iPhone X SAR Values Are Lower Than Those Of Its Predecessors

The iPhone X Specific Absorbtion Rate (SAR) measurements have finally been updated by Apple on its official website. Although these values are known with weeks in advance, the Cupertino-based tech giant prefers to maintain the uncertainty and chooses to update the Radio Frequency exposure numbers of its new devices only hours before they’re launched. Since this is a vital health information, one would expect for the radiation values to become public before the pre-orders, especially when we talk about a redesigned iPhone model that might score significantly different from its predecessors.

Why is SAR value important? Because it’s the indicator that informs an iPhone X users how much radio frequency radiation the human body is bombarded with when the 10th anniversary iPhone users its antenna and receptors at maximum levels. Of course, that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates the market and won’t approve the new iPhone ‘Ten’ if it wouldn’t meet the guidelines. But it’s interesting to know how close to the 1.6 W/kg limit the new iPhone radiates, knowing that Apple’s iOS devices are usually on the high-end of the smartphone radiation charts!

iPhone X SAR Values
Apple manufactures three distinct iPhone models tailored to the needs of the regions that they operate in. The available versions are labeled as: A1865, A1901 and A1902. The SAR values are measured over two scales. In the United States the radiation is measured of 1g of tissue and the limit is 1.6 W/kg. The device’s are analyzed in two common usage positions. Near the Head (glued to the ear) and near the Body (5mm away). Here are the official SAR values for the iPhone X:

• Model – SAR Limit: 1.6 W/kg (over 1g)   | SAR Limit: 2.0 W/kg (over 10g)
• A1865 – Head: 1.09 W/kg ; Body 1.07 W/kg | Head: 0.87 W/kg  ; Body: 0.97 W/kg
• A1901 – Head: 1.08 W/kg ; Body 1.17 W/kg | Head: 0.92 W/kg  ; Body: 0.95 W/kg
• A1902 – Head: 1.12 W/kg ; Body 1.19 W/kg | Head: 0.93 W/kg  ; Body: 0.99 W/kg

iPhone X vs Samsung Galaxy S8 SAR Comparison
As usual, Samsung flagships score better when it comes to RF Exposure values and the difference are quite significant as you can acknowledge from the comparison available below.

• Model – SAR Limit: 1.6 W/kg (over 1g) | SAR Limit: 2.0 W/kg (over 10g)
• A1865 – Head: 1.09 W/kg ; Body 1.07 W/kg | Head: 0.87 W/kg ; Body: 0.97 W/kg
• A1901 – Head: 1.08 W/kg ; Body 1.17 W/kg | Head: 0.92 W/kg ; Body: 0.95 W/kg
• A1902 – Head: 1.12 W/kg ; Body 1.19 W/kg | Head: 0.93 W/kg ; Body: 0.99 W/kg
• S8 – Head: 0.38 W/kg ; Body 0.75 W/kg | Head: 0.32 W/kg ; Body: 1.27 W/kg
• S8+ – Head: 0.41 W/kg ; Body 0.97 W/kg | Head: 0.27 W/kg ; Body: 1.00 W/kg

iPhone X vs Previous iPhones Head-To-Head SAR Comparison
Check out the image uploaded nearby and see how the iPhone X radiation levels compare with all its predecessors!
It’s definitely noticeable that the edge-to-edge OLED iPhone is less radiating than the iPhone 8 lineup and one of the lowest radiating iPhones released in the past years!
Nevertheless, the iPhone X SAR values are still higher than the ones of its main Android competitors.

Tips To Reduce RF Exposure From iPhone X
– To reduce radiation when talking on a smartphone use a hands-free option like EarPods or even the built-in Speakerphone option that allows you to talk while holding the device away from your ear.
– Be aware that certain metal cases can amplify the SAR exposure values even above the compliance limits!
– For more details check our special article with 13 tricks to lower iPhone radiation exposure!