TechInsights: By 2025, Apple's iPad shipments are expected to reach 64 million units, and the cobalt battery target is about to be achieved

According to the Zhītōng Finance and Economics APP, data from TechInsights shows that in Q1 2024, Apple (AAPL.US) ranked first in tablet shipments with a market share of 35.4%. Although the total market shipment of iPads decreased from 63.5 million units in 2022 to 52.1 million units in 2023, TechInsights predicts that by 2025, Apple's iPad shipments will rise again, reaching an estimated 64 million units. The leading position is expected to be maintained or even expanded, partly due to the release of new models using the M4 processor.

In terms of carbon footprint (usually measured in carbon dioxide equivalent CO2e), it is difficult to directly compare different manufacturers. Firstly, not all manufacturers disclose detailed life cycle assessments (LCAs), and the methods used by disclosing manufacturers also vary.

It is worth noting that Apple is more transparent than most manufacturers. Apple claims that the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of the new 13-inch iPad Pro model is reduced by 37% compared to the baseline, totaling 61 kilograms (meaning that apart from the standard supply of regional power grids during production, no clean electricity is used). Going further, the carbon dioxide equivalent for the 256GB configuration of the 11-inch model is 93 kilograms, while the fourth-generation model with the same configuration has a carbon dioxide equivalent of 107 kilograms, and the third-generation model is 112 kilograms. The main aspects of carbon footprint savings are summarized as follows:

• 100% fiber-based packaging;
• Shell made of 100% recycled aluminum;
• 100% recycling of rare earth metals in all magnets;
• 100% recycling of gold plating and tin solder in multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs);
• All printed circuit boards are free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and polyvinyl chloride.

Apple has previously set ambitious sustainability goals, such as achieving carbon neutrality for all products throughout their lifecycle by 2030, removing all plastics from packaging, and using 100% recycled cobalt in batteries by 2025.

Last year, Apple discussed its goal of using recycled cobalt in its battery products, which is a commendable goal as the use of cobalt has significant impacts. In 2022, as much as 70% of global cobalt production was used in batteries for electric vehicles or consumer electronics. Cobalt production is mainly concentrated in the Republic of the Congo, accounting for 70.3% of global production in 2022. Cobalt production in the Republic of the Congo is also associated with social and environmental issues such as pollution, deforestation, casualties, and exacerbation of conflicts.

While cobalt is not essential for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), it is commonly used in cathodes. Compared to other metals like lithium iron phosphate and lithium manganese oxide, cobalt has significant advantages, such as extending the battery's expected lifespan by three times (hence, the trade-offs in sustainability are not simple). In Apple's latest products, cobalt is continuously being discovered in use for the cathodes of lithium batteries iPhone 15 Pro;

AirPods Pro 2nd generation;

Apple Watch "metal can" battery (available in various models).

In addition, TechInsights analyzed the iPad Pro with the Apple M4 processor, stating that the chip "instantly leaps to the top of the industry in device artificial intelligence," and "Apple has attracted industry attention in a way that other companies envy." Apple's statement emphasized several advancements from a sustainable development perspective, reiterating the goal of "achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain and the lifecycle of each product."

TechInsights has seen significant progress from Apple in achieving its sustainable development goals, with more progress expected next year, especially as Apple has committed to using recyclable cobalt batteries in all product lines by 2025. Unlike the emphasis on carbon neutrality with the release of the Apple Watch Series 9, the iPad Pro release did not mention carbon neutrality. This may indicate that Apple faces challenges in achieving its goal of complete carbon neutrality by 2030