e-waste.
In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the sustainable smartphones mentioned - Fairphone 4, SHIFT6mq and Rephone - and highlight their specific approaches to sustainability.
The classic among sustainable smartphones: Fairphone
At a time when sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important, the Fairphone 4 has attracted a lot of attention. This smartphone takes a different approach and puts fairness and environmental protection at the forefront.
The Fairphone 4 is a powerful smartphone built to last. It uses fair and recycled materials while still offering impressive technical specifications such as 5G connectivity and a premium dual camera. The 5-year warranty is a strong signal of the device's reliability and sustainability.
A special focus is on the repairable design of the Fairphone 4. Unlike many other smartphones, the Fairphone 4 allows for easy repair, so even laypeople can easily replace the battery or the display. The device even received an iFixit rating of 10 out of 10 for repairable design.
The focus on fair materials is reflected in the use of Fairtrade Gold and recycled materials such as ASI-certified aluminum and 100% recycled plastic for the back cover.The company is also working to incorporate fair trade cobalt and lithium into its batteries and is so far the only smartphone manufacturer to use fair trade gold in the supply chain.
In addition, Fairphone is committed to improving working conditions in the electronics industry. Every Fairphone 4 sold contributes to living wages for factory workers, and the company has received a B Corp certification, which underlines its commitment to social and environmental issues.
Fairphone 4 Specs
Technically, the Fairphone 4 offers an excellent user experience with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, 5G connectivity and a dual camera with 48MP main cameras. The Fairphone operating system Android 12 ensures an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
The Fairphone 4 asks whether it is possible to produce a powerful smartphone without compromising the environment and working conditions in the supply chain. It shows that sustainability and technology can go hand in hand and that it is time for more companies to take this path.
The Shift Phone: SHIFT6mq
The SHIFT6mq is a sustainable smartphone that stands out for its environmentally friendly features and socially responsible production methods. With a fully modular design and more than 13 easy-to-replace modules, the SHIFT6mq offers a high level of repairability and thus promotes the longevity of the device. It thus contributes to the reduction of electronic waste and is in line with the concept of the circular economy.
The device comes with the Android-based operating system ShiftOS 3 and will be upgraded to ShiftOS 5 or Android 13 in 2023. These regular updates ensure an extended service life and more security for users. The SHIFT6mq also offers extensive community custom ROM support, which offers additional options for individual customization and updates.
When it comes to sustainability, the SHIFT6mq relies on a cooperation with partner Closing the Loop to be e-waste positive. The smartphone also comes with a tempered glass, bumper, screwdriver and a USB-C cable with USB-A adapter. To ensure that no SHIFT6mq is forgotten in a drawer, the company has introduced a device deposit.
The smartphone is designed in Falkenberg, Germany, and manufactured fairly in its own factory in China. The materials used for the casing are recyclable polycarbonate – and the bumper is made of TPU.
The SHIFT6mq specifications in detail
The SHIFT6mq has an internal storage of 128 GB, 8 GB RAM and an SD card slot for micro SDXC cards up to 2 TB. The processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, and the camera is equipped with a 16 MP Sony IMX519 sensor and a 24 MP Samsung S5K2X7SP sensor. The 6-inch display has a Full HD+ resolution (2160 x 1080) and uses AMOLED technology. The removable 3850 mAh battery supports Quick Charge 4.0 and Power Delivery 3.0. The SHIFT6mq is dual-SIM capable, offers a variety of connectivity options such as Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, A-GPS, Glonass and Galileo as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack. In simple words: The SHIFT6mq has everything modern smartphone users need.
Overall, the SHIFT6mq is a sustainable smartphone that stands out for its modular design, environmentally friendly partnerships, fair production conditions and durable components.
Regionally throughout the supply chain: Rephone
The Rephone is a sustainable smartphone developed by the Cologne-based company 4G Systems. The focus of this device is on regionality: development, most of the production and recycling take place in Bocholt, North Rhine-Westphalia, where only green electricity is used.
Rephone: technical data
The smartphone is equipped with Android 12, with updates provided by servers in Germany. The Rephone has a 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS display and is powered by a Mediatek Helio G85 octa-core processor with a clock speed of up to 2.0 GHz. It also has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 512 GB with a MicroSD card.
The Rephone's camera consists of a dual camera with 64 MP and 8 MP as well as a 16 MP front camera. Video recordings are possible in Full HD 1440p. There are slots for two nano SIM cards and a memory card of up to 512 GB (MicroSD). Other connections include GPS, Glonass, Galileo, WLAN, NFC and Bluetooth 5.0. The replaceable Li-polymer battery has a capacity of 4500 mAh and offers up to 50% longer service life thanks to a preset charging limit. The Rephone also supports wireless charging according to the Qi standard with up to 15 W and PE+ fast charging with up to 18 W.
When it comes to sustainability and environmental protection, the Rephone is very exemplary. The smartphone is manufactured in Germany, with the exception of a few individual parts. The packaging is FSC-certified and made from grass. The back of the case is made of 100% recycled plastic and is removable so that the removable battery is easily accessible. Screwed components make repairs easy, but this does not provide IP protection against dust, dirt and water. For those who do not change their smartphone every one or two years: Rephone offers many repair options with fixed repair prices. It also uses resource-saving recycling processes when the product has reached the end of its life.
Overall, the Rephone is a sustainable smartphone that is characterized by its regional approach: It is environmentally friendly in production, uses resource-saving materials and durable components.
Sustainable mobile phone cases: protection for smartphones and the environment
In addition to choosing a sustainable smartphone, the phone case also plays an important role - even if we may not think of it first. Conventional cases are often made of plastics, which have a major environmental impact. Fortunately, sustainable alternatives are available here too. Phone cases made of bamboo, cork, recycled plastic or bioplastics offer an environmentally friendly way to protect your smartphone. A good overview of the 10 most sustainable phone cases find you here.
Conclusion: Sustainable smartphone alternatives
In this article, we looked at three notable sustainable smartphone options: Rephone, SHIFT6mq and Fairphone 4. All three models focus on durability, repairable designs and the use of fair, environmentally friendly materials.Although there are still few smartphones that are truly sustainable, these manufacturers are showing courage and determination to go down this path. And it seems to be having an effect: manufacturers like Apple are increasingly making efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their devices and also rely on recycled, sustainable and fair materials. But the journey to sustainable smartphones is still a long one for well-known manufacturers like Google, Apple and Samsung. That's why the Rephone, the Fairphone and the Shiftphone are perfect alternatives.
