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Apple emphasizes carbon-neutral goals and recycled aluminum in eco-friendly phone designs.
Samsung focuses on recycled plastics and biodegradable packaging for sustainable smartphones.
Both brands advance green tech, but their approaches differ in materials and energy efficiency.
Smartphones are ubiquitous, but their environmental impact is a growing concern. Apple and Samsung are taking steps to reduce their ecological footprint by creating more sustainable devices.
This article examines their efforts in using eco-friendly materials, conserving power, and implementing other green initiatives to see which tech giant is leading the way in phone sustainability in 2025. Let's dive in and find out who's making the most progress.
People are starting to worry about how tech affects the planet, like with resource use and electronic waste. This is pushing phone companies to become more sustainable. People want greener phones.
Apple and Samsung are trying to improve by using recycled stuff, polluting less, and making phone recycling simpler. While they both aim for great tech and being eco-friendly, their approaches differ.
Apple is trying hard to be sustainable, aiming to have no carbon footprint across its supply chain by 2030. The iPhone 16 shows this, with a frame made entirely of recycled aluminum and 85% recycled stuff in things like the battery and glass. Also, they use renewable energy for making things, which cuts emissions a lot.
Apple also has trade-in and recycling programs, so people can return old devices and reduce waste. For example, their Daisy robot takes apart iPhones and gets back materials like cobalt and rare earth elements.
Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs 16 Pro Max: 5 Big Upgrades You Must See
They're also focused on using less energy. Apple's A18 chip is made to use little power, which makes the battery last longer and helps the environment. They've also changed packaging to be 100% fiber-based, getting rid of plastic.
These things help Apple reach its goal of getting rid of carbon emissions, but some people say that repairs are too expensive, which can discourage people from keeping their devices longer, which might cancel out some of the environmental benefits.
Also Read: Using AI To Cut Down on Plastic Waste
Samsung's going green! They're using stuff like recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging. The Galaxy S25 uses 40% recycled plastic in parts like the case and buttons. Plus, it's got recycled glass and aluminum too.
By 2030, they want all of their packaging to be recycled or renewable, and now their boxes are made from materials that rot away. Samsung also has Eco-Friends accessories, like cases made from recycled ocean plastic, which is a great addition to their green efforts.
Cutting energy use is important for them, too. The Exynos 2500 chip is made to use power well, just like Apple's chip. Samsung's factories are switching to more renewable energy and want to be fully renewable sources by 2050.
Also, their Galaxy Upcycling thing takes old phones and turns them into smart home gadgets, so your phone lasts, and there's less waste. Still, Samsung's got some catching up to do with Apple when it comes to carbon-neutral stuff.
Both companies are using recycled materials, but Apple seems to be using more in its iPhone parts. Samsung's use of recycled ocean plastics is cool, but it's only in some parts. Okay, so Apple switched to fiber packaging first, but Samsung's biodegradable boxes are getting there.
Both still have tricky issues getting rare earth elements sustainably because of mining. Apple's robot recycling gives them a plus, but Samsung's upcycling thing is a cool way to cut down on trash.
Apple's A18 chip and Samsung's Exynos 2500 both focus on using little power, which makes their phones energy-efficient. Apple is using renewable energy in more factories, giving it an advantage in cutting emissions from making phones. Samsung's longer timeline for renewable energy, 2050 compared to Apple's 2030, means they're not moving as fast.
Both companies release reports about the environment, but Apple is more open about its carbon numbers, giving a clearer idea of how they're doing.
The demand for data and computing is growing exponentially, and so is the environmental impact of data centers, which are among the most energy-intensive parts of our digital ecosystem. Traditional cooling methods further amplify this footprint by consuming excessive electricity and water.
To address this growing challenge, Amit Luthra, Managing Director, Lenovo ISG India, says, “The industry must embrace smarter, more efficient technologies. Lenovo’s Neptune liquid cooling technology offers a game-changing solution. By removing up to 98% of system heat through direct water cooling, it cuts power usage by up to 40% and reduces reliance on energy-hungry air conditioning.”
He further adds, “It also enables heat reuse for building heating or cooling, supporting a circular energy model. As AI and high-performance computing evolve, adopting sustainable innovation like Neptune are no longer optional, it’s essential. It's proof that digital growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand."
Being sustainable isn't just about how phones are made, but also how people use them. Apple's trade-in program is simple, but it's tied to high prices, which means it might not be available to everyone. Samsung has a wider range of phones, from cheap to expensive, which makes green options more available to different people.
Both companies teach people about recycling, but Samsung's upcycling program is great for people who like DIY projects, while Apple's trade-in program is better for those who upgrade often. Being able to repair phones is still a problem for both, as complicated designs make it hard to fix them, which could create more waste.
Apple is slightly ahead with its quick timeline for carbon neutrality and more recycled stuff, but Samsung's use of ocean plastics and upcycling keeps them close. Both are doing well with energy-efficient chips and packaging, but they still have problems with repairs and getting rare earth elements.
The choice depends on what's important to you: Apple for faster carbon cuts, Samsung for more availability, and creative recycling. In 2025, the green phone contest is still close, with both pushing the industry toward a more eco-friendly future.
