Apple Shares iPhone X Environmental Report

Friday September 29, 2017 6:13 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an iPhone X environmental report, detailing the smartphone's environmental performance as it relates to climate change, energy efficiency, material efficiency, and restricted substances.


The report reveals that the base model iPhone X generates an equivalent of 79 kilograms of carbon dioxide over its life cycle, which is the highest estimated greenhouse gas emissions of any Apple smartphone since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. 80 percent of the emissions come from production of the device.


A comparison of Apple's estimated greenhouse gas emissions for each iPhone model:
  • iPhone X: 79kg CO2e
  • iPhone 8: 57kg CO2e
  • iPhone 8 Plus: 68kg CO2e
  • iPhone 7: 56kg CO2e
  • iPhone 7 Plus: 67kg CO2e
  • iPhone 6s: 54kg CO2e
  • iPhone 6s Plus: 63kg CO2e
  • iPhone 6: 95kg CO2e
  • iPhone 6 Plus: 110kg CO2e
  • iPhone 5s: 65kg CO2e
Apple said the iPhone X's U.S. retail packaging contains 55 percent recycled content. 100 percent of the fiber in the device's box is sourced either from recycled content, bamboo, waste sugarcane, or responsibly managed forests.

Like other models, the iPhone X has a mercury-free display made with arsenic-free glass, and it's also free of BFR, PVC, and beryllium.

iPhone X received a highest-possible gold rating from EPEAT, a program that ranks mobile phones based on environmental attributes in accordance with UL 110. All models since the iPhone SE have also achieved gold ratings.

Related Roundup: iPhone X
Tags: Environmental Responsibility, environment
31 comments


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adamski23
20 months ago

Embarrassingly, the 6.


I'll never understand this mode of thinking. How is owning an older generation of a smartphone embarrassing? Is the device no longer functional?
Rating: 12 Votes
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69Mustang
20 months ago

How does this compare to Samsung Note 8 ... or to a car per mile? Context lends importance.

Unfortunately, you'll never be able to get the context you desire. It's an Apple generated report using criteria devised by Apple. Unless the Note 8 or a car is judged using the same criteria, the comparison you want is not feasible. The closest direct comparison based on the same criteria comes from the EPEAT ('https://ww2.epeat.net/publicsearchresults.aspx?stdid=4&return=searchoptions&epeatcountryid=1&ProductType=19') certification process. You can select to compare devices. Both Apple and Samsung's devices rated out as Gold. The numerical value of that Gold ranking ('https://ww2.epeat.net/ProductComparison.aspx?product1=17850&country1=1&pre1=160&product2=17844&country2=1&pre2=160&product3=17838&country3=1&pre3=160&product4=17837&country4=1&pre4=160&product5=17682&country5=1&pre5=160&product6=17683&country6=1&pre6=160') (119 point scale)

* iPhone 8 Plus 99/119
* iPhone 8 98/119
* Galaxy Note 8 95/119
* iPhone X 93/119
* Galaxy S8 92/119
* Galaxy S8+ 92/119

Hope that helps you.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Alexander.Of.Oz
20 months ago

I'll never understand this mode of thinking. How is owning an older generation of a smartphone embarrassing? Is the device no longer functional?

It's embarrassing that it was so poor in relation to the pollution it created in production.

As that is what this article is about, I thought it would be self-explanatory, but obviously not!
Rating: 3 Votes
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nutriousmitten
20 months ago
What about MSG? Any gluten? Nut free factory?
Rating: 3 Votes
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Jeremy1026
20 months ago

How does this compare to Samsung Note 8 ... or to a car per mile? Context lends importance.

Edited to add this wealth of contextual factoids:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jun/09/carbon-footprint-mobile-phone


Burning 1 gallon of gasoline is about 8.87kg of CO2e, so an iPhone X is similar to driving about 200 miles (depending on your cars fuel economy.)
Rating: 1 Votes
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ghost187
20 months ago
Incase you were the thinking about recycling it ;)
Rating: 1 Votes
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now i see it
20 months ago
My iPhone in my pocket is killing polar bears. But then every polar bear killed is less polar bear farts. So maybe I'm carbon neutral?
Rating: 1 Votes
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kingpushup
20 months ago

I do believe that iPhone X is way better for the environment compared to any phone sold in the history of mankind. Because fewer people will buy this, thefore the impact is minimal. Thank you, Apple!


Sarcasm. Funny. iPhone is and has been the sellingest model of mobile phone for many years. So, X could sell ‘fewer’ and still sell more than any Samsung model, for example.

Ok, these are facts rather than your ‘history’ book written exclusively from your ‘belief.’ Again, I would be glad to get more facts of CO2e comparables from inside the mobile phone industry and from outside this industry for context. ty
Rating: 1 Votes
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Maclver
20 months ago

Yet another thing that makes me glad I went with the 8 plus over the X!

What did you upgrade from?
Rating: 1 Votes
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adamski23
20 months ago

It's embarrassing that it was so poor in relation to the pollution it created in production.

As that is what this article is about, I thought it would be self-explanatory, but obviously not!


Fair enough and I apologize for misunderstanding your context as I had not read your earlier response.
Rating: 1 Votes
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