Samsung launches green Blue Earth phone

The Blue Earth is built using plastic water bottles

Samsung has unveiled its eco-friendly Blue Earth handset, saying that the release reinforces its commitment to protecting the environment.

The phone was first shown off at Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona earlier this year, and has a 'green' design and build along with a touch screen and other features.

"Samsung's Blue Earth is not just another addition to our mobile line-up, but a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting the environment," said JK Shin, executive vice president and head of the Mobile Communication Division of Samsung Electronics.

"I am very pleased to announce the launch of this landmark eco mobile, and Samsung will continue to introduce innovative eco-friendly mobiles like Blue Earth to target the broader consumer [market]."

The phone is built using reclaimed materials, in this case plastic water bottles, and the handset and its charger are free from brominated flame retardants, PVC and phthalate. It can be charged using a set of solar panels on the reverse.

Further enhancing its green appeal, the phone has a pedometer to show how far the owner has walked, an 'Eco Mode' which adjusts screen brightness to be more energy efficient, and low-impact packaging that Samsung said can be reused as a pencil case or picture frame.

The phone works on EDGE, GPRS and HSDPA networks, has a 3in touch screen, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, and expandable memory up to 16GB.

Samsung Blue Earth is launching in Sweden in October, and will be available in other European and Asian countries soon after.

Although his particular handset is not scheduled for release in the UK, it surely won't be long before a similar device hits the home market.