Apple today shared an iPhone X environmental report, detailing the smartphone's environmental performance as it relates to climate change, energy efficiency, material efficiency, and restricted substances.

iphone x environmental report
The report reveals that the base model iPhone X generates an equivalent of 79 kilograms of carbon dioxide over its life cycle, which is the highest estimated greenhouse gas emissions of any Apple smartphone since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. 80 percent of the emissions come from production of the device.

iphone x greenhouse gas
A comparison of Apple's estimated greenhouse gas emissions for each iPhone model:

  • iPhone X: 79kg CO2e

  • iPhone 8: 57kg CO2e

  • iPhone 8 Plus: 68kg CO2e

  • iPhone 7: 56kg CO2e

  • iPhone 7 Plus: 67kg CO2e

  • iPhone 6s: 54kg CO2e

  • iPhone 6s Plus: 63kg CO2e

  • iPhone 6: 95kg CO2e

  • iPhone 6 Plus: 110kg CO2e

  • iPhone 5s: 65kg CO2e

Apple said the iPhone X's U.S. retail packaging contains 55 percent recycled content. 100 percent of the fiber in the device's box is sourced either from recycled content, bamboo, waste sugarcane, or responsibly managed forests.

Like other models, the iPhone X has a mercury-free display made with arsenic-free glass, and it's also free of BFR, PVC, and beryllium.

iPhone X received a highest-possible gold rating from EPEAT, a program that ranks mobile phones based on environmental attributes in accordance with UL 110. All models since the iPhone SE have also achieved gold ratings.

Tags: Environment, Environmental Responsibility
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

adamski23 Avatar
adamski23
108 months ago
Embarrassingly, the 6.
I'll never understand this mode of thinking. How is owning an older generation of a smartphone embarrassing? Is the device no longer functional?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutriousmitten Avatar
nutriousmitten
108 months ago
What about MSG? Any gluten? Nut free factory?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
69Mustang
108 months ago
How does this compare to Samsung Note 8 ... or to a car per mile? Context lends importance.
Unfortunately, you'll never be able to get the context you desire. It's an Apple generated report using criteria devised by Apple. Unless the Note 8 or a car is judged using the same criteria, the comparison you want is not feasible. The closest direct comparison based on the same criteria comes from the EPEAT ('https://ww2.epeat.net/publicsearchresults.aspx?stdid=4&return=searchoptions&epeatcountryid=1&ProductType=19') certification process. You can select to compare devices. Both Apple and Samsung's devices rated out as Gold. The numerical value of that Gold ranking ('https://ww2.epeat.net/ProductComparison.aspx?product1=17850&country1=1&pre1=160&product2=17844&country2=1&pre2=160&product3=17838&country3=1&pre3=160&product4=17837&country4=1&pre4=160&product5=17682&country5=1&pre5=160&product6=17683&country6=1&pre6=160') (119 point scale)

* iPhone 8 Plus 99/119
* iPhone 8 98/119
* Galaxy Note 8 95/119
* iPhone X 93/119
* Galaxy S8 92/119
* Galaxy S8+ 92/119

Hope that helps you.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alexander.Of.Oz Avatar
Alexander.Of.Oz
108 months ago
I'll never understand this mode of thinking. How is owning an older generation of a smartphone embarrassing? Is the device no longer functional?
It's embarrassing that it was so poor in relation to the pollution it created in production.

As that is what this article is about, I thought it would be self-explanatory, but obviously not!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kingpushup Avatar
kingpushup
108 months ago
I do believe that iPhone X is way better for the environment compared to any phone sold in the history of mankind. Because fewer people will buy this, thefore the impact is minimal. Thank you, Apple!
Sarcasm. Funny. iPhone is and has been the sellingest model of mobile phone for many years. So, X could sell ‘fewer’ and still sell more than any Samsung model, for example.

Ok, these are facts rather than your ‘history’ book written exclusively from your ‘belief.’ Again, I would be glad to get more facts of CO2e comparables from inside the mobile phone industry and from outside this industry for context. ty
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maclver Avatar
Maclver
108 months ago
Yet another thing that makes me glad I went with the 8 plus over the X!
What did you upgrade from?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
Read Full Article • 408 comments
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
Read Full Article • 143 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
Read Full Article • 64 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
Read Full Article • 70 comments
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
Read Full Article • 47 comments