Sofia Martinez
The presence of plastic in mobile phones has become a cause of concern for many, with popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Nokia, and Fairphone recognising the urgency of the issue. While some companies are making efforts to reduce the use of plastic in their phones, others are still using virgin plastic. The most common type of plastic used in smartphones is polycarbonate, which is used for both the internal components and the outer casing. Polycarbonate is favoured by manufacturers due to its low cost, versatility, and durability, as well as its ability to be moulded into different shapes and painted in various colours. On average, a smartphone contains 9.53 grams of plastic, which is mainly used for the casing. While plastic phones may be more durable than glass phones, they are more susceptible to scratches and can turn yellow over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common materials used in cellphones | Metals, glass, plastics, ceramic materials, leather, silicone, rubber, wood |
| Average amount of plastic used in a smartphone casing | 9.53 grams |
| Plastic type used in cellphones | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Advantages of plastic in cellphones | High strength and elasticity, high impact strength, high transparency, free dyeing, fire resistance, wear resistance, oxidation resistance, tasteless, odourless, harmless to the human body, lightweight, better at withstanding drops and impacts |
| Disadvantages of plastic in cellphones | Turns yellow when exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long time, vulnerable to some organic solvents, not premium feel, scratches easily, ugly |
| Examples of phones with plastic bodies | Motorola phones, Nokia X30 5G, Fairphone, Moto X Force, Samsung Zflip 4, iPhone 5C, Lumias |
| Examples of companies reducing plastic use | Samsung, Nokia |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic phones are durable and lightweight
Plastic phone bodies have many advantages, such as high strength and elasticity, impact resistance, and transparency. Plastic is also tasteless, odourless, and harmless to humans. It can be moulded into different shapes and painted in various colours, giving designers freedom to realise their concepts. Smartphones with plastic backs are also lighter and more comfortable to hold.
While plastic is not unbreakable, it is more durable than glass when it comes to drops and impacts. Glass phones are more likely to shatter when dropped on a hard surface, whereas a phone with a plastic finish is more likely to withstand the impact. Plastic phone bodies are also more environmentally friendly, with innovations in biodegradable plastics and recycled materials.
However, plastic is not without its drawbacks. It can turn yellow when exposed to ultraviolet rays for long periods, and it is vulnerable to some organic solvents. Plastic may also not offer the same premium feel as metal or glass, and it can be more prone to scratches.
Despite these drawbacks, some phone manufacturers are still incorporating plastic into their products. For example, Samsung's Galaxy S23 uses recycled ocean waste, and Nokia's X30 5G phone is built with up to 60% recycled plastic and recycled aluminium. These efforts highlight a growing trend towards sustainability and the reduction of plastic in the smartphone industry.
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Plastic screens scratch easily
Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials in smartphones, with polycarbonate being the most common type of plastic used for mobile phone screens. While plastic phones are less likely to break than glass phones when dropped, plastic phone screens are susceptible to scratching.
Plastic phone screens can develop scratches due to normal wear and tear, and certain types of plastic, such as black plastic and clear plastic, are more likely to show abrasions. Although plastic is durable, lightweight, and usually less expensive than other materials, it is not as scratch-resistant as chemically strengthened glass, such as Corning Gorilla Glass, which is used in some smartphones for its resistance to scratches and impacts.
There are several DIY methods for removing scratches from plastic phone screens, such as using toothpaste, baking soda, or sandpaper. However, it is important to assess the severity of the scratches first and start with the least abrasive cleaning agents to avoid causing further damage. Some sources recommend using your fingernail or the edge of a credit card to determine the depth of the scratches, and if the scratch is shallow, a gentle abrasive like toothpaste or baking soda can be used. For deeper scratches, a more aggressive approach with wet micro-grit sandpaper may be necessary.
While plastic phone screens may be more prone to scratching than glass screens, they offer other advantages such as being lighter and more comfortable to hold and less likely to shatter when dropped. Additionally, plastic phones allow for signal transmission without causing reception issues, which is an important consideration for manufacturers.
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Polycarbonate is the most common plastic in phones
Polycarbonate is used because it offers smartphone manufacturers a way to cut down on expenses. It is possible to mix different types of plastics together to create internal components and the outer casing. Protective coatings can then be applied to achieve a different look and feel. Polycarbonate is also fully recyclable and reusable, making it a sustainable choice of material.
The average smartphone contains 9.53 grams of plastic, which is mainly used for the casing. Plastic is also used because it is more durable than glass. If you drop a glass phone on a hard surface, it is likely to shatter, whereas a phone with a plastic finish will usually be undamaged. Plastic can also be moulded into different shapes and painted in various colours, giving designers more freedom. Phones with plastic backs are also lighter and more comfortable to hold.
However, plastic is not as scratch-resistant as glass, and it is not as premium-feeling as metal or glass. It is also not as thermally conductive as aluminium, which can affect performance in intensive games.
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Plastic phones are more environmentally friendly
The most common type of plastic used in phones is polycarbonate (PC). PC is resistant to weak acids and alkalis, as well as neutral oil. It also has fire resistance, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance. PC is fully recyclable and reusable, making it a sustainable choice of material. The recycling process involves sorting, shredding, washing, and turning the plastic into granules to be reused.
Some phone manufacturers are beginning to recognize the environmental impact of their products and are working towards more sustainable practices. For example, Samsung has started repurposing discarded fishing nets to build its Galaxy S series phones, and Nokia has released the X30 5G, which is made with up to 60% recycled plastic and recycled aluminum. Eco-brands like Fairphone are also emerging, with a core focus on sustainability. Fairphone offers budget phones that use 100% recycled plastic back covers and produce no e-waste.
While plastic phones are a more environmentally friendly option, the biggest impact on the environment comes from the manufacturing process, which accounts for about 85% of a smartphone's carbon footprint. The extraction of materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes are the most damaging to the environment. Therefore, the use of recycled materials is key to reducing the environmental impact of smartphones.
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Plastic phones are cheaper to produce
Polycarbonate, a type of plastic that is commonly used in smartphones, is a high-end plastic that can be moulded into different shapes and painted in various colours, giving designers the freedom to realise their concepts. It is also fully recyclable and reusable, making it a sustainable choice of material.
In addition to polycarbonate, other types of plastic can be blended together to create internal components and outer casings for smartphones. Manufacturers can then apply protective coatings to achieve a different look and feel, making their smartphones both affordable and visually appealing.
While plastic phones may be cheaper to produce, they are not without their drawbacks. Plastic may not offer the same premium feel as metal or glass, and some consumers may perceive plastic phones as feeling cheap. There are also environmental concerns around the use of plastic in smartphones, with an increasing focus on sustainability and the use of recycled materials.
Despite these concerns, plastic does have some advantages over other materials. It is more durable than glass, as it can withstand drops and impacts without shattering. Plastic is also lightweight and comfortable to hold, and it does not interfere with radio frequencies or wireless charging.
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Frequently asked questions
Polycarbonate (PC) is the most common plastic material used in mobile phones. It is resistant to weak acids and alkalis, as well as neutral oils, and has fire, wear, and oxidation resistance.
Polycarbonate is used in cellphones because it helps manufacturers save on production costs. It can be blended with other plastics to create internal components and can have protective coatings applied to achieve a different look and feel.
A smartphone contains on average 9.53 grams of plastic, which is mainly used for the smartphone casing.
There is a slow reduction of plastic in brand new phone models, with more attention being put on packaging designs. Companies like Samsung and Nokia are incorporating recycled materials into their phones, but plastic is still prevalent in internal components.
