While we know that smartphones emit some form of radiation, it is not common to have a rating for radiation levels. A new rating of smartphones in the industry reveals the devices with the highest radiation. According to Banklesstime which did the survey, Google Pixel smartphones emit the most radiation. Sony Xperia smartphones also release much radiation. However, this is only based on the fact that these brands occupy multiple spots on the list. However, with respect to specific models, non of these brands has the smartphone with the highest radiation. The Motorola Edge emits more radiation than any other smartphone on the list.
The tests for the radiation levels consider the specific absorption ratios (SAR) of the individual devices. The human body absorbs radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) waves. SAR actually measures the rate at which the human body does so and the test results are in watts per kilogram (W/Kg).
Which smartphones emit the most radiation?
In this rating, the first position is not a good thing because it emits more radiation than the others. In the number one spot is the Motorola Edge which has a SAR score of 1.79 W/Kg. This smartphone emits 0.20 W/Kg more radiation than the ZTE Axon 11 5G which is in the second position with 1.59 W/Kg.
In the third position, we have the OnePlus 6T with a SAR rating of 1.55, just o.04 more than the Axon 11 5G. However, the second OnePlus smartphone on this list is the OnePlus 6 and it occupies the tenth position with 1.33 W/Kg,
In the fourth position is Sony Xperia XA2 Plus but this is not the only Sony smartphone on the list. The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact also occupies the eighth position. While the Xperia XA2 Plus scores 1.41 W/Kg, the Xperia XZ1 Compact scores 1.36 W/Kg.
Two Google Pixel smartphones follow in fifth and sixth position. However, there is also another Google Pixel smartphone in the ninth position. This makes it a total of three Google Pixel smartphones on the list. This is why some folks consider Google’s devices to emit the most radiation. In fifth and sixth positions are Google Pixel 3XL and Google Pixel 4a. These smartphones score 1.39 W/Kg and 1.37 W/Kg respectively. The Google Pixel 3 in the ninth position scores 1.33 W/Kg.
The remaining position is the seventh position and it is occupied by Oppo. The Oppo Reno5 5G is seventh with 1.33W/kg. However, it is important to note that there is a tie between the sixth (Google Pixel 4a) and seventh Oppo Reno5 5G positions as well as the ninth (Google Pixel 3) and tenth (OnePlus 6) positions.
From the smartphones above, we can see that only Google, OnePlus and Sony have more than one device on the list. However, Google has three devices which make Pixel devices questionable. Obviously, there is something that the Pixel smartphone has that increases its radiation emission levels.
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How significant are the SAR ratings?
While many readers will probably have an interest in SAR ratings, many will not understand how significant this rating is. Smartphone radiation is one of the culprits which has been identified to be associated with cancer. With the preponderance of cancer cases, there is now a clampdown on its causative agents. Thus, there is severe scrutiny on smartphone radiation to see if the levels are high enough to cause cancer.
It is important to note that SAR levels are closely monitored in many nations, and there are even standard levels that the radiation can not exceed. In the U.S., smartphones with SAR levels above 1.6 W/Kg are not eligible for sales. This is from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission but we do not know if the country fully implements the recommendation by FCC.
There is no smartphone in the industry that does not have some levels of radiation. However, the radiation levels are different for multiple smartphones. There are several factors that determine the radiation level of a smartphone. Some of the popular factors that determine the radiation levels of a smartphone are the distance from the nearest cell tower, age of the phone, antenna transmitting strength and the device model.
Considering the low risk, we can passively ignore SAR ratings. However, it will not be a good idea to do this because “risk is risk” whether high-risk or low-risk. Thus, it will be good to follow the recommendations below if we have a high radiation smartphone.
Are cell phone radiations harmful?
Now, to the question that you all will be seeking answers to, are smartphone radiations harmful? The simple answer to this question is that there is no evidence that smartphone radiation causes significant harm to humans. This is because mobile phones emit RF waves and all current smartphones emit RF waves within the electromagnetic spectrum. However, they could cause some health issues like sunburn and melanoma / non-melanoma skin cancers.
The latest 5G smartphones also emit RF waves up to about 80 GHz. However, for smartphones that use 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity, their RF emission is within the 0.7 – 2.7 GHz range. These frequencies are not high enough thus they are nonionizing. Non-ionizing radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that does not have enough energy per quantum to ionize atoms or molecules. The high cancer risk from RF radiation is due to the low energy which can not alter DNA.
Another part of the smartphone RF radiation is that it could heat up parts of the body. This is true, especially for the body areas that are close to the smartphone. However, it is important to note that the heating is usually so insignificant to raise core body temperature significantly. Although we have nothing to fear with regard to RF emissions from smartphones, we can not be too careful. To this end, there are some recommendations that will help you guard against any possible exposure to radiation.
The first recommendation from the FDA to avoid exposure to smartphone radiation is for users to use their devices for shorter periods. Strong and enthusiastic mobile gamers will certainly not like this recommendation. Furthermore, users can avoid this by using the hands-free technology features.