Compare Sustainable Phones: The Greenest Deals of 2026
You want a new phone, but one that doesn’t put an unnecessary strain on the planet. Whether you choose a phone that will last for years, a smartphone made from recycled materials, or a refurbished model, sustainability and high-tech go hand in hand these days. We’ll help you make the most responsible choice from the 2026 lineup.
1 product
Fairphone
Refurbished phones
23 products
European
All Sustainable phones 🍃
Why Choose a Sustainable Phone?
Most smartphones are packed with scarce materials such as cobalt, lithium, and gold. Extracting these materials often has a severe impact on the environment. By choosing a sustainable brand or a device with a long lifespan, you immediately reduce your ecological footprint.
In the customer journey toward a greener device, we see that repairability and software support are the most important factors. A phone that you can still have repaired after three years is, at the end of the day, the cheapest and greenest choice.
The top choices for a greener future
There are three ways to make your mobile life more sustainable. Depending on your preferences, we’ve selected the best options for you:
1. Fairly produced: Fairphone
The Fairphone (Gen. 6) is the undisputed king of sustainability. This device has a modular design, which means you can replace the battery or screen yourself with just a simple screwdriver. Plus, the materials are sourced ethically.
2. Give a phone a second life: Refurbished
Why buy new when a refurbished phone works just as well? You’ll save up to 80% on CO2 emissions from production, and it’ll make a significant difference in your wallet. iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, in particular, are very popular as refurbished deals.
3. Long Lifespan: Samsung & Apple
Major brands are committed to software updates. The Samsung Galaxy S25 series, for example, promises updates for 7 years. This means you won’t have to buy a new device as soon, which is also a form of sustainability.
What should you consider when making your decision?
If you’re torn between different models, check the Eco-ratings or official certifications such as B Corp or TCO Certified. These certifications guarantee that a manufacturer is truly taking action and isn’t just engaging in “greenwashing.”
Why Your Old Phone Is Worth Its Weight in Gold (Literally)
A smartphone is a technological marvel, but the cost to the environment is high. Every device contains dozens of rare materials that are scarce and are often extracted under difficult conditions. By choosing a sustainable phone or a refurbished model, you prevent these materials from having to be extracted from mines again.
What’s actually inside your phone?
The table below shows the main components of your smartphone. This immediately makes it clear why recycling and a long lifespan are so crucial:
| Material | Use in your device | Why recycle? |
| Gold (Au) | Circuit board and connectors | Very scarce; excellent conductor |
| Cobalt (Co) | Battery and microchips | Mining often linked to child labor |
| Copper (Cu) | Wiring | Recycling requires 85% less energy than new mining |
| Gallium (Ga) | Semiconductors | Rarely found in nature; indispensable for 5G chips |
| Indium (In) | Semiconductors and touch sensors | Without this material, the screen does not respond to touch |
| Lithium (Li) | Battery | Extraction requires enormous amounts of water |
| Manganese (Mn) | Reinforcement and batteries | Increases battery safety and lifespan during fast charging |
| Nickel (Ni) | Stainless steel | Mining is extremely polluting for local soil and ecosystems |
| Tin (Sn) | Solder | Conflict mineral; recycling stops illegal trade |
| Tantalum (Ta) | Capacitors | Crucial for miniaturization; reuse saves rainforests |
| Tellurium (Te) | Strengthening of metals | One of the rarest stable elements in the Earth’s crust |
| Tungsten (W) | Vibration motor | Difficult to replace due to its high density |
The 'Urban Mine': Your old phone as a raw material
Did you know that the concentration of gold and silver in a metric ton of old phones is many times higher than in a metric ton of ore from a gold mine? We call this Urban Mining. By turning in your old phone or choosing a sustainable model that uses recycled materials, you help keep these valuable materials in circulation.
