Fairphone, which is said to be “the most ethical smartphone in the world,” and Apple’s iPhone , which is committed to “making sustainable products .” Which is truly more environmentally friendly?
We have made a clear comparison of the two initiatives, which have different approaches.
- How would you summarise the differences in approaches?
- Comparison Chart: Which is Better for the Environment?
- Does Fairphone have an advantage in sourcing materials?
- iPhone repairability is improving
- Conclusion: Which is “greener”?
- Summary: The most important thing is to use it for a long time.
How would you summarise the differences in approaches?
The difference between the two approaches can be succinctly summarized as follows:
- 🌱 Fairphone : They place the utmost importance on designs that allow users to repair and replace their own devices , and on the ethical use of materials .
- 🍏 iPhone : Promoting a circular economy through high quality, long-lasting design and high resale value on the second-hand market .
Comparison Chart: Which is Better for the Environment?
| Comparison items | Fairphone | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of repair 🔧 | ◎ Modular design allows for easy replacement | △ Some parts require Apple certification |
| Parts availability 🛠️ | ◎ Officially available online | △ Some information is not open to the public and some restrictions apply |
| Ethically Sourcing 🌍 | ◎ Uses fair trade materials | ○ Improvements are being made, but there are still some unclear aspects |
| Software Update Period 🖥️ | ○ About 4 to 5 years | ◎ Support for over 5 to 6 years |
| Redistribution on the second-hand market 🔁 | △ Limited distribution and popularity | ◎ Very high resale value |
| Recycling System ♻️ | ○ Some collection programs available | ◎ Disassembly and reuse using in-house robots |
| Power consumption and energy saving performance ⚡ | ○ Average | ◎ Apple silicon is highly efficient |
| Supply Chain Transparency 🔍 | ◎ Detailed disclosure | ○ Under improvement |
Does Fairphone have an advantage in sourcing materials?
As its name suggests, the Fairphone is a smartphone that aims to avoid the use of conflict minerals as much as possible and use ethically sourced materials.
Meanwhile, Apple has come under fire after reports that it purchased minerals such as tin, tantalum, and gold mined in the Congo via neighbouring Rwanda, despite the possibility that violence may have been involved.
Given this background, it may be argued that the Fairphone has a clear advantage over the iPhone in terms of materials sourcing.
iPhone repairability is improving
For many years, the inability to repair the iPhone yourself has been an issue, but in recent years Apple has been making efforts to make the device more repairable, such as by launching a self-service repair program in some countries.
There are also reports that the structure of the device itself has evolved to make it easier to repair .
Conclusion: Which is “greener”?
- The Fairphone is ideal for people who want to use their devices for a long time and repair them themselves if they break . It is also highly ethical in its manufacturing process, making it a truly ethical smartphone.
- The iPhone is a sustainable option that takes advantage of the combination of high quality and redistribution, allowing you to sell it as second-hand and have someone else use it after a few years of use.
Summary: The most important thing is to use it for a long time.
No matter what kind of smartphone you have, frequent replacement creates the greatest environmental impact.
- With Fairphone, you can use it for 6 to 7 years while having it repaired.
- If it’s an iPhone, it will be reused from the first person to the second person to the third person.
In this way, maximizing the lifespan of each device could be said to be the best approach for the environment.
