Smartphone Radiation Concerns: Samsung, Xiaomi Topping the List and How to Safely Reduce Exposure

Highlights

• Use a headset or speakerphone to minimize radiation exposure.
• Limit voice calls and utilize texting to reduce close contact with your phone.
• Activate Airplane mode in areas with weak signal strength.
• Choose smartphones with lower SAR ratings for enhanced safety.

As regulatory bodies become more conscious about smartphone radiation, we may see manufacturers taking it into account more.

Currently, there is little to worry about but that may soon change.

It’s possible that upcoming network technologies on smartphones could result in lower radiation emissions.

Ways to Reduce Smartphone Radiation Exposure

While a report by Stocklytics on smartphone radiation is a little scary, there are several ways you can minimize your exposure from your device:

1) Use a headset or speakerphone when calling. It keeps the phone away from your head and reduces radiation absorption tremendously.

2) Make as few calls as possible. The fewer calls you make, the lesser the exposure time.

3) Keep your phone in Airplane mode when the signals are weak. The tendency of phones in areas with poor signal strength is to emit higher radiation to connect to faraway towers. Turning on Airplane mode minimizes this.

4) Use text messaging over voice calls if you can. The reason for this is that texting eliminates holding the phone next to your head, vastly reducing the absorption of radiation.

Samsung, Xiaomi On the List

The report indicates that both Xiaomi and Samsung have models that emit more radiation than was expected.

For instance, the Xiaomi Mi A1 emits 1.75 W/kg near the ear and 0.76 W/kg near the body.

This is quite a high figure.

The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 series also reveals high radiation levels: the non-5G model records 1.58 W/kg near the ear and 1.42 W/kg near the body.

The 5G version of the Mi Max 3 further increases body radiation to 1.56 W/kg, though ear radiation remains similar to that of the non-5G model.

Samsung models also demonstrate elevated SAR levels, contributing to concerns over smartphone radiation.

The Samsung A23 5G notably records SAR levels near 1.5 W/kg for both ear and body exposure, mirroring high readings.

Samsung’s foldable devices, popular for their innovative designs, are not exempt from these concerns.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 exhibits radiation levels of 1.30 W/kg near the ear and 1.51 W/kg near the body, while the newer Z Fold 5 shows slightly lower yet significant levels of 1.24 W/kg near the ear.

Should You Be Worried?

This report of some smartphone models exceeding the expectation for radiation puts up valid questions.

But before you junk your phone, there are a few things to understand.

For starters, regulatory bodies have SAR limits for a reason: to make sure phones do not emit radiation at high, harmful levels.

These limits are there to protect the consumer.

Second, not all phones are created equal when it comes to radiation output.

A number of brands, for example, Google and Apple, have some models that have considerably smaller SAR ratings, well within the accepted range of about 1.36-1.39 W/kg for exposure to the head.

There are also exceptions under the brands mentioned in the report as having phones with high SAR, such as the Samsung Note 10 series and the Xiaomi Redmi 5A.

All said and done, it is left for you as a consumer to make your choice.

If you are so worried about exposure to radiation, then do your research and buy a phone with a low SAR rating.

For most, the level of convenience that comes with keeping in contact probably outweighs the very meager risks that radiations from smartphones may pose to individuals.

FAQs

What are some effective methods to reduce radiation exposure from smartphones?

To minimize radiation exposure, you can use a headset or speakerphone during calls, reduce the number of calls you make, switch to Airplane mode in low-signal areas, and prefer texting over voice calls.

Why is it important to consider a smartphone’s SAR rating when purchasing a new phone?

The SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) rating indicates the amount of radiation absorbed by the body when using a smartphone.

Choosing a phone with a lower SAR rating helps reduce your exposure to potentially harmful radiation levels.

What does turning on Airplane mode do in terms of radiation exposure?

Turning on Airplane mode disables wireless transmissions from your smartphone, which reduces the phone’s attempt to emit higher radiation levels when trying to connect to network towers in areas with poor signal strength.

Are all smartphones the same in terms of radiation emission?

No, smartphones vary in their radiation emissions. Brands like Google and Apple often have models with lower SAR ratings, while other brands might have models that emit higher levels of radiation.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 competes with Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and Moto Razr 2022; which is better?