Samsung Electronics announced that global channel sales of its Galaxy S4 smartphone has surpassed 10 million units in less than one month after its commercial debut.

Launched globally on April 27, the phone is estimated to be selling at a rate of four units per second.

The Galaxy S4 sets a new record for Samsung, generating sales quicker than any of its predecessors. Sales of the Galaxy S III reached the 10-million mark 50 days after its launch in 2012, while the Galaxy S II took five months and the Galaxy S seven months to reach the same milestone.

Samsung also announced recently that the Galaxy S4 was granted TCO Certification; becoming the first smartphone awarded such a prestigious recognition.

TCO Development, owned by the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, is an independent body that promotes sustainability in the IT industry globally. According to TCO, the Galaxy S4 satisfies the criteria for design and manufacture sustainability, qualifying it to efficiently meet users’ demands.

“At Samsung, we make sure to base our new offerings on thorough market research,” said Duke Park, vice president of Samsung Egypt.

“The demand for more innovative, environmental friendly products was a key factor that we took into consideration developing the outstanding concepts embedded in the Galaxy S4. We are delighted to be the first smartphone provider to receive the TCO Certification for one of our products; which undoubtedly showcases our ability to offer smartphones as life companions.”

The TCO certification is the second award received by the Galaxy S4 since its launch. The state-of-the-art smartphone was also awarded Platinum ECOLOGO certification. To become TCO certified a smartphone must meet specific requirements across a range of different aspects including environmental and economic aspects.

From an environmental standpoint, the Galaxy S4 was found to have avoided containing many hazardous materials such as nickel, beryllium, and mercury which, if used in its manufacture, would have severely restricted its potential to be recycled.

In terms of economic viability, the power efficiency of the charger was found to be remarkable, as was the smartphone’s industrial design which boosts reliability.

"TCO Certified Smartphones are designed to make it easier for smartphone buyers to choose products that have been designed with sustainability in mind,” said Sören Enholm, CEO TCO Development.

“By certifying their smartphones, leading brands such as Samsung have a real opportunity to demonstrate that their products are helping advance more sustainable mobile solutions.” – TradeArabia News Service