Barcelona's Mobile World Congress Monday had Samsung removing the covers off the first solar-powered, full touchscreen phone -the "Blue Earth." Made from recycled plastic, the phone - which was among the five Samsung models unveiled on Monday - looks like a flat and well-formed shimmering pebble.

Highlighting the features of Samsung newest offering, JK Shin, chief of the company's mobile communications, said that the "Blue Earth" displays Samsung's "small but meaningful commitments" with regard to the environment as well as the future. Shin said: "We are committed to achieving the highest eco-status with our customers and business partners by providing the best eco-products and promoting eco-activities."

The solar-powered panel of the phone also comes with the customary plug-in charger for charging it up while indoors or in overcast conditions. According to Samsung, the phone and its high-efficiency charger are free of the lethal chemicals - like brominated flame retardants, phthalates or beryllium - that are generally used in electronics.

Supporting an energy-efficient Bluetooth mode, the phone also features easily adjustable screen brightness and backlight duration.

In addition, Samsung said that the unique "eco walk" function of the device, and its built-in pedometer, enable the users to count their steps, thereby "calculating how much CO2 emissions have been reduced by walking as opposed to motor transport!" (Rupinder contributed to this report)