“The first German smartphone” – that was the title of the Galileo report about us, which has reached millions of people since 2019. And although many years have passed since then, we are still regularly asked about it today. The report triggered something – a need that has recently become even greater: technology conceived and developed in Europe. As SHIFT, we want to help shape it – and not simply consume what is created in the USA or Asia. Products you can trust. And companies that think differently.
#BuyEurope – more than just a hashtag
In times of great unpredictability, in which national self-interest is once again being placed above common solutions, compromises have become rarer, and political actors – especially in the US – prefer to bang their fists on the table rather than engage in dialogue, the need for stability, reliability, and regional responsibility is growing. It is precisely in this context that #BuyEurope is gaining importance for many consumers. The question is not only: Where does my smartphone come from? But also: Who developed it? Who benefits from it? And how sustainable is the whole thing actually intended to be? SHIFT is a German company – founded in rural northern Hesse, with a clear focus on fairness, repairability, and sustainability. But: Our devices are manufactured in China. A contradiction?
Why we produce in China
SHIFT’s history has been closely linked to China from the very beginning. Carsten Waldeck, one of our founders, has been traveling there regularly for over 20 years. During this time, he has not only built valuable partnerships but also made friends. Without these relationships, the realization of our idea – a sustainable smartphone – would not have been possible. Almost all of the essential components of a smartphone today come from Asia. Instead of transporting these components halfway around the world, it quickly became clear to us: We want to go where the parts come from – and implement our vision of responsible manufacturing directly on site. Our first devices were initially manufactured in an external facility in Shenzhen. But we quickly realized that, as a small company, we had little influence on local conditions. So we went a step further. In 2018, we set up our own factory in Hangzhou together with the NGO TAOS. The SHIFT factory produces exclusively for us and enables us to directly implement our vision of fair, sustainable manufacturing. Many things are fundamentally different at the SHIFT factory: Instead of sterile halls and round-the-clock shift work, there is natural light, plants, and comfortable chairs. Thanks to the modular design of our equipment, there is no gluing – the modules are simply plugged and screwed together. This makes work more pleasant. No one has to wear protective clothing, there are no noisy extraction systems, just a calm, open atmosphere. The working conditions also differ significantly from the industry average: a flexible 40-hour workweek, fair pay (at least 2.5 times the local minimum wage), and no overtime. We demonstrate that fair production in China is possible – if you’re willing to take responsibility and explore new avenues.
Our entire product development takes place in Germany. Design, conception, software, support, and, last but not least, our unique modular design – all of this is created here in Falkenberg, northern Hesse. We create real added value there – and you can feel it: for every manufacturing job in China, around three to four times as many jobs are created in Germany. We consciously invest in a rural region – our headquarters in Falkenberg, northern Hesse, is not only our development site, but also a place where we create meaningful jobs in the long term. This is where the design, software, service concepts, and the idea behind every SHIFTphone are created. Our devices are not only modular and easy to repair – they also set standards in sustainability. And what’s special: Despite this modularity, our devices impress with a reduced, well-thought-out design that – contrary to some beliefs – is by no means clunky. And despite claims to the contrary, we’ve shown with the SHIFTphone 8: A modular device can also be waterproof.
Technology from Europe requires courage
SHIFT stands for change: Not just another device that ends up in the trash after a few years – or worse – is a total economic loss at the first sign of a defect, but a true statement. We want technology that makes sense – for people and for our planet. And we want to show that it’s possible to combine European values with global cooperation.
Did you know that we know more about the surface of the moon than about the deep sea? This shows how little we know about our planet’s largest habitat, the ocean, even though it plays a central role for life on Earth. It provides food, secures income, and regulates the climate. Yet this fragile yet vital ecosystem is increasingly under pressure: deep-sea mining is becoming more of a focus of global discussions. Since 2023, we have been a signatory of the moratorium on deep-sea mining and have reported on it. Much has happened since then – and yet the deep sea remains a place full of open questions and unresolved conflicts. In this update, we take a look at current political developments and shed light on why the debate about deep-sea mining no longer just concerns science and politics, but also all of us. For this, we asked Tim-Frederik Hahn to explain the latest developments and highlight what’s important now. Tim is conducting research and completing his doctorate at the University of Bremen on the European debate on deep-sea mining. Dear Tim, thank you very much for your willingness to give us a brief overview of the current debate!
How would you describe the current state of the political debate on deep-sea mining at the global and European level?
Fundamentally, a distinction must be made between national waters, which are the jurisdiction of individual countries, and international waters, for which the International Seabed Authority is responsible. At the global level, 32 states have spoken out against deep-sea mining. Of these 32 states, 14 are European states. Speaking out against deep-sea mining means that the states support either a moratorium, a “precautionary pause,” or, in the case of France, a ban on deep-sea mining. While mining companies are promoting mining and many non-governmental organizations are opposing it, the possibilities of deep-sea mining are being explored, but there is still no green light for commercial mining. The International Seabed Authority is in the process of developing a set of rules under which deep-sea mining might be possible, but has not yet completed this process. At the national level, only Norway has so far planned to permit deep-sea mining in its own waters in the near future. However, Norway also paused its plans last December. 2025 is an exciting year, as the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) aims to finalize its regulatory framework, and one of the leading deep-sea mining companies has announced that it intends to submit its first application for commercial deep-sea mining in 2025.
What specific role does Germany play in the European and international debate on deep-sea mining?
Germany is a leading player in deep-sea exploration and holds licenses from the International Seabed Authority for deep-sea exploration in international waters. However, in 2022, Germany called for a “precautionary pause” on deep-sea mining and will not support any applications for commercial extraction of raw materials in the deep sea until further notice. Germany is also committed to better protection of the deep sea and the precautionary principle at the international level. The precautionary principle means acting early and proactively to avoid environmental pollution.
ROV Team/GEOMAR (CC-BY 4.0) as well as the featured image
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Are there currently products or technologies that contain materials from deep-sea mining? If so, how frequently do we as consumers come into contact with them?
Commercial deep-sea mining is not yet permitted, and therefore there are no products that use raw materials from the seabed. However, consumers frequently come into contact with the metals that could also be mined from the seabed in the future. They are used in smartphones and electric cars, for example.
How can individual citizens contribute to protecting the deep-sea ecosystem? Are there concrete options for action or initiatives that can be supported?
Individual citizens can contribute in their everyday lives, especially by engaging with the topic of deep-sea mining, supporting various NGOs, or generally supporting recycling and environmentally friendly business practices.
What was the biggest surprise or discovery for you personally in your research or during your research on deep-sea mining? Were there any unexpected twists or new perspectives?
When I began exploring the topic, I found two things particularly fascinating. First, how little we know about the deep sea and how much research discovers with each new dive in the deep sea. Secondly, I found it fascinating how many small and large companies have spoken out against deep-sea mining.
What makes you optimistic when you think about the future of the deep-sea ecosystem and the global efforts to regulate deep-sea mining? Are there any examples of progress or positive developments?
In my opinion, three developments in particular could benefit deep-sea ecosystems. First, the election of Brazilian oceanographer Leticia Carvalho as head of the International Seabed Authority. She succeeds Michael Lodge, who is considered more business-oriented and pro-deep-sea mining, and her election is associated with great hopes among environmentalists. Second, there is a strong commitment by NGOs and companies against deep-sea mining, which is constantly growing. And third, the conditions for mineral consumption are changing. Research into alternative technologies and increased recycling could lead to the minerals that are to be mined from the seabed perhaps no longer being needed in the future. Finally, a video tip: The Environmental Justice Foundation produced a piece that explores the topic of deep-sea mining from various perspectives and gives people around the world a voice. We also had the opportunity to share our perspective – a worthwhile portrait of the impacts and challenges of this important topic.
Have you noticed that our two current SHIFTphones have recently become available at a significantly lower price?
The two price reductions and the SHIFT6mq + upgrade have also been shared on our social media channels. If you are still wondering which offers it is actually about, here is a brief summary:
* Important to know: For the free upgrade, your SHIFT6mq must be in good condition, with only signs of wear consistent with age. However, if repairs are necessary, we will invoice you for them. Otherwise the conditions as described on our upgrade page (shift.eco/upgrade) apply.
Normally we at SHIFT are very economical with special offers. It goes against our values to release a new super sale every week. For us, our devices are valuable in many ways and not junk. That’s why we think a lot before we lower prices and create new offers. We would like to share these thoughts with you and include you in our considerations.
The perfect format for this is our Brothertalk (Currently only available in German. But you can activate the subtitles for translation!) Here Carsten and Samuel talk frankly about what moves us and in particular about the considerations behind the new offers.
With this in mind, we cordially invite you to take a look at the latest issue of Brothertalk. From 3:26 min it’s about the price reduction and the upgrade. This Link will take you directly to this part.
We feel connected to everyone involved in the process of production and use. It’s about appreciation for our people on the shop floor and beyond, and our relationship with our customers. For us, selling a SHIFT is the beginning of a relationship, not an end Distribution. At the same time, we would like to see an appreciative attitude towards the purchased product, so that the device can be used for as long as possible.
Relationship with our employees
Fair and pleasant working conditions are important to us for all of our employees. Especially with the employees involved in production in China. Questionable working conditions in the technology industry in China are repeatedly reported in the media. It is therefore a matter close to our hearts to effect changes on site. With our own manufacture, we can make these changes possible and create pleasant working conditions and guarantee fair payment for our employees.
As a result, we are also in close contact and exchange ideas with each other every week. In addition, part of the development team travels to Hangzhou at regular intervals to spend time together, cultivate relationships and exchange information on the latest developments. During the peak phase of the corona pandemic, we had to pause our visits to China, so we are all the more looking forward to the next trip to the SHIFT manufactory.
Relationship with SHIFT customers
We may have surprised you with a “you” in an e-mail. We don’t call you first out of a lack of respect, but to express that we share the same values and are a community at eye level. For us, maximizing profits in customer contact does not play a role, we see the potential to build a trusting relationship.
We notice again and again how you place this trust in us. Especially in the crowdfunding phases of our products, we take the leap of trust very seriously. The joint realization of a product is what makes these phases so special. Because, as is so often the case, things only achieve their beauty when they are shared. As a thank you for the trust you have placed in us, we offer our pre-orderers discounted pre-order prices and provide insights into the development phases of the products.
Also, we enjoy every SHIFTtalk where you give feedback and us with questions. This shows us that we can achieve a lot as a small company and that we have taken the right path.
Appreciation towards products
In the context of technical devices, relationship is not the right term for us, you know our warning notice that adorns the back of every SHIFT product: “WARNING: Smartphones can be time killers. There is no greater gift for you today than the next 24 hours. Use them wisely. People are more important than machines”.
However, out of love for our environment, we would like to appreciate the devices. In order to make consumption more sustainable, we also have a responsibility to deal with the products we buy accordingly.
In this Blog post.
The biggest (adjusting) screw in the development of smartphones is on the back of the device.
redesign – redesign, redesign
Even before Samuel and Carsten founded SHIFT, they were enthusiastic about technology and innovative ideas. With each of these products, one crucial point was increasingly missing – a fair and sustainable product design. You can read about everything that makes up a product design here. But not only the technologies became more and more efficient and faster, marketing also expanded, while the leaps in innovation became smaller and smaller. To this day, profit maximization is the top priority for most tech companies. Our goal is to orient our thoughts and actions towards the common good of society, i.e. for us: maximizing meaning instead of maximizing profit. We strive for this maximization of meaning through a modular design and fair working conditions.
Modularity as a design concept
If a smartphone ends up in the garbage due to a defective battery, the term “smart” should be questioned. Because a nice smartphone for the garbage is an ugly problem for our planet. Smartphones and tablets are usually not modular, i.e. the modules in the device are glued together, which makes repairs difficult and sometimes impossible. As a result, users cannot repair their devices and have to switch to a new device.
With modularity, on the other hand, the modules are connected to one another by means of plug-in connections. Depending on the model, up to 23 components can be exchanged on a SHIFTphone. Our A-frame (display unit) and B-frame (device frame) are also not glued together, but fixed with screws of the same size. All you need to open the device is a screwdriver. The structure of the device is based on repair statistics, i.e. the defect that occurs most frequently in a smartphone is the easiest and fastest to fix. According to repair statistics, the display is the most common defect. You can see how easy it is to change a display here:
Modularity means fairness
A modular design is not only “fair” to the environment, but also to the users. Reparability allows users to extend the useful life of their devices. The obsolescence of a product, which means that certain functions are no longer available, is referred to as obsolescence. In the technology sector, products are developed where the manufacturers consciously accept obsolescence. When products are manufactured and designed to have a shorter lifespan, it is called planned obsolescence. You can read more about this topic in our blog “Spring cleaning: Your Read the article against obsolescence”.
may we introduce This is Fred or scientifically correct Stauroteuthis syrtensi. It lives in the deep sea at over 1000 meters below the sea surface and is one of the few octopuses that luminesces.
Only at the end of last year, almost 200 countries reached an agreement in Montreal that might also define the future of Fred and his kind decides. A global plan to protect biodiversity with specific objectives is intended to stop the ongoing loss of habitats and biodiversity worldwide.When we think of biodiversity, we have we often see blooming meadows and less the diversity of life in the deep sea. The deep sea floor covers more than half of our earth, but so far humans have only explored a fraction of this vastness. One thing is undisputed: the ocean and its ecosystems have countless and important functions for people all over the world, be it as a source of food, an opportunity to earn an income or for climate regulation. It is well known that life in the deep sea is a fragile system that is home to hundreds of thousands of species and where more new species are discovered with every research voyage.
Deep sea mining and IT technology
Meanwhile, the possibility of deep-sea mining is repeatedly discussed, especially in relation to the increasing demand for raw materials and precious metals, especially for IT technologies and products. Before we know more about Fred and the complex and fragile ecosystem of the deep sea, we should definitely not start mining resources there commercially. Because this serious intervention would have unforeseeable consequences.
In addition to the activities of states, it is also important that companies see themselves as key players and take a stand, after all they are the processors of the resources. That’s why we as SHIFT recently signed the moratorium on deep sea mining along with other companies.
Finally, good news: After more than 15 years of negotiations, the Convention on the Protection of “Biodiversity Beyond National Legislation” (BBNJ) to protect the oceans was completed at the UN in New York at the beginning of March 2023. The agreement is the next logical step after the Montreal World Biodiversity Conference late last year. There, the international community had agreed to designate 30 percent of the seas as protected areas by 2030. to set up protected areas in the so-called high seas, i.e. in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The UN agreement will now create such a set of rules when it comes into force after ratification by 60 states. In addition to a mechanism for designating protected areas, it also stipulates that the effects of human activities on the marine ecosystems in the high seas must be assessed using so-called environmental impact assessments.
Many things are fundamentally different at the SHIFT factory: Instead of sterile halls and round-the-clock shift work, there is natural light, plants, and comfortable chairs. Thanks to the modular design of our equipment, there is no gluing – the modules are simply plugged and screwed together. This makes work more pleasant. No one has to wear protective clothing, there are no noisy extraction systems, just a calm, open atmosphere. The working conditions also differ significantly from the industry average: a flexible 40-hour workweek, fair pay (at least 2.5 times the local minimum wage), and no overtime. We demonstrate that fair production in China is possible – if you’re willing to take responsibility and explore new avenues. 
When we think of biodiversity, we have we often see blooming meadows and less the diversity of life in the deep sea. The deep sea floor covers more than half of our earth, but so far humans have only explored a fraction of this vastness. One thing is undisputed: the ocean and its ecosystems have countless and important functions for people all over the world, be it as a source of food, an opportunity to earn an income or for climate regulation. It is well known that life in the deep sea is a fragile system that is home to hundreds of thousands of species and where more new species are discovered with every research voyage.
If we have been able to win you over to this topic so far, then we recommend this impressive