How Much Radiation Does Your Phone Emit?

Natalie 06-12-2008

The technology news site CNET has compiled two interesting lists showing which cellphones give off the most and the least radiation.

In publishing the information, CNET editors note the data aren’t meant to imply that cellphone radiation poses a risk, nor is it meant to say that the phones are safe. As I recently reported in my Well column last week, the data on cellphone safety is mixed, although a few recent international studies have suggested a link with three types of brain tumors. The Food and Drug Administration also says there’s not enough information to determine conclusively whether cellphones are safe or unsafe.

The charts focus on the specific absorption rate, or SAR, of a cellphone, which is a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency energy that is absorbed by the body, according to CNET.

For a phone to pass F.C.C. certification, that phone’s maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 W/kg (watts per kilogram). In Europe, the level is capped at 2 W/kg, while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6 W/kg. The SAR level listed in our charts represents the highest SAR level with the phone next to the ear as tested by the F.C.C. Keep in mind that it is possible for the SAR level to vary between different transmission bands and that different testing bodies can obtain different results. Also, it’s possible for results to vary between different editions of the same phone (such as a handset that’s offered by multiple carriers).

Four Motorola phones top the list, with the V195s putting out the maximum 1.6 W/kg. The popular BlackBerry Curve 8330 rounds out the No. 5 spot. To see the full top 10 list, click here.

The list of lowest-radiation cellphones includes the LG KG800 and the Motorola Razr V3x, which put out 0.135 W/kg and 0.14 W/kg, respectively. To see all the lowest radiation phones, click here.

If you don’t see your phone on the list, the site includes lists of cellphones by brand name. My iPhone was listed under “other” brands, but I was interested to learn that its SAR number is 0.974.

[SAR level(digital)]

Ten lowest-radiation cell phones (United States)
1. LG KG800 [0.135]
2. Motorola Razr V3x [0.14]
3. Nokia 9300 [0.21]
4. Nokia N90 [0.22]
5. Samsung SGH-G800 [0.23]
6. Samsung Sync SGH-A707 [0.236]
7. Nokia 7390 [0.26]
8. Samsung SGH-T809 [0.32]
9. Bang & Olufsen Serene (Samsung SGH-E910) [0.33]
10. Motorola Razr2 V8 [0.36]

Ten highest-radiation cell phones (United States)
1 Motorola V195s [1.6]
2 Motorola Slvr L6 [1.58]
3 Motorola Slvr L2 [1.54]
4 Motorola W385 [1.54]
5 RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Sprint) [1.54]
6 RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Verizon Wireless) [1.54]
7 Motorola Deluxe ic902 [1.53]
8 T-Mobile Shadow (HTC) [1.53]
9 Motorola i335 [1.53]
10 Samsung Sync SGH-C417 [1.51]

LatinStar13

Is this something that I really need to worry about or is this just more infomation then I would really would want to know?

hugo281

well there have been reports of how cell phones can mess up your health in the long run because of the radiation it emits, i seen this on CNN and on Fox News a while back, they even said bluetooth was dangerous too so yeah I guess just minimizing the amount of time to keep from getting sick would help

Mina

yeah ummm i coudlnt live with my cell. =\

Hsoolien

Life increases the risk of cancer and death, but I don't see warning signs posted about it

If it mattered hooray, my phone emits the second least amount.

Raven

You remember a few years ago they made a really big deal about this, even enough that they sold those pointless stickers for almost $50 for "help shield radiation". Those people made a killing.

hugo281

yeah I remember that lol, I was like hmm why are they selling those stickers for if people are on cell phones pretty much every where you go, like HEB, malls, and any other place, its like apart of us lol, but yeah who knows if they still have those stickers around too