Every day, a phone may be used for calling, working, studying, taking photos, or browsing the web. But before appearing in the user's hands, it has gone through a long chain from raw material extraction, component manufacturing, assembly, transportation, to use and end-of-life disposal. Viewed from a carbon footprint perspective, a phone does not only emit when plugged in to charge. The vast majority of emissions are generated right from the manufacturing process.
How much CO₂e can a phone carry?
There is no single figure for all types of phones. The carbon footprint depends on the materials, components, storage capacity, place of manufacture, source of electricity used, transportation methods, and how long the device is used.
Studies on the life-cycle emissions of electronic devices estimate that a smartphone can have about 50 kg of embodied CO₂e emissions. This figure is only representative as the calculation methods and assessment scopes among studies may vary.
Apple's new iPhone 16 lineup reduces carbon emissions by 30%
Manufacturers are also starting to publish more detailed data. According to Apple's environmental report, the iPhone 16 Pro 128GB has a carbon footprint of about 66 kg CO₂e across its assessed life cycle. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB version, this figure is 74 kg CO₂e.
The above figures do not mean that a phone "emits" that many kg of direct CO₂ gas. This is the amount of greenhouse gases converted into carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) generated across the stages of the product life cycle.
Where does the carbon footprint lie?
The life cycle of a phone can be envisioned through four main stages: manufacturing – transportation – use – end-of-life. Among these, manufacturing is typically the largest part.
Table of CO2e emission statistics for iPhone 16 models (Photo: Apple).
With the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple calculates that manufacturing accounts for about 81% of the total carbon footprint of the 128GB version. Transportation accounts for about 3%, use 17%, and end-of-life disposal under 1%. This highlights an easily overlooked point: a significant portion of a phone's carbon footprint appears before the user turns on the device for the first time.
Why does manufacturing emit so much?
To create a phone, many different materials and components are needed: metals, glass, plastics, batteries, screens, chips, circuit boards, and various other electronic components.
Each component has its own production chain. Raw materials must be mined, refined, processed into materials, and then continue through multiple stages to become components.
These stages consume energy. If the electricity and heat used in manufacturing come from fossil fuels, the product's carbon emissions will increase.
That is also why transitioning to low-emission electricity, recycled materials, and more efficient manufacturing processes can change a product's carbon footprint.
Apple, for instance, stated in the environmental report for the iPhone 16e that the use of recycled materials and low-carbon electricity significantly helped reduce emissions compared to the product's baseline scenario.
So is charging the phone the largest source of emissions?
Charging and using a phone still generate emissions, depending heavily on the electricity source of the power grid where the user lives. However, in many life-cycle assessments, this part is significantly smaller than the emissions from the manufacturing process.
In the case of the iPhone 16 Pro 128GB, Apple estimates that the use phase accounts for about 17%, while manufacturing accounts for 81%. That does not mean saving electricity when using a phone is unnecessary. It shows that if we want to reduce the carbon footprint of electronic devices, only looking at electricity consumption during use is not enough.
What does a longer-lasting phone mean?
If the majority of emissions are generated during manufacturing, extending the service life can help distribute the initial emissions across more years of use.
Instead of replacing a phone just because a new model appears, repairing it, replacing the battery when appropriate, or continuing to use the device longer can reduce the demand for producing new devices.
At the product level, this is also why factors such as repairability, durability, the use of recycled materials, and component recycling are increasingly being integrated into sustainable design discussions.
A carbon footprint is not just a number
A product's carbon footprint is calculated based on its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and use to end-of-life disposal. This is also the approach used by organizations such as the Carbon Trust when assessing product carbon footprints.
Therefore, when looking at a figure like "66 kg CO₂e", the important thing is not just whether the number is large or small. It is necessary to know where that number comes from.
A phone can have a lower carbon footprint thanks to recycled materials, cleaner electricity in manufacturing, lower-emission transportation, or a longer service life. In other words, an item's carbon footprint begins long before it appears on store shelves. And by understanding where that "footprint" lies, consumers, manufacturers, and regulators alike can identify what needs to change to reduce emissions.