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.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

adamski23 Avatar
105 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
105 months ago
What about MSG? Any gluten? Nut free factory?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
105 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
105 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
105 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
105 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)

Popular Stories

sam sung auction

Former Apple Employee Sam Sung Changed His Name to Avoid Attention

Wednesday October 22, 2025 4:44 pm PDT by
Back in 2012, an Apple retail employee named Sam Sung went viral because his name is similar to Samsung, one of Apple's main competitors. In a recent interview with Business Insider, he detailed that period in his life, how Apple responded, and he explained why he ultimately changed his name. Someone posted an image of Sung's Apple business card on Reddit in 2012, and it spread rapidly....
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iOS 26.1 Beta Liquid Glass Battery Drain Test: Tinted vs Clear Mode

Friday October 24, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by
In the fourth iOS 26.1 beta, Apple added a "Tinted" option that reduces the translucency of Liquid Glass for those who prefer a more opaque look. I saw some comments wondering whether the setting might preserve battery life, so I thought I'd do some testing. Test Settings I did four separate tests using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I kept the parameters as similar as possible. Here are the...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday October 22, 2025 6:15 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. iOS 26.1 is currently in beta testing. The update will likely be released in the first half of November, and it is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, but some...
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Report: Apple to Skip 'iPhone 19' Name for 'iPhone 20'

Thursday October 23, 2025 4:28 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhone lineup launched in the fall of 2027 will be called the "iPhone 20" models, rather than the "iPhone 19," according to research firm Omdia. Speaking at a conference in Seoul (via ETNews), Omdia Chief Researcher Heo Moo-yeol corroborated rumors that Apple plans to move the launch of its standard iPhone to the first half of the year and provided some additional clarity about...
trump white house ballroom

Apple Donating to Trump's $350M White House Ballroom Project

Thursday October 23, 2025 3:55 pm PDT by
Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN. Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's License Feature in Apple Wallet App Launches in Another U.S. State

Thursday October 23, 2025 7:44 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting today, the feature is available to residents of West Virginia. To set it up, open the Wallet app and tap on the plus sign in...
cadillac lyric infotainment

GM to Remove CarPlay from All Future Vehicles, Including Gas Cars [Updated]

Wednesday October 22, 2025 11:34 am PDT by
General Motors began phasing out support for CarPlay in its electric vehicles back in 2023, leading to complaints from iPhone users, but the company has no plans to back down. In fact, GM is going further and plans to remove CarPlay from all future gas vehicles, too. In an interview with The Verge, GM CEO Mary Barra said that the company opted to prioritize its platform for EVs, but the...
iPhone Air

Report: 'Virtually No Demand' for iPhone Air

Wednesday October 22, 2025 3:22 am PDT by
Apple is "drastically" cutting production of the iPhone Air and shifting focus toward the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, Nikkei Asia reports. The business publication claims to have learned of a major cut to iPhone Air production motivated by weaker-than-expected consumer interest, nearly to "end of production levels." Despite early reports of the iPhone Air selling out within hours of...
maxresdefault

Apple's iPhone Air Experiment Fails as Supply Chain Cuts Production by 80%

Wednesday October 22, 2025 10:48 am PDT by
iPhone Air demand failed to meet Apple's expectations and the company's supply chain is scaling back shipments and production, reports Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Suppliers are expected to reduce capacity by more than 80 percent between now and the first quarter of 2026, and some components with longer lead times will be discontinued ...