Understanding SAR Values: Your Smartphone’s Radiation Score
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Have you ever glanced at your phone and wondered how much invisible energy it’s pumping into your body? You’re not alone. With most of us spending 5-6 hours (or more) daily glued to our smartphones, questions about radiation exposure have moved from fringe concerns to mainstream conversation. That little device in your pocket constantly emits radiofrequency energy—but how much is too much?
Enter the mysterious world of SAR values—the scientific measure that quantifies how much radiation your body absorbs from your favorite tech companion. We’ll decode what SAR values mean, which popular phones emit the most (and least) radiation, and practical steps to reduce exposure without giving up your digital lifeline.
Whether you’re shopping for a new device or simply curious about the phone currently warming your palm, understanding SAR values empowers you to make smarter choices about the technology you use daily.
Specific Absorption Rate
What Is SAR and Why Should You Care?
SAR, or Specific Absorption Rate, measures how much radiofrequency (RF) energy your body absorbs when using electronic devices like smartphones. It is a numerical value that quantifies radiation exposure—specifically, the rate at which energy enters your body tissues when you use or carry your phone.
SAR values are expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg) and represent the amount of power absorbed per mass of tissue. The higher the SAR value, the more radiation the body potentially absorbs.
Why does this matter? While smartphones have transformed our lives in countless positive ways, they also expose us to low levels of electromagnetic radiation daily. Understanding this exposure becomes increasingly relevant for the average person who spends hours with their phone against their ear or tucked in a pocket.
Regulatory agencies worldwide have established SAR limits to ensure mobile devices operate within safe levels. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set the maximum allowable SAR limit at 1.6 W/kg, averaged over 1 gram of tissue in the United States [1]. The European Union maintains a slightly different standard: 2 W/kg, measured over 10 grams of tissue [2].
These limits represent the threshold regulators believe protects consumers from potential health effects of RF radiation. Every smartphone legally sold must fall below these established limits—but some phones push much closer to these boundaries than others.
How SAR Values Are Measured
SAR testing is a complex and standardized process that simulates how much radiation enters your body in real-world usage scenarios. Here’s how it works:
Testing labs use specialized mannequins called “phantoms" filled with liquids that mimic the electrical properties of human tissue. These phantoms contain probes that measure the electric field at various points throughout the simulated body tissue.
Phones are tested in two primary positions to determine different SAR values:
- Head SAR: The phone is positioned against the phantom’s head to simulate making a call. This measures radiation absorption when you’re holding your phone to your ear during conversations.
- Body SAR: The phone is placed at a small distance from the phantom’s torso to simulate carrying it in a pocket or purse. This measures radiation absorption during regular carrying and usage.
During testing, phones are set to operate at their maximum power output across all their frequency bands and transmission modes. This “worst-case scenario" approach ensures the measured SAR value represents the maximum possible exposure under normal operating conditions [3].
It’s worth noting that day-to-day exposure is typically much lower than these maximum values. Your phone rarely operates at full power during everyday use, as it automatically adjusts its transmission power based on signal strength and network conditions. With strong reception, your phone requires less power (and emits less radiation) to maintain a connection.
The lowest offending smartphones
Smartphones With the Lowest Radiation Levels
For radiation-conscious consumers, several smartphones stand out for their remarkably low SAR values. The ZTE Blade V10 leads the pack with a minuscule SAR value of just 0.13 W/kg—approximately 8% of the FCC’s 1.6 W/kg limit and only 6.5% of the EU’s 2 W/kg limit [4].
Samsung, despite having some models on the high-radiation list, actually dominates the low-radiation category with several standout devices:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10+: This premium device has an impressively low SAR value of 0.19 W/kg.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: The innovative folding phone matches the Note 10+ with a SAR rating of 0.19 W/kg.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Both the standard and DUOS versions of this older flagship model emit just 0.17 W/kg.
Other notable low-radiation smartphones include:
- ZTE Axon Elite: 0.17 W/kg (interestingly from the same manufacturer that produces the high-radiation Axon 11 5G)
- LG V60 ThinQ 5G: 0.35 W/kg
- Sony Xperia 5 II: 0.28 W/kg
- Motorola razr 5G: 0.27 W/kg
- Google Pixel 2 XL: 0.26 W/kg
Smartphone design and engineering choices significantly impact radiation emissions.
For consumers concerned about radiation exposure, these low-SAR options provide peace of mind without sacrificing functionality. Many of these devices offer competitive features and performance while reducing radiation emissions.
iPhone SAR Values
Apple’s iPhones dominate the smartphone market, so their radiation profiles deserve special attention. Historically, Apple devices weren’t known for low radiation emissions—the iPhone 7 and 8 were among the highest radiation-emitting phones of their time.
However, Apple has made progress in reducing radiation in newer models. While iPhones are still not among the lowest-radiation devices, they’ve improved considerably. Here’s how current iPhone models compare [3]:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1.07 W/kg
- iPhone 15 Pro: 1.14 W/kg
- iPhone 15: 1.12 W/kg
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: 1.15 W/kg
- iPhone 14 Pro: 1.15 W/kg
- iPhone 14 Plus: 1.14 W/kg
- iPhone 14: 1.15 W/kg
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: 1.17 W/kg
- iPhone 13 Pro: 1.20 W/kg
- iPhone 13: 1.18 W/kg
- iPhone 13 Mini: 1.19 W/kg
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: 1.17 W/kg
- iPhone 12 Pro: 1.16 W/kg
- iPhone 12: 1.17 W/kg
- iPhone 12 Mini: 1.16 W/kg
The data reveals that newer iPhone models generally emit less radiation than their predecessors, though the improvements are incremental. The iPhone 15 Pro Max shows the most significant progress with its 1.07 W/kg SAR value—lower than any other recent iPhone model.
All iPhone models remain well below regulatory limits but emit more radiation than the lowest-radiation Android alternatives. For Apple enthusiasts concerned about radiation, the iPhone 15 Pro Max represents the company’s best option for minimizing exposure [3].
Determine your phone’s SAR
How to Check Your Phone’s SAR Value
Curious about your own smartphone’s radiation profile? Here are several ways to find your device’s SAR value:
1. Check the Manufacturer’s Website
Most phone manufacturers publish SAR information on their official websites. Look for a “health and safety" or “regulatory information" section, often found in the support area. Apple, Samsung, Google, and other major manufacturers typically make this information readily available.
2. Look in Your Phone’s Settings
Many smartphones include SAR information within their settings menu:
- On Android: Try navigating to Settings > About Phone > Legal Information > RF Exposure
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Legal & Regulatory > RF Exposure
3. Check the User Manual
Your phone’s user manual almost always contains SAR information, typically in a section about regulatory compliance or safety information. If you don’t have a physical manual, PDF versions are usually available on manufacturer websites.
4. Use the FCC ID Search
In the United States, you can search the FCC’s electronic database:
- Find your device’s FCC ID number (usually printed on the device, battery compartment, or in the settings menu)
- Visit the FCC’s website
- Enter the FCC ID in two parts as indicated
- Look for SAR information in the test report or grant notes
5. Use Dial Codes
Some Android phones support special dial codes that display regulatory information:
- Try dialing *#07# on your phone’s keypad
- This works primarily on Samsung devices and some other Android phones
Remember that SAR values may differ slightly between regions due to varying testing methods and frequency bands in different countries.
Find Low-Radiation Smartphone Options in Your Area
Ready to make a more informed choice about your next smartphone purchase? Finding low-radiation options has never been easier. By entering your zip code here, you can discover service providers in your area that offer smartphones with lower SAR values, helping you make a more intelligent choice for your health and peace of mind.
By making informed choices about the devices and how we use them, we can enjoy the tremendous benefits of smartphone technology while minimizing potential health concerns.
Sources
[1] Fcc.gov. “Specific Absorption Rate SAR Cellular Telephones"
[2] Europarl.europa.eu. “Harmful mobile phone radiation."
[3] Bodywell.com. “Highest Cell Phone Radiation"
[4] Visualcapitalist.com. “How Much Radiation is Emitted by Popular Smartphones?"