SAR Rating for Smart Phones: Your Guide to EMF Protection

In today's world, smartphones have become essential to our daily lives. They help us stay connected with our loved ones, entertain us with games and social media, and provide us with access to an endless amount of information.

However, with the increasing use of smartphones, concerns about the potential health risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation have also increased. One way to measure radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body during standardized smartphone testing is through SAR testing.

In this blog post, we will discuss what SAR rating is, how cell phone radiofrequency exposure relates to health research, and ways to reduce your exposure.

What is the SAR rating?

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the rate at which the body absorbs radiofrequency (RF) energy when exposed to wireless transmitters such as smartphones.

SAR is expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg). In the U.S., the FCC limit for public exposure from mobile phones is 1.6 W/kg, averaged over one gram of tissue. Reported SAR values come from standardized tests at high transmission power and are not a reliable way to rank everyday exposure across phones. The actual exposure depends on signal conditions and how the device is used.

SAR values of recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones

The values below are the highest reported individual-transmitter head and body-worn SAR values in the U.S. FCC equipment authorization records for the specified U.S. model variants, rounded to two decimals. All values are in W/kg averaged over 1 g of tissue. They are regulatory test results, not measurements of typical daily exposure; simultaneous-transmission and hotspot results are not included.

How to read these numbers: SAR is measured under standardized conditions at high transmission power. A lower published maximum SAR does not necessarily mean lower RF exposure during ordinary use. Values for other regional variants or 10-g test standards should not be compared directly.

How does EMF exposure affect our health?

The health effects of radiofrequency exposure continue to be studied. SAR is a compliance measurement, not a direct estimate of the health effects of ordinary smartphone use.

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). This classification describes limited evidence and does not establish that mobile phone use causes cancer.

People who prefer to reduce RF exposure can use practical measures such as more distance from the phone, speakerphone or a headset, and shorter calls.

How to Reduce EMF Exposure

There are several ways to reduce exposure to EMF radiation from smartphones:

1) Keep your phone away from your body

One of the simplest ways to reduce RF exposure is to increase the distance between your body and devices that transmit radio signals. Keep your phone, iPad and other wireless devices farther away when you do not need them close.

Greater distance generally reduces exposure from the device.

RELATED TOPIC: Is it bad to sleep next to your phone?

2) Use speakerphone or a headset

Using a speakerphone or headset during calls keeps the phone farther from your head. RF exposure from the device generally decreases with distance.

Consider using speakerphone or wired headphones when practical, especially for long calls.

3) Limit phone use

Shorter calls and less time spent with a transmitting phone held against your body can reduce exposure to RF energy.

If you are looking for ways to cut down on smartphone usage, daily screen-time limits, timers and offline activities can help.

If you need ideas for how to spend less time on your cell phone, we can help.

4) Turn off your phone when not in use

Powering down your phone generally stops normal cellular communications, although some newer phones can keep limited features active after shutdown.

If you want a planned break from wireless connectivity, check your device's settings and use the power-off options appropriate for your model.

5) Use airplane mode

Airplane mode can reduce wireless transmissions when you do not need a network connection.

However, some devices let you use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while airplane mode is enabled, and GPS reception does not necessarily stop. Check the icons and settings on your device.

Reducing active radio connections can reduce your exposure to EMFs from wireless devices.

6) Review SAR information before buying a phone

You can consult a phone's official SAR information to confirm it meets the applicable RF exposure limits. The published maximum SAR figure is not a reliable predictor of which phone will expose you to less RF energy during normal use.

SAR depends on the exact model and regulatory region. For comparisons in the United States, use the FCC's 1-g head and body-worn measurements for the relevant U.S. variant.

Check the manufacturer's official exposure information rather than comparing figures reported under different test standards.

7) Use a Faraday phone sleeve

Another option for planned wireless isolation is a fully closed Faraday phone sleeve. A properly sealed Faraday compartment is designed to block the wireless signals the phone uses to connect, including cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS signals.

When a phone is sealed inside, it cannot send or receive calls, messages or location updates over those connections. This is a way to take the device offline temporarily, not a medical treatment or a guarantee of health benefits.

Play it safe: Go SLNT

Research on RF exposure and health continues. If you want to reduce exposure in everyday situations, increase your distance from your phone, use speakerphone or a headset and spend less time on calls.

A Faraday sleeve offers a different choice: temporarily isolating your phone from wireless networks when you do not need to stay connected. Choose the approach that suits your needs, and check the product's testing information for its stated capabilities.