ABI Research has conducted a small survey of 1000 mobile phone users in North America, asking people what they think about “green” handsets and whether they would buy them. Key points identified include:
- Approximately 7% of respondents would be willing to pay a premium for an environmentally friendly handset, and
- A further 40% would choose a green handset over a conventional one if price, features, and performance were equal.
- However, only 4% said they were “very familiar” with green handsets.
ABI argues that although components found in regular and eco-friendly handsets are the same, it is not that easy for manufacturers to fully “go green,” because such a move would involve revamping the whole supply chain and retooling the production process.
Hence, regulation could help. The EU has the most comprehensive regulations in place, which targets the most proactive handset vendors such as Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson… Additional details are available in ABI’s special report titled “Green Mobile Devices.”