Are There Such Things as Sustainable Smartphones?

You can’t really have a ‘sustainable smartphone’, as all are made with mined materials (the display usually has animal cholesterol and glue may contain casein). The most ‘ethical smartphone’ options are not to have one, or to buy a refurbished version.

The Right to Repair Act excludes phones and laptops, which rather defeats the object. And companies that have to comply with certain rules, often sell expensive DIY repair kits, not much better.

Fairphone (recycled and conflict-free)

Fairphone 6 is likely the best choice for now. With a 5-year warranty and 8 years of software support, it’s made with fair trade and some recycled materials, and nothing is glued shut, so you (or someone else) can make affordable repairs.

The company has a Keep Club reward system, so you redeem credit when you recycle your old phone.

Avoid charging phones overnight, as this wastes energy in the early hours, when the phone battery is already full. Other ways to save energy are to turn down brightness, and remove unused apps.

Teracube (repairable Smartphones)

Teracube creates robust phones with 4-year guarantees, and again has repairable parts, and is made with partly-recycled materials and a replaceable battery. Includes a screen protector, charging cable and biodegradable case, sent in recycled packaging.

TeraCube Thrive is a safe smartphone for children (child psychologists suggest age 11 is minimum age  to have one). It includes time limits and location tracking, and can block unsafe searches and unapproved callers.

giffgaff (affordable refurbished phones)

giffgaff is a people-owned company that sells refurbished phones, with 12-month warranties and free next-day delivery. Search by brand and trade in your old phone to help pay for the cost.

Grade Mobile (more refurbished phones)

Grade Mobile buys unwanted phones, that are sold at affordable prices to others. Choose by condition, storage or colour. Each phone undergoes a 90-point check, using industry-leading robotics.

Doro (simple mobile phones for seniors)

Doro 8100 is a Swedish-made ‘smartphone for seniors’, which can also be used for anyone who just wants a simple phone and nothing else. The optional Dora Assistance Key can alert five contacts in emergency (if there is no answer from the first contact, it hangs up and calls the second, and goes to loud speaker on answering). This service is free, but must have credit available.

People have five seconds to cancel, if they call accidentally. It’s also possible to pair these phones with wrist-worn Doro 3500 Bluetooth alarm triggers.

Qustodio (an app to keep children safe)

Of course, it helps to simply get your children out in nature, so they don’t spend their lives on their phone. But Qustodio is helpful to keep them safe from cyber-bullying, grooming and porn. It sets ‘downtimes’ to stop phone surfing at night, plus has can block sites.