What is the life cycle of a smartphone?

Smartphones have become indispensable in our daily lives, serving as communication tools, entertainment devices, productivity boosters, and more. However, behind the sleek designs and advanced technology, smartphones have a significant environmental impact that is often overlooked. Understanding the entire life cycle of a smartphone—from raw material extraction to its eventual disposal—can shed light on its true cost to the environment and help us make more responsible decisions as consumers and businesses.

In this article, we will explore the life cycle of a smartphone in detail, break down each stage, and offer insights into how the process affects the planet. We’ll also provide statistics and metrics to help quantify the environmental impact, and suggest ways to reduce the carbon footprint of smartphones.

The stages of a smartphone's life cycle

The life cycle of a smartphone can be divided into five major stages:

1. Raw material extraction
2. Manufacturing and assembly
3. Transportation and distribution
4. Usage and operation
5. End-of-life and disposal

Each of these stages involves various processes that impact the environment, from energy consumption to e-waste generation. Let’s explore each stage in more detail.

1. Raw material extraction

The journey of a smartphone begins with the extraction of raw materials, many of which are metals and rare earth elements. These materials are critical for producing the components that power smartphones, but their extraction comes with a high environmental cost.

Materials used in smartphones

Smartphones are composed of over 30 different metals and other materials, including:

• Metals: Key metals like gold, silver, copper, and aluminium are found in circuit boards, wiring, and casings. Precious metals such as platinum and palladium are used in small quantities for specialised components.
• Rare earth elements: Rare earth elements like neodymium, terbium, and dysprosium are used in the speakers, vibration motors, and magnets. These elements are essential for creating miniaturised components, but their extraction is difficult and damaging to the environment.
• Lithium and cobalt: These metals are used in batteries. Lithium-ion batteries power nearly all smartphones, and the demand for lithium has skyrocketed in recent years. Cobalt, which is also crucial for battery production, is mostly mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mining operations have been linked to human rights abuses and environmental degradation.

According to a study by the Fairphone project, the production of a single smartphone requires about 70 kg of raw materials, including 34 kg of ore for metals and 13,000 litres of water. This highlights the significant resource consumption required to produce just one device.

Environmental and social impact of mining

The extraction of raw materials for smartphones has far-reaching consequences. Mining operations can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, soil degradation, and water pollution. For example, mining for rare earth elements often involves the use of hazardous chemicals, which can contaminate local water supplies.

Moreover, mining is not only an environmental issue but also a social one. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where much of the world’s cobalt is mined, there have been widespread reports of unsafe working conditions and child labour. As consumers, it’s important to be aware of the human cost of the materials used in our smartphones.

To learn more about how businesses can adopt sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of their operations, check out our article on eco-friendly software development.

2. Manufacturing and assembly

Once the raw materials have been extracted, they are processed and transformed into the components that make up a smartphone. The manufacturing and assembly of smartphones is one of the most energy-intensive stages of the device’s life cycle.

Energy consumption in manufacturing

The manufacturing process for smartphones includes refining raw materials, creating individual components (such as screens, circuit boards, and batteries), and assembling them into a finished product. This process consumes a large amount of energy, much of which comes from non-renewable sources. It is estimated that 85% of a smartphone’s total carbon footprint is generated during manufacturing.

To put this into perspective, producing a single smartphone emits around 55 kg of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). This figure includes the energy used to refine raw materials, manufacture components, and power assembly lines.

Given that 1.4 billion smartphones were sold worldwide in 2021, the cumulative environmental impact of smartphone production is immense.

Assembly and labour practices

Most smartphones are assembled in factories located in countries like China, Vietnam, and India, where labour costs are lower. However, there have been numerous reports of poor working conditions in these factories, including long hours, low wages, and inadequate safety measures. Companies like Apple and Samsung have faced criticism for their reliance on factories with questionable labour practices.

Efforts are being made to address these issues. Some smartphone manufacturers are striving to use renewable energy in their factories, while others are working to improve the working conditions of factory employees. For example, Fairphone, a company known for its ethical practices, focuses on using conflict-free minerals and improving labour conditions in its supply chain.

For businesses looking to optimise their production processes, sustainable software solutions can help reduce inefficiencies and lower environmental impact. Learn more about these strategies in our eco-friendly coding practices for SMBs article.

3. Transportation and distribution

Once the smartphones are manufactured, they must be transported to retailers and consumers worldwide. This stage involves shipping the devices by air, sea, and land, all of which contribute to the smartphone’s carbon footprint.

Carbon emissions from transportation

Transportation accounts for a significant portion of a smartphone’s overall carbon footprint. For example, air freight emits 500g of CO2e per kilometre for every kilogram of cargo. Sea freight, while less carbon-intensive, still emits 10-40g of CO2e per kilometre.

Given the sheer volume of smartphones being produced and shipped globally each year, the cumulative carbon emissions from transportation are substantial. In 2021 alone, more than 1.4 billion smartphones were shipped globally, adding millions of tonnes of CO2e to the atmosphere.

Startups and businesses aiming to reduce the environmental impact of their logistics can benefit from using more sustainable supply chain tools. Check out our top sustainable software tools for startups to learn how to optimise your supply chain.

4. Usage and operation

The usage phase of a smartphone’s life cycle is when the device is actively being used by the consumer. On average, a smartphone is used for two to three years before it is replaced. During this time, the energy consumption associated with using and charging the smartphone is relatively low compared to manufacturing, but it still contributes to the overall environmental impact.

Energy consumption during usage

The energy consumed by a smartphone during daily use is mainly related to charging the battery. Charging a smartphone consumes about 2 to 7 kWh per year, depending on the device and usage patterns. In countries where electricity is generated primarily from fossil fuels, this contributes to the smartphone’s carbon footprint.

While this energy consumption is relatively small compared to manufacturing, extending the lifespan of a smartphone by even one year can significantly reduce its overall environmental impact.

Software updates and obsolescence

Many smartphone manufacturers release regular software updates to improve performance, add new features, and patch security vulnerabilities. However, these updates can also lead to "planned obsolescence"—where older devices become less efficient or less compatible with newer software, encouraging users to upgrade sooner than necessary.

Consumers can reduce their environmental impact by holding onto their smartphones for longer periods, choosing devices with modular components, and investing in smartphones that prioritise durability and repairability.

For businesses focused on optimising software performance, check out our article on improving software performance for SMBs.

5. End-of-life and disposal

The final stage of a smartphone’s life cycle occurs when the device reaches the end of its useful life. This stage has significant environmental implications, as improperly disposed smartphones contribute to the growing global e-waste problem.

The global e-waste crisis

In 2021, the world generated 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste, and smartphones are a major contributor to this figure. Only 17.4% of global e-waste is properly recycled, meaning the majority of old devices end up in landfills or are incinerated. When smartphones are discarded in this way, hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium can leach into the soil and water, causing environmental harm.

Recycling and refurbishing

Recycling and refurbishing smartphones can help reduce the demand for new raw materials and lower the overall environmental impact. For example, recycling 1 million smartphones can recover 16,000 kg of copper, 350 kg of silver, and 34 kg of gold.

Many smartphone manufacturers offer trade-in or recycling programmes to encourage consumers to return their old devices. Refurbishing programmes, which restore old devices to like-new condition, are also gaining popularity, offering a more sustainable option for consumers.

Businesses can adopt circular economy principles to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Explore how to integrate these practices into your operations in our eco-friendly software development article.

The life cycle of a smartphone is far more complex than it appears. From the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of old devices, each stage has significant environmental and social consequences. By understanding the life cycle of a smartphone and taking steps to reduce its impact—such as using smartphones for longer periods, recycling old devices, and choosing sustainable models—both consumers and businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future.

At SmartPandas, we are committed to helping businesses adopt eco-friendly practices through web application development services that integrate sustainability into every stage of the development process. Whether you're designing new products or optimising existing operations, we can help you reduce your environmental footprint while delivering high-quality solutions.