Cell phone with built-in Solar charger
By sk66rc
@sk66rc (4250)
United States
May 1, 2010 10:32am CST
About a year ago, I came across article about a prototype cell phone from Samsung that has a battery solar charger built right into the battery cover. I had some free time at work & clicking through internet & I saw that they actually put it into production & made it avaliable for the public. They even tried it on west coast, LA, & gave it a review. It seems like the solar panel isn't designed to power the phone but to "top off" the battery when not in use by charging the phone by light. I just might buy one & try it. Any thoughts on it? http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/samsung-blue-earth-unlocked/4505-6452_7-33527282.html
6 people like this
11 responses
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
1 May 10
sk66rc,
It is really about time and I am wondering why it took them (cellphone brands) so long to have solar cells for batteries.
I feel that cellphones of every make should actually be solar powered to begin with, I mean if we can have it on our inexpensive calculators, I just do not see any excuse for them not to be a feature with these expensive gadgets.
Take care.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
3 May 10
sk66rc,
I feel that there's some conspiracy between cellphone brands and these carbon/lithium battery companies where the latter is paying off cellphone companies to delay these solar panel cells for their gadgets.
If you've looked around and I am sure solar cells are already prevalent with our gadgets like calculators, wrist watchers, water heaters and many more. It is a proven science which just does not need further experimentation, so I just do not understand their delay.
Frankly, if cellphone brands are to go ahead with these solar panel cells, I am sure the conventional carbon battery companies will be out of business. A mobile phone just has much need and to benefit with such a kind of battery, where the benefits and for the current eco-friendliness simply outweighs any refusal for such implementation.
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
1 May 10
From what I've read, it's not a 3G capable, at least not here in U.S. or North American region. Funny you mentioned whole thing being chargeable. Friend of mine & I were talking & we were saying something about a phone that can charge itself just by the everyday motion. I know that there's a watch that can recharge itself when it's being shaken, like the motion of the normal swinging of the arm. It would be great if they make a phone that we can keep on our side in a little pouch that clips to the belt & everytime we walk, it'll charge the battery.
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
1 May 10
I think it's about time that they came out with this nifty device! Thanks for sharing that information. I really want one now. By the time my contract is up with this present cellphone I have I will search my provider and see if they have one I can sign another contract for.
Have a nice day
1 person likes this
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
2 May 10
finally! a gadget that can really be using the harsh rays of the sun.this will help the environment.it is also a great help for users, since they can charge their phones even when there's no electricity.there'll be no excuse for a phone having low battery.I do hope other cellular phone companies follow and create solar-chargeable phones.
1 person likes this
@cmjune76 (273)
• United States
1 May 10
I heard about this a year ago and am glad it's on the market! This should pave the way for cell phone that can charge fully via solar panel. (I hope) One of my biggest peeves is seeing a cell phone charger plugged in and no device hooked into it! So bad and wasteful!
thanks for sharing this; maybe the word will get out! :)
1 person likes this
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
2 May 10
That's definitely a great feature to have on a cell phone. I could charge the phone while driving during day time. Or, can charge it during office hour by placing it at a illuminated spot. By this way, I need less effort to charge it with wall socket. Besides, it's more environmentally and economically friendly. 
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
2 May 10
I think it would be so much better if they would make the solar charger to power the whole phone. But it might still be worth trying this phone. Maybe in the near future they will develop phones that will completely run on solar energy. I hope lots of other electrical gadgets would run on solar energy because this will be very good for the environment.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57319)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 May 10
all I can say is wow. Though I would wait until the technolgy is a lot more sound before I try it. Besides nothing like that is offered by T-mobile so I'm not going to buy something that isn't offered by T-mobile. I couldn't aford it.
1 person likes this
@charylady (419)
• Philippines
2 May 10
i'd like to have one of those. it would be great to have the battery charged by light. then i would not have to worry about running low especially during critical times (which is usually the time the cellphone decides to die).
1 person likes this
@vishnumuthu (169)
• India
2 May 10
great then there are many technology that has been improving and now we will have to go through the thing the best we love and that is the benefit of the people..hope there will be a better new more which come close to the hand and so that we can go with a fast travel and many top structural works we will come across ..have fun..
