The inaugural Circular Tech Awards took place on 6th September at the JW Marriott Hotel in Berlin, recognising excellence across Europe’s smartphone circular economy. Organised by Mobi Hub Events, the ceremony highlighted 16 categories, from repair and diagnostics to trade-in programmes and innovation. Among them, the ‘Circularity by Design – Smartphone’ award stood out as a category dedicated to rewarding progress in sustainable product design. Developed in collaboration with industry experts and market intelligence partners, the award evaluated how leading smartphone manufacturers are embracing circular principles.
Moheb Pirzada, CEO of Mobi Hub Events, explained, “The refurbished industry is built around the smartphone, so it was incredibly important to acknowledge the work being done by brands over the last 12 months to design and support a more circular device.”
A panel of circular economy experts
The judging panel featured five respected industry veterans: Fergal Donovan, co-founder and CEO of Cyculus Services; Ben Hatton, Connected Devices Analyst at CCS Insight; Francisco Jeronimo, VP Data & Analytics at IDC EMEA; Anca Schmidt Popescu, Chief Supply Officer at Flip.ro and Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research.
The judges reviewed smartphone models released for the European market between 1st September 2024 and 1st September 2025. Thirteen devices with clear sustainability credentials were shortlisted, including the Fairphone 6, HMD Skyline, Apple iPhone 16, and Samsung Galaxy S25.
Each device was assessed on criteria such as product design, materials, durability, repairability, warranty, and sustainability.
Fairphone 6 leads by example
While the Apple iPhone 16 was recognised as Apple’s most circular model to date, the Fairphone 6 ultimately claimed the top spot. Judges praised its modular design, ease of repair, long-lasting components, and Fairphone’s eight-year software update commitment.
Ben Hatton from CCS Insights noted, “It is a real positive to see manufacturers adopt a more circular mindset in smartphone design. This year’s shortlist represents the leading edge of this trend, from market leaders to sustainability champions.”
Jan Stryjak of Counterpoint Research added, “Fairphone has been spearheading device sustainability for a while now, and the Fairphone 6 is the most environmentally friendly smartphone yet. Other vendors have touted their own eco credentials, but Fairphone is in a league of its own.”
Setting new industry standards
The Fairphone 6’s recognition highlights the growing momentum toward circularity in the smartphone market. Its success underscores how modularity, longevity, and repairability can redefine the lifecycle of devices in a sector still dominated by rapid replacement cycles.
By rewarding innovation in design, the Circular Tech Awards aim to inspire broader industry adoption of sustainable practices and drive manufacturers to align profit with planet.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
