High radiation smartphones: When buying a new smartphone, we usually look for battery life, camera quality, or processor power. But hardly anyone looks at how much radiation the phone gives off. This is an underappreciated aspect that can cause serious health hazards, such as brain damage or even deafness. Some smartphones give off radiation at dangerous levels, and being aware of which models are on this list may save your health.

High Radiation Smartphones That Can Damage Your Health

The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection has published a list of the phones that radiate the most. These phones, which spend a lot of time in contact with your body on a daily basis, could hurt your ears and brain due to high radiation.

  • The SAR value of Sony Xperia XZ Premium is 1.21. Huawei Nova 2 comes second with a SAR of 1.25. OnePlus 9 is also listed with a SAR of 1.26. Huawei P Smart, another model of Huawei, displays a SAR of 1.27. ZTE Axon 7 Mini has 1.29, and OnePlus 6 achieves 1.33.
  • Google Pixel 3 and Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact both have SAR values of 1.33 and 1.36 respectively. Oppo Reno5 5G and Google Pixel 4a have a SAR value of 1.37. Google Pixel 3 XL has a higher SAR of 1.39. Sony Xperia XA2 Plus from Japan radiates with a SAR value of 1.41.
  • Among the best emitters stands OnePlus 6T with an SAR of 1.55, then there is ZTE Axon 11 5G at 1.59. Leading in the list is Motorola Edge with a SAR level of 1.79 as the highest in radiation emission across this series of phones.

What Is SAR and Why It Matters

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is the measurement for how much radiation a device sends out, measured in watts per kilogram of body weight. The higher the SAR, the more radiation your body will absorb when using the device. Health agencies generally recommend keeping SAR below a level to prevent health effects such as tissue damage or neurological effects.

How to Minimize Smartphone Radiation Exposure

To minimize your exposure, try using speakerphone or wired earbuds rather than holding the phone to your ear. Keep calls short and restrict smartphone use when the signal is weak, since phones will emit more radiation under these circumstances. Checking the SAR value before buying a phone can also be an easy but effective means of protecting your health.