What Are the Best Green Phones in 2022? 

The fastest-growing waste stream in America, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is electronic garbage, yet only a small portion of it is collected. As a result, the global production of e-waste may reach 50 million metric tons per year. Sustainably manufactured green phone have, as a result, risen in popularity.

When you purchase an eco-friendly phone, you are ensuring that it was not constructed using dangerous e-waste components like lead, nickel, or mercury but rather recycled materials. Additionally, because eco-friendly gadgets are made to last longer than the typical smartphone, you may use your phone for extended periods of time without producing as much electronic trash. 

Here is out compiled list of the most ecofriendly, sustainable, and green phones on the market today from famous and lesser known brands. 

The iPhone 13 Pro 

Apple has been taking initiative along side other green phone brands into its newer iPhone releases. The latest of its green phones is the iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro is manufactured using 98% recycled rare earth components and 99% recycled tungsten, according to Apple’s Product Environmental Report. Additionally, the primary logic board’s plating is made of 100% certified recycled gold, a first for an Apple device. 

The iPhone 13 Pro is a fantastic choice for eco-conscious consumers due in large part to its energy efficiency. According to Apple, it consumes 54% less energy than what is needed for battery charging systems. Additionally, it produced 11% fewer greenhouse gases (69 kg) across its full life cycle (from manufacturing to recycling) than the iPhone 12 Pro. 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Series 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 series boats some of the best specs on the market today, and does so with sustainability in mind. It is dubbed one of the most ecofriendly phones today, containing 20 percent recycled plastic that would have otherwise ended up in the ocean as fishing nets. 

Additionally, the speaker module and the interior of the power and volume keys contain post-consumer recycled material. 

In addition to a protective film made from recycled plastic, Samsung claims that the packaging for the phone is made entirely of recycled paper. All of this is a part of Samsung’s Galaxy for the Planet program, which has goals to achieve zero waste to landfills by 2025, eliminates all plastic from mobile packaging, and incorporates recycled materials into all-new mobile goods, giving you some of the best sustainable green phones out there. 

Sony Xperia 1 III 

In addition to its dedication to providing intriguing goods, services, and content, Sony has been working on a corporate-wide campaign for a greener Earth. This include lowering the environmental impact of its products and using fewer harmful chemicals. 

The Sony Xperia 1 III still has the incredible AF speed of its predecessor but has updated lenses that have a 15 mm maximum focal length. It has a triple camera array with four optical focal lengths, 12GB RAM, 256GB or 512GB storage, and an integrated 4500 mAh battery.  

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform, this is the first 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, a variable telelens, a Dual PD sensor, and 360 Reality Audio coming from the speakers. It is, of course, pretty expensive given all of these features, but once you realize that you’re getting a fantastic phone and saving the earth at the same time, you’ll find the investment to be worthwhile. 

Oppo Find X2 Pro 

The modular design of Oppo’s phones, the use of recycled materials for packaging, the prohibition of the use of hazardous chemicals in the production of their products, and improved phone trade-in and recycling processes, which resulted in an impressive 216 tons of recycled phones in China alone, are just a few of the company’s sustainability management strategies for 2020. 

The Oppo Find X2 Pro’s rear cover is made of premium vegan leather that is eco-friendly, comfortable to the touch, and comes in a variety of eye-catching hues including bright orange and gaudy green. It has a 6.7-inch QHD+ panel display, two 48MP cameras, and hybrid zooming up to 10x. 

This phone is also a performance beast thanks to its Snapdragon 865 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. To withstand splashes and spills, it is protected against dust and water by IP68. Although the Find X2 Pro lacks wireless charging and is rather expensive, its specifications and sustainability features are still worth considering. 

SHIFT5me  

Another company that received a strong 9/10 rating from iFixit’s smartphone repairability rating is SHIFT. This brand’s totally modular high-end smartphone helped it win the 2018 Federal ecodesign product award. 

The entry-level SHIFTm model has a 4.97-inch full HD display, a Helio X27 CPU, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, 16MP and 13MP cameras, and a 2,450 mAh removable battery. It runs Android 8 and has these specifications. The phone is held together by a single type of screw, which makes it simple to repair using the included screwdriver. 

The business also provides a five-year repair guarantee, and the phone’s casing is composed of recyclable polycarbonate. Although you may purchase from their website and have it mailed, the only drawback is that it is not accessible in the US. It’s one of the greatest green phones available and relatively reasonable at less than $400. 

Google Pixel 5 

Google also sells the recently released Google Pixel 5, a phone that can be fixed. In comparison to other phone brands, it received a score of 6/10 on iFixit’s Smartphone Repairability Scores, which is still rather outstanding. 

The Pixel 5’s parts are modular, and the screen is held in place using simple-to-remove glue, making screen replacement simple. It has an 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 8MP, and 12.2MP cameras, and runs Android 11 on a Snapdragon 765G 5G CPU. It also has a 6.3-inch display. 

This phone is IP67 dust and water resistant and features a built-in Li-Po 4,080 mAh battery. The best of Google is also included, including YouTube Premium, 100 GB of cloud storage, and 3 months of Google Play Pass. 

Fairphone 4 

Since the company’s founding in 2013, Fairphone has been designed to be a more environmentally friendly option, while not being a name-brand phone you may be familiar with. Fairphone has both B Corp and Blue Angel certifications for utilizing business to address social and environmental challenges. 

The fourth generation of the Fairphone is among the best green phones there is and was created with sustainability in mind while still offering all the features you’ve grown accustomed to and enjoy in smartphones, such as a full GD+ display, dual cameras with an ultra-wide lens, and 5G speeds. The Fairphone 4 has a 100% recyclable plastic back cover and is manufactured of aluminum from suppliers who are certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Additionally, Fairphone recycles an equivalent quantity of electronic waste for each phone it sells. 

The Fairphone 4’s limited availability is one of its major drawbacks; it is presently only sold in Europe, though the manufacturer indicated they plan to eventually expand to the US. 

Final Thoughts 

Nowadays, more consumers are choosing environmentally friendly phone brands. They are more ecologically friendly since they are made from recycled and carefully sourced materials. Additionally, they are repairable, extending their lives and increasing the value of your investment. 

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