As sustainability has become a larger factor for many consumers, people are looking for more eco–friendly options and sustainable products. This includes smartphones, as many tech companies have gone green in recent years.
The tech industry is responsible for a lot of electronic waste and a small percentage of the world‘s greenhouse gas emissions, but companies are starting to take notice. Many smartphone brands are making a more conscious effort by changing how they produce, ship, and package devices. There are still not a lot of sustainable phone options on the market, but you might be surprised at which models made the list.
We‘ve rounded up the best environmentally conscious, eco–friendly, and sustainable smartphones to help you choose which one is right for you to lower your overall carbon footprint and become a smarter consumer.
Table of Contents
1. Fairphone 4
Credit: https://www.theguardian.com/
There is no denying that Fairphone is the leading ethical smartphone manufacturer. This Dutch company is the only brand that focuses on producing long–lasting, repairable, fairtrade–sourced and modular devices. While Apple may claim to be an ethical company, Fairphone is truly committed to these values, leaving their competitors behind.
The Fairphone 4 comes with 5G support, runs on Android 11, has dual rear cameras, a 3905 mAh battery, and comes with 6 or 8GB of RAM. It has a 10/10 repairability score and a 5 year warranty. Green phones can have the latest features! Moreover, the Fairphone 4 has guaranteed Android software updates all the way through 2025, with Fairphone hoping to extend it even further and roll out Android 15. Hearing this from Fairphone, we know it’s possible and doable because that’s what happened with Fairphone 2 which is on its journey of receiving 7 years of software support.
Why Fairphone 4 smartphones are sustainable?
The Fairphone 4 is made with 100% post consumer recycled plastics, fairtrade gold, tungsten, recycled tin, and other rare earth metals. Its goal is to become an e–waste neutral device, meaning that for every Fairphone 4 sold, Fairphone will recycle your old phone responsibly. The current impact of the smartphone industry on the environment is unsustainable, so there is a demand among environmentalists for a smartphone that follows the principles of the circular economy. Fairphone has succeeded in this again with the Fairphone 4, which should be the top choice for anyone who prioritizes sustainability.
2. Teracube 2e
The Teracube 2e is designed to be “the world‘s most reliable smartphone,” and it can be tricky to find sustainable phones available in the U.S. Thankfully, we have the Teracube 2e. Initially part of an Indiegogo campaign, it is now being sold as a fully–funded product.
The highlight of the Teracube 2e is its four–year warranty, under which all repairs cost a flat rate. Screen repairs are only $59, and new batteries are $29. Those prices include parts, labor, and two–way shipping. The company is also working with iFixit to make repair guides and parts available for those do–it–yourself–ers.
The Teracube 2e has some great features for its price, including a MediaTek Helio A25 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, 6.1-inch Full HD+ display, 13MP + 8MP dual rear cameras, and a 4,000 mAh battery. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C charging, microSD expansion, dual SIM slots, and NFC for Google Pay. However, it’s still running Android 10 rather than the promised Android 11 update.
The Teracube 2e will get two platform updates as part of the Android One initiative, which is great news for users who will get updates until Android 12. However, the phone is not compatible with Verizon, which is a downside. If you use AT&T or T–Mobile, though, the Teracube 2e is an excellent purchase.
What is the future of sustainable phones?
Sustainable phones are the wave of the future, and there are many reasons to believe that they will only become more popular in the years to come. They are more environmentally friendly, they don‘t require as much energy to produce, and they are often made with recycled materials. Sustainable phones are also becoming more affordable, as the technology improves and more companies enter the market.
