Apple Shares iPhone X Environmental Report

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.

Tags: Environmental Responsibility, environment

Top Rated Comments

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adamski23

13 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

69Mustang

13 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

Alexander.Of.Oz

13 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

nutriousmitten

13 months ago

What about MSG? Any gluten? Nut free factory?

Rating: 3 Votes

Jeremy1026

13 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

ghost187

13 months ago

Incase you were the thinking about recycling it ;)

Rating: 1 Votes

now i see it

13 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

kingpushup

13 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

Maclver

13 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

adamski23

13 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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