The smartphone market is one of the most competitive markets in the world. Sprint in an effort to stand out in a crowded field, Samsung and Sprint are trying a new angle for technology- the green angle. But just how green can a cell phone be, anyway?

Far too many companies are hopping on the environmental bandwagon by slapping the words “eco friendly” and “green” on everything from clothing to housewares. But these terms are rarely applied to tech gadgets.

Sprint’s launch of the Samsung Replenish marks the first time that a smartphone has been touted as environmentally conscious, and you may be wondering if the label is only skin deep.

Sprint has offered green phones before, but the Samsung Replenish is the first green smartphone to hit the shelves.
It was also the first phone to be rated by UL Environment, an environmental evaluation and certification that is setting standards for all sorts of technology.

The Samsung Replenish received the first green rating for a cell phone, making the green claim more credible for sure.

However, that green certification deserves an asterisk of sorts, since Sprint is a founding member of UL Environment, and was a part of the creation of that certification. Still, Sprint has been committed to more environmental practices, and so even if they’re doing it to corner an emerging market, they still deserve credit for working on this important issue.

The smartphone itself isn’t anything to write home about. While it is indeed greener than any other phone in the Android market, it may not win the love of any long-term Android users. A first time smartphone owner who upgrades in response to their heartstrings being tugged by the eco-friendly aspects may be satisfied with the phone in general.

The Samsung Replenish has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a low-price smartphone.

It sports a 2-megapixel camera, a 3-inch touch screen and a full QWERTY keypad. It offers Wi-Fi and has an easy to access MicroSD card slot. But it does have some uniquely green features that are worth noting a well.

You can purchase an optional cover for around $30 that works as a solar charger. It’s not a strong charger, but it’s a huge leap in the right direction. One third of the plastic used in the phone is made from post consumer recycled material. And when the phone is ready to be discarded, a full 85% of the entire phone itself is recyclable.

The Samsung Replenish contains no added chloride or beryllium, which are two of the most toxic ingredients being used in cellphone housings. Even the charger is designed to be super energy efficient, and the phone features an alert to let you know when it’s fully charged and ready to be unplugged. And the packaging is minimal and printed with soy inks.

While the Samsung Replenish may not be the most advanced piece of technology, it is a huge advance for the smartphone market. By appealing to an eco-friendly mindset that is peaking in every market, the Samsung Replenish has set the bar high for others to follow.